At the National Keratoconus Foundation (NKCF), we are proud to support everyone living with keratoconus—and we are especially honored to stand beside communities who are disproportionately affected by the disease, including individuals with Down syndrome. That’s why we are so grateful to have played a role in Sinclair’s journey to treatment, which she shares in a beautiful new YouTube video. 

Sinclair is a vibrant 27-year-old woman who loves to cook, dance and create videos. Her world is full of strong relationships—friends, family, a devoted fiancé, and a deeply supportive mother, Kim, who has been her tireless advocate. After years of perfect vision, Sinclair suddenly had trouble seeing a screen during a college class. Concerned, her mom sought answers—and treatment. 

Studies show that individuals with Down syndrome are up to 30% more likely to develop keratoconus than the general population. Yet many families are unaware of this heightened risk, and routine screenings are not always performed. Fortunately, Kim discovered NKCF online and was able to use our educational resources to understand what keratoconus is and what options were available for Sinclair. The family was set on finding a provider who offered iLink® corneal cross-linking and found Dr. Maanasa Indaram, a cornea specialist at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).  

With expert care and a treatment plan tailored to her needs—including the decision to undergo the procedure under general anesthesia—Sinclair’s story took a hopeful turn. Today, she wears her first-ever pair of glasses, sees the world more clearly, and continues to chase her dreams with confidence and grace. Her keratoconus has remained stable for over four years.

We want to extend our deepest thanks to Glaukos for producing and sharing Sinclair’s inspiring story through video. We are also incredibly grateful to Dr. Indaram for her compassionate and expert care, to Kim for being a beacon of advocacy, and to Sinclair herself—for her strength, spirit, and bravery in sharing her journey.

Stories like Sinclair’s remind us why NKCF exists: to make sure no patient or family has to face keratoconus alone. This is what awareness looks like in action, and we’re honored to witness and be part of it.