Keratoconus Support Group

Keratoconus is a degenerative non-inflammatory disorder of the eye in which structural changes within the cornea cause it to thin and change to a more conical shape than its normal even curve. Keratoconus can cause substantial distortion of the vision, with multiple images, streaking and sensitivity to light all often reported by the patient.

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/ Keratoconus Support Group

Pilots with keratoconus ?

bruffino
bruffino

I was just recentely diagnosed with Keratoconus. I just found out my insurance will not cover the surgery. Just got my pilots liscense about 3 years ago and was just starting my career. Any other pilots on here who have this ? How have you delt with it ? I cant help but feeling my world is crashing around me. Not really sure how to handle this. Saw a specialist who wants to do Cross linking but wants a little over $5,000 per eye. Definitly one of the worst days of my life. Just wondering how everyone else is dealing with it ?  Thanks for reading, God bless.

Mercori
Mercori
Hi, crosslinking wont make you see better but can stop and/or slow down the disease. It comes with a relative long time of recovery and possible infection and such... not a walk in the park and depending on how old are you it might or might not be a good idea. My suggestion is to find a good doctor, with a lot of experience with people like us. Try skleral lenses, again find someone that fits many people like us because it is kind of an art... but depending on your stage there maybe other valid options. I hope it helps, good luck
kmmatney
kmmatney
I also second trying out a Scleral lens. At the very least, get lens fitted - they do help slow down the progression of the disease. I'm not sure that cross-linking helps all that much - better to use the money to get lenses.

I would recommend Scleral lens over RGP lens, as RGP lens can cause some scarring of the cornea (they did to me). Scleral lens vault over the eye so should not cause scarring. They are also more comfortable and most importantly Scleral lens are extremely stable and bulletproof. With RGP lens, I could have a piece of dust irritate my eye to the extent that I could hardly keep it open. This could happen anytime - sometimes while driving, so I was left with only one functioning eye. Scleral lens are bullet-proof.

So if you can get by with soft contacts, then those are the most convenient, but I would still recommend a hard lens to help slow down the progression. For a pilot (or any profession where vision is vital) I would recommend scleral lens. I use SynergEyes brand with success, while the poster above me uses BostonSight brand. If one type doesn't work, try the other type. I have steep corneas but was able to be fitted with a single visit.