Cross-linking and Kera ring implants

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Hamish
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Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
Vision: I'm coping with no aids

Cross-linking and Kera ring implants

Postby Hamish » Thu 10 Jan 2019 4:20 pm

Hi all,

I am 24, and suffer mild KC in my left eye and fairy severe KC in my right eye. Currently I get by with my left eye and progression seems to have stopped (Fingers crossed).

I have met with a consultant via the NHS who recommended cross-linking (epi off) and kera ring implantation as a combined surgery on my right (bad) eye. This is now booked in for this time next week. My concerns are around the kera ring implants, I have read mixed reviews online, all taken from science journals and there does not seem to be much in the way of personal experiences. I wanted to know whether I should be aware of long term side effects. I am very active and do not want to be stuck in the UK, worrying about my implants having problems for any real length of time.

It would be great to hear of some experiences, recovery and results. Please let me know!

Thanks

Hamish

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Anne Klepacz
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Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
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Re: Cross-linking and Kera ring implants

Postby Anne Klepacz » Sun 13 Jan 2019 12:19 pm

Hi Hamish and welcome,
I haven't had these, but if you put 'Intacs' into the search on this forum you'll find quite a few posts (Intacs are just another brand of corneal ring implants). From what I've heard from forum users and from the specialists who've talked at our meetings, corneal rings don't work for everybody and about 10% end up being removed. But that still leaves a lot of people who are presumably happy with the results. When you're looking at forums like this for people's experiences, you also need to bear in mind that people tend to post when they've had a problem, and the satisfied customers don't bother to share that!
Presumably you could opt just to have the crosslinking without the implants?

Dek
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Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
Vision: I have Intacs implanted

Re: Cross-linking and Kera ring implants

Postby Dek » Wed 16 Jan 2019 9:31 am

I had INTACS implanted some years ago by Mr Dayer at RVH after doing what you have done by reading guidance on NICE and scientific publications and can share my experience. The situation then was mixed. Some patients get benefit, some not and a few suffering side effects like halos. I didn’t get much benefit but can say the operation was performed by a femtolaser, was quite painless and recovery quick and uneventful. A few years later a decision was made to remove them but Mr Dayer changed his mind thinking that it might make my myopia worse. Since then I have had cataracts removed and a word of caution here. When the prescription lens is implanted with the INTACS in place removing them subsequently will change the prescription and vision. Hope this helps but please remember my experience is only one of thousands and not statistically valid. All operations carry risks but you are doing the correct thing by doing your own research to come to an informed decision.


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