UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Now i have had the graft i would like to research all the possibilities for sight correction post graft for the future.

I am aware about glasses and RGP lens but other than that I know of very little else.

Is laser surgery an option?

Any information or suggestion would be a great help.

Cheers
Chris

Chris

I do know people who have had laser treatment after a graft; sometimes surgeons seem to think it is a very good idea, and other times not. I guess that the difference is between cases rather than surgeons as the same surgeon will sometimes suggest laser treatment and at other times advise against. I guess it is worth pursuing. If I wanted to find out about laser treatment I'd begin by asking the ophthalmologist who did my graft. Maybe the do Lasik in the same hospital?

All the best

Andrew

Hi.
I was told that post graft, roughly 60% of people end up in contact lenses, of various sorts, about 30% in glasses, and about 10% reckon they can see well enough not to bother with either (whether this is adequate for driving, working on computers, etc, I don't know. Nor where the people who end up long-sighted and go to ASDA for some of their two-pound-fifty cheap-and-cheerful reading glasses count).
It is possible to have scleral lenses on top of grafts - and apparently earlier than I'd expected.
This is because the scleral lens goes right across the grafted area, clear over the new tissue and the "seam" and a certain amount of changes in shape of the grafted eye can be accommodated in the tear-reservoir behind the lens.
The trouble with trying to fit corneal lenses or glasses too soon is that the eye may still be changing shape as the draft beds down, and you'd be needing new ones too often to be practicable (or affordable).
I've been quoted 12-18 months before correction is sensible (because of shape-changing), but now gather than it is possible to fit a scleral sometimes as early as 3 months.
That might be a bit ambitious for everyone, needless to say.......
I've been a sclerals person for over 30 years - eeek! I feel old now!! - and have never used anything else, so will certainly want to go back with sclerals if/when at all possible. On the other hand, I've had a long history of doing best with the eye pressing further and harder against the lens than any of the theory books say is right. Which makes me wonder if I might yet end up piggy-backing over a graft, just for the cushioning effect.
Ho hum.
Rosemary

Thanks for the replies keep them coming.

I did speak to my guy at my check up and he said the use of laser for post graft correction is still some what controversial (at least in his eyes) and should be used as a last resort.
Chris

My second opinion opthalmologist (in JHB) said that he has successfully restored 20/20 (6/6) vision to 3 or 4 patients vision using new laser technology (Wavefront?) which apparently adjusts/shaves the surface. I presume without making a flap (which is the 'traditional' Lasik method). I was of course warned that it is not suitable for all graftees, but i hope it will work out for me. Keep the gifts coming I say!

Thank for that Melissa, I am glad to hear that your recovery is going equally as well.
I have never heard of "Wavefront" before, something else to look into and throw at him on my next visit.
thanks
Chris