Vision post graft & stich removal

[John Smith]

Val, I had a running stitch, and wasn't feeling too good once the stitch was being removed (I'm such a wimp at these medical things )

My consultant was very good about it, but was quite clear that I couldn't go home as she'd started to remove it, so it all had to come out.

Possibly she'd already cut all 17 links - I could see that would stop me going home.

Once I'd got used to the idea though, having the stitches removed wasn't too bad - but I was dreading that more than the actual graft because I had to be awake

[Val G]

John
How long was your running stitch in place and how was your vision after it was removed?
I'm only six weeks post graft so I know I've got a while to wait.
My consultant is talking about a contact lens in 4/5 months, I'm presuming that will be while the stitches are still in place.
Thanks Val

[John Smith]

Val,

Yes, your contact lens will be with the stitch still there - mine stayed in for 2.5 years! When it came out, vision was certainly largely correctable using specs, although better with a scleral lens - but that eye can't tolerate one (odd, as the other eye copes pretty well). I did need a new prescription though, as having the stich removed caused the eye shape to change.

Good luck in your continued recovery. Is the sight is settling down now post-op?

[Frederica Bull]

Most of this discussion invoves having 'individual' stitches removed. I understood my graft to be done using a 'continuous' stitching. Does anyone know if this is removed all together (omg) or am I just confused? Please help!

Dear Val,
I had one continuous stitch removed in one go at six months post-op. Mine were actually 24 tiny linked stitches. I did not find it at all painful but just a bit odd as my close vision was very blurry I could not see what was happening. I had a local.
I did not get suddenly better vision but it gradually improved over 18 months. I am now four and a half years post-op and my vision has been stable for at least two years. I can wear contacts, or glasses, but don't tolerate contacts well so I am wearing glasses a lot at the moment. I do still get photophobia, but compared to where I was it is brilliant - I don't mind wearing sunglasses and baseball caps/hats.
Best wishes, Freddy

[Val G]

Thanks for the feedback.
Jayuk previously described his postop vision as like having to look through a thin layer of 'vaseline'. That's exactly what mine was like within a couple of weeks post graft and has remained more or less the same since.
I have returned to work this week which was a bit of a stuggle,a bit disorientating,lights too bright,struggling on screens at the wrong distance etc.Hoping for a better week next week!

[Geraldine]

well I had my eight remaining stiches removed...am 5 weeks short of two years post graft[I always say that but feel its nesicary]

My surgeon warned me 3 times my vision could get worse..as my vision a year post op was very good...as did my opticien...that said they were relatively pleased that the first 8 [out of 16] stiches didn't make my vision too much worse...[difficult to seperate the drop from constant changes iin my vision I still get]

so now I have to wait and go back in a month and see how its doing at that stage...so far its too early to say..and my visoin could get worse for at least another 13 days..and then get stronger glasses

intially I was extremely upset when i heard about stitch removal making my vision worse[seemed to me fate was dealing me a cruel blow]/...now I don't mind so much...I don't deserve to see at all and I am grateful to know what good sight is like even if it was only for a year post op[fisrst year after op obviously vision improving and peaked at the year mark in my case] and as long as my vision remains correctabe thats all I could ever hope for after a graft..

I do worry if I do need an rgp and my vision gets significantly worse with the stiches and I am lens intolerant[have nightmares of the lens popping out] and my vision becomes uncorrectable with glasses how I will manage[I wouldn't mind contacts but I don't imagine hard contacts over a graft will be easy to manage]

anyway best of luck to you all

[GarethB]

Hi Geraldine,

My sight continued to improve post stitch removal and I went a good many years without need for correction befoe going to glasses.

It is only due for my KC taking an exremely rare route that has lead me to RGP's over a graft and that has taken 16 years post grfat to get to that stage and they are remarkably managable compared to what I used to have pre graft.

[Geraldine]

well I am sorry to hear about KC reaccurance in your case....it is rare i'd say...

However I could imagine that happening to me...but KC has taught me enjoy the days you can see well

I am wearing glasses at the moment...but as yet do not know what visual correction I will need long term...won't now for another month or so