Healing from Cornea Transplant

[eytans]

Hi,
I'm a 35 years old, having pretty severe Keratoconus for 20 years already, I've been wearing contact lenses.
I'm active athlete in long distance Triathlons, swim, bike, run. For me this is a way of life and I'm training everyday, and competes several times a year.

In the last 4 years I don't wear contact lens in my right eye, they simply don't hold. I was already in the list for Cornea transplant, got the phone call and rejected it several times because I was afraid, although I'm encouraged to do so by every doctor who sees me.

Can you share your experience from the Cornea transplant, how was the healing? what can and can't you do (I don't expect to play football, but will I be able to run a Marathon?). I have two little kids, how this can effect my family (holding a baby that can accidentaly punch my eye)? what has changed in your life since the transplant?

Please, reply with both good and bad experiences...

thanks,
Shahar

[Andrew MacLean]

Shahar

Welcome to the forum.

One or two things about my experience of two grafts (my first was a PK and my second a DALK).

I did not experience any great amount of pain after either operation. Indeed apart from some discomfort in the day or two following each operation there was no pain at all.

It does take a bit of time for the sight to recover, more after a DALK than a PK graft. I would not plan to run a marathon the next day, but within a month or two I reckon you ought to be okay. Before you decide, ask your ophthalmologist about recovery time and when you can go back to Marathon running.

I used to be a fell runner, but the difficulty of keeping lenses in place made this too difficult.

All the best, let us know what you decide.

Andrew

[piper]

Get on with your life, lad. Someone has given you a wonderful gift in making a cornea available. Take it and be grateful.

Then, do what your Doc says. And run and swim and bike all you want. I was out bagpiping gigs two weeks after my graft. If you want, buy a cheap pair of PLAIN glasses, and don't worry about damaging it. I got several pairs of plain safety goggles for $1.00 USD after my graft to keep wood dust out of it in the shop. Wear them at home when you pick up the baby, or the cat, and don't worry.

Do you have a good specialist? If you answer YES then there is nothing to be afraid of. Get on with it. We are cheering for you!!

I had a knee scoped years ago......destroyed my bike=riding for a decade and I am not up to speed yet. The pain stuck around a LONG time. My graft was painless!!

Tell us how you are getting on.

Piper

[GarethB]

Hi Shahar

The graft was the best thing I did, it allowed me to follow my ambition and race cars.

As Piper says, it is a gift and by the same token it is difficult to take.

I live life to the full and up until 2 years ago I was still racing. I feel I owe it to those who's lives were given up to give me the gift of sight.

Had two grafts nearly 20 years ago, my KC was so aggressive I was legally blind within 12 months of diagnoses.

It is scary having the graft, but it is worth it.

[eytans]

Thanks guys,

In the last two days, I'm surfing in this forum and got to two decisions:
1. Not afraid anymore... will do the graft anyway.
2. Before I'm doing that, I'm going to do another Ironman (I registered to one in the end of June).

I believe that after I've been in this condition for several years, I can wait 5 more months... I just can't believe I'll be able to do this amazing competition again.

Sweet said in one of the discussions that it is not allowed to swim, because of the danger of infections

So, now this great forum is in my favorites, will let you know once I'll have updates.

thanks,
Shahar

[GarethB]

Graft or no graft, there is a risk of eye infection.

The main thing is during graft recovery while the cornea heals.

I have workded down sewers and my grafts are fine, and I worked down the sewers a couple years after the grafts.

Done loads of swimming since.

You can wear swim masks'goggles to reduce the water getting in and if post graft there is only mild astigmatism, you can get prescription goggles to maintain as mutch vision as possible.

Like most things in life, if you are sensible about what you do, then you will be fine.

Done loads swimming with my grafts too in the sea and swimming pools.

Never had an eye infection and all being well I can contunue the same way.

What is going in your favour is your level of fitness. From reading this forum over the past couple of years, those who lead a fit and healthy life heal far quicker and better than average (if there is such a thing).