Originally Posted by dukeynorton (Post 5362023)

Hi guys,

Well I havent been writing much on here lately, but I have hit a little snag in the last couple of weeks, which has thrown everything off and I just don't know what to do! :(

Basically, a week or two ago, I noticed some problems with the vision in my right eye, so I went to get it checked out at the medical school here. After some serious testing and consultations with retina specialists, I have been told I have a rare eye condition called myopic choroidal neovascularisation (basically bleeding behind the retina), which can progress to legal blindness rapidly in young people (i'm only 27!) in the affected eye. Now I must say that it looks as though I have gotten away with it because there is no more bleeding and it looks as though mine has spontaneously resolved itself, leaving a big arse scar behind, but I am not at all confident in my retina specialist (who is probably the best SA has to offer) and I just feel totally lost right now. I dont even know if I am sure of the diagnosis reading around.

All I want to do is get on the next plane and get it checked out at Moorefields as I just cant take any chances with this and MUST get the best advice around. Because of my occupation (scientist), I am aware of a big research group based at Moorefields who publish regularly on this condition and I think my best bet is to see these guys. What do you all think? I have e-mailed them to see what my options are, but I dont care, I'll go private if I have to. What are my NHS options? I CANNOT afford to go all over the place in the US (so please do not suggest that!). It's one thing having a serious illness, it's an entirely different matter when you have debt too. Should I just quit here and get the care I need back home (I'm 100% prepared to do that)?

I just need some advice here. My fiancee is shitting herself with worry in the UK and I'm only just about keeping it together here. I've been having a great time until this. Just when you think everything is fine and dandy.

Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by dukeynorton (Post 5362492)

Just to clarify, I am not strictly an international student (been there, done that). I am a post-doc fellow but over here we get treated as students, at least for admin purposes and for the most part we are on student or training visas (J1). So I work here full time and get paid accordingly. I also have health insurance, but even with that, I will still struggle if it begins to spiral which is what I fear really. I would not be classed as a student in the UK so the loophole is probably a stretch for me.

At the moment, the main issue is getting a clear diagnosis and if Moorefirelds didnt have probably the best CNV group in the world in conjunction with UCL, then I would look elsewhere. It's just luck that they are in London, my home town. The problem here in the US is that I cannot find many specialists that deal with this condition and even less that conduct research.

The problem for anyone that has looked is that this condition progresses rapidly and most people lose legal sight in the eye within 5 to 10 years, which poses much larger questions about my life here. However, my case is definately not typical which makes the diagnosis difficult and therefore the prognosis may be better. Like I said, I dont know what to do. I never expected to be dealing with this at my age or at this stage of my life and its just f**king scary!

Originally Posted by dukeynorton (Post 5362492)

Like I said, I dont know what to do. I never expected to be dealing with this at my age or at this stage of my life and its just f**king scary!

Originally Posted by TruBrit (Post 5364025)

reading between the lines i don't think you'll rest until you have had a consultation with a specialist at moorefields and the sooner the better imo for lots of reasons.

Originally Posted by dukeynorton (Post 5365329)

Well actually, I have received an e-mail from the guy I wanted to see at Moorefields and, as luck would have it, one of his close colleagues is at Texas Retina in Houston, so I have an appointment with him a week on Monday, which is great news. He has an excellent reputation and is a neovascular expert. I still may touch base with Moorefields when I am back for xmas, mainly for the future, but I am happy that I dont have to ship off back home right now.

I will keep you all updated and thanks a lot for all the kind comments and messages that you all have sent. It reallly does mean a lot.

Originally Posted by dukeynorton (Post 5365329)

Well actually, I have received an e-mail from the guy I wanted to see at Moorefields and, as luck would have it, one of his close colleagues is at Texas Retina in Houston, so I have an appointment with him a week on Monday, which is great news. He has an excellent reputation and is a neovascular expert. I still may touch base with Moorefields when I am back for xmas, mainly for the future, but I am happy that I dont have to ship off back home right now.

I will keep you all updated and thanks a lot for all the kind comments and messages that you all have sent. It reallly does mean a lot.

Originally Posted by penguinsix (Post 5362467)

Almost every university in the US requires students to have healthcare, and many schools offer extremely low cost policies to their students.

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 5365498)

Both schools I attended I was required to have health insurane. May even be a federal regulation, I don't know (you know, the whole not becoming a burden sort of thing, etc.)