Introduction and Question

[David M.]

Hi everyone I'd like to introduce myself. Im David and I'm 33 years old. I've had bilateral KC since I was 13 which steadily progressed until my early twenties when it then stabilised. Initially I was fitted with contact lens in my mid-teens which, after about 5years of futility, I eventually gave up. As my KC then appeared to stabilise and because of the rather unhelpful manner of various consultants, I eventually ceased seeing anyone about my KC, except for occasional visits to an optician.
Due to me not having my vision tested often I dont have any measurements but my left eye is fairly good though not great at night. My right eye is awful, I cant even see the Snellen chart on the wall.
Anyway I've got a question I hope you could help me with. Sorry if this has been asked before, but what is everyone's opinion of Occupational Health questionnaires you get asked to complete when applying for new jobs? Considering the rather imprecise description of my vision do you think its worth my while declaring my KC? In 11years I've never bothered but within the past year I've detected a slight but definate deterioration in the vision in my left (good) eye. As I dont yet have an appointment for a consultant I thought I'd ask here.
Thanks for your help with this. Ive got more questions as well but they can be other threads.
Cheers
D.

[Andrew MacLean]

David

I'd say it is absoultely worth while declaring Keratoconus in an OH Questionaire. This will enable your employer or potential employer to make special provision for you at work.

Also, given that you can not longer see the Snellen Chart with your right eye, were I in your position I'd be asking for an Ophthalmology referral. it may be that there are new lenses available that you could try, or even that surgery is now indicated. You can see elsewhere in the forum that there are several surgical optio0ns now available.

All the best

Andrew

[rosemary johnson]

Hallo, and welcome to the forums.
As regards the questionnaires - are these the "health questionnaire" you get along with application forms?
It's possible an unsscupulous employer may drop your application like a hot potato if they read anything less than 100% healthy and able on there; on the other hand, if you ever need any of the "reasonable adjustments" specified under the Disability Discrimination Act to enable you to do your job (special computer screens, for example), they can't provide any help if you've never notified them of any problem.
"Why didn't you tell us?" would be a reasonable response if you ever do need special kit and particular circumstances.
You could also be in trouble if it transpires you didn't disclose all the facts on an application.

I'd agree also with Andrew - it sounds like getting back into the "system" and getting a check-up, and possibly new types of lenses, or something, wouldn't be a bad idea.

Rosemary

[GarethB]

I have always declared my KC and the only tiem I have been out of wok was when I walked out of a sales job when I was denied my percentage ona million pound deal. I was out of work for a month, but that was my choice and never registerd unemployed.

Once I decided what I wanted to do again, filled out applications declared KC and walked straight into a job.

Personally never found them a problem and my employers have always been supportive be it a small familly run business or a large multinational.

If you fail to declare it and KC becomes a problem, employers can use it against you for failing to complete the application honestly. Just like Rosemary says, others may use it against you and not consider you for interview as you have KC.

I always take the opertunity to declare it and then detail how I have oovercome the condition to live a near normal life. Personally I feel as long as the people you are applying to do not perceve you as a burden or a liability they treat you as if you have short sight and wear glasses even though neither is the case for us.

[Lynn White]

Hi David,

I agree with all of the sensible posts above and do urge you to try and find someone with whom you can get some rapport - be it a consultant or an optom or both (preferably!)

Understanding of KC is much better now than when it was when you were diagnosed, though I am not saying its perfect. There has been progress both in the understanding of the condition and in its management, both in contact lens designs and also in methods of treatment.

Feel free to ask as many questions as you like - as an optometrist, I will try and answer as many clinical questions as I can!

Lynn

[Sweet]

David,

Hello and welcome to the forum!

I didn't declare KC throughout uni but did when i got my first nursing job and have with every job since. It is important i think as while for most it will hopefully be stable you do need to have it on record in case you need any help in the future.

Your employer shouldn't see it as a problem, i mean you can obviously see well enough to fill in the tiny boxes on an application form! But this could all depend on what jobs you are applying for and indeed how open minded your employer is.

I have never found it to be a problem but then i guess i could be lucky working in the NHS, but most employers know that they can't dismiss you on a health problem or not employ you because of a disability.

Wishing you all the best and it's ok to ask questions, someone here will always have an answer i'm sure!

Sweet X x X

[jayuk]

David

From a personal perspective, I have only ever mentioned KC in my previous job....and that was it. I did this by feeling the health related form and entering Keratoconus. I wouild assume they didnt even take notice of it; or if they did, probably didnt pay much attention!...however the reason I did it on this instance was that I knew I was going to be having a Graft and thus I didnt want it to be an issue...........

Unless you actually talk with someone in Personnel and mention you have KC; I would doubt that this would get pickde up.....but that has been my experience of it............

But another thing to bear in mind; is the type and nature of the job......if your applying to be a Air Pilot then maybe you want to highlight this....but if you're applying for another role not as demanding and responsible......then a mere reference in the application form would suffice....however this is my sole opinion....

J

[David M.]

Thanks for the welcome and advice everyone. As I've had KC for so long now Ive tended to view it as more of an 'annoyance' than a serious visual disorder. Its only recently I started to consider it differently, hence the reason why I did a web search and found this forum. The understanding of KC has obviously improved considerably since I was diagnosed, and reading peoples experiences here made me realise that maybe I shouldn't ignore it any longer.
It's interesting what you said Sweet, as it's not actually a 'job' I'm applying for. I have a place at York Uni' to start my Dip H.E nurses training in October and it's their Occupational Health questionnaire I was talking about.
Again thanks for your help everyone, all the best.
D.

[Sweet]

Ohhhhh ... then if you are talking about nurse training then you have to declare it which i found out the wrong way. I was lucky enough not to have any problems throughout uni and my wearing lenses on shifts didn't matter as i could have just been seen as being vain and not wearing glasses!

However when i qualified i then had a problem as my first job asked for a full medical and i had to declare it. I couldn't really come up with a good excuse for not mentioning it before when i was diagnosed at 14! As occ health said to me the uni records follow you to your first job and it didn't look good as a future nurse not to fully declare ALL medical problems. Hehe, i did get her point!

So i would say to declare it and hopefully your eyes will be stable and you won't need to follow any of this up at a later date! But you will need to put it on a form at some point so might as well do it now!

Best of luck with your training!

Sweet X x X

[Andrew MacLean]

All the best with the training. The more Health Professionals who have an understanding of Keratoconus the better!

Andrew

ps Temporarily flying the Isle of Man flag in support of Lisa. (My American grandfather died on the Isle of Man, so I count it an extension of home!)