I was diagnosed with keratoconus in 2000. Keratoconus is a disease that causes the degenerative thinning of the cornea and usually starts with astigmatism. Many people don’t even realize they have the disease. One in five people with keratoconus will need to have a corneal transplant at some point in their lives. Fortunately, I am one of those who will not.
I’ve worn glasses regularly since 2000 and switched to a new eye doctor a year ago. The doctor who initially diagnosed me with keratoconus gave me a prescription that was way too strong — about twice the prescription I currently have. I learned today that my eyes are actually getting better — and I’m going to be able to further reduce the strength of the prescription in my left eye (the really bad one) by an additional 25%. (So I’ll get brand spankin’ new glasses just in time for the wedding.)
Of about 10,000 keratoconus patients, my doctor told me, I’m one of two whose eyes are actaully improving, rather than getting worse. And on a keratoconus scale of 1-20, where 20 is the worst, my eyes are in the 2-4 range. Not too shabby, eh?
I decided 3 years ago when I was diagnosed with the disease that I never wanted to go through a corneal transplant surgery — even later in life. My doctor told me today that I will not have to. That’s the power of positive thinking.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Dave Reed // May 9, 2003 at 8:37 pm
Congratulations, Gabe! That’s great news about your eyes.
I was reminded of work, where I’ve been able to decipher some kids’ handwritings (or, really, attempts to write intelligible phrases) when others have failed. (I fail many times, too.) I think I realized where my advantage comes from: since I’m near-sighted, I tend to have to struggle to read the smaller print on the TV when I’m far away from the TV. 🙂
2 Devang // Nov 10, 2003 at 11:12 pm
Good for u man. I have just been diagnosed with keratcoconus and am really confused about what to do.
woudl u mind giving me some more info about ur experience at devangv24@yahoo.co.in
3 Rhonda Ledbetter // Dec 3, 2003 at 9:31 am
My best friend has been dealing w/ keratoconus for about 15 yrs. She has already had one cornea transplant in her right eye & has recently been told she will need one in her left eye. She is a single mother that has no insurance & limited income. I was wondering if you had any knowledge of any possible resources that she could contact to help w/ treatment and/or surgery, should she choose that route.
By the way, congratulations! I think it’s great!
4 Cynthia // Jan 24, 2004 at 4:13 pm
The Center for Keratoconus is a wonderful online resource! http://www.kcenter.org