Please have your eyesight checked regularly!
Moderators: Anne Klepacz, John Smith, Sweet
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Tina Sweetland
- Contributor
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Sat 15 Apr 2006 5:16 pm
- Location: Bournemouth,Dorset
Please have your eyesight checked regularly!
I have always seen my Optromitist twice a year and have just realised that he has not been performing a full eye test ( I didn't realise that I also needed to have these at least every 2 years..probably the last one I had was 25 years ago..when I was 19 and first diagnosed) .....I had an unusual blister on the edge of my iris (and so have been unable to wear one lens since early December)....I have just seen the KC specialist at the local hospital and guess what!...I AM really short sighted..and because that presents itself quite similarly to KC, and when first dianosed at 19...it was the "right age" for KC...she has just informed me that at 44...i DON'T have KC!!..I am SO shocked....I CAN wear glasses..I could have some success with Lazer treatment....so a warning to you guys..PLEASE ensure you also have regular eye tests..and good luck for the future..you've been really supportive..and a great place for information......xx
Tina Sweetland
Yes I know it's a Welsh flag...with a maiden name of Evans?...need I say more?
Yes I know it's a Welsh flag...with a maiden name of Evans?...need I say more?
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John Smith
- Moderator
- Posts: 1941
- Joined: Thu 08 Jan 2004 12:48 am
- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Graft(s) and spectacles
- Location: Sidcup, Kent
Tina,
This is quite shocking! Was it only your optician/optometrist who told you that you had KC, or did you have the diagnosis confirmed originally by a consultant ophthalmologist?
If you weren't referred to a consultant, then I'd guess that you certainly have grounds to complain to the GOC (General Optical Council) if you want to take it that far.
Having said that, I'm really glad that you "no longer" have KC - and I hope that you'll get sorted out soon with some glasses that suit you.
Of course, it's possible that the "second opinion" was the incorrect one... it may be worth getting a topography done to confirm one way or the other.
All the best,
This is quite shocking! Was it only your optician/optometrist who told you that you had KC, or did you have the diagnosis confirmed originally by a consultant ophthalmologist?
If you weren't referred to a consultant, then I'd guess that you certainly have grounds to complain to the GOC (General Optical Council) if you want to take it that far.
Having said that, I'm really glad that you "no longer" have KC - and I hope that you'll get sorted out soon with some glasses that suit you.
Of course, it's possible that the "second opinion" was the incorrect one... it may be worth getting a topography done to confirm one way or the other.
All the best,
John
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Diane Fitzhenry
- Contributor
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Tue 03 Oct 2006 1:57 pm
- Location: Liverpool
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Andrew MacLean
- Moderator
- Posts: 7703
- Joined: Thu 15 Jan 2004 8:01 pm
- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Other
- Location: Scotland
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Michael P
- Champion
- Posts: 836
- Joined: Mon 30 May 2005 10:34 am
- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Contact lenses
- Location: London
Tina that is great news.
I can imagine how you feel. For the last few years my sight has been deteriorating and I have been having 6 monthly check up's.
I thought I was heading towards a graft but when I saw a consultant I was told I had advanced cataracts!
I do remember having been told many years ago that I was not receiving full eye examinations but I still can't understand how cataracts could have been missed as I thought they were easy to detect.
I feel very angry about this because, no doubt like for you, it has caused unecessary anxiety.
I must say, I have always assumed that by having the 6 monthly check up's, I would be warned about the onset of illnesses such as diabetes, but I will now have regular eyes tests as you suggest.
Do let us know how you get on with your glasses.
I can imagine how you feel. For the last few years my sight has been deteriorating and I have been having 6 monthly check up's.
I thought I was heading towards a graft but when I saw a consultant I was told I had advanced cataracts!
I do remember having been told many years ago that I was not receiving full eye examinations but I still can't understand how cataracts could have been missed as I thought they were easy to detect.
I feel very angry about this because, no doubt like for you, it has caused unecessary anxiety.
I must say, I have always assumed that by having the 6 monthly check up's, I would be warned about the onset of illnesses such as diabetes, but I will now have regular eyes tests as you suggest.
Do let us know how you get on with your glasses.
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GarethB
- Ambassador
- Posts: 4916
- Joined: Sat 21 Aug 2004 3:31 pm
- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Graft(s) and contact lenses
- Location: Warwickshire
It is good news being told you do not have KC.
20 years ago the diagnoses was more on the skill of the consultant. At least today there are more tools at their disposal to try and avoid mis diagnoses.
When I was diagnosed, my KC showed similarities between glaucoma and cataracts. At 17 and not being diabetic both of those were unlikley but they double checked anyways.
Prior to grafts I had check ups monthly, post graft stitches removal I have had a check up every other year until 2004, now they are every 3 months and the checks are very thorough.
20 years ago the diagnoses was more on the skill of the consultant. At least today there are more tools at their disposal to try and avoid mis diagnoses.
When I was diagnosed, my KC showed similarities between glaucoma and cataracts. At 17 and not being diabetic both of those were unlikley but they double checked anyways.
Prior to grafts I had check ups monthly, post graft stitches removal I have had a check up every other year until 2004, now they are every 3 months and the checks are very thorough.
