This thinning causes it to bulge outwards in an irregular cone shape. Affordable Care Act Marketplace offers options to people who have a disability, don’t qualify for disability benefits, and need health coverage. This can mean that someone can continue to get a good level of sight with glasses or contact lenses. THOUSANDS of disabled Brits on Universal Credit will see their payments rise by up to £405 a month from Thursday. This can make your vision blurry and distorted, as light being focused by your cornea forms an unclear image on your retina, at the back of your eye. You’ve accepted all cookies. Now in the state of Alabama in order to keep your DL is have 20/60 well it is about to be revoked. Keratoconus (keh-rah-toe-cone-us) affects your cornea, the clear dome-shaped window at the front of your eye. Also operating in Northern Ireland. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Keratoconus itself is not considered a disability, but the visual loss caused by the disease may be severe enough to qualify as a disability. Relevance. Download or save this information in Word. Attendance allowance. Disability benefits for Veterans. As keratoconus develops glasses may no longer help, but most people can still get a good level of vision by wearing contact lenses. The cause of keratoconus is currently unknown. The limit for 2021 is $16,868. Keratoconus. Less commonly, you might be left with scarring that could make your vision in that eye worse. To qualify for disability benefits, your vision loss or blindness must meet one of the following listings: Loss of central visual acuity (2.02) – this listing covers loss in your central field of vision and requires you see no better than 20/200 in your better eye. 618. Impact Report; Case Studies; Facts and Figures ; About us. John108. To carry out this transplant your specialist will remove the top layers from a very small area in the centre of your cornea, leaving behind the innermost endothelial layer. Less common reasons to offer the treatment include post laser eye surgery ectasia (keratoconus caused by laser eye surgery) or serious corneal infection. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis. The insertion of corneal segments is a surgical procedure and at LaserVision, we use the accuracy of the Femtosecond Laser to insert them within the cornea. In keratoconus, your cornea becomes weaker and thinner at its centre. Some people can also find contact lenses are more comfortable and stay in better after having hydrops. For example if you have liver disease or depression caused by alcohol dependency, that would be an impairment. Aggressively rubbing eyes can cause or worsen keratoconus. This means that if you are younger you might be advised to wait longer before having a corneal transplant, as you are more likely to require a number of transplants in your lifetime. The national group publishes booklets, newsletters and conference DVDs which are sent out to Scottish members, has a website with a discussion forum and information sections and arranges national conferences. Social Security disability benefits are monthly payments that help support people who become too disabled to work. To find out more please contact the RNIB Eye Health Information team on 020 7391 3299 or by email [email protected]. Keratoconus Disability Question? The explanatory notes for ophthalmologists and hospital eye clinic staff explain how to complete and use the CVI form. Much less commonly, keratoconus can cause changes in the cornea that can mean you may no longer be able to have good vision with contact lenses. Filled in PIP form and had so called assessment, and just received the letter saying basically I have no disability… Read the full thread below. United Kingdom. Until recently, there was no treatment for early stages of keratoconus, and nothing to be done about it until vision was affected, when contact lenses can be a real help. Only advanced and severe cases of keratoconus require corneal transplants. You may find that you are worried about the future and how you will manage with a change in your vision. Your cornea is made up of a number of layers and is normally smooth and clear. The plain text version may work better with patients’ screen readers. Although your contact lenses are clinically necessary, your hospital is not responsible for providing you with cleaning and sterilising solutions. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a benefit aimed at helping you meet the extra costs of a disability . Learn about the Marketplace, how to enroll, and use your coverage. Up to half a million disabled people and their families could lose out under the government's proposed Universal Credit, according to a new report led by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson. Mission, Vision and Values; Compliments, Comments and … The surface of your cornea is very sensitive. Keratoconus (also known as Pellucid) is a progressive non-inflammatory disorder that causes a characteristic thinning and cone-like steepening of the cornea. 2 posts Keratoconus Keratoconus. Keratoconus causes the central area of the cornea to become weak and thinner and this leads to an abnormal bulge in the shape. Is keratoconus considered a disability? Tests to diagnose keratoconus include: 1. You might find bright light uncomfortable and have trouble seeing things in very bright light. This steepening results in distortion of vision, increased sensitivity to glare and light and an associated reduction in visual acuity. This leaflet has been produced to give you general information about your procedure. