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Re: Visual Disability
Robert wrote:
I have been seeing an optician/contact lense fitter and opthomolgist in sydney NS for two and a half years now. I have keratoconus and have been perscribed contact lenses (Hybrid)for this, however I cannot always wear the lenses, and the is often long wait times (10 weeks last time) to replace lenses. I am a currently a university student and it was recomened by the school that I register with the accesability centre with proper med documentation, incase contact lenses fail. I do have glasses but they offer little if to know correction. I reuested a letter, supporting my disabilty, for the school and he agreed to do so satating that "I know you are not able to see anything without the contacts). However when I picked up the letter for the university he had stated that my best visual acuity with glasses is 6/18, and 6/21 but is verry distorted. This is just bellow the cutoff were I can recieve any help. My question is how can he say that my visual acuity is 6/18 but distorted at the same time? I sn't this a glarying contradiction. p.s.The contact lense fitter is the only one in Cape Breton who fits these lenses.
Dr. Virginia Donati's response:
Thank you for your question, Robert.
You must understand that your Dr (any Dr for that matter), can only attest to the information in your chart and what you are able to read at the time of the exam. In your case, the ophthalmologist must report your BEST visual acuity (even if those numbers are not what you’d hoped for).
If you believe that your vision has worsened since your last visual acuity measurement, my best recommendation is that you have your acuity re-measured to ensure you have the most accurate information possible.
On a separate, but related, note; I would encourage you to research the other possible treatments for keratoconus. Corneal Cross-Linking and/or Intacs corneal surgery may arrest your keratoconus and offer your vision some stability. I am unsure as to the availability of these procedures in the Cape Breton area, but I’m sure your primary eye care provider can direct you to the appropriate specialist.
I wish you the best of luck.
Dr. Donati
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