UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

A year on after my graft and i will be starting to use the gym again this week

any advice apart from take is easy etc and can i use the sauna?

anyone done this?

Check with your ophthalmologist before you go back to the sauna. I really can't think of a reason why you should not use the sauna, and if your ophthalmologist gives you the green light you ought to be okay. Stay off the top shelf, and leave if you feel any discomfort in your eye.

If you build up gently in the gym I guess you will avoid damage to your eye. Again, avoid situations in which your eye becomes uncomfortable, breathe carefully, keep your gas exchange in balance and you ought to be okay.

Beyond that ask your ophthalmologist for specific advice.

All the best

Andrew

20 years ago I was doing the Gym and suana before the 12 months.

I knwo some here who are 12 months post graft back at the gym. Obveously starting gently to condition the body again.

All should be OK.

does it really take THAT long before you can hit the weights again??

What about other exercise?

Every time i hear somethng like this i get more and more reluctant about having the op

Samba

It varies, like everything else in KC, from person to person. Be guided by your ophthalmologist.

Andrew

I've not had a graft so I'm probably talking through my hat, but after my cataract op I was advised not to go to the gym for 6 weeks although gentle Cardio Vascular exercise eg. brisk walking, gentle jogging etc. after 2/3 weeks would be OK.

It was explained to me that weights work in particular causes the pressure in the eye to rise quite considerably and should be avoided at all costs and then only started again when given the OK . With Cataracts as well, looking down and bending from the waist should be avoided for at least 6 weeks as again this raised pressure in the eye.

Presumably with a graft anything that raises pressure in the eye could affect the graft and the stictches - hence the recommended caution.

Pat

Pat,

You are spot on with your reply.

Gentle weights can be used if given the all clear by the surgeon to maintain tone, but not where you exert yourself.

yep, includng *ahem* other activities

Thank you Louise for being so discrete.

Andrew