How common is keratoconus in the UK?
Keratoconus (KCS) is a degenerative condition of the cornea which may have an inherited component. It affects around 1 in 1500 people in the UK but the incidence can be as high as 1 in 450 people in some populations.
What percentage of the population has keratoconus?
Many studies have been performed around the globe to assess the incidence of keratoconus. The overall incidence of keratoconus is estimated at 50 cases per 100,000 people (0.05%) [23].
Is keratoconus considered a disability?
Is Keratoconus a Disability? Keratoconus eye disease could cause loss of visual acuity that is severe enough to be considered a disability. Keratoconus is not a disability, but vision loss caused by keratoconus may be severe enough to qualify as a disability.
Are you legally blind if you have keratoconus?
Keratoconus does not typically lead to complete blindness but patients can lose vision to a point where they are legally blind or have low vision. This happens in a small percentage of cases.
Is keratoconus a disability UK?
For most people living with keratoconus, the condition is not classed as a disability. That’s because your vision is usually corrected by treatments such as prescription glasses or contact lenses.
Can you drive with keratoconus UK?
Yes you can.
However latest research says that ‘Millions of motorists are driving blind’. Five million motorists have eyesight so poor that they are a danger on the roads, UK research has found. They get behind the wheel even though they cannot see well enough to pass the basic eyesight test required of all drivers.
At what age keratoconus stops?
In any case, progression of the disease is generally considered to have stopped before the age of 40 after approximately 20 years since onset, if any progression had occurred.
Does keratoconus run in families?
In most cases, keratoconus is not inherited and occurs in individuals with no family history of the disorder. The condition can also occur in families. In some cases, keratoconus is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern , which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder.
What can worsen keratoconus?
Irritation and inflammation from allergies, asthma and other atopic eye diseases can lend to the development of keratoconus. Frequent eye rubbing. Intense and frequent eye rubbing is thought to thin out the cornea and can worsen the condition.
Is keratoconus a big deal?
Keratoconus, sometimes referred to as “KC”, is a progressive eye condition in which the cornea weakens and thins over time causing the typically round, dome-shaped cornea to develop a cone-like bulge that produces optical irregularities affecting vision.
Do I need to declare keratoconus to DVLA?
You must tell DVLA if you’ve got any problem with your eyesight that affects both of your eyes, or the remaining eye if you only have one eye. This doesn’t include being short or long sighted or colour blind.
Can I pass keratoconus to my children?
If you have keratoconus, it is very unlikely that you will pass it on to your children unless there is a family history of the condition.
Can I drive with keratoconus UK?
Keratoconus and driving
As most people with keratoconus can have their vision corrected, driving shouldn’t be a problem. Just make sure your vision meets the DVLA’s minimum required standard while wearing your glasses or contact lenses.
Can a keratoconus patient drive?
Thankfully these conditions are very rare, even among keratoconus sufferers, and most people can achieve adequate vision to hold an unconditional driving licence.
Are you born with keratoconus?
What causes keratoconus? Although keratoconus has been studied for decades, it remains poorly understood. The definitive cause of keratoconus is unknown, though it is believed that the predisposition to develop the disease is present at birth. A common finding in keratoconus is the loss of collagen in the cornea.
How serious is keratoconus?
Untreated keratoconus can lead to permanent vision loss. The changes to the cornea make it difficult for the eye to focus with or without eyeglasses or standard soft contact lenses.
Do I need to tell DVLA about keratoconus?
You must tell DVLA if you’ve got any problem with your eyesight that affects either eye.