Quicktopic posts: Feb 2003

[anon]

Helen/Nessa,
there is some theories although unproven that kerotoconus is caused by autoimmune response- ie your own defence mechanism attacking your own body. Psoriasis, dermatitis, sensitivity to various chemicals etc seems not uncommon among KC suffers. On the bright side - my previous optitian told me that KC suffers are bright and well read lot. None of this is scientific but hey - a reason to smile.

[Sue Ingram]

Hello John (1362) and Mark (1360), With regard to the Driving Licence Application, Yes, I completed one in 1994 stating that I had KC in both eyes and that it was corrected by contact lenses. The DVLA then sent me another form to fill in asking if I had things like double vision, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, cataracts etc, etc (note KC was NOT on the list!). The form also asked for consent for my doctors/specialists to release details about my health to the Medical Adviser if he/she decided that medical reports were necessary.

As it so happened, at the same time, I was due an appt at Moorfields and got them to check that my sight with lenses was above the limit required to drive; they confirmed it was. They also went through the 'eyesight' checklist with me (can't exactly remember what that was now) and everything was OK.

Once I had returned the form to the DVLA, together with the information from Moorfields, I received my new licence. I never knew whether or not the DVLA actually contacted my doctor/MEH etc.

Hope this helps. SUE

[Sue Ingram]

Hi Nessa (1363), Welcome to the site. I think that more families/friends of KC sufferers should post messages more often! I think they have a big part to play in the lives of us KCers, give us tons of support and we very often could not do without you all. And then on the other hand, you have a lot to put up with when we have bad eye days or are moaning about our lenses/grafts/hydrops etc, etc, and more often than not probably not really understanding it at all. So a here's a BIG THANK YOU to all of you!

I am so sorry that your husband seems to be suffering alot lately and has other things to contend with other than KC - it must be very frustrating for you sometimes (and him, of course).

However, now you have found this website, you know you can have a good old moan any time and we (and our other halves!) will understand; let us know if you have any more questons etc.

Good luck with the latest graft - hope its a success this time. Hopefully, you will get on that honeymoon in the not too distant future! Take care and keep smiling :-) SUE

[Sue Ingram]

Hi Sarah (1369), Glad to hear your graft is still going strong. It's great that you are trying to raise the awareness of KC in your local area; it is definitely needed! Unfortunately, Somerset is a bit too far for me, otherwise I would have attended your car boot sale, however, I am sure there are others who could come along and support you.

Good luck! Let us know how you get on. Take care. SUE

[Tony Stigle]

Nessa re entry 1368
<b><big>It occurs when you reply by email and you keep the message you're replying to at the bottom of the email you send. QT just removes it to avoid unnecessary clutter, since all the messages are there on the topic page.
</b>. </big>

[Nessa]

Sue Ingram
Thanks for the welcome message, its much appreciated and i will definately be checking this site often, and adding messages. Maybe i can get my husband to do the same i have told him all about it and about the messages i have been writing and any replys i have had, I think he would benefit from doing so too, but i wont push him, will just keep him informed.
And if there are any families/friends of people with KC out there that would like to chat or have a moan i would be glad to listen.
Nessa

[Christine Wright]

I've just seen Maria Gabiella's message (1270)asking about hospitals that fit CLs for Keratoconus in the Birmingham area. There are Contact lens departments at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre (BMEC)in City Hospital, Heartlands Hospital (East of the city), Selly Oak Hospital (South West), Solihull Hospital (South East)and I think Good Hope Hospital (North). They all see lots and lots of people with Keratoconus, so do ask your Gp to refer you.
Incidentally, there are two Ophthalmologists who are Corneal specialists in the city - Peter McDonnell (spelling?)at BMEC and Sunil Shah at BMEC and Solihull. Good luck!

[Gabriella Todaro]

Hello Christine,

Thank you very much for the information. I've actually got a referral to the Ophtalmology Department at Good Hope Hospital. I am now on the waiting list and will eventually get an appointment.

I let you postet.
Gabriella






< replied-to message removed by QT >

[Anne-Marie Penny]

Helen (1365),

I've recently taken my two children (4 & 3) to have their eyes checked as I was diagnosed with KC 20 odd years ago and my husband has a regular astigmatism (lucky him!!)

Although KC doesn't apparently 'kick in' until around puberty, changes in the eye can lead an optician to an earlier diagnosis in some cases, so I've been told.

I was under the impression that KC was an inherited condition although my optician is not convinced. Still, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Due to a problem with my KC eye a few years ago I'm learning to live with the condition without contacts - and it's not as restrictive as I thought it might be.

Hope all goes well,

Anne-Marie

[Anne-Marie Penny]

Nessa (1364),

I've just read your message and no, I don't think anyone will mind the wife of a KC sufferer posting a message! Having read other peoples experiences I realise that by comparison I've got away lightly. Please tell your husband that I'm thinking of him and that there is supprt and help there for him.

Anne-Marie