Quicktopic posts: Jul 2003

[Rob Armstrong]

Hi

Got my first two stitches out today, following my graft in January!
I wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm very glad to say it was simple and painless. My consultant says he only removes the stitches when absolutely necessary (they were too tight), so I may not need many (if any) of the remaining ones removed. Apparantly this should improve my vision further-I still can barely make out the top two lines unaided, but testing with glasses I can get about 3/4 of the way down. About 3 Dioptres at the moment, which apparantly is "very acceptable". I might be prescribed glasses when I go back next week!

This will totally change my everyday life. I still rely on wearing a lens in my (worsening) left eye to get anything done, with varying levels of comfort, wearing time etc. I don't wear it everyday, so having glasses to fall back on during off days will be great, never mind the combined vision of (left eye) lens and (right eye) glasses! "Balanced" vision for the first time in over a year, can't wait.

I've been gradually reducing my steroid drops for some time now, (down to 2 a day) but as a precaution I've got to take them every 2 hours for a couple of days, and been given some antibiotic drops to take until I go back next week. Six months post-op and so far so good, I realise I've still got a long way to go though.

Rob.

[sarah marsh]

for andrew!
just wondered why you got to Bristol and not Bath.
have you had a cornea graph ?
i go to Bath RUH for my check ups and thats where i had transplant !
sorry if im nosey but it is nice to know there is someone local that also has KC!
email me if u would like to...my email is starlight7723366@aol.com
thanx
sarah

[sarah marsh]

for Rob !
well done on having your first stitch out ...i remember it well!( so does my surgeon coz i kicked him )! by accident !
i was so nervous now i only jump slighty when he takes stitches out and surgeon stands well back !!!!!!
glad so far ur eye is well!
i am coming up to my first year (aug 7th).
have you had any problems etc ?
feel free to email me on starlight7723366@aol.com
sarah

[umbilica@umbilical.demon.]

John wrote:
I think I've now put an ALT text on every image on the site. Let me know if I've missed anything.

Thanks. On a quick try, that's much better. I haven't been
round the whole lot; haven't found any missing yet, but if I do, I'll let you know.

Rosemary

--
Rosemary F. Johnson

[Eleanor Fry]

re: having a baby

I have just logged back on to the discussion list after an absence of about 6 months and was interested to see the discussion about having a baby after a corneal graft. I had a graft approx five years ago and had a baby boy in December last year (hence my absence from this list!)

At no time during my pregnancy was the graft issue raised as a concern, although I made sure there was a note about it in my antenatal notes. I guess if you were really worried you could go for an elective cesearean (less pushing = less pressure?).

I would be more concerned about the possible side effects of any steriod drops you may still be using. Due to a suspected rejection about 6 months after my graft I was told I would need to use the drops on a permanent basis. I didn't really feel very comfortable with this idea and basically reduced my usage very gradually, till I was down to about one or two drops a week. I continued this for some time and then stopped using them completely. I told the specialist I had stopped using the drops when I went for my next checkup, he was happy with this situation as he said my eye looked perfectly healthy, but gave me the usual warnings about coming in immediately if there should ever be any redness/soreness etc. I am not suggesting that this is a course of action anyone else should follow, I just didn't like the idea of putting steroids into my body for the rest of my life and was willing to take the risk.

Hope this information helps.
Eleanor

[sarah marsh]

eleanor...as for pregnancy etc i was explained that it would effect it and i am on PRED FORTE steriod eye drops and i checked on line about pred forte (and printed in fo off for future ref)and it does say that* if u r pregnant or plan to become pregnant then info doctor/surgeon immmediately. pred forte drops should be used but if only the potential benefits outweigh the risk to the developing baby ! also caution advised if breast feeding while taking steriod eye drops.
did u have any problems with graph during /after etc ? anything ?
thanx for posting .
sarah

[marilyn jones]

Our daughter has just been diagnosed with KC by a consultant.We live in Cheshire/South Manchester. Looking at the info on your website it is obviously crucial to find the right optician to dispense her contact lenses. Short of ringing every optician in the area how can I find someone locally who knows what they are doing?! The consultant recommended a local optometrist in Bramhall and I work for an optometrist who dsipenses GP lenses but has not dealt with cases of KC before. Any help /suggestions would be most helpful.

[Steve Jones]

in reply to marylin jones. i had the same problem recently, also in the past. I had to go to the hospital to get fitted for contacts, but it took ages.( national health !!)
after a total of 6 months i finally got the contacts and hated them. it took ages to get used to them and i went back to glasses.just wish i stuck with them.

Now 6 years later, i have to find a consultant, but who do I trust. Im new to nottingham and cant have the 'word of mouth' to help me. My eye clinic has wrote to the doctors to book me in to hospital to get a fitting, but Im worried that i have to wait for a long time again.
meanwhile i am seaching for an independant opticion but who do i chose.

best advice from my point of view to give you is to get a hospital apointment from your GP, whilst you look.
good luck (stevyj1@aol.com)

Deal with a specialist eye clinic. who deal with eyes not sales of glasses.they tend to have conflicting needs.

[umbilica@umbilical.demon.]

Marilyn:

Is Birkenhead too far for you?

If not, send me an email and I'll dig up the address.

But I'm sure there must be (an) Eye Hospital(s) n manchester who are nearer; can't you get your GP to refer your daughter?


Rosemary (umbilica@umbilica.demon.co.uk
--
Rosemary F. Johnson

[Sue Ingram]

Hi Francesca (1805), Sorry for the delay in replying to your message, however, I am assuming that you have only tried corneal contact lenses? Obviously, investigate the transplant situation for yourself, but ensure that you also look into scleral lenses - these are so much more comfortable to wear than corneal lenses and may keep you off the operating table. For more information, please look at the KC Website http://www.keratoconus-group.org.uk, or email me on sue.ingram@virgin.net. Good luck. SUE