Only 16

[Chris Pike]

Hi, my name is Chris and I have recently been informed that I have Keratoconus by a specialist, I'm only 16 and currently studying for my GCSE's wich come in a month or so. This could have been the worst news I have ever had - because of this condition I cant join the Police (a dream of mine) and the same applies to the RAF.
After studying the condition I have learnt alot more than I knew at first and this has helped me to cope, my doctor has recommended I try to find a support group or something along those lines to talk to others that have this condition so here I am! I'd just like to say hi, and hope to meet some new people

[John Smith]

Hello Chris, and welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry to hear about your problems with the Police and the RAF. There's usually people around here that can help.

All you have to do is ask

[Andrew MacLean]

Hi Christ

i was once only 16, too!

Actually when I was firsd told I had KC it was easy to find things that I couldn't do. I know how hard it is when you have your heart set on a career in the police or the armed forces to have the opportunity taken from you.

In time you will find more and more things that you can do.

All the best with your GCSE's.

Andrew

[Chris Pike]

Hi guys, I'd like to thank you for the friendly welcome, Im going to start looking at my career options in a few months after I get my results back. This is typical 'me' luck lol, something bad always happens just when I need it least.

[Sophie Bull]

Hi Chris,

I was also diagnosed with Kerotaconus at a simialr time in my life, when i was 16 and just about to take GCSE's. I know how you feel not only do you have all the work that everyone else has but a whole new thing to deal with that takes up a fair bit of your concentration.

I dont know how you would feel about this, but as I was about to take my GCSE's when I was diagnosed my mum (unknown to me!) wrote to the exam board to let them know that I had this extra thing to deal with and asked for some kind of special consideration. Im not sure exactly how they decide about special consideration, but perhaps it is worth ago...maybe speak to a tutor or year head about it.

I noticed that your from warminster and was just wondering what hospital and consultant you are seeing. I come from Bradford-On-Avon and went to Bath hospital but Since coming to university I have had to visit the hospital here in sheffield and they have been brilliant they have a contact lens specialist. But it is really worth exploring the options, apparently Bristol have a really good eye department. I also know of a good opthomologist/opticians in Bath that has had quite some experience of KC. So if you want details of them let me know and I will send them to you.

Really good luck with your exams
Take care
Sophie

[Chris Pike]

Hi Sophie, I went to Bath RUH about 2 years ago about my eyes, now they told me I had nothing to worry about and it may be nothing. The specialist was a Mr.Luck and told me it may be nothing serious. I then went to see an 'optcian' about it and she said the exact opposite, I did have the condition. However she did not inform me of the effects it would have at a later age (like proffesions that I wouldnt be able to do) but did write a letter to my family GP informing just her.
Last week I went to the GP and was shown this letter from 2 years ago - which I had no idea about, I was so annoyed that this had been kept from me. So now I am going up to London, a cousin of mine uses them (and has the same condition.) I told the RUH myself that I would not see this optician ever again because I was so upset/angry about what she did lol, si now Im waiting to hear back from London

[Anna Mason]

Hi Chris, There is a temptation to blow KC out of all proportion. It isnt the end of the world.

Yes, some people do have severe problems but not all people who have KC struggle all the time. I am not trying to lessen what others have gone through or some of the hassle it can cause. I was diagnosed around 12 years old and we thought it was just another sort of short sightedness.

I can understand it limits some of you options but by no means all of your options.

If you were too short for the police it would also keep you out of the basketball team !

[Rob Armstrong]

Its true, the extent to which people are affected by KC varies greatly. I would guess that the messages on here and other sites are not truly representative of KC sufferers as a whole.

I personally only came across this website while searching for more information about corneal grafts. A point that only a fraction of KC sufferers reach.

I met a distant relative last summer who also had KC. She only had to wear glasses occassionally, (for reading/driving etc.) and it had made little or no impact on her life. She was surprised to hear how I had the same condition, yet at a younger age had already undergone surgery. She was not even aware that it could go that far.

I think in many cases people are only told what they need to know at the time, in order to avoid causing unnecessary worry. I remember being told when I was first diagnosed, that I needed reading glasses, and if it got worse I might need to wear glasses all the time. Next year I was told I might have to wear contact lenses instead of my glasses, and so on.

I wasn't diagnosed until I was about 18, and I had almost done my A-Levels, as well as already picked out a uni course. As you mention, you're at an ideal time to rethink your career options, so try to think of it as an opportunity, rather than a set back.

And try not to worry, its not necessarily the end of the world!

Rob.

[Sophie Bull]

Hi Chris

thats really interesting, I had the same consultant in Bath although in the last few years have never actually seen him only one of his SHO'S or someone else and invariably ended up telling them more than they told me! Maybe going to London will be right for you, but it may be worth giving Bristol hospital a try, my consultant here has some connection there and thinks they have a really good eye department. It maybe worth ago as I also got disheartened with bath RUH and ended up with my ompthomolgist providing my primary care...my choice more than anything because they were so much more helpful. If you want to see them it may be worth it as they are in Bath so its not as far as London and maybe worth ago. The name of the practice is Ellis and Kilpatrick their phone number is 01225 466954 if you want to contact them if not dont worry but often it seems personal recomendation has worked for me.

Good luck hope this information is helpful. Obviously and im sure you realise too that Kerotaconus is not the end of the world. Since being diagnosed i have got some decent GCSE's and A-levels, travelled a fair bit of the world in a gap year and im now in my second year at university so defianatley dont let it get you down.its unpredictable nature means everyone has a different experience and your eyes may stabilise at any point and not get any worse, but its always worth exploring your options

Sophie.

[Richard In Wales]

I was in the Army and had KC, all be it at the early stages and used glasses then with no problems. I knew of a mate with similar problems that wore contacts while at work, He was a Helicopter technician.