I haven't posted on this site for a long time because I've been so busy with studies and hospital placements.
I was diagnosed with Keratoconus in my right eye in 1999 at the age of 24 (vision 6/24 unaided and hard contact lens for that eye which I can wear for 6 hours a day) and things were stable for many years. I had glasses for my left eye, which was unaffected.
Some of you may know I have other medical conditions, too.
I've been determined to get through my studies and have been able to access support in the form of having lecture handouts in advance (some will and others won't) and a laptop and printer supplied to print out notes in the format I require: I can enlarge what I need to. I also have a digital recorder to tape lectures.
One problem I've encountered is that the absence rules are very strict, so much so that at the start of term this year we were told that if we have even authorised absences these are noted on our job reference forms at the end of the course and we can be given a poor reference because of them. Because of this I've had to miss several hospital appointments and constantly reschedule them. My optometrist at the hospital has been brilliant and supplied me with a letter for the department to make it clear that it's important for me to attend and that I haven't been going for fear of being penalised for non-attendance.
I've noticed I'm having mores difficulties with my vision that usual, and I put it down in part to working long hours and being tired. I saw the opthalmologist yesterday and he confirmed that my vision has deteriorated and my left eye is now affected by keratoconus (which I knew already and when I found I could see so much more clearly with pinhole I was partly thrilled
and partly saddened 
), so I will have to have a hard lens made for my left eye.The ophthalmologist says the progression is usually slow but I don't know what the future will hold
.Well, I'd better get back to my books: exams are coming up!
Thanks for reading.
Best wishes,
BusyLizzy
