UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hello,

Today I went back to the optician as my 'dry eye' wasn't any better. I didn't feel it was dry as I am a contact lens wearer and quite aware of how my eyes feel. I was told after some more examination, that I have keratoconus in my left eye. My left eye has been astigmatic for years. The thing is, I have been suffering from an illness since the middle of this January where my hands and feet are numb and tingling. My GP after several negative blood tests has refered my to a neurologist. At the beginning of Feburary, my left eye suddenly went blurry within about 1 or 2 days. I can't believe this isn't connected to my current illness.

Can keratoconus suddenly occur or worsen over a couple of days? Could this be some kind of inflammation of my cornea?

Thanks

Simon

Simon

Welcome to the forum.

Did your GP not refer you also to an ophthalmologist? An optometrist can identify the probably presence of keratoconus, but only an ophthalmologist can make such a diagnosis.

In your place I'd either ask for a referral to an ophthalmologist, preferably one who specializes in the cornea. Alternatively, I'd self refer to my nearest ophthalmology casualty department and explain that I was there because of a sudden vision change.

All the best

Andrew

Hello,

my GP referred me to my usual optician who deals with my contact lenses. They are writing back to my GP to refer me to a opthalmologist. My right eye is fine with no astigmatism or change, I am interested to know if keratoconus can suddenly occur or worsen in just a day, I thought it was gradual and took years.

Thanks

Simon

Hi Simon,

This is a complex situation and there is no simple "yes or no" answer to your question. Keratoconus usually is a gradual condition but vision changes can occur overnight. Also, in keratoconus, vision can suddenly go blurry if you have a condition called Hydrops. This is a complication of keratoconus where there is a sudden tear in one of the internal membranes of the cornea and the cornea becomes waterlogged.

On the other hand, you may have had mild keratoconus for years and your blurred vision is due to something else entirely which may or may not be connected to your illness.

If you want more information about this blurriness you need to talk again to your optician and/or go to the GP for an appointment when you know that he/she has received the referring letter from the Optician. Although self referral to eye casualty is always an option, this can actually complicate matters if you are in the middle of a referral through normal channels. Your optician is trained to detect an emergency situation and would have referred you directly if this was warranted. If your eye does get worse while you are waiting to be seen by an ophthalmologist, most PCT areas now have a system whereby the optician can refer directly to the hospital for an emergency appointment which has the benefit that the Optician can give the casualty department vital information about your case. Additionally, your GP also has the ability to fast track appointments if necessary.

In situations such as this it is always best to go back to the professional that is dealing with your case.

Lynn

Thank you for your help. I do see multiple images around a central reasonably sharp image, which is a sign that's keratoconus?

Simon

It might be, or it could be another condition that has left you with an irregular cornea. You really ought to have an ophthalmologist look at it.

Andrew

Hi Simon,

Again, I know you are trying to find out what is going on before you are seen by somebody but in actual fact we can only guess, as we do not have virtual instruments to test your eyes! Yes, multiple images round an image could mean Keratoconus... but it could also be lots of other things as well!

The only thing I could suggest if you really want quick answers is to talk to your eyecare provider and/or GP about a private referral to an ophthalmologist which they will do if they think it appropriate. You could ask questions here and get various answers which in the end may be totally way off the mark, simply because you cannot diagnose yourself via the internet like this as we cannot possibly know your entire medical history or background or look at your eyes.

I know its frustrating waiting to find out what is wrong

Lynn