UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

My 20 year old son was diagnosed with Keratoconus earlier this year, currently it is only affecting the vision in one eye. he was referred to both a specialist optician and a corneal eye specialist at our local hospital. The optician has provided him with a hybrid contact lens and during their consultations indicated that in his opinion when he attended the appointment with the ophthalmologist it was likely he would be referred to Liverpool eye hospital for Crosslinking in the affected eye. However, he had his appointment with the corneal eye ophthalmologist last week and he advised him to return in 12 months for further review and to stop rubbing his eye as this alone may delay progression. My son would like to join the police force who have a minimum uncorrected visual requirement, he currently just qualifies for this in the affected eye, I expressed concern to the ophthalmologist that if my sons eye sight was to deteriorate he may then be unable to meet the minimum uncorrected visual requirement and asked if it there would be any value in considering Crosslinking at this stage to prevent further deterioration of the vision. He said no not currently as it was only advisable with progressive Keratoconus but agreed to review in 6 months rather than 12 months. Unfortunately, if there were any progression at this stage which inevitably may cause further decreased vision he may not meet the police eye requirement. I am not sure what to do at this stage . I wonder if it is advisable to consider a second opinion and if it is possible to be referred directly an eye hospital such as Liverpool or whether to consider paying privately for Crosslinking or whether to simply await the next appointment in 6 months. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hello Evonne and welcome.
To be eligible for crosslinking on the NHS, there has to be demonstrable progression on corneal topographies done 6 months apart. So I don't think a second opinion or asking your son's GP to refer him to Liverpool would make any difference at this stage, given that he now has a review in 6 months time. You do have the option of paying privately, but bear in mind that no procedure is risk free and there is a very small (3%) risk that CXL will make things worse rather than better. But I appreciate it's a bit of a Catch 22 with the risk that the vision will fall below the minimum requirements for the police if he waits. Does he currently wear glasses or contact lenses? Have a look at the article on crosslinking in our latest newsletter (on the home page under 'Publications').

Thank you for that, it was very helpful.
He has been a hybrid lens by the optician for the affected eye which does improve his vision, he was previously given glasses however never found they improved his vision in the affected eye at all
I will look at the article mentioned
Thanks again