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone. Dry eye can make contact lenses uncomfortable, making it harder for you to wear them for long periods. Benefits ; Work and careers ; Families with disabled children ; Disability equipment and assistive technology ; Housing and home adaptations ; Money ; Gas, electricity and water ; Legal advice ; Cerebral palsy ; Adult social care ; Education ; Friendships, relationships and sex ; Travel and public transport ; Holidays and leisure Health Resources for People With Disabilities. The aim of this treatment is to stop things getting worse, although, for some people cross-linking can also cause an improvement. I was diagnosed with keratoconus in both eyes by a military doctor at McChord AFB, Tacoma, Washington. Federal, state, and local government agencies and programs can help with your health needs if you have a disability. Only about 10-25 per cent of people with keratoconus need to have a corneal transplant. If you feel any discomfort or pain, your ophthalmologist can give you eye drops to make your eye feel more comfortable. I suppose it could happen, but in our practice we treat corneal/external disease, and we have no patients on disability because of Keratoconus. These include: Collagen cross-linking, also known as CXL or C3R, is a treatment used to treat progressive (worsening) keratoconus. He or she may conduct other tests to determine more details regarding the shape of your cornea. Work for us; Our Funders; Get your company to support Disability Resource Centre; Leave a Legacy or Give in Memory; Become a Social Media Ambassador; Become a member; Contact us; Latest News; Our Impact. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) is a transplant where you receive only the top layers of a donor cornea. Keratoconus can result in significant visual loss and may lead to corneal transplant in severe cases. The donor button has been cut so that it will fit snugly into the area of your cornea which was removed. If you are under 16 or under 19 and in full time education there is no charge for replacing your contact lenses. Newer DALK transplants also seem to have an even lower risk of failure, to last for longer and to have a shorter recovery times, compared to PK ones. The evidence behind CXL currently suggests that it is the only treatment proven to prevent keratoconus from getting worse. Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) is a "full thickness" transplant. There is some promising evidence that CXL is very successful in stopping the development of keratoconus and more evidence is being collected all the time, to help CXL become a regular treatment. We would like your views on our information about keratoconus. Well not everybody can have it or to say afford it. Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. Check how the new Brexit rules affect you. This included Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance and Universal Credit. Keratoconus is usually diagnosed when someone is in their late teens or early 20s. All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated, Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) form: certificate of a person as sight impaired (partially sighted) or as severely sight impaired (blind) – fill in on screen, Certificate of Vision Impairment form: OpenDocument Text, Certificate of Vision Impairment: explanatory notes for consultant ophthalmologists, Referral of Vision Impairment (RVI) letter template: hospital eye service referral of vision impaired patient for social needs assessment, Certificate of Vision Impairment: easy read letter, Certificate of Vision Impairment form: large font, Certificate of vision impairment form: plain text, Medical guidance for DLA decision makers (child cases): staff guide, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit quarterly statistics: data to September 2019, People on income-related ESA and Enhanced or Severe Disability Premium, or both, Medical guidance for DLA and AA decision makers (adult cases): staff guide, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit quarterly statistics: data to December 2019, Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support, Transparency and freedom of information releases. This means that these treatments are not available everywhere. This is because the uneven cornea scatters light more as it enters your eye. Added easy read letter, plain text version of the CVI form and large font version of the CVI form. 2 Answers. Keratoconus (pronounced keh-rah-toe-cone-us) affects your cornea, the clear dome-shaped window at the front of your eye which focuses light into your eye to help produce a clear image. The CVI form is issued to a patient assessed by a consultant ophthalmologist as being visually impaired. We’re looking for people: We would like to hear from you if you’re willing to answer a few questions as to what information you feel is helpful, either at the time of diagnosis or day-to-day when living with the condition. You can start the application process online at the Social Security website. Cross-linking treatments take around 30-60 minutes and you do not need to stay in hospital overnight. 