UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

After spending my 29th Birthday last week recovering from yet another severe case of hydrops - I am to go in for my graft tomorrow.

I am in the "care" of the now world famous Mr Daya after his recent success in

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/6454819.stm

I am not entirely sure whether this will benefit those with KC (have not read up on it as yet) but still an interesting development

It has been a odd journey to get to this point as 7 years ago I first had some trouble with my sight - a totally different world then.

I am not apprehensive really at all and in many ways am looking forward to it as I want my life back.

I do though have some questions that will not be answered until tomorrow. Many reading this post will know its is not always easy to take in everything at the moment when you are told. Usually I take a family member along just to absorb what is being said and to offer a different perspective - however tomorrow no one is around and I have to do this on my own.

I know recovery times are different and I still am unsure as to whether I'll have a DALK or a PK but any insight would be gratefully received.

When immedately after the op. is the eye covered up. ? When does the bandages come off ?

What is usually expected when people come around from the GA. ? can you see immediately - does hurt in terms of photofobia

Does it hurt general - after being open so long I guess it would but still worth asking ?

If you have hydrops in the right eye yet the left eye is to be grafted first am I still likley to suffer similar serve cases of hydrops in the right or can the left take the strain of bright light as well. (difficult one to answer if not a medic I know).

I shall of course keep an update on what happen and a bit of a blog.

Mark
Regret I can't help you with your questions as I haven't had a graft - but I am sure many others who have , will.
But I would just like to wish you all the best for tomorrow and I am sure in a couple of weeks you will be so grateful you have had it done!

Do keep us posted.

Best Wishes

Hi Mark

Im 28 and due to have my 1st graft on the 5th June after suffering with KC for the last 10 yrs, so im unable to answer your questions.

Sorry to hear that no-one is going with you but just to let you know you will be in my thoughts tomorrow and the next coming days.

when you are up to let us know how you are doing

With luv

Emma xxx

Mark

All the best tomorrow. We'll all be rooting for you!

As to your questions:

I know recovery times are different and I still am unsure as to whether I'll have a DALK or a PK but any insight would be gratefully received.

I've had one of each, as indeed have many of the posters here. I think that the general experience is that PK gives a faster recovery of sight, but that DALK has very low or practically no risk of rejection.

When immedately after the op. is the eye covered up. ? When does the bandages come off ?

After I woke up from my PK there was an eye shield over my grafted eye, but no dressing. When I woke up from my DALK there was an eye shield and dressing, but the dressing came off next morning when the nurse was getting me ready to be examined by the ophthalmologist.

What is usually expected when people come around from the GA. ? can you see immediately - does hurt in terms of photofobia

I know that different people have different reactions to a general anesthetic. For me I awoke in the recovery room, spoke to the nurse and was whisked back to the ward in time to be offered some lunch. With an eye shield in place and tape holding it to my face I was not aware of any partickluar problem with photophobia.

Does it hurt general - after being open so long I guess it would but still worth asking ?

To my surprise I was not bothered too much by pain after the operations.

If you have hydrops in the right eye yet the left eye is to be grafted first am I still likley to suffer similar serve cases of hydrops in the right or can the left take the strain of bright light as well. (difficult one to answer if not a medic I know).

Don't really know how to answer that one.

Andrew

HI Mark and welcome

I've recently had a graft, just over 3 weeks ago in fact.

To answer your questions based on my experience.

I had my graft at 9.30am, I was ready to go home again at around 1.30pm but I got picked up at just after 3.

The eye is covered up after the operation and remains covered up until the following day. The day after the operation I had a morning appointment where the bandage and eye shield was taken off.

Thus this was the first opportunity for me to see with my new cornea. My eye however was sensitive to light but this may not be the case for you. I would however recommend taking some dark glasses with you when you have the bandages removed.

My eye didn't hurt so much but irritated, it was as if I could feel the stitches rubbing. This lasted for about 10 days but was relieved in my case by keeping my eye closed. Since then there has been very little irritation, although when I do get carried away my eye does ache and I have to rest it.

All the best for tomorrow, any other questions please feel free to ask.

In regard to a Dalk or PK, generally speaking they hope to do a DALK but sometimes like in my case it is decided during the operation that a PK is needed.

I have no regrets about having the op, it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought and the recovery has also been much smoother than i could have anticipated.

You'll probably be on 4 eye drops a day for a number of weeks.

Oh and when I came round from the GA I did feel a bit sick and asked from a bowl in case. I wasn't though and was fine although very sleepy. In fact I recall waking and having a black coffee only to fall back to sleep a couple of minutes after drinking it. I slept very well that whole day and night too.

hi mark
very good luck for you tomorrow we will all be keeping our fingers crossed for you and i can assure you you will not be alone as all our thoughts will be with you .
i cant respond to your questions as i've not had my transplant yet, but i will look out for all your recovery updates with great interest and as chris has only just had his i am sure you will be able share experiences .

good luck
mike

Mark

Good luck! And you are in awesome hands!

Are you having the graft on the hydropped eye?....

Anyway....ask as many questions as you can if you can.....and rem, theres no such thing as a daft question if it relates to your procedure.....

J