Keratoconus & Me
A Creative Contest for the International Keratoconus Community
World Keratoconus Day is fast approaching on November 10, and we’d love to hear from YOU!
This year, we’re inviting everyone touched by keratoconus (KC) to join our 2024 World KC Day Contest – whether you’re living with the condition, a supportive family member or friend, or an eye care professional who treats or studies KC. Share your unique story or perspective to help raise awareness and connect with others in the keratoconus community.
We encourage you to express your experience in a creative way. Here are some options to get you started:
How You Can Share:
- Submit a photograph
- Create a short video
- Write a poem
- Design digital artwork
- Compose an essay
- Or use any other medium that feels right for you!
Ideas for What to Share:
- How keratoconus has impacted your life – both the challenges and the victories
- A heartfelt thank you to someone who has supported you along the way
- Giving a shoutout to your eye care provider who has made a difference
- Sharing your personal KC journey
- Eye care professionals: Why are you passionate about treating those with keratoconus?
- Or feel free to share anything related to your KC experience.
Submissions must be received by November 1, 2024. No more than two submissions per entrant. Submissions will be judged in one of the following categories:
1. Youth (17 and under)
2. Adult (age 18-64)
3. Senior (age 65+)
4. Eye Care Professional
Submissions will be judged by representatives from the NKCF, Keratoconus Barbados, Keratoconus Australia, and Keratoconus Group. Winners will be announced after World KC Day, November 10, 2024.
All images will become property of the NKCF, Keratoconus Barbados, Keratoconus Australia and Keratoconus Group.
View the 2022 Finalists Submissions Here.
View the 2021 Finalists Submissions Here.
Contest Rules
Who May Enter?
- Anyone touched by keratoconus (those living with the condition, as well as family and friends, and eye care professionals who treat or study KC). If you are less than 18 years of age, a parent or guardian’s permission is required.
What to Enter?
- Any photo, video, poem, or other creative outlet that helps to tell the story of how KC affects perspective or helps to tell a KC story. Reflect on challenges or achievements. Share a message about life with KC. Your submissions will help raise global awareness on World KC Day, November 10, 2024.
- Photographs, videos, and other creative work must have been taken by / created by the person entering the contest. Images may be enhanced before submission including application of filters, screens, or use of software programs like Adobe Photoshop. Any edits to the original photograph or video must be performed by the photographer or videographer.
- There are no restrictions regarding subject matter or location. You must have permission if you include any recognizable person in your photograph and you may not infringe upon copyright or trademark material by explicitly featuring it in the photograph. Please no inappropriate or objectionable content.
- All images submitted will become the non-exclusive property of NKCF, Keratoconus Barbados, Keratoconus Australia, and Keratoconus Group and may be used in stories, articles and social media.
How to Enter
- All entries must be submitted electronically. No mail-in entries will be accepted. Acceptable file formats are JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, PDF, and MP4. There is a limit of 10 MB per entry and 2 submissions per entrant. A separate entry form must be completed for each submission. There is no fee to participate in the contest. Incomplete entries will not be considered.
Contest Deadlines
- Entries are accepted through midnight Pacific Time on November 10, 2024 and must be made through the contest portal on www.nkcf.org (below). Finalists and prizes will be announced shortly after World KC Day.
Judging
- Submissions will be judged by representatives from NKCF, Keratoconus Barbados, Keratoconus Australia and Keratoconus Group. Finalists will be selected based on impact, originality, artistic merit and how well the photo shares some element of life with keratoconus.
Submissions
Submissions for the 2024 contest have now closed. Read about the winners here!