Deep Lamellar Keratoplasty

[Lynn White]

Ally...

The things I am picking up on is that despite the scarring, you say your vision is OK with contacts. You still seem to be OK with RGP's with irritation and the sclerals cause discomfort and probably oedema. (Any lens type can cause oedema - depends on patient sensitiviy and fit)

Myself, I would think you maybe still had mileage out of RGP's, if a change of material/lens type was considered - but then, I don't have access to how how your eyes look on a slit-lamp (this is the microscope device we look at your eye with)

However successful a transplant is, it takes quite a while to settle - often longer than you hope. So before you embark on that, you need to suss out all possibilities.

The hospital appointment will obviously look at all these options - but go well prepared with questions written down and if possible get someone to go in with you. (Its amazing how "deaf" you get in these situations)

Keep us posted!


Lynn

[Allyoudeen Mungul]

Hi Lynn,

Thanks for some good advice, getting a bit worried, i may pull out and head for the Lenses!

One thing i have read or may misunderstood is, the method use to remove the recipient cornea can affect your vision thereafter.

I looked at the following site:- http://www.niioc.nl/edalkcrs/edalk1.htm

The idea of stitches iin your eye as well kind of feels irritating already!

Ally

[jayuk]

Ally

I wouldnt worry about the donor cornea etc...the results of a cornea transplant very based on soo many factors....there is only one way to attach a cornea right now (well two but the second is in trial stages and involve laser and has only been done in States last year I beleive) and thats stiches......they actually are not that bad about 4 days of slight irritation till the eyelids get used to it.

But again, wait for your appt and they will go through it. The fact that they have mentioned DALK would indicate they have looked at the scarring and have noticed its only superficial

[GarethB]

Ally,

Stitches in the eye are no worse than lenses for the first time. The only reason you notice the stitches after lenses is that it is something new to the eye.

There are two ways of stitching the donor cornea;

1) Running stitch all the way round.
2) Many individual stitches.

I had the latter which gave greater control of the healing process as it was possibly to have an element of control over any astigmatism that was present.

As jay said, irritation for a couplle of days, but I would say most will be from keeping eyelids out of the way during the operation a opposed the stitches. Once the eyelid inflamation comes down after a couple of days, you may well be unaware of stitches in the eye.

My grafts healed so well, I have six stiches left where the graft healed over them. 16 years on graft is fine and stitches are irritation free.

Gareth

[Allyoudeen Mungul]

Hey Gareth,

Thanks for the info makes it less worrying knowing other have had results.

Think its gunna cost £2000 for the first eye, price seems ok?

Ally

[Susan Mason]

Hi Ally

Well just wanted to say that your are having a not so good time at the moment.

As for £2000 for first eye well, what price can be put on sight ??? However, do you really wnat to go private? If things are so bad why are the NHS not doing the op for you or maybe it is just personal preference on your part.
Best not start on the old 'post code' lottery and NHS thing but it brasses me off really how sometimes we seem to have so many hurdles when trying to manage our KC.

I too have been offered a DLK although at the moment I have not taken them up on the offer as I feel too much else is happening in my life.

Hope all goes well for you and keep us all updated.

best wishes

Susan

[jayuk]

Ally

£2000 is cheap......or should I say a goodprice

Moorefields charge £3500 as do a few of the other top locations.

But £2000 is very cheap...and bear in mind there is little technical difference between both procedures as far as the time take is concerned......in fact the only difference is that in the DALK only the frst few layers are sliced off....

I would def ask as many questions and also ensure the surgeon knows what he is doing is experienced etc.....this is your vision after all.....as Susan mentioned.....

Mine cost me £4000 with 6 post op appointments included...at the end. But I had the full PK

[Allyoudeen Mungul]

Hi Susan & Jayuk,

Well dunno what to do, so i am gunna give myself so more time before i decide.

Thanks for all the support and advice.

The LE is getting worse i guess i will have to do it sooner or later.

Ally