UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Is an astigmatism a sign of KC? Can you have KC without an astigmatism and vice-versa?

Both my parents are shortsighted and both have an astigmatism but neither have been diagnosed with KC.

Just wondered.

Lesley.

Hi Lesley

This is what i was told 12 yrs ago.....

When i went to the opticians they told me i had a astigmatism on both eyes and said they would keep an eye on it .
As time went on they said they had progressed and i needed to be checked out at the hospital it was at the hospital where they told me that KC starts off looking like astigmatism but doesnt stop hence why you end up with the cone shape, astigmatisms are common and can be corrected by glasses/contacts ie... my sister had an astigmatism and was being watched because of my KC they fitted her with contacts and its been corrected .

Hope that helped

Take care

With luv

Emma xxx

Hi Lesley - I'm sure one of the optoms here can explain this much better than me, but as I understand it, in very simple terms there are 2 kinds of astigmastism, regular and irregular. Loads of people have regular astigmatism, which can usually be corrected with glasses. Those of us with KC have both regular and irregular astigmatism. It's the irregular astigmatism that can't be corrected with glasses once it gets past a certain point but can be corrected with contact lenses (with luck!) So that's the answer to all those annoying people who say to you - why can't you just wear glasses!
Anne

Anne and Emma,

Thankyou for your replies. It's nice to know we KCers can be both regular and irregular what fun to be awkward b*****s

Lesley.