Gareth
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Tina Sweetland
- Contributor
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Sat 15 Apr 2006 5:16 pm
- Location: Bournemouth,Dorset
I WAS originally diagnosed by a consultant..but as I was told last week...at 19 the state of my eyes was similar to KC..and the age I suppose was about right for it to come out......I had loads of tests last week by the lead KC opt at the hospital including a topogragh..so I guess it's correct....but you guys are correct..I am STILL in shock....I can not believe that no one did a full check of my eyes earlier.( or even suggessed to me that I should have a full eye test) ...the last 2 years have been horrid....I don't know if you all recall but my normal Opt was struggling to get a lens I could wear..he tried the chaging the material, he tried weighting it....he told me that my eye had changed..but still didn't perform an eye test...and eventually took silicone out of the lens and back to a standard lens.....just thinking about feeding the kids in the middle of the night and changing all those nappies...when only able to see an inch past my nose..makes me the crossest.....so thrilled but MAD...and even thought I was having 6 month eye tests..these were only lens fittings rather that a "full" check on the condition of the eye...so if any of you are now worried..check this out....don't wait 25 years like I have"!!!!..I changed Opts about 8 years ago and STILL didn't get a full eye examination
Tina Sweetland
Yes I know it's a Welsh flag...with a maiden name of Evans?...need I say more?
Yes I know it's a Welsh flag...with a maiden name of Evans?...need I say more?
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Lynn White
- Optometrist
- Posts: 1398
- Joined: Sat 12 Mar 2005 8:00 pm
- Location: Leighton Buzzard
OKay...
I think this is my territory here!
I think we need some more info from Tina before we know what is happening. For instance, many opticians who fit contact lenses are actually dispensing opticians who have a qualification in contact lenses. As such, they do not perform eye examinations which include looking at the back of your eye and so on. If you are attending a practitioner simply for contact lenses, these other tests therefore may not be done, though they should tell you that you should have a full eye exam regularly by an optometrist.
As for the misdiagnosis... well this does actually point up the usefulness of topography! Before this technology was invented, diagnosis relied a great deal on circumstantial evidence such as being very shortsighted with corneal distortion or a very steep cornea.
Such was the worry as to diagnosing someone incorrectly that many peope were simply not told of the possibility - these boards bear witness to people going years before it was finally confirmed. I think this must be the first case we have heard about of someone finding out they haven't got it. And even then, this decision may well have been taken because all the signs were there for KC but the condition has not progressed at all or for some other reason. Borderline cases are really hard to diagnose sometimes.
Even nowadays there can be arguments amongst professionals over whether someone is KC or not - even with the topographs in front of you!
Michael... I feel for you re the cataracts!! What can happen is that anyone who specialises in a condition can get chanelled to just looking at one thing. Yes the cataract should have been obvious - but whoever was looking at your eyes was assuming vision loss was due to the KC.
This does in fact highlight that you should all get yourself a full eye exam regularly to have all aspects of your vision looked at. Again, this is where the list we have produced here can help because its always useful to have someone examine you who is familiar with KC. If you look at the list, those practitioners who have ONLY FBDO after their name are opticians not optometrists and cannot do a full eye exam. This does not affect their ability to fit contact lenses at all, btw.
The reason I say its udseful to have a practitioner test you who knows KC is that certain automated tests like pressure tests and so on can be difficult to do on a distorted cornea.
I think this is my territory here!
I think we need some more info from Tina before we know what is happening. For instance, many opticians who fit contact lenses are actually dispensing opticians who have a qualification in contact lenses. As such, they do not perform eye examinations which include looking at the back of your eye and so on. If you are attending a practitioner simply for contact lenses, these other tests therefore may not be done, though they should tell you that you should have a full eye exam regularly by an optometrist.
As for the misdiagnosis... well this does actually point up the usefulness of topography! Before this technology was invented, diagnosis relied a great deal on circumstantial evidence such as being very shortsighted with corneal distortion or a very steep cornea.
Such was the worry as to diagnosing someone incorrectly that many peope were simply not told of the possibility - these boards bear witness to people going years before it was finally confirmed. I think this must be the first case we have heard about of someone finding out they haven't got it. And even then, this decision may well have been taken because all the signs were there for KC but the condition has not progressed at all or for some other reason. Borderline cases are really hard to diagnose sometimes.
Even nowadays there can be arguments amongst professionals over whether someone is KC or not - even with the topographs in front of you!
Michael... I feel for you re the cataracts!! What can happen is that anyone who specialises in a condition can get chanelled to just looking at one thing. Yes the cataract should have been obvious - but whoever was looking at your eyes was assuming vision loss was due to the KC.
This does in fact highlight that you should all get yourself a full eye exam regularly to have all aspects of your vision looked at. Again, this is where the list we have produced here can help because its always useful to have someone examine you who is familiar with KC. If you look at the list, those practitioners who have ONLY FBDO after their name are opticians not optometrists and cannot do a full eye exam. This does not affect their ability to fit contact lenses at all, btw.
The reason I say its udseful to have a practitioner test you who knows KC is that certain automated tests like pressure tests and so on can be difficult to do on a distorted cornea.
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