Ahead of World Keratoconus (KC) Day on Nov. 10, the National Keratoconus Foundation (NKCF) has launched a new campaign to raise awareness: Cones for a Cause.
Let’s begin with a look at KC.
This non-inflammatory ocular condition (an ectatic corneal disorder) develops as a result of the cornea thinning and bulging into a cone shape, resulting in (among other symptoms):
- Blurry or distorted vision
- Light sensitivity
- Halos
The disease is reported to occur in 1 out of every 300 patients—and is most prevalent in the United States among 18-to-39-year-olds.
What leads to its development?
While there’s no exact cause, research has identified genetics, the environment, and the endocrine system as all having some form of role in the disease’s development.
- See here for other risk factors—and check out these ECP tips for managing and treating disease progression.
Now to NKCF.
Founded in 1986, NKCF is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization currently operating as an outreach program of the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute at the University of California (UC) Irvine School of Medicine.
Its purpose:
- To provide support for and education about KC via seminars, patient guides, support groups, etc.
- To publish and share information about the disease to patients, families, and eyecare professionals (ECPs)
- To raise funds supporting scientific research into causes, treatments, and potential cures for KC
See here for more resources (such as an online interactive forum, toll-free “warmline” for patients and their family members, as well as a referral program of ECPs specializing in KC care.
And its background?
See here for background on its establishment and journey, which includes being added to the Discovery Eye Foundation in 2006, as well as the foundation’s 2016 asset and program transfer to UC, Irvine.
- Importantly: NKCF is known as “the world’s oldest and largest keratoconus-focused organization, with a database of more than 25,000 patients and care providers.”
And when did World Keratoconus Day begin?
Observed on Nov. 10, World KC Day was created by NKCF in 2016 as the first international effort to raise KC awareness as well as support and advocate for impacted patients.
What other initiatives support this day?
The organization kicks off a themed campaign each year to support the awareness day.
For 2025: NKCF has introduced the Cones for a Cause campaign, intended as a “playful spin on awareness” by celebrating with ice cream.
And what does this involve?
From patients and advocates to ECPs, schools, and community organizations, all are welcome to join the campaign by:
- Inviting local ice cream shops to donate a portion of their ice cream sales (anywhere from 10 to 25%) on Nov. 10 to NKCF
- (For ECPS): Co-hosting community events, sharing the initiative with patients/customers, and spreading the word on social media (using #WorldKCDay and #NKCF and tagging @nkcforg)
- Making a one-time or recurring donation
See here for a campaign toolkit with shareable resources to help get started.
Sounds like a worthy cause. And what if I have more questions about getting involved?
Reach out to NKCF directly.