UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Had my left cornea replaced back in '91. Just the central part of the Cornea was done. However, the surgeon did it slightly off-centre (although it took me many years to find this out!). Cornea is still fine, clear (although slightly milky where around the edge in places). Sight is not overly good. I wear glasses and the left lens is just a makeweight really. It's all a bit fuzzy but peripheral vision is still perfect!Apparently it focuses at about 5 times the distance in the vertical to the horizontal plane (or t'other way around!).
Anyway, was wondering if it was worth going to see a specialist again. My optician said I could have the op done again but no guaruntees it would be any better. I understand the op is now a lot more simplified. I spent over a week in hospital for mine, but I understand it can be as little as a day or two now? My other eye shows no tendancies towards it.

On a lighter note, one thing I have found since I had the op, every optician or nurse who does a sight test on me ends up running the full battery of tests because 'I haven't seen one of those before!'. Nice to know I have a use

Hi Loz,

I had a graft 18 months ago - I went in first thing and was on my way home by mid-afternoon. (It would have been just after lunch but I fell back asleep!) Went back the next day to get the bandages removed. Then regular check ups.

I was told the actual operation only takes about 20 minutes.

Rob.

Hi Loz,
Yes transplants take less time in hospital now. I was home 45 mins after coming out of theatre. Had local anaesthetic - whole thing took just over an hour. However why not try something less invasive and far more predictable than surgery. Scleral lenses are brilliant post surgery and can be fitted to cope with the curvature of the cornea. They are not on offer everywhere and in my experience surgeons have little or no understanding or knowledge of our optometric needs post surgery. Mine told me to get glasses and go back to a 60 hour week academic job. The hospital optometrist had refused to make me glasses because he said they would not help me!
After a lengthy battle I got referred to Moorfields to try scleral lenses and now have vision that enables me to work again.
Please get in touch if you would like advice on how to get sclerals janetmanning@onetel.com
Janet

Thanks for the replies, that really is a very significant decrease in time taken!
I guess I am very lucky, from reading round here, that I have 1 good eye. I shall have a word with my optician about all this. Thing is with *any* contacts, I have very sensitive eyes. The consultant who prescribed my first gas permeables actually said I had the most sensitive he had seen. I never managed less than 30mins to put them in. Perhaps a lot to do with sensitivity from the condition. I dunno.
If I don;t get anywhere then I will take up your generous offer Janet, thanks.