Keratoconus & cornea graft question

[J_ZA]

Hi

LONG time no post so I guess it's time for an update.
Things have been going very well with the eye since the graft and I have since had a lens replacement done as well - vision has been great in the eye and I didn't need to get glasses or a contact lens. Very good result. Most of the sutures have been removed as well, I think there are only about 4 or 5 left.

Weird thing happened on Friday though - woke up and my vision was blurry in the eye, no pain or anything, just blurry(as if you've taken a lens out or taken your glasses off) and it hasn't gotten better since. Will make an appointment to see the doctor as soon as possible.

Not sure what could have caused this but it is a bit worrying. Has the same happened to anyone else here?

[Anne Klepacz]

A sudden change for the worse in vision in a grafted eye could be a sign of rejection. So please do go to casualty asap to get this checked out. If it is a rejection episode, the quicker it's caught the easier it is to reverse.
All the best
Anne

[J_ZA]

Thanks! Got an appointment for later today, will let you guys know how it went.

[J_ZA]

Right, saw the ophthalmologist and as it turns out it's an important suture that snapped so there is not much else that can be done right now since most of the sutures had been removed already. This means I have to get a hard contact lens as soon as possible. He also said that LASIC was an option at a later stage.

It's a huge disappointment but it could have been much worse so I'm not going to complain.

[melissa]

hey J_ZA....
nice to see someone else from SA... `VIVA BAFANA BAFANA VIVA!'
am i correct in understanding that you have had your stitches in for 3/half years?

[J_ZA]

Howzit!! Viva indeed, I can hear the vuvuzelas outside my window.

That's correct - most of them had been removed over time so I think there are only one or two left.
When I had the op the doctor gave me 2 choices:
1)Remove the sutures as soon as possible and get a contact lens or glasses.
2)Remove them over time to control/manipulate the astigmatism.

I went for #2 and still think it was the best choice since I've had 3 years of brilliant vision without the hassle of contacts/glasses.

[Johan]

When you receive a corneal graft, there is one thing that is important: patience. Healing of corneal grafts is sloooow

I had a graft almost a year ago and it is very clear to me that it is still healing. There are still bumps on the border of the transplanted tissue and the rest of my eye and there is still swelling of corneal tissue caused by water seeping into the graft.

At the same time I have a lens fitted and I am enjoying better than expected eyesight (visus almost 1.20). As long as this stays the same I am happy

I am still on eyedrops though, 2 drops of corticosteroids(Vexol) and anti-glaucoma (Combigan) eyedrops a day. Eye pressure is 21 last time it was checked.

[J_ZA]

That is very true. I'm not on regular eyedrops anymore, except now for the next week since 2 sutures were removed.
Went to the optometrist this morning so the process of getting a hard lens has started.

[J_ZA]

Went to the optometrist to fit the lens - perfect first time around so I'll be getting the proper lens later this week. Vision is REALLY good so I'm happy.

[Andrew MacLean]

Well done!