Post C3R recovery

[helen jones]

Whoopee!! Must share the good news. I had a follow up today after C3R in both eyes and was told I now have 6/12 combined vision again and so can drive! ( Before I had 6/36 vision in I eye and had 6/18 in the other ) Brilliant! Also the k readings for both eyes are lower than pre procedure but I do still have some swelling in both central corneas. Have to wait 3 months till next check up when I hope to have Intacs

[Andrew MacLean]

Helen

This is really good news! Well done.

I hope that over the coming three months you continue to see a steady improvement.

All the best with the DVLA.

Andrew

[GarethB]

Helen,

Is your vision corrected or uncorrected?

Either way should be no need to inform DVLA of anything unless of course your applying for a licence.

[Karl R]

That's great news Helen.

You may notice a difference in your vision at night as well. I did after my INTACS op.

Prior to the op my vision was something similar to this

http://www.debt-helpers.org.uk/images/starburst_old.jpg

Post op it is now like this

http://www.debt-helpers.org.uk/images/starburst_new.jpg

Another thing I've found helpful was changing my headlight bulbs from halogen (yellow light)to Xenon (white/blue light) with an aftermarket upgrade kit. It is now like having daylight on the road ahead

[helen jones]

Reply to Gareth B - That is my uncorrected vision - mainly improved in my right eye which was not so far progressed. Been recommended to wait for aided correction as the corneas are still not 100% settled following the C3R - may improve further so would mean changing lenses too frequently.
Actually went out in the car yesterday - it felt very strange but liberating.
Karl - thanks for the advice about headlights - to be honest I avoid night time driving - have done for ages because headlights are such a nuisance - motorway driving in particular is awful - halos and starbursts come from all directions and from the lighting too so I prefer to stay off!
Helen

[Andrew MacLean]

... to be honest I avoid night time driving - have done for ages because headlights are such a nuisance - motorway driving in particular is awful - halos and starbursts come from all directions and from the lighting too so I prefer to stay off!
Helen

Will that settle down now that you have had C3R, or will it remain a feature of night driving?

[Karl R]

Unfortunately Andrew there is no guarantee that Helen will see any improvement in her halos and starbursts as I have. Again it comes down to individuality.

The only way to find out is if Helen goes out on a night drive (friend driving of course) and see if she notices any improvement in/can tolerate the effect of the halos and starbursts.

I hope that you notice a positive change Helen

[helen jones]

Hi Andrew and Karl -As has been said many times before , nothing is certain with any of these treatments. When I'm feeling more confident about day driving maybe I'll venture out in the dark! I'm still finding bright daylight a problem and have to wear my sunspecs on days when other people don't. I have always had a big problem with bright light since my first diagnosis. I believe I've read somewhere that Intacs can actually make the halo effect worse - obviously not in your case Karl. Just shows that no two cases are alike! One thing I like about my consultant is his honesty - he has been very upfront from day one and is always cautious about any supposed improvement. As my KC had started to progress rapidly and at my age (24 ) I went for C3R in the hope the claims of halting progression prove to be true for me - it's a gamble but I feel I have nothing to lose - I couldn't just sit and watch ( no pun intended) my vision get worse and worse and struggle to do my job so plucked up the courage to go for it. Having a graft is still an option after all.

[Andrew MacLean]

You are right. All the best

Andrew

[Sajeev]

Considering the primary use of Crosslinking is not to improve vision ...that's some brilliant news Helen. Reversing KC and through a non-invasive treatment is something to quietly celebrate about and there is much more time to go with the recovery still.

Well done to everyone involved (!)