Hello there Sally and welcome to the forum!
As John said, i am a nurse. Have been qualified for four years, and am now working in 'A & E'. I got diagnosed at fourteen, (am now twenty nine), played with lenses unsucessfully for two years until i decided to take the whole dam thing seriously, which wasn't easy when my twin sister then had no problems with her eyesight. And so was wearing lenses way before i went for my training.
To be honest, i don't think i actually mentioned it at uni, as it didn't really bother me once i found a lens that worked. I guess i just accepted that it was much better to wear one and see, than to not and go through life being almost blind! LOL!!
When i did qualify though i did mention it, more really because i had declared it a year before to the DVLA for my driving licence, and also because occupational health do have a right to know. When you fill in your application form for jobs, you are actually lying to them if you do not disclose this, and more importantly as i had to tell my twin sister, if you ever need any help with your eyesight in the future, you don't really have a leg to stand on if you didn't tell them! (She isn't in the health profession, was a teacher but now works as a secetary with computers). I would suggest being honest, than having to admit to not telling them at a later stage when you may need help, which may be years after by then!
Saying that ... i had NO problems with declaring it and still don't. I have worked in many areas, ICU and 'A & E' being the hardest with AC and needed better vision than ward work, but everything has been ok. This year i had to take six months off work because of infections etc and not being able to wear a lens, but occupational health were lovely.
Only one person there knew about the condition, but it really helped as they were able to write to work everytime i saw them to let them know what was going on and what help i needed. We don't use computers much, in that i don't spend hours looking at a screen so didn't really need help with that. but on shift patterns i kinda did. We work twelve hour shifts from eight until eight, three one week and four the next, but no more than three in a row once every six weeks. Every six weeks we also do a whole week of nights, which mean seven, twelve hour night shifts from eight until eight, with the following week off. This is difficult, and a whole year of that got me into so much trouble with my lenses, with overwear etc even though i had a week off to recover. Nights as you probably already know are hard work anyway as you do get tired, but seven in a row with lenses in is hell! LOL!
It is all ok now though, in that occupational health have arranged for health reasons that i never do more than three, so have a whole day and night to recover without having to wear a lens, and i make up the night i missed in my week off.
This is why you need to let occupational health know, as they can be so much help to you if you need them, and as you will be working shifts as well, that they can make sure that you have enough time off with rest to take your lenses out. You can also apply for time off etc for hospital / optician appointments, which can help if needed. As i work long shifts, i tend to book mine aound work as it is much easier, but it is there in case i need it.
Being a student midwife, i am sure that you will be aware of the risks of fluids etc splashing in your eyes, and will be advised to wear some eye protection just in case. I know that many advise this even if you don't wear lenses, as eyes are very sensitive and open to infection etc, and need protection just in case!
Lastly, it can be true that just because you work in the NHS or a caring profession, that you do not automatically get the help and support you may need. It is a right for everyone who works though, that they get support in order for them to carry out their job safely, and i am sure that you will find this out when you get your first job!
My advice ... is to be honest and upfront with them as they are more likely to be the same back to you! Also that occupational health have no real right to let your employers know anything about you unless it affects the way you work. So ... unless they need to justify any issues you have such as any reason for decreased shifts etc, that unless you tell those you work with yourself, that no-one there will actually know.
Hope this helps, and you are welcome to pm or email me if you need anything else!
Love Sweet X x X
.
? How did occupational health react to the news you have KC 
? Are there some of you who have not felt able to disclose this 
? Did you have KC before you worked for them or has it been diagnosed during your employment 
?
. I am a student midwife.
I wasn't expecting to hear from so many, thanks 
If not I will go independant