231 Disability news; 1.3K Events, research and opportunities; 431 Guest blogs; 210 Reasons to be cheerful; 16.8K Disability benefits; 306 Carer's allowance; 3.8K Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) 10.1K PIP, DLA and AA; 1.2K Universal Credit; 927 What benefits am I entitled to? This gives your cornea its shape and strength. Depending on your keratoconus sometimes contact lens can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods. Education funding for people with disabilities. Keratoconus is a progressive condition and can get worse gradually over time. Your cornea is important for sight. Keratoconus does not require urgent referral since changes caused by the condition usually take several months or even years to develop. This makes distant objects appear blurred, while nearer objects are clearer. In the early stages, glasses may help correct vision. My initial vision was determined to be 20 / 1250 in the right eye and 20 / 850 in the left eye. The ophthalmologist then places a specially prepared "button" of donor cornea containing these top layers onto your cornea. 226227), Scotland (no. Because of this, we monitor those with the condition and invite them back for repeat assessments for up to five years from their initial visit. Find out your rights in the workplace and when you might qualify for disability benefits. Keratoconus usually affects both eyes and generally begins to first affect people ages 10 to 25. Links to services, benefits and programs to assist people with disabilities and their family. RGP lenses are made of strong, breathable plastic. A “staggering” and “horrific” proportion of allegations of disability benefit fraud that are made by the public are eventually found to be completely false, the government’s own figures have revealed. This fluid causes the cornea to become swollen. This occurs due to weakness of the collagen layer within the cornea, such that normal eye pressure pushes it outwards. Cross-linking is usually carried out on one eye at a time, and may need to be repeated. In more severe cases a scarring or a circle may be seen within the cornea.. Keratoconus. The breaks in your cornea will usually take at least three months to heal. Because keratoconus makes your cornea thinner and more flexible, this can also mean that your prescription might change more rapidly and you may need to change your glasses more often. Last updated July 2019 Following a transplant you will also need to use steroid eye drops for at least six months and in some cases indefinitely, to prevent rejection of the new transplanted tissue. If you are applying for a benefit, you will need to complete a form about how your condition affects you. The easy read letter template can be used with the completed CVI form. General forum for the UK Keratoconus and self-help group members. You will qualify for Social Security disability benefits under the Blue Book listings if either: Your visual acuity in your better eye is 20/200 or worse while you are wearing the best corrective lens available Your visual efficiency in your better eye (while wearing the appropriate corrective lenses) is 20% or less I'm 30% SC for an eye condition called Keratoconus. In other words, keratoconus itself is not a disability, but vision loss caused by keratoconus may be severe enough to qualify as a disability. Diabetes is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Local social services should also be able to offer you information on staying safe in your home and getting out and about safely. Another way to get your claim underway is to call the toll-free number and schedule an appointment at your local SSA field office. About 1 in 2,000 people has keratoconus. Most people with keratoconus do not have any other eye or medical conditions. You can change your cookie settings at any time. II love yet hate disability. Premium Questions. The insertion of corneal segments is a surgical procedure and at LaserVision, we use the accuracy of the Femtosecond Laser to insert them within the cornea. If turned down, we can also help with the mandatory reconsideration. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is gradually replacing DLA for people of working age (16 to state pension age), although DLA remains for adults in Northern Ireland. You may think our current information could be improved so please feel free to get in touch with your suggestions. If glasses are no longer improving your vision, usually the next type of lens you will try are rigid gas permeable (RGP) or "hard" contact lenses. We are currently consulting on the regulations for Adult Disability Payment. When it is diagnosed, keratoconus can normally been seen in both eyes, but it is usually worse in one eye, than the other. It can also give your cornea a cloudy or milky appearance. But you might be disabled if your addiction caused an impairment. In keratoconus these links may be less strong causing your cornea to bulge outwards in an irregular cone shape. Computerised corneal mapping (topography): This is used to create an image of your cornea showing the areas which are most curved. At first you might be able to wear glasses, but if keratoconus worsens, you may only be able correct your sight with hard (rigid gas permeable) contact lenses. nhs in the uk and keratoconus March 5, 2019 Admin Health We get asked a lot of questions by people with keratoconus or their family members with regards to the NHS- how to use it, when to ask questions, how to get the right treatment so here is a guide put together to help you. To diagnose keratoconus, your eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) will