UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi all

Well I went ahead with the op and had both eyes done and didn't chicken out! Its 3 weeks now since I had it done.

I have kept a diary of how things have gone so here goes.

Night of procedure. Being awake during the procedure was not a nice experience (I won't go into detail cos I don't want to put anyone off having it done). I was in theatre for just over an hour but it seemed much longer! Afterwards while the anesthetic was still working there was no pain. My vision was just like I had an oil slick in my eyes with fog and very photophobic. When the anesthetic had wore off then there was pain. I woke up in the early hours of the morning to take more painkillers so I didn't sleep much after that.

The day after. Still very photophobic and having to wear sunglasses in the house and have all the blinds closed. My consultant has put me on Betnasol drops - 2 4 times a day. Still on co-dydramol painkillers as paracetamol dont work. The oil/fog is still there so everything is blurred and my eyes are watering a lot.

Day 2. The oil/fog has gone but still very blurred and photophobic. Can see large objects (sofa) nearby with my right eyes but no improvement with my left. Can see what is going on on the telly or read so I am just listening to things.

Day 3 & 4 pretty much the same.

Day 4. Things are improving in my right eye but still nothing much in my left. Can make out more images with my right eye now so at least I can sort of watch a bit of telly.

At week after the surgery I went back to see my consultant. Managed the first line on the chart with my right eye but nothing with my left (couldn't even see where the chart was!) but I did manage to see his fingers in front of my face. The stitches were bothering me so he had a good look and was happy to take them out. My eyes did feel better after he had removed them.

Every day affter that has just been a waiting game. My right eye is improving every day but not my left. Only taking painkillers when I get headaches now and for bed. I am going for a topography tomorrow so I will know more then.

My consultant/surgeon has been great. I am gald I had it done even though I have only seem improvement in my right eye as things can only get better from here and it is still early days. I am feeling very positive now about things so hopefully its good news tomorrow.

Kathy

Kath

Thanks for all the info

Where did you hae it done?

Did they say how long before you should expect to see some significant improvement?

All this and you watched them do it! Congratulations.

Please keep us in touch.

Andrew

I had to have it done privately at a local hospital in Blackburn as its not on the NHS here.

I have been told I can have my eyes tested after 6 weeks but it can take up to 12 weeks to fully settle but I am happy with the progress in my right eyes. My left eye did take longer to do (and vaccum was on for longer) so I have been told that that could be why there is no improvement as yet.

When I went to see my consultant he did say that I was brave to go through it (but I'm still frightened of the dentist though! ha go figure!)

Kathy

Kathy

Did you stay over in the hsopital?

J

Hi J

I was admitted at 4.30pm and discharged at 9pm. Glad really cos I didn't want to stay in.

Kathy

i was always told that intacts take 10 - 15 minutes and are painless. im confused now

My intacs took around an hour to do but i did not have a lot of pain after it was all just a strange sensation, plus i didn't have stitches as my surgeon had used a laser.
I guess like everything its always different with each person and each surgeon

J-B

I am afraid that people who are trying to sell fish would seldom go out of their way to tell potential customers if the fish was off!

This is why the site here is so useful. it gives us an opportunity to share experiences with each other, and helps us assess the potential pitfalls of intended surgery.

Vicky's experience is different to that of Kathy. Others might have diffferent experiences yet, and bit by bit the picture is built up.

Andrew

I had intacs in one eye.. the actual procedure took about 10-15 minutes, but there were various other things that had to be done (paperwork, waiting, prep, etc). I was probably in the office for 2 hours total.

My intacs were not done with a laser, the channels were made with a special piece of equipment when the vaccum was on my cornea. I was actually in theatre for just over an hour. The time before that was spent doing all the admission paperwork and making the necessary measurements and the time I spent when I got back to my room I was waiting for the surgeon to do his rounds and get my drops.

Now I have no pain but I am left with the sensation that feels like there is something in my eye all the time. I woke one morning and still half asleep rubbed my eye - that did hurt!! It felt like I was rubbing glass into my eye. It woke me up very quickly though.

I have been to see my consultant this morning and he is very happy with the positioning of the rings. I managed 3 lines on the chart with my right eye and could just make out the first with my left (at least I could see it this time). He is happy with my progress and wants to see me again in 2 months and do another topography in 4 months.

Kathy