Worth seeking a second opinion? Eye related - Keratoconus

[gertrudemortimer]

I have been getting frequent migraines in my eyes for the past year or so which affect my vision I decided to book for my first ever eye test on Friday when the migraines were getting beyond manageable.

The optician suspects I may have keratoconus and I now have to wear glasses for the next 6 months to try and stop any further deterioration, if my eye has gotten worse in that time they will refer me on. She has said because they have no records to show previous eye health they cannot jump to referring me which I understand.

However I am concerned about waiting a further 6 months as the vision in my right eye is terrible and the migraines I am getting are happening at least once a day and can last for over an hour, bright sun or bright lights at work make it worse. I struggle to keep my eyes open when it happens as I find it too disorientating.

Is there anywhere I can go to get a diagnosis or is it always a wait and see approach?

Another update if anyone is in a similar position to what I was in I hope it will help them decide what to do!

The optician today was very thorough I had a topography scan done and I have keratoconus in both eyes he has referred me to the nhs he said it is about a 6 month wait usually so I’ve potentially saved myself 6 months of waiting at least. He also slightly altered my prescription to make it more comfortable it’s now 0.25 left and 4.00 in my right. I’m signed up with him and going back in 6 months for a check up. Thanks everyone for your advice and help. I would recommend to anyone to find an optician with a topography machine if you are in doubt! If you just have the scan alone it is only £35 and well worth it.

1000% OP
Topography is a great tool for comparison in 6 mths etc. I know im in ireland but everyone with Keratoconnus is referred to ophthalmology for scanning and treatments going forwards Sometimes they are discharged from the hospital too as they are stable ie no more to be done etc etc.

@Radywardyeah exactly, I have a scan of the peaks now and it will be available for comparison going forwards. I will keep you posted on the referral they might want to wait and see due to my age

My son had suspected keratoconus 15 years ago.

We gave up waiting on the NHS and went Accuvision who where amazing. They were able to diagnose from scans and did not have to wait the 6 months for it to get worse.

In his case we had immediate crosslinking and he has been fine since. He had treatment when he was 16. His eyes have been stable since and no progression. He is now 30.

Initially the opticians did not think his eyesight would be good enough to drive but it has been and no progression after crosslinking.

Wearing glasses will not stop any progression no idea what your optician means by this. They are making you wait 6 months to allow progression to then diagnose keratoconus but that will obviously mean your eyes will get worse.

If you can go private and have a quite painless scan I would.

Keratoconus group has info on opticians who may be local to you.

Keratoconus UK here However I can not recommend the Accuvision team at Fulham enough - they have been amazing to us for over 15 years.