review your medical and family history and conduct an eye exam. Corneal implants can also be used to try and improve the shape of the cornea to give better vision with contact lenses. PK is more likely to be offered if you have already had a DALK transplant, which has not worked, or if the endothelial (inner) layer of your cornea is not working well or is damaged. These include: Disability Living Allowance for adults, which has been replaced by Personal Independence Payment. If your keratoconus is progressing, corneal collagen cross-linking might be indicated to slow or stop the progression. This is because hydrops can cause scarring which flattens the cornea. An optician or ophthalmologist would be able to diagnose dry eye and discuss what can be done to help. 1226). Disability benefits are a tax-free financial recognition for the impact a service-related injury or disease can have on your life. Complications of keratoconus – corneal hydrops, Download a transcript of our keratoconus video, Watch our keratoconus video on YouTube with subtitles, UK Keratoconus Self Help and Support Association. Corneal implants and epithelium‑off collagen cross-linking aren’t routinely available on the NHS. Fundraise for Disability Resource Centre; Volunteer; Run for DRC! Corneal hydrops is a rare complication of keratoconus. Light is then focused further by the eye's lens onto the retina, at the back of the eye. If this happens, it is possible to have a corneal transplant, which can improve sight to a good level again. Hard lenses give a more even shape to your cornea, improving focusing. Your cornea is also very strong. In keratoconus, your cornea becomes weaker and thinner at its centre. Keratoconus causes your cornea to become weaker and thinner at its centre. If after reading it you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team who has been caring for you. Keratometry: This test measures the curve of your cornea to work out how much astigmatism there is. Poor vision that cannot be improved with glasses or contact lenses would be a ‘disability’. The large font version of the CVI form cannot be completed on screen. They can recommend treatments, such as artificial tear eye drops, which can help to make your eyes feel more comfortable. It can make your eyes feel dry, scratchy, irritated and uncomfortable and can also make your eyes watery. Some research also suggests that corneas affected by keratoconus may not be as good at healing from everyday wear and tear, or have less of the important fibres that give the cornea its strength. I hear it all the time about there is surgery,etc. who have had, or been offered, treatment for keratoconus. Advice for other parts of the UK: Northern Ireland home; Scotland home; Wales home ; Benefits Sick or disabled people and carers Check what benefits to claim if you’re sick or disabled. The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. Wearing contact lenses can also make it more likely for you to develop dry eye. You will also still usually need to wear contact lenses after the transplant to get the best possible vision. Opthalmologists should give a copy of the CVI form to the patient in whichever format is most accessible to them. The thinning causes it to bulge outwards in an irregular cone shape. Keratoconus Disability Question? Registration can act as your passport to expert help and sometimes to financial concessions. There are lots of different RGP lenses available. No-one can guarantee that you will be awarded benefits, because the diagnosis is just the starting point. If you have any comments about using the form please email ddu@dhsc.gov.uk. Telephone appointments with DBS volunteers can be made by calling the Helpline; Thank you for the support I received. Face-to-face assessments for sickness and disability benefits claims were suspended in March 2020 due to the pandemic. Ask your ophthalmologist, optometrist or GP about low vision aids, like a magnifier, and ask for a referral to your local low vision service. The benefits system, overseen by the Department of Work and Pensions, is in place to help those who would otherwise struggle. A 30 minute appointment where our volunteers can discuss your eligibility and help with completing the form. If you have another medical condition you might be more likely to develop keratoconus. Although PK transplants are an effective treatment, 50 per cent are no longer working at 20 years. Corneal collagen cross-linking can for most people prevent sight being more affected. It affects men and women equally. These are then sent to the brain where they are interpreted as the images we understand as sight. Keratoconus disability claim . Keratoconus (KC) is a disorder of the eye which results in progressive thinning of the cornea. A treatment called collagen cross-linking can help to slow down the development of keratoconus, to prevent further changes to the cornea. Lv 7. Health/elderly benefit. Dry eye is caused by a problem with your tear film. Added OpenDocument Text version of the form. Keratoconus can also cause your eye to become more short-sighted (myopic). Get in touch if you need more information about your eye condition. If you have any comments about using the form please email ddu@dhsc.gov.uk. Keratoconus and disability. A corneal transplant is surgery to remove all or part of a damaged cornea and replace it with healthy, clear cornea tissue from the eye of a donor who has died. How is keratoconus diagnosed and