UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi all I want to ask if there are people in this forum who are programmers,web developers etc. ? I`m a 20 years old student and I`v been studiyng computer science but when I started having problems with KC recenlty I found it a little hard and frustrating to do my ordinary PC stuff.Please if there is anyone who is working long hours with computers proffecionaly help me , give me courage to keep on doing what I like and what I`m good at.Some people advice me that I should give up computing and look for alternative jobs.I feel I`m going to waste many things I`ve learned .If there is anyone working with computers proove I`m wrong.
Greetings from Bulgaria

Hi Ilkinho,

I am not a computer programmer, but do work with computers more now as KC means I can not always meat the health and safety requirments for working in a laboratory. Computers is my saviour as I now have a 19 inch monitor which means I can see the screen to check the type of data I used to generate. It also alows me to control equipment without going to the laboratory, just need someone to open a few valves and put samples on the equipment.

Jayuk and John are computer experts here and Jayuk has looked into avariety of software to make our lives easier when using computers.


Keep on with what you are good at, you are in a perfect position to develop software that is KC friendly.

Regards

Gareth

GarethB thank you for the reply If John and Jauyk read this post -Please reply it!I would be very happy to know about them....

Ilkinho

I have been working in IT for about 10 years now,and in all honesty can say that I havent really had a problem seeing the laptop screen or PC screen for more than 10 days...and that was after my graft as I wanted to recover...however I could still see if I wanted to....

There is alot of software out there, check another post where I put in two pieces of software which are free and I use them on my "bad" eye days...in fact im using now!

It also depends on what type of IT you will be in. Programming etc requires longer use at the screen......where as a IT Hardware guy probably gets away with little. I work as a Solutions Architect thus I kinda have best of both worlds...however I find it the hardest when I am visiting Data Centers...as I find the smaller screens hard to see....however I overcome this by connecting to them from my laptop and doing work from there.........

I would like to say that I have done well with the tools I have had and the agressive nature of the KC and problems I have had more so over the last 12 months....

AND another thing....Looking at your screen DOES NOT make KC go worse!.......

If you can prepare your environment then I dont see why you cannot pursue your career.....if however you was going to be a Heart Specialist then maybe people would offer different advice!

J

Hello Ilkinho,

I can heartily agree with Jayuk's comments. I've been working professionally in IT for about 20 years now, and sure, having KC does indeed make life awkward (especially when you're not at your own desk!) from time to time. I started out as a programmer, and then progressed through the hierarchy so that I now do very little actual programming, but I still spend all day doing screen work and looking at scripts others have written.

The important thing to realise though is that modern computers are by their very nature such flexible tools. If you were a watchmaker or a surgeon, you couldn't expect to get decent results from larger than usual tools. We can. OK, so I have a 21" monitor on my desk, and my desktop is set to use larger fonts; but it means that I can be as productive as the next guy.

It's been said on here recently that we need to accept that we have a disability called KC, and we need to work with it. I wholly endorse that theory. In Britain at least, there are laws which embrace the differences, and employers are legally required to make "reasonable changes" to support you.

Computing can be a rewarding career. Don't throw it away if you enjoy it and are good at it. The price of a larger monitor is nothing in comparison to your salary, after all.

Haha Yeah I agree with you John Smith.Computing is a rewarding and it is a pleasant occupation too.As for the embracing
differences it`s no worry because the law system in my country is tolerable about these things.However the best thing is that here on this forum I find people like you to answer my questions.Thank you again for your posts

Hi

Ive been in IT on the support end of things. I had no problems with my job even when i worked for a investment bank where you get not even 1 second to chillout. Its only when my condition got worse and i started other medication that I stopped working (medication forced me to stop).

Stick to your guns, embrace your love and commitment without worry.

Naeem

hi, i'm not a computer programmer i work in accounts but this does mean long hours using a computer; some days i will sit for hours nonstop staring at the screen while inputting invoices etc; i have worked with computers for over 15 years and KC has not stopped me doing my job.

i have days where i can only wear one lens at a time or i have to wear tinted glasses in the office when my eyes are sore but my boss is very understanding and as the others as said you can get bigger monitors, etc to help.

so good luck in your career working with computers