Hi

I would really appreciate any help or advice here.  I am 24 and have
worn glasses since the age of 17 and a half for near-sightedness. My
right eye has always been much worse than my left - I could not even
read the top of an eye chart with my left eye closed. At the end of
2003 (age 21) I saw an optometrist to get my prescription updated and
he said he saw signs of corneal dystrophy (did not say which type) and
referred me to an opthamologist. However, when I saw my boyfriend's
opthamologist, he said he saw nothing wrong with my corneas - he is
very well-respected and said that the optometrist was wrong.  Also said
that this guy had a reputation for referring patients for no reason...!
I saw a different optometrist a few weeks later and he saw nothing
wrong with my corneas either - said  that the fibres on my cornea were
thick but no evidence of dystrophy.

I have had the same prescription since then, but have noticed lately
that I need to wear my glasses more often. My vision is great when I
do, so I don't feel that the prescription needs updating, just I need
to wear my glasses for watching TV now and when I'm out and about,
instead of just driving, like I used to.

Last year I went through a horribly stressful period at work, and this
coincided with chronic styes on my eyelids, right eye in particular.  I
would have a stye for a day or two, it would go away, and then the next
week it would come back.  This happened on and off for about eight
months - I saw my GP a few times and she recommended cleaning my eyes
in the morning as my eyelashes tend to be quite flaky and gritty. I
also got some antibiotic ointment finally and that cleared it up. I
haven't had a stye for about five months.

Now, I noticed today that when I close my left eye and only use my
right eye, I experience double vision when I look at some objects in
the distance.  Up-close out of my right eye is fine, and so is my
general vision out of my right eye (e.g., looking around me, talking to
people, looking at computer screen, watching TV) although a bit blurry.
It's my distance vision out of my right eye that has me concerned,
however when I wear my glasses I do not have a problem at all, no
double vision, etc.  I've been reading about keratoconus and I am
concerned that I have it.  Does this sound like it, or what else could
it be?  Might it be my right eye has simply become more near-sighted?

I've made an appointment with an opthamologist within a fortnight, but
would really appreciate any help. I've been reading horrible case
studies about keratoconus and am quite frightened, although I know that
only a small % of cases tend to need transplants.  Thanks!