UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

My 18 year old sn Ben has just been diagnosed as having advanced keratoconus. He has been told that the only treatment will be a corneal transplant to his right eye.

He is devistated as he is in the process of joining the army.

Are there any jobs in the army or other services such as the police or fire services that he could attain with this opperation being successful?

scord wrote:My 18 year old sn Ben has just been diagnosed as having advanced keratoconus. He has been told that the only treatment will be a corneal transplant to his right eye.

He is devistated as he is in the process of joining the army.

Are there any jobs in the army or other services such as the police or fire services that he could attain with this opperation being successful?

Imho, you should visit another specialist as well. It is a bit rare to diagnose keratoconus in such an advanced stage that the only treatment available is a transplant.

I would also ask to be referred to another specialist for a second opinion.
my local hospital tells me that the only options out there are contact lenses or a graft, when i know that there is the option of Intacs and/or crosslinking that could be considered. depending on the hospital that you are at depends on how much knowledge your consultant may have/have not.

For 15 years I kept being told that the only cure for one of my eyes was a transplant. I then went to see somebody else and found out I had many options. Get a second opinion and quick!

NB: Lynn these are the sorts of issues that really concern me. I didn't mean to pick you out and patronise you in anyway, it just relates to what I was getting at in the Genetics post the other day.

We are doing lots of research and are certainly looking for a second opinion.

I've read that keratoconus is slow progressing. Only six months ago Ben had no problems with his eyes. Just before Christmas his right eye felt like there was something in it and it was watery. It's only really within the last month that Ben has said that it feels he's looking through water and now his vision is very bad in that eye.

The consultant was amazed that Ben hasn't suffered blurred vision until recently but was unable to give answers as to why this has happened.

scord

Welcome to the forum.

I am afraid that Keratoconus is often an automatic excluder for joining the armed forces, although serving soldiers, sailors etc who are diagnosed are treated very well by the services.

I hope that your son manages to get his condition management protocols sorted out; a transplant is the end game rather than an early option. Of course no one here has seen your son's eye, and it is entirely possible that he does need a transplant now.

All the best

Andrew

Hello Scord
As others have said, it's unusual for KC to progress so rapidly but not impossible. What often happens is that the 'good' eye takes over when KC starts, so that people don't notice that anything is wrong until the KC eye is quite advanced.
Apart from the information on this website, we do have a basic information booklet about KC and DVDs of conferences we've held with lots more information about all the different options. If you e-mail me anne@keratoconus-group.org.uk with your postal address, I can send them to you.
All the best
Anne

Scord

Read your other post as well and will join in here saying that a second opinion is essential. (And yes, Daz, I do understand what you mean!)

I am a contact lens fitter and I have seen patients sent off for grafts simply because the surgeon was not aware of the full range of contact lens options available. It happens - because surgeons think in terms of surgical correction as that is their job.

Of course, the diagnosis could be perfectly correct but as others have said here - it is unusual.

I will send you a pm.

Lynn

First of all can I just say just how impressed I am with the forums. I’m amazed at how much advice and support is given and so quickly.

Only about 6 months ago Ben was being shown how to hold and use a gun, as he is in the process of joining the army. He was using his right eye and had no problems at all with his vision. This is why we are aware of how sudden his sight has deteriorated.

I have contacted several specialists over the weekend and hope to get a response on Monday.

As Ben's sight has deteriorated so quickly I feel it's a race against time to have any chance of an alternative treatment.

In terms of his career, time may be an issue but in terms of his vision, you will be amazed at what some of the contact lenses available can do. The two words often used on here are DON'T PANIC, and seriously don't. I am sure Ben will find a lens suitable for him, that will both improve his vision and also ensure he has a successful career in the army.

Let us know what the specialists say.

Jay