Corneal Graft

[jayuk]

Hi

Just wanted to get an idea from people that have had a graft on a few questions I had from a patient perspective

I have now reached a stage where after having Hydrops in my right eye, recovered with severe scarring and my left eye getting worse; that I need to go the graft route. I have decided on having this performed Private due to my thoughts and opinions on NHS in general (excluding a few fine Opthamologists).

I have seen a credible Specialist Privately in Moorefields today and he also agrees with my view. have also spend the last 8 months speaking with my Optometrist and doing research on the web about the procedure.

However I have some questions

1) I work as a IT Architect contractor, therefore if I dont work I dont get paid. From a patient perspective, how long did you wait before you could go to work? I mean in individual cases. The specialists said I should be able to be up and about etc in a week whereby the pain should have subsided and if my job is Office Base then there is no reason why I cant be out and about.

2) The procedure; in your case did you experience any pain after the surgery? I have noticed that a number of paitents have taken pain killers to counter this

3) Are you glad you had this procedure? Has the the quality of your life improved as to how it was before? What kind of vision are yu achieving now compared to Pre transplant?

Alot of these questions are generic and answers can be obtained from the Professionals but I wanted a patient perspective.

Thanks to anyone that replies

[Pete Fricker]

Obviously it varies, as the Doctors told me, and no doubt told you.

Having had my Left Eye Grafted 6 months ago:- I had no pain whatsoever from day 0.

I was out of hospital after one night in.

I was nack at work within 1 week, (Docs said I could have been off typically 2-4 weeks.)

I am glad I have had the op, although vision is still improving, now i no longer have to keep my right lens in for longer than remommended, and can just about look see the TV, with correction still to come....

Pete

[John Smith]

Hi Jay,

I went down a similar route (except my graft was privately paid for by my employer's insurance).

To answer your questions:

1. I could probably have gone back to work after about 3 weeks travelling outside the rush hour. I tried to go back at 4 weeks (to be safe..), and was not let back in by HR. They wanted me to see the company doctor... who took two more weeks! He put me back in on reduced hours because of headaches - I work in IT, and the monitor glare and the fact that my brain was adjusting to the fact that the "duff eye" was now the "good eye" was giving me headaches for about a month.

2. Pain. None to speak of. I had some serious irritation the morning after the op, and took painkillers at that time, but after a couple of days, I couldn't feel a thing (until I was putting the drops in - have the bottle too high, and the bruised cornea complains somewhat!)

3. I'm very pleased I had the op. Even with a scleral now, the better eye at the time of the graft doesn't give me the vision to work with (let alone drive with ), so I'm incredibly pleased about the graft. I've had my share of rejection episodes, but follow the advice of your consultant, and all should be fine.

Let us know how you get on, and if you've got any more questions, don't hesitate to ask!

[Frederica Bull]

Hi

I had a graft in April 2001 and have no regrets. As a previous message says it is a very personal choice and our circumstances vary a great deal.

1. I could not return to work until I could read quickly and easily, and more importantly drive myself. I live in a rural area and teach at a rural school, so I had to drive to work. In fact this took 5 months - sorry! Not what you expected I guess. I was "well" in 2 weeks but had very limited vision, could not go out on my own and then later by bus only.

2. I was only in hospital one night - which was uncomfortable. I had some prescription painkillers on that day then moved to paracetamol for four days then none at all. I am quite a coward and really it hardly hurt me much at all!

3. Regrets - no none. It has saved my working life. I had been unable to drive, could only read word by word (not scanning text), and perhaps most importantly I could not see the kids I was supposed to teach. I now have stunning vision by comparison. I had not even been able to find the eye chart with my bad eye pre-op but now could drive with no correction and can see line 6 on the eye chart with correction. I can wear contacts but can cope well with glasses.

One thing I might add is that any improvements do take a long time to come. I was told reasonable vision in 6 months and the full effect in 2 years. I found this to be true. I was very fortunate to work for an employer who offers good sick pay, so I did not hurry to get better and take risks. I have not had any rejection episodes yet and I think part of the reason for that is because I was very careful. This is major surgery afterall.

Finally I am sure you are right to ask for advice - it is a very personal decision. Keep healthy.

Freddy

[jayuk]

Thanks all

Going to see the Consultant again next Saturday.

Looks like Ill be having it in the next 3 months, so guess will have to see how things go.

But will keep a diary on the whole procedure as this is kind of valuable info for people like me; where I am at now

[jayuk]

Hi

Thought Id give an update on my Situ

Have seen a few consultants and I have very little choice now due to the amount of central scarring I have post hydrops; to have a graft.

Hoping to have this within next 4 weeks maybe sooner if my next appt is all fine and clear.

Guess I have very little to lose as I cannot obtain correctable vision in my right eye.

I am aiming to have the graft digi camed so that I can make it availabe on a site with a diary to help and inform others who are/will be in a similar situation

[Dipesh]

Hi Jayuk,

Sounds like a good idea, I too am about to have a graft as the Hydrop I currently have is not clearing. Thus the consultant felt the scarring on my right eye required a graft.

Hopefully you will beable to get it done soon, so best of luck when it goes ahead.

[jayuk]

Dipesh

When and where is your graft being done if you dont mind me asking?

[Dipesh]

Yeah, its on the 25th April @ Moorfields.

[jayuk]

Ok, o you know who is doing it? Gartry, Tufft etc|