UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Someone brought the latest edition of the British Medical Association's A-Z Family Medical Encyclopedia into my office. The entry under 'Keratoconus' makes interesting reading. I quote:

'An inherited disorder of the eye, in which the cornea becomes gradually thinned and conical. The condition affects both eyes and usually develops around puberty giving rise to increased myopia and progressive distortion of vision that cannot be fully corrected by glasses. Hard contact lenses improve vision in the early stages, but later it is generally necessary to perform a corneal graft to restorenormal vision permanently.'

How reassuring and informative that must be for those who are newly diagosed, their family and friends!

Lol...indeed!...although I must say I was told the same thing..but alittle more drama involved!..I was told my cornea would fall off!

J

Another thing that happens with KC is that you become a trekkie and have to eat cake. Honest...

Wow is that why i eat lots of doughnuts. I thought i was just greedy.

Anne

That's right Anne, it's a clinical need

Ken - sounds like we should really try and get this changed for the next edition given how misleading it is. The vast majority of people with KC will NOT need a graft! Do you know how often they revise it? Any clue as to who we would need to contact?
Anne

Why doesn't any one put chocolate and cakes as an allergy?

Seems defo to be a KC link

Anyone up for a clinical trial

Anne

Just looking at the estimable tome now.

It is the fourth edition, published in the UK in 2004 by Dorling Kindersley, 80 Strand, London WCR 0RL. A Penguin Company.

This edition published 2006 for Index Books.

(its one of these book club thingies)

The ISBN is 1 4053 0264 X

Hi

I'm new to this discussion forum (but not KC!) but have been aware of it for some time and recieve newsletters from the group etc. I'm also coming to the AGM tomorrow!

About this book, I work for the BMA (I'm not a doctor or medically qualified, just a member of staff!) and although it is not a clinical organistaion it should have accurate information in a book it has put its name to. I shall endeavour to find out if it is going to be republished and how to get accurate information in there. I believe the book is only endorsed by the BMA and is not one of our publications.

Cheers, Matt.

Hi Mattsaze

Thanks for your interest.

The covernotes on the encyclopedia states;

'this new edition of the BMA A-Z Family Medical Encyclopedia has been prepared by a highly qualified team of doctors and medical editors, overseen by Dr Michael Peters a consulting medical editor for the BMA'.

Hope this helps

Cheers!