UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Whoopee!! Must share the good news. I had a follow up today after C3R in both eyes and was told I now have 6/12 combined vision again and so can drive! ( Before I had 6/36 vision in I eye and had 6/18 in the other ) Brilliant! Also the k readings for both eyes are lower than pre procedure but I do still have some swelling in both central corneas. Have to wait 3 months till next check up when I hope to have Intacs

Helen

This is really good news! Well done.

I hope that over the coming three months you continue to see a steady improvement.

All the best with the DVLA.

Andrew

Helen,

Is your vision corrected or uncorrected?

Either way should be no need to inform DVLA of anything unless of course your applying for a licence.

That's great news Helen.

You may notice a difference in your vision at night as well. I did after my INTACS op.

Prior to the op my vision was something similar to this

http://www.debt-helpers.org.uk/images/starburst_old.jpg

Post op it is now like this

http://www.debt-helpers.org.uk/images/starburst_new.jpg

Another thing I've found helpful was changing my headlight bulbs from halogen (yellow light)to Xenon (white/blue light) with an aftermarket upgrade kit. It is now like having daylight on the road ahead

Reply to Gareth B - That is my uncorrected vision - mainly improved in my right eye which was not so far progressed. Been recommended to wait for aided correction as the corneas are still not 100% settled following the C3R - may improve further so would mean changing lenses too frequently.
Actually went out in the car yesterday - it felt very strange but liberating.
Karl - thanks for the advice about headlights - to be honest I avoid night time driving - have done for ages because headlights are such a nuisance - motorway driving in particular is awful - halos and starbursts come from all directions and from the lighting too so I prefer to stay off!
Helen

helen jones wrote: ... to be honest I avoid night time driving - have done for ages because headlights are such a nuisance - motorway driving in particular is awful - halos and starbursts come from all directions and from the lighting too so I prefer to stay off!
Helen

Will that settle down now that you have had C3R, or will it remain a feature of night driving?

Unfortunately Andrew there is no guarantee that Helen will see any improvement in her halos and starbursts as I have. Again it comes down to individuality.

The only way to find out is if Helen goes out on a night drive (friend driving of course) and see if she notices any improvement in/can tolerate the effect of the halos and starbursts.

I hope that you notice a positive change Helen

Hi Andrew and Karl -As has been said many times before , nothing is certain with any of these treatments. When I'm feeling more confident about day driving maybe I'll venture out in the dark! I'm still finding bright daylight a problem and have to wear my sunspecs on days when other people don't. I have always had a big problem with bright light since my first diagnosis. I believe I've read somewhere that Intacs can actually make the halo effect worse - obviously not in your case Karl. Just shows that no two cases are alike! One thing I like about my consultant is his honesty - he has been very upfront from day one and is always cautious about any supposed improvement. As my KC had started to progress rapidly and at my age (24 ) I went for C3R in the hope the claims of halting progression prove to be true for me - it's a gamble but I feel I have nothing to lose - I couldn't just sit and watch ( no pun intended) my vision get worse and worse and struggle to do my job so plucked up the courage to go for it. Having a graft is still an option after all.

You are right. All the best

Andrew

Considering the primary use of Crosslinking is not to improve vision ...that's some brilliant news Helen. Reversing KC and through a non-invasive treatment is something to quietly celebrate about and there is much more time to go with the recovery still.

Well done to everyone involved (!)