Ophthalmology Week 2008 run by the Ophthalmology clinic of the Sangre Grande Hospital certainly met its objective of creating awareness and providing a window of opportunity for keratoconic patients.

As a parent of a fourteen year old who is diagnosed as keratoconic it was truly and eye opener please pardon the pun. I learnt that my son seemed to have all the classic symptoms of one diagnosed with Keratoconus. At age eleven where things began; his teacher advised us to get his eyes checked and while not confirmed; tests suggested that he was a possible keratoconic. He was fitted with his first pair of spectacles.

 Six months later his prescription had changed dramatically and his condition was now confirmed. Contact lens (RGP’s) were fitted after a truly patient and caring attempt by his optometrist. His discomfort was evident and six months and two pairs of lens later (the first pair was crushed in school as they popped out of his eye as is classic), we were advised to discontinue the use of the contacts. Spectacles were again recommended and it was suggested that we consider using soft lenses.

This recommendation introduced us to Ms. Petra Bridgemohan who referred us to the Eye clinic at the Sangre Grande Hospital where the team of doctors, nurses, support staff and our goodly optometrist made the two hour trip to Sangre Grande very worthwhile. We were invited to participate in the activities of the Ophthalmology week from May 12 – 16.

Visiting optometrist Mrs Lynn Parry White and Consultant Dr. David Jory led the team in two days of clinics that allowed my son and other patients to be further tested with state of the art equipment that did a cornea map showing the current shape of the cornea. The wonderful opportunity to interact with Dr. Jory and Mrs. Parry White and the ease with which they dealt with us all made the experience one of hope and knowledge; their sharing of their expertise is highly commendable and we are extremely grateful for their gesture of goodwill and sharing.

The clinic also included the trial fitting of the KeraSoft3 lens with assistance from optometrist from our local private sector under the guidance of Mrs. Parry White. This was hugely rewarding for the patients, the level of comfort felt and more than that signs of better vision was already quite evident. My son is now able to wear the lenses for no less than twelve hours on most days with little if any discomfort and more importantly better vision. He now sees the whiteboard at school better he therefore has little excuse for average grades. I was even able to take him to see the big football game with England which he thoroughly enjoyed and that would be largely due to better vision. A better quality of life seems very possible and certainly the opportunity to be more productive.

The interaction with the team gave to me as a parent immense hope in the knowledge that current treatment particularly cross linking for someone my son’s age was possible. The week was of immense benefit and I extend sincerest gratitude to the ERHA and the Team at the Ophthalmology Clinic and particularly Ms. Bridgemohan for providing this window of hope and opportunity in the full knowledge that with God all things are possible.