UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Moderator's Note;

It looks a bit like this string begins in the middle of a conversation, and so it does. I split this string from Gabriella's CXL string because it was dealing with issues that, while important, were not entirely 'on topic' over there.

i want to add i use glasses in this eye not contact lenses

Hi, i think it would be a good idea to have your worst eye done first because it can take a while for the vision to get back to how it used to be and you wouldnt want to be dependant on your worst eye. Vision can take up to six months to regain 'normality' again. It took me a few days to be able to watch the television without my sunglasses on and be in bright sunlight, even now my eyes are still very sensitive to light so make sure you wear your sunglasses. I think that it is a good procedure to have done, although i cant say at the moment what the result is going to be, i think that it certainly helps especially if it means not having to have a corneal transplant in the future (but it does depend on the severity of the condition). If you have any other questions or just need some advice you know where I am. Gabriela xx.

tf5

I was afraid of a transplant, too. I kept putting it off and putting it off. Eventually I went blind in both eyes, and then I decided that, as I had nothing to lose, I'd go ahead.

My first transplant was a PK in my right eye. My own endothelium was deeply scarred, so there was no point contemplating a DALK.

The PK worked a treat. I now have better than 6/6 (20/20) in that eye with the use of glasses.

Andrew

hi Andrew
the last Dr told me i am not suited for DALK, PK is the only option, i did not ask why..
but it is not only the actual procedure that i am scared of, but also the idea of this new cornea will fail at any giving moment, i know if i do it my life will be full of paranoia even if i hopefully get good results like yours...
my dream plan is to do the crosslinking before i step into the the level of rgp lenses, then it works 100% , then i continue the rest of my life like always relying on my right eye...
sorry Gabriela, for hijacking your post

tf5

I guess we all know that fear. It is because I as so fearful over the years that I kept postponing surgery.

I was fearful of the surgery, of the idea that my graft was contingent on somebody's death, of the remote possibility of the graft failing, of the risk of the loss of IOP during the surgery ... in those days if there was nothing to fear about eye surgery I think I was willing to make it up.

My surgeon also told me that PK was the only real option for my right eye, but I did ask why. this is how I know about the scarring to my endonthelium.

You are very much in our thoughts as you move towards surgery.

Andrew