‘Living with Keratoconus today and beyond was the theme for this year’s KeraClub, with a focus on managing keratoconus in a COVID-19 world and beyond. The online forum was held on October 18, 2021 and attracted almost 180 attendees.
KeraClub is an annual event for people with keratoconus, their families, friends and the wider keratoconus and eye-carer community.
KeraClub is a joint initiative of the Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, and Keratoconus Australia.
This year’s presentations
Ophthalmologist Professor Stephanie Watson Professor Watson discussed the impact of COVID-19 on keratoconus patients and the Save Sight Keratoconus Registry. She is the Head of Corneal Research Unit at the Save Sight Institute and Head, Corneal Unit at Sydney Eye Hospital, the Chief investigator of the Save Sight Keratoconus Registry project and Chair of the Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia. She was the only Australian included in the list of the World’s Top 100 Women ophthalmologists.
Associate Professor Mark Roth, OAM discussed ‘Allergy, dry eye, eye-rubbing and keratoconus. A/Prof Roth is an expert optometrist who will also present his top contact lens management tips for keratoconus.
Dr Himal Kandel, the Kornhauser Research Associate at the Save Sight Keratoconus Registry presented ground-breaking research from the Save Sight Keratoconus registry. The research findings have had global impact with papers published in leading international journals and presented at 15 national and international conferences over the past year.
Ms Chloe Davies was invited as a patient-speaker. Ms Davies has lived with keratoconus for a long time and had her first corneal transplant when she was 12 years old. “Patient’s perspectives are the centre of the KeraClub and we were excited to hear Ms Davies’ experience.” said Dr Kandel.
Mr Larry Kornhauser, OAM, the president of Keratoconus Australia briefly described the patient support activities conducted by Keratoconus Australia and what needs to be done in the future for keratoconus. patients.
KeraClub 21 was chaired by Ms Michelle Urquhart, an internationally reputed violist and violinist who has also lived most of her life with keratoconus.