Quicktopic posts: Sep 2002

[Astigle@aol.com]

Hi Dal
So you live in Hayes! Make an appointment with your GP or optician and get a referral to Moorfields Eye Hospital ASAP. You are well within Moorfields catchment area.
I was diagnosed when living at Wexham Park, Slough and had visited an opticians in Slough High Street, and was then referred to Moorfields (16 years ago)! Some opticians in this area have had attachments to Moorfields so they are more aware of KC and its treatment. You also need to make enquiries locally.
Good luck.

[sarah marsh]

hi all
i have just got back from check up. surgeon was very pleased apparently it is looking good!
i asked about that burning and he said he hadnt heard of it so he doesnt think it was the drops !
i asked about keeping eye shut i thought he was gonna tell me off for not opening it ,but said some people open eye day after and some dont even after 3 months ! one patient didnt open it for 9 months , so thats another worry sorted
thanx to all who give their advice i feel alot calmer now and seing surgeon 11th of oct !
love sarah

[Sue Ingram]

Good news, Sarah. Glad the surgeon has put your mind at rest. Once again, sounds like everybody is different! It is very useful and interesting for those of us who have not had grafts to hear all about the process from those who have - just in case we have to go through it one day, at least we know what to expect from the patient's point of view. Take care and keep us posted on your progress. SUE

[ali cooper]

Hi All,

First of all I have found this group very informative and friendly and I thank you all.

Secondly, I have a query. I was diagnosed with KC about a month and a half ago. About 8 months prior to this I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroid Disease. When I asked the eye registrar at the clinic, when I was diagnosed with KC, if this condition could have been brought on by my thyroid condition he said no. He said that KC was a completely seperate issue. However, when researching KC from various sites I noted one site said that there was a theory that KC could be brought on by hormonal changes. This got me wondering if it had been brought on by my thyroid condition (as thyroxine is a hormone which I am becoming deficient in).

The question I would like to ask is; if there anyone else out there that has a thyroid problem with KC, and if they think there could be a link after all. I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on this one.

Thanks for listening,

Ally

[Shelley]

Hey Emma! I really didn't know about the collagen thing! That explains why I can bend all my fingers and toes in weird directions!!! My family always thought it odd that the ends of my toes were double jointed and how I can bend my fingers into weird shapes! I can also get out of proper police handcuffs (don't ask how I discovered that one!)!!!

Well, you learn something new every day! Hehehe!

Glad your appointment went well.

Shelley xxx

[Phil Davis]

Thames Path Walk – so is walking going to be better than running? Well, I am going to find out tomorrow (Sat) as I, the marathon running man join Mike & Anne on the Marlow to Windsor stretch of the walk, just hope there are a few well placed water & hops Inns along this part of the river, yes, yes I know, but we are now walking not running. Hope to see a few more of you Thameside.

[Laura]

Hi, I've had KC for 2 years but I haven't been told much about it and was quite shocked when I found out about it. My optician told me to go see a specialist but I cant afford to do so. I went to get refered by my doctor because I was told I'd need to start wearing contacts. I've been waiting for 3 months now and I'm not sure how to tackle the situation as my doctor was unsympathetic can anybody help? Thanx

[Rae]

Hi everyone,

My KC stops me from driving, although I got a provisional licence years ago before it got so bad (in fact I was diagnosed 3 days after I bought a car, and had my first graft 4 days after that - so near and yet so far!!) I have recently been told that, if I get a 'refusal' from the DVLC I would be entitled to a travel pass in my area which would give me half fares on buses. It seems a bit strange that I have to apply to DVLC for something I know I won't get! - but I have to have this apparently. Does anyone know how I get it? any help much appreciated

Rae

[Freddy Bull]

Dear Ally

I read your posting about the links between Thyroid conditions and KC. I too am interested because I have had Grave's Disease (1993) and Thyroid Eye Disease (1993/4)and now have KC.

I don't know what prompted my Thyroid to go bonkers and overproduce and make me sick, but I had most of my thyroid removed (1995). Initially after the op I did not have any thyroxine supplements and I stayed well for 2 years. Later though the remaining thyroid stopped working and I started Thyroxine hormone replacement. Coincidence or not I think shortly afterwards my astigmatism became worse and later was diagnosed as KC (1999). My eye was left a little damaged after the Thyroid Eye Disease.

I too have wondered if there is a link of sorts because KC usually seems to start in late adolescence, at a time when hormone levels are higher.
I have asked this question on this and other KC related sites and on a Thyroid site I visit but no one thinks there is a link. I asked the Eye surgeon I see and he said that I was probably just unlucky! Gee thanks!
Keep healthy, Freddy

[Tony Stigle]

Thames Path Walk .. UPDATE.. Today Sunday. Windsor to Shepperton.
Well done to every one who has been walking ..part of the route or in full.
I joined Mike Oliver. Anne K, Sue Ingram & Colin for lunch at Staines also collected my poor little hobbling wife from the towpath at Windsor. Amanda walked from Marlow to Windsor 14 miles yesterday..
Update & Photos of the walk will follow soon on the main web site. But as we know from the repeated questions on this discussion page not many of you seem to visit the site!
I just thought that I would add a promo here. Its not to late to get involved.. just phone Mike on his mobile.. ( number on the site) It would be FANTASTIC to see you at the Finish on Wednesday . Tower Bridge South side 5.00 pm .. ish!!! Look for the KC T-shits.
You can also pledge donations on the number.. these wonderful people are to raising around £2000 for KC groups work. Plese Add to it... Tell your mates too!

Tony
PS Web site is http://www.keratoconus-group.org.uk