TODAY IS THE BEST MONDAY OF MY LIFE.
I have advanced Keratoconus - a degenerative disease of the cornea - and over the past ten years have had to wear extremely painful RGP contact lenses in order to see. Glasses and LASIK don’t help people with irregular corneas like me, and the only other option for treating my condition was a corneal transplant.
But today, thanks to my awesome corneal specialist Dr. Weiss and a newly-approved soft lens called KeraSoft, I now have 20/20 vision WITHOUT PAIN.
This is a huge deal for me: I can now see without pain. After ten years of enduring daily torture for the basic ability to see, this news makes me happier than you could ever imagine.
Since very few people have Keratoconus, I know that very few of you will truly understand how I feel today. But, I still want to share my excitement with you anyway. It’s that important to me.
TODAY IS THE BEST MONDAY OF MY LIFE. And I hope your week is getting off to an amazing start, too!
Overview of Keratoconus
By Dr. Beers
Characterized by damaged or broken-down corneal tissue, keratoconus affects as many as 1 in 500 individuals. While many people remain unaware of this disorder and its prevalence today, keratoconus represents a problematic issue diagnosed and treated by ophthalmologists throughout the world. The first signs of keratoconus include corneal bulging, which results from pressure behind the eye tissue.
This pressure causes discomfort and changes the way the eye processes light. Eventually, this can lead to distorted eyesight and compounding vision problems. Unfortunately, this problem most commonly affects both eyes as a bilateral condition. Individuals may encounter signs of the disorder as early as childhood or as late as adulthood. Biological and hormonal variances that occur during pregnancy or puberty often serve as trigger points. While keratoconus usually progresses slowly, it is extremely important to consult with a doctor in order to receive proper ophthalmological treatment.
Patients who suffer from this condition generally have two options. The first involves custom-made rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses, which allow patients with mild cases of keratoconus to enjoy improved overall vision. In the circumstance that these lenses prove to be uncomfortable and ineffective, corneal implants usually offer the best solution. This minimally invasive procedure takes approximately 40 to 60 minutes to complete and requires little or no maintenance. The implants work to modify the corneal structure, improving the patient’s eyesight and overall comfort.
About the Author: Dr. Beers operates out of Mountain View, California, at his own practice, Peninsula Laser Eye Medical Group, where he serves as a highly experienced ophthalmic surgeon specializing in LASIK procedures, among others. Focused on quality care and superior service, Dr. Beers works with state-of-the-art equipment and employs proven medical techniques to best serve his clients’ needs. In recent years, the Consumers’ Research Council of America has recognized Dr. Beers as one of America’s Top Ophthalmologists.
Fact 012: I have Keratoconus
It’s a disease in the eye that causes my cornea to slowly come into a cone shape. So I have to wear special contacts to keep the disease from progressing.
It really sucks because when I take off my contacts I realize how horrible my vision is, even with glasses on. Letters and images start to double and overlap each other :c
The first “a” is how most people see, the second “A” is kinda like how I see, only not to that extreme.
Keratoconic Freedom
Stamp on your glasses,
crush your contacts,
because life is better
in soft focus.
Stamp on your glasses,
because I can’t see the city waste.
Litter or leaves?
Broken bottles, in the sun
become pavement stars,
leading my way
to that building,
or perhaps hill
that I’m heading to.
Crush your contacts,
so contacts will seem nicer,
brighter, prettier.
I sit here watching strangers
go through daily stages,
knowing that their faces
can be whatever I think,
as they glare, stare
or smile back at me.
It’s an unusual concept,
but it works.
Do you see?
