Possibilities of Keratoconus in my baby

[vipati]

Hello All,
My wife is having Keratoconus in both the eyes out of which left eye is impacted more. That was the first time, when I came to know about Keratoconus. She is now under observation of opthalmologist.

My question is for my 6 months old daughter. I came to know that sometimes reason for Keratoconus is genetic and sometimes the reason is excessive eye rub.

My 6 months old daughter rubs her eyes very frequent, specially her left eye. I am very afraid that she will also suffer from the same. Please help me in below mentioned points:

1. How can I stop her from rubbing her eyes?

2. Will she also suffer from Keratoconus?

3. What can I do for her so that I can reduce possibilities of Keratoconus in her eyes?

I am very worried about her. Please help me. I pray for everyone who suffering from this.

Thanks in advance,
Vipati

[space_cadet]

1) as a mum of a 3 n nearly halfyear old their is no way of preventing a baby from rubbing their eyes.

2) she may develop KC she may not

3) there is nothing you can do to prevent keratoconus from occuring in a child or adult jus a case of some of us get it, some dont, but as a parent at least you'l know the signs to look out for so that treatment if your child does develop KC can be given early and hopefully prevent degeneration being too severe.

[vipati]

Thank you space_cadet for your reply.

I was in hope that there would be something which can prevent Keratoconus. I took my baby to eye specialist but he told that she is too young to check her eyes. Now, I will visit eye specialist again after 2 years.

Thank you again,
Vipati

[space_cadet]

ask yourself this, as a parent will you do all you can to help your child if they do develop KC? if they devevlop KC will you love them any less than you do currently? does a diagnoses change your view of them? would a diagnoses define them or change them as a person?

you could spend the next X years stressing and worrying about the what ifs your child develops KC, or you could spend those years enjoying and embracing your child for the incredible person they are regardless of if they develop KC or not.

life is too short to stress and spend time thinking of what ifs, kids grow up too fast, so enjoy your child, n if your child develops KC I am sure you will be their biggest advocate but dont miss out on all your child will do to amaze you each day on the chance they develop KC

[Anne Klepacz]

Just to add that only about 13% of people with KC have anyone else in the family with it, so most KC is 'random'. And KC usually develops around puberty, so it's rare for it to be diagnosed before the age of ten or eleven, and it often doesn't appear until the teens or early twenties. Of course it's always good to have a child's eyes checked regularly, but the chances are high that your daughter won't develop KC. Even if she did, that's quite a few years away. Meantime, new research is likely to bring changes to the options for KC as it has already been doing. Youngsters diagnosed with KC now will often have the option of collagen crosslinking which is designed to stop the condition progressing. And who knows what will be available in ten years time? So please don't worry about 'what ifs' and enjoy your daughter.

[vipati]

Thank you space_cadet and Anne Klepacz,

Of course I love my daughter too much and it will never reduce in any condition but will increase. You both are very true that instead of worrying, I should enjoy her childhood. As per Anne Klepacz the chances for KC are as less as than 13% - this information has helped me lot to reduce my stress. I will get her eyes checked on regular basis so that preventive steps can be taken as soon as possible.

I am really very thankful to both of you. May God bless you and your family with happiness and success.

Regards,
Vipati