UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi not been on forum recently and as usual only come on when I have questions to ask.

My son who is nearly 17 really wants to join the Armed Forces, in particular the Army. The hospital for the past 2-3 years have been saying that he has possible left eye KC but won't confirm this either way at the moment. After a visit to the Army careers office today and telling the recruitment officer there that he had possible KC in left eye was told point blank NO. I have read on their websites that this is one of the conditions listed on the medical conditions.

My question is how long should it take for the hospital to confirm and what is likely to be stopping them making a decision. Also whether there is any way round this for him to join up??

Think I know the answers myself but would like someone else to confirm my thoughts.

Thanks for taking the time to read

Hi Eileen

First of all, if the condition is very early, it can be difficult to confirm positively. I obviously cannot speak for them, but they may well be waiting for some progression to absolutely say yes, he has it. If it never changes from the present situation then he may never be "officially" diagnosed. This is not a situation where you can have a test that says yes or no with absolute certainty.

The Army will not accept him because it takes a long time and a good deal of money to train people and that is all wasted if he has to pull out because the condition deteriorates.

If he did get round them because his eyes are quite good at the moment, what happens if his condition does progress to a more severe form in the future?

If it did, it would mean he could not function at the visual level required as a soldier without contact lenses - not even with glasses. This means he would be a liability to his comrades in battle conditions. Say he was on duty in Iraq, got dust under his lenses, had to take them out - he would then not be able to function. This is why the army says no.

OK - so he could get a desk job. But if he has periods where he cannot wear lenses, it means he could not work. Similarly if he has to have a graft in the future, he would have to have time off and certainly it would be very risky for him to do active service with a graft.

Of course, it may never progress beyond its present state and he could be fine. That is the lottery of life and it is hardly ever fair. If it never progresses, yes your son will be bitter but if it does and he has "got round the regs" then the consequences could be much worse for him because this is something you can't really hide. Many people face similar disappointments - people who want to join the Navy or Air Force and find they are colour blind (this happens rather a lot actually).

If he really is keen, then seek a second opinion - it would be worth going privately to get a fast appointment and you can then also discuss at some length your son's ambitions.

Hi Eileen
I don't know why the hospital should be taking so long to decide whether your son actually has KC - if there's so much doubt, it rather suggests he has it quite mildly. Perhaps one way to get an answer would be to write to the consultant, setting out your son's dilemma and asking whether he does indeed have KC. At least that way you'd hopefully get some certainty.
Anne

I agree with Anne, not just because it is good to know, but because it is good to take control of the way in which we are treated within the NHS.

A direct question, "do I have keratoconus" would let your son know whether he is barred from service in the army, or whether he can indeed serve. If he is barred then there are other career choices open to him.

I know that this is a difficult time, and that many people will not ask the direct question for fear of being given the answer that they do not want to hear.

Andrew