Why is KC a disease?

[Craig Thornton]

After reading numerous websites and other literature, I've noticed KC is always referred to as a disease.

Maybe wrongly, I've always thought of the word "disease" meaning an infectious illness and therefore why is KC classed as such?

I don't want people avoiding me if I tell them I'm diseased!

[John Smith]

Hi Craig.

I remember reading somewhere that a disease is something that can be cured; whereas a condition is something that cannot.

Now, I'm even less sure about the classification of KC if this is true, as KC can be cured, sort-of, by means of a graft. Fitting contact lenses etc. is just a way of coping with the condition, and it is not medically cured.

I'm sure someone will be able to help though.

One thing to remember though - KC is NOT infectious. You either have it or you don't.

[Andrew MacLean]

Another take on this question: Do we "live with" ir "suffer from" Keratoconus.

Sometimes I am happy to own the first but at other times I really feel like it is the second.

Andrew

[Lynn White]

Well Wikpedia says..

A disease or medical condition is an abnormality of the body or mind that causes discomfort, dysfunction, distress, or death to the person afflicted or those in contact with the person. Sometimes the term is used broadly to include injuries, disabilities, disorders, syndromes, infections, symptoms, deviant behaviors, and atypical variations of structure and function, while in other contexts these may be considered distinguishable categories.

So as you can see, the term disease is a loose one!Funnily enough, Wikipedia starts by saying KC is a disorder then goes on to say it is a disease!!!

Andrew... perhaps we should invent new way of describing someone with KC!

[piper]

I have taken to telling people that I have a condition, not a disease because of the stigma associated with disease.

Piper

[jayuk]

We could call it a Condease? or Disdition

[Lynn White]

[Andrew MacLean]

The OED says

disease | diˈzēz| noun a disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, esp. one that produces specific signs or symptoms or that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of physical injury : bacterial meningitis is a rare disease | a possible cause of heart disease.

figurative a particular quality, habit, or disposition regarded as adversely affecting a person or group of people : departmental administration has often led to the dread disease of departmentalitis. ORIGIN Middle English (in the sense [lack of ease; inconvenience] ): from Old French desaise ‘lack of ease,’ from des- (expressing reversal) + aise ‘ease.’

Also, the Thesaurus gives the following equivalents

illness, sickness, ill health; infection, ailment, malady, disorder, complaint, affliction, condition, indisposition, upset, problem, trouble, infirmity, disability, defect, abnormality; pestilence, plague, cancer, canker, blight; informal bug, virus. dated contagion.

I quite like the idea of Keratoconus being a pestilence of the eye.

Andrew

[Matthew_]

Is it a 'condeleeza'?

By the way, I like the snowy robin scene with the Trinidad flag! Real juxtapose!

[Andrew MacLean]

Matthew

I am sure you do not mean to imply that Dr Rice has poor vision!

Andrew