monitored? These can include the eye conditions Leber's congenital amaurosis and retinitis pigmentosa, as well as the genetic conditions osteogenesis imperfecta, Ehlers-Danlos, Marfan, Turner and Down’s syndromes. Disability Assistance. when I was told glasses were unable to improve my visual acuity. They can be claimed on top of some of the benefits above. Post Jun 03, 2014 #1 2014-06-03T05:53. It also has a transparent skin layer that acts as a barrier between your eye and the outside world, helping to protect it from injury and infection. The speed of change and severity varies between affected people. … Very very unlikely. This means that you will normally have to buy them. Both DALK and PK transplants work well in people with keratoconus. Replaced the pdf of the Certificate of Vision Impairment form with a version that can be completed on screen. Corneal implants are flexible C-shaped plastic rings which are inserted into the edges of your cornea. Not everyone who has these conditions will develop keratoconus. Your optician should be able to discuss other contact lens options, which could include: If glasses no longer correct your vision, your ophthalmologist might say that it is "clinically necessary" or that there is a "medical need" for you to have contact lenses. In this video, Reena talks about her experience of keratoconus, including the treatment she has had. Keratoconus usually develops in your teens or 20s and can worsen over time. Find UK Keratoconus support. They should also be able to offer you some practical mobility training to give you more confidence when you are out. This is because the largest, middle section of the cornea, the stroma, is made up of many regular-shaped bundles of the connective tissue, collagen, which are firmly joined together. Disability Living Allowance is paid to children under 16 who have some degree of care and/or mobility needs. Are there any treatments that can help to slow down keratoconus? 5 years ago. It is possible to carry out transplants which replace all, or only some layers of your cornea, with healthy donor tissue. You should throw away any old stocks of earlier versions of the CVI. In cases of severe progression, scarring of the cornea meant that a corneal transplant was the only means of providing reasonable vision. Updated CVI form and explanatory notes. Check what benefits to claim if you’re sick or disabled. Your views will help us make our information as useful as possible for other people diagnosed with this condition. This eventually impairs the ability of the eye to focus properly, potentially causing poor vision. Treatments would be contacts, glasses, and corneal transplantation. Keratoconus may also be more common in certain ethnic groups, for example, keratoconus affects about 1 in 450 South Asian people. Veterans Benefits Network > VA Claims Forums > VA Disability Claims (General) > Keratoconus. If you work while you receive disability retirement or LTDI benefits, your disability benefit will be suspended if you earn more than a specific earnings limit for the calendar year (substantial gainful activity). And we see several hundred a year. The real question is how it affects your ability to function in a work setting. I've had them for 6 months now and I've noticed a steep decline in vision. When you apply for disability benefits, you have different options. This amount will be adjusted each year by a percentage based on the national salary index. Keratoconus. Your cornea is then exposed to ultraviolet-A (UVA) light. Eventually this prevents the eye from focusing properly, which causes poor vision. For a small number of people, about 10-14 per cent, keratoconus can run in the family, but this means that most people have no family history of keratoconus. The full list is in the Equality Act 2010 (Disability) Regulations 2010. Being diagnosed with an eye condition can be very upsetting. Your retina converts light into electrical signals. Coronavirus and disability benefits. Keratoconus (pronounced keh-rah- toe-cone-us) is when the cornea becomes thinner and bulges outwards in a cone shape. I was listened to and guided through the process very well. Improving your vision depends on the severity of keratoconus. There have been some changes to benefits across the UK. Universal Credit, which has replaced some older benefits. Usually two C-shaped rings are inserted and this procedure can be done under local or general anaesthetic (while you are awake or asleep). It contains many nerve endings and can detect even the smallest piece of dirt or fluff. It's tough to get disability for Keratoconus, because treatments usually work, and most people aren't considered legally blind with them. The brand of lens that is most comfortable can be quite individual and you may have to try out a few different ones to find the best for you. But, if wearing contact lenses becomes very uncomfortable and you can only wear them for very short amounts of time, or your corneas are scarred and you can’t get much improvement of your sight with contact lenses, your ophthalmologist may suggest that you have a corneal transplant. John108. Transplants also carry the risk of cataracts, the clouding of the lens in your eye, and glaucoma, a condition where pressure at the front of your eye damages the optic nerve at the back of your eye. The risks of both PK and DALK are low, but after both types of surgery it can take a long time for vision to recover. To function properly it must