I've got a play list for everything, but the other day I realized I didn't have one for Keratoconus, or KC, as all the cool kids call it. Now that's a shame, as there are so many great songs about eyes and seeing. Of course, KC is it's own unique beast and doesn't fit neatly in to one category. Let's see, we've got double, triple, quadruple images, blurring, light sensitivity, dry eye, excessive tearing, pain, discomfort, contacts, eye doctors and relatives who don't understand, cornea transplants, and everyone's experience is totally individual as KC seems to have no real rules to follow, unlike some diseases. Keeping this, and a good sense of humor in mind, I present my personal Top Ten KC Songs.

#10- Behind Blue Eyes - The Who. Those of us with KC often go undiagnosed, under treated, and misunderstood by doctors and family members who just don't get it. It's easy to feel like a victim when you have KC. This is a great victim song. Listen to once in a while and then get over yourself.

#9- Then I Close My Eyes - David Gilmore. A haunting, relaxing instrumental, that speaks to me of all those times when your eyes just hurt. They are sore, they are dry, your brain is on overload from the double images and you just want to close your eyes and keep them closed.

#8- I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash. This is how you feel when you get a pair of contact lenses that actually work after struggling with glasses that never seem to! This is how you feel if you have a sucessful crosslinking, INTACS, or, in my case, Holcomb C3R! It's amazing!

#7- Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - The Platters. Yep, smoke, water, dust, hair, and anything and everything else you can think of and some things you'd never think of will get in your eye, under your contact lens and drive you crazy. Your eyes will drive you crazy. Everything bothers your eyes. Sigh.

#6- Goin' Blind - Kiss. Gotta have a metal band in here. Officially, Keratoconus is not a blinding disease, but it does render some "blind" by making it so they, wait for it, can't see! It your KC is very advanced, you will be legally blind, making you eligible to get on the list for a cornea transplant. When I first found out I had KC I thought I would go blind and I was so upset I thought about some pretty awful things. That should never happen! All doctors should be knowledgeable and sensitive enough to give good, current information and options to their patients and point them towards specialists and support groups like Keratoconus GB, NCKF, and Keratoconus, where they can get  the help and support they need and deserve!

#5- Doctor My Eyes - Jackson Brown. "Doctor my eyes, tell me what is wrong! Was I unwise to leave them open for so long? Doctor, my eyes, tell me what you see. I hear their cries, just say if it's too late for me. Doctor, my eyes! I cannot see the sky! Is this the price for having learned how not to cry?"  I grew up with this song and it never really touched me, but when I looked the lyrics up for this post, I actually got a bit teary eyed. Yep. Also, again with the wanting doctors to know what they are doing thing.

#4- Blinded By The Light - Manfred Mann. That's right, groan if you hate this song, but one of the worst things about KC is the extreme sensitivity to light. Sunlight, bright lights, flashing lights, head lights in the rain in the dark *the horror*! Quality sunglasses are a must! As is limiting night driving depending on the severity of your halos and astigmatism. 

#3- Look Through My Eyes - Phil Collins. A sweet little song from the Disney film Brother Bear, all about seeing the world through someone else's eyes. People have a hard time believing all the visual distortions that can come with KC. When I found some pictures that showed examples of what KC can look like and showed it to my family, they finally started to get it. "There will be times on this journey, All you'll see is darkness, But out there somewhere, Daylight finds you, If you keep believing." I get it that KC is not the worst thing that can happen to someone, but it can be a very isolating condition and it's important to know that you are not alone.

#2- Double Vision - Foreigner. Yeah for bad 80's rock! This is the ultimate KC rock ballad even though I think it's really about getting drunk? "Ooh, when it gets through to me, it's always new to me. My double vision gets the best of me." Ain't it the truth, people? 

#1- Amazing Grace - John Newton. Well, maybe I'm being cliche' here, but this song took on a whole new meaning for me when I started to lose my good sight. I had to reach deep for strength, and a lot of that strength came from the Lord. I've had miracles in my life when it comes to my vision, so I'd be a slacker if I didn't acknowledge that. "...was blind, but now I see." I know that not everyone with KC is going to have a miracle. I know that my treatments are relatively new, and I could possible regret them in the future, but I'm grateful to be able to see. It is amazing, and I thank God for His grace. Take a listen to this beautiful rendition with Judy Collins and the Harlem Boys Choir. 

So, how'd I do? I'm sure we could go on and on. What are the songs on your personal KC play list and why? Do share!