UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi all,
After a 2nd episode in 8 months, of both my eyes becoming ulcerated and infected after doing overtime at work my company sent me to an Occ Health doctor to see if my job is making my eyes worse. I have managed my keratoconus for 20 years with rigid lens and have only started getting these sorts of problems recently. I am a Desktop Publisher and sit in front of a 20" monitor and a 14" monitor all day every day. It has been concluded that this is having a drying effect on my eyes and and the Occ Health doc has told me that I need to get a referral to a specialist. The condition has been managed by my optician all these years.

I went to my doctor and he obviously does not have experience of keratoconus. The Occ Health doc said that I was to get a "referral to an Opthalmologist with an interest in keratoconus" but my GP just said that he'll arrange a referral to "the cornea clinic".

The Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre is my local hospital.
Does anyone know of a specialist there who would be an expert in this field or do you feel that I will be directed to the right person anyway?

I would be very grateful for any assistance.
Thank you
Julie

Hi Julie,
You'll be in good hands at the Birmingham and West Mids Eye Centre. They see lots of people with KC and have a lot of expertise. They also have a large contact lens department there and will be able to look at whether a different sort of lens might suit you better. I hope you get the appointment through quickly and can start getting things sorted out.
All the best
Anne

This is also where the KC Group hold their regional group meetings for the West Midlands.

Hi Anne and Gareth,
Thank you for your replies. That's good to know. I thought it would probably be ok. Presumably they will allocate me to someone with experience of keratoconus. As a "company benefit" we have access to a web based group called "Best doctors" and when I tasked them with finding me a specialist the only one they could find was in Bradford! Not exactly convienient.

I have used rigid contacts since I was diagnosed and am keen to see if there is something better out there now, and it sounds like they will be able to advise me on that.
Thanks for the help
Kind Regards
Julie