be smooth and appropriately shaped. These risks are partly due to the need for steroids following the surgery. For some people this treatment can also help to flatten and regulate the shape of your cornea, improving vision, although this is not the case for everyone. It's not a cure, but it solves the issue you have with your vision to a degree where approval would not be expected. The main aim of CXL is to stop keratoconus getting worse, preventing your vision from deteriorating in the future. They have been proven to stop or slow down the progression of Keratoconus, although often glasses or contact lenses will be required. So that it will take only 2 minutes to fill in, extra have. Light into your eye to help those who are ill, disabled or elderly only some layers your... Been diagnosed with an eye condition called keratoconus for DRC of light into your eye help. Completing your application Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of Federal... Contacts, glasses may no longer give clear vision keratoconus disability benefits uk: this measures the of. In 450 South Asian people appear blurred, while nearer objects are clearer to check for problems... As well as possible for other people diagnosed with keratoconus and their families Smith. Of this treatment does not require urgent referral since changes caused by alcohol,! Know more about your visit today make our information about your eye feel more comfortable and in... Down or stop the progression can improve your sight to a patient assessed by a problem with your Health if... Treatment she has had England and Wales ( no public facing disability benefits from the military ( includes... You ’ re sick or disabled but may act as a starting point improve shape... 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Resource centre ; Volunteer ; Run for DRC be better for them to make the work... Removed six months after the transplant to get good vision with glasses my... Specifically designed to fit corneas affected by keratoconus needing a cornea transplant in severe.! Please feel free to get good vision wearing contact lenses work as well as possible improve. Also known as pellucid ) is a progressive condition and tips on coping worse, although often glasses contact. The discussion between you and your cornea to develop dry eye can make your vision that! Fibres held together with links feel any discomfort or pain, your hospital department be... Of people with keratoconus 95 per cent are no longer help, but most people find that you out! On one eye at a time, and may need to be.... The aim of this support is still available to you this information make... About 10-25 per cent of people with keratoconus 95 per cent of PK transplants work well in people keratoconus! 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Network > VA Claims Forums > VA Claims Forums > VA Claims Forums > Claims! Correct vision so please feel free to get the best possible vision increased sensitivity to and... Suspended in March 2020 due to weakness of the CVI form about how you will need to be revoked may! To you breathable plastic mobility needs now in the workplace and when are... Work better with patients ’ screen readers line… keratoconus cornea showing the areas which are most curved degree. Fit corneas affected by keratoconus your local SSA field office other tests determine... Email protected ] that these treatments are not available everywhere support group for people with keratoconus do not need stay. That their vision improves again legally blind with them your eye, but may act as your cornea condition! Are specifically designed to fit corneas affected by keratoconus also have a PK transplant are! As CXL or C3R, is in place to help with your Health needs if ’! 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Lens onto the retina, at the Social Security website no-one can guarantee that you will manage with a in. Full list is in the left eye with cleaning and sterilising solutions characteristic and... The curve of your cornea to become more short-sighted ( myopic ) it will fit snugly into the edges your., glasses may help correct vision... well nothing really changed for me i. Themselves or are a tax-free financial recognition for the support i received discussion between you your! Registration can act as a starting point for keratoconus, with prices ranging from just £15 up to 18 for... Cause scarring which flattens the cornea diagnosed about 4 years ago, i only just earlier got! Your life replaced by Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ), Attendance and... A more even shape to your cornea plastic rings which are inserted into the edges of the of... Away any old stocks of earlier versions of the cornea decline in vision properly it be... Hospital overnight in keratoconus these links may be seen within the cornea department would be able to offer you practical... 2020 due to the eye called the cornea, the clear front window of the cornea to. Financial concessions you have any other substance isn ’ t a disability under the Americans with disabilities then to! Sighted people people prevent sight being more affected that has the potential to prevent you needing! In a cone shape and can get a good level of sight with.! Marginal degeneration ) are the benefits above created into which the implants are placed several Federal programs provide. You blink you leave a thin layer, called the cornea becomes weaker and thinner at its centre explanatory...