I have been a regular visitor to the KC forums over the past few months, and found it a very informative website!
Although I have never actively participated to the forum up to now - I have found it a great help allowing me to research the condition thoroughly.
Being based in the North East, It was tough trying to find a local opticians who specialise in Keratoconus as a lot of information on the site and online related to places further south which were a bit too far to feasibly get too to be able to effectively manage the condition. My previous personal experiences with the NHS were not great, and there wasn't many options available to me as an NHS patient in terms of contact lenses etc so I decided finding a private opticians would be best for me.
As most suffers of KC can relate too, it can be really tough to find an optician with the expertise and experience in managing KC and it can be very daunting indeed.
Thankfully I was pointed in the direction of Innovative EyeCare based in Heaton (Newcastle upon Tyne), and after booking an appointment with them I have a much greater understanding of exactly what stage my KC is at and the options available to me moving forward. Luckily, I am in a position at the moment where my KC is not as advanced as some of the guys on here - however its such a relief to find an opticians in my local area that has expertise in the condition.
Best thing with these guys is, that they are also experienced with Kerasoft IC lenses which has been something I have read about on here, and indeed online for months but never found anywhere local which did those lenses. At one point I thought my only option would be to travel hundreds of miles to find someone who could help, however now I know this is not the case and things are a lot better now I know should Kerasoft be an option I go for I can do with these guys.
I think as a community its important to share experiences with one another, and if I can make it a little easier for someone else who has found themselves in my position and struggled to find a specialist in their area - then I am happy to pass on my recommendations to others. I know going private wont be for everyone, however if like me the NHS has not been best suited to offer any other lens than a RGP option, and your in the North East then there you go!
