UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Had some good news today so thought would share it. Been exactly 8 months since my graft on the left eye. Was refracted by an optom today before seeing a consultant. My vision is currently 6/36 and is a struggle seeing that line. When refracted I got 6/6 with an Rx of -2.00D sphere and and -0.50D cyl...and the ghosting wasnt that bad.

After speaking with the consultant and having a topography done it showed that my cornea was almost normal with an astigmatism of 0.50D, and considering my Rx I basically now just have a refractive error, so they decided not to remove any sutures for now. I still have all 16 in place.

I was told that on my next check up in 1 month where my vision will be more stable I will be refracted again and can start wearing glasses, as if I started wearing glasses now my prescription will change frequently. I personaly felt why not just start wearing glasses now if i can see 6/6, its better than seeing 6/36 at the mo and I'll actually be able to do most tasks again.

I just wanted to know if any of you had/have been wearing glasses few months post graft how stable is your vision and how much your prescription changed over time. Being able to see 6/6 with glasses at 8 months post graft for me was amazing, so I got my Rx written down and will be wearing glasses again in the next few days.

What is weird is that I on some mornings I can see great through my grafted eye, I can read a license plate from 30m away but a few hours later I cant even see it 10m away. My vision is usually better in the morning and gets slightly worse later on in the day, maybe because im infront of a pc most of the day.

Asif

Asif

That is some amazing news mate!. I would be inclined to tell the consultant not to remove the sutures unless necessary! With such a low prescription already, any suture removal may throw this the other way......but as always your consultant would know better......but def have a word with him about that

I have worn glasses since the 3 month mark, and needed a total of 4 lens changes in the glasses.....I couldnt function without the glasses thus for me it was a necessity.....and in all honesty, if you can absorb the £40 odd quid lens change eahc time...then get it?......especially if you will be getting 6/6!!!......

Im sure you must be over the moon on that result!

J

it was actually. the best news iv had since i found out i had KC

Absolutely fantastic Asif.

It seriously looks like things are turning around and beginning to go your way!

I let out a cheer when I read your post. Not a big one, but audible enough for my wife to come in and ask what I was cheering about. She sends her congratulations, too.

Well Done

Andrew

Thank you for your kinds comments Andrew. I needed some luck they way things were going. I felt as though the graft was eventually the only option. I even had to inermit 3/4 into the 1st year of my optometry degree as my eyesight was really bad and needed the graft asap. I was begining to think it may be difficult being an optom thats partially sighted, but am so glad now that I can actually see 6/6 with glasses

Asif

I forgot, did you have the PK or DALK?

J

PK. That maybe why my vision is thankfully quite good at a fairly earlier stage compared to those with DALK, im not sure as from what I'ev read the healing time for DALk is longer but less chance of rejection.

Asif,

Well done! Getting to 6/6 with specs this soon after your graft is really good (as if we needed to tell you!)

Yes, I'd read about the DALK healing time being longer than PK - I have a consultation to "initially consider" a DALK for my non-grafted eye on Friday, so I'll hopefully find out more then.

John - Will be good to see what they say on Friday...

Asif - I am led to beieve that the reason why DALK is meant to take longer to heal, is due to the doner layers flattening out on the bottom layers of the host corner....and thus effectively providing clearer vision......but the time this takes depends on how successfull the donor button was placed and initially flattened out.....

J

John

All the best on Friday. I see my consultant at the end of March, with a view to a graft into my remaining eye. I mak ask him about DALK although I am greatly encouraged by Asif's story, and may take the conservative route of PK. I have no sight in that eye just now, so anything would be better.

Andrew