UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi everybody
After my recent eye check up my optician referred me to my local hospital as she suspected keratoconus. After waiting 3 months for appointment it has been confirmed I have it in my right eye and although the lens in my left has thinned it is not currently bulging so just the right eye.

I have been told there is only 3 nhs hospitals in the country that perform the collagen cross linking and my condition doesn't meet the criteria so have to go back in another 12 months for follow up .

My question is I currently wear glasses as my eyesight is not great anyway with a hight astigmatism in my left eye but to get contact lenses they have to be specially made which will cost around £300 pounds through boots ! Should I have asked to have been ref to nhs optician for prescription lenses as this would be cheaper ? Consultant never mentioned this and I only thought of it now.

Sorry for the ramble I look forward to your responses

Hi Darren and welcome,
Yes, where there is a clinical need for contact lenses (which is almost always true for KC) then you are entitled to them at NHS rates which are currently around £57 per lens and that price includes any changes in prescription in a 12 month period. Many hospitals have their own contact lens department so can provide the lenses. Those that don't often have a contract with a local optician who is experienced in fitting lenses for KC, but to get the lenses at NHS prices, the hospital eye department needs to give you a voucher called HESP. So do get back to the hospital and ask which system they operate.
As for crosslinking, that's only available on the NHS when there is evidence from corneal topography of progression over a 6 month period. But there's currently quite a few more than 3 hospitals around the country that do offer it on the NHS though it is still a bit patchy. If you'd like our information booklet on KC and join our mailing list for newsletters and other information, do e-mail your postal address to anne@keratoconus-group.org.uk (there's no charge for joining).