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What it’s like working with an invisible disability

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I’ve always disparaged people who uttered clichés like “you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.”

But of course, clichés are what they are because they bear an unequivocal truth.  I’d learn this the hard way.

In 2007, I went to the optometrist for a routine check-up. Before that I’ve worn glasses because it was initially assumed that I was short-sighted. Turns out, that being short-sighted would have been the best option. What I was diagnosed with was keratoconus – a condition which changes the shape of the cornea and causes it to become thinner.

What happens is that the normal shape of the cornea bulges outwards and causes progressive image distortion, blurriness and near-sightedness.  In some cases, it can lead to blindness.

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