IS THERE MUCH PAIN

[MEURIG WILLIAMS]

Hi There,
This is my first time here so hello everyone. On the 15 Aug i'm going for a consultation for a Graft. I have KC and have been wearing contact lenses for 20 years or so now but they cannot improve my sight any longer so i'm going for a Graft.
I've suffered terribly over the years with pain mainly because of dust and sometimes it has brought me to my knees crying.
So if i have the Graft what level of pain can i expect and how long for. At the moment this is the main problem i can think of so any help will be very much appreciated.
Thank you.

[Asif]

Hi Meurig

I have recently had a graft performed on my left eye just over six weeks ago. For me the pain after the operation was not as bad as I had anticipated it to be. However, it did still hurt and there was a lot of discomfort for the rest of the day. The day after my eye felt a lot better but still slight discomfort only becuase of the stiches. However after a few days I couldnt feel anything at all. It will be different for other people as some have said they did not feel any pain at all, but for me it wasnt that bad as it was bearable.

My vision was cloudy and was photophobic for the first few days which got less as the days went by. Sunglasses help or close all the curtains in your house. I was up and about after 2 days but was taking it easy. My vision has improved after the graft but still isnt very good as it still is early days and was told it will be expected to improve after six months or so. Taking the eyedrops hasnt been a problem, just takes a little while getting used to it.

After one week some discomfot did arise from the stiches but at mmy 1 week post op appointment it was a lose stich was detected. The opthalmologist tried to remove the stich but could so cut the protruding ends off the stich. after a day or so my eye felt better and could no longer feel any discomfort.

Now my graft eye feels fine. Vision still isnt all that (6/36) but am hoping it will improve. My vision does fluctaute slightly from time to time.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

[GarethB]

Following from Asif, the pain I had when I had my grafts (had two now), was never as bad as a bad lens day.

The pain of the actual operation went after a couple of days and the times I did get discomfort was when it was hot and I was nearing the time to put more drops in. Both my grafts were in early summer, so pollen may have agrivated it a bit.

The feeling of stitches was far less uncomfortable than the first time I had lenses and 18 years ago when I first had lenses, the technology was way behind what it is to today and the levels of comfort that are possible for sometoday is extremely good.

Good luck, after the operation you may well reflect the views of others in that the procedure is far less painful than you imagine.

Good luck.


Gareth

[Sue Ingram]

Hi Meurig, Welcome to the site and sorry to hear you are experiencing problems with contact lens wear. Sounds just like my story! After 25 years of rgp corneals, I could not keep them in for more than about 15 mins! However, I have been wearing sclerals now for about 6 years and find them wonderful - definitely no dust as there is no way any can get behind the lenses! They are so much more comfortable than rgps as they do not touch the cornea.

Don't know whether you have tried this option already but may be worth looking into when you are weighing up whether or not to have the graft.

Take care and keep us posted on your progress. SUE

[jayuk]

Hi Meurig


Just on the back of the previous replies..id also recommend you exchaust (if you already havent) Scleral and Piggyback lenses.....if it can keep you away from the knive and give you adequate vision its worth it!..as once you have had the graft there is no turning back......as I am sure you are aware

J

[Pauline Houke]

Hey Meurig,
I had my graft on 21 june and can honestly say that the pain factor for me was negligible. I have had no problems at all so far. However the vision from that eye is not "useful" if you know what i mean. I feel like i am looking through creased up cling film! But it is early days yet.
If you decide on the graft I wish you the very best of luck
xxx

[Sweet]

Hello there!

I kinda left this post as i think i would have been VERY biased after only just having a graft done last Monday. I have to admit to being in a lot of pain the last few days but that was unusual so i am told and was because of all the pressure needed to smooth everything out so please don't worry about it.

Today though i am feeling much better and paracetamol and brufen are working well, so please if you need to have a graft done don't let the pain issue put you off. I know that it is all worth it in the end!

Take care and hoping that lenses will work well for you!

Love Sweet X x X