UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi all, hope you are all well, havent posted for ages, but still float about

Had my latest check up today, thought i'd share the latest tale in my graft saga 17 months on.

Have noticed no improvement in my vision whatsoever, and the reasons for this - severe astigmatism and a cataract

Got 7 stitches out today to see if this helps the astigmatism. My eye now hurts and is swollen like it was at the very beginning. Feels like there is a broken stitch in there, but maybe its just a scratch or something - if its not better next few days i'll get it checked out.

Got to go back in 8 weeks once things settled to see how they are and to talk about cataracts.

I realise cataracts are a relatively straightforward procedure nowadays, but feels like just another step backwards.

Away to get some sleep, hopefully I will wake up looking like I haven't been punched.

Take Care,

Sarah

Sarah

Your recovery seems to be following the same trajectory as mine; I hope that the outcome is as good for you as it has been for me.

There is every reason to hope that the removal of sutures will help with the astigmatism, although I think I'd be a little alarmed by the swelling you describe. We use steroids as anti-inflammatories but then we get cataracts! It was after I had the cataract fixed in my first eye that my sight improved by leaps and bounds.

Let us know how you get on when you go back about your inflammation.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew, thankfully the swelling has gone as has the pain, so its all good.

I suppose having a cataract at 26 will mean when i'm older, wont have to suffer

Sarah

Hi all, hope everyones doing fine?

Thought I would let you all know whats been happening with moi....

Thanks to my optician, nearly 2 years on, I can now see out my grafted eye!!

I can now see 6/18 corrected, which isn't great, but its 4 lines more than I could see before. Its weird to describe, everything seems that bit more clearer, and sometimes it seems better than my good eye

Optom advised the cataract isnt that big at the moment, and in his opinion we shouldnt interfere with it at the moment seeing the eye has only just settled, so thats why we went ahead and ordered a lens to see if it would make a difference, and i'm in agreement with that.

Have hosp next week, so hopefully the consultant will agree too

All the best with your appointment next week. Let us know what your consultant says about your cataract.

I still have one (very small) in my left eye, but as it isn't giving me any problems I am happy to leave it there. I can, however, see it when looking through the pinhole; it pops up off centre to my field of vision, looking for all the world like a little fern leaf.

Andrew

Hello. I have read about cataracts after a graft being caused by steroids. I guess everybody gets steroid eyedrops after a graft, but how common are cataracts as a side-effect? It looks from this string as if everybody gets them; or is this just an extreme case?

Hello

There is a health warning that goes with strings on the forum: it is likely that reading them you may get a skewed impression of the impact of keratoconus on people.

We post here because we have come across one or more of the severe impacts of KC on our lives; the fact of the matter is that three or four of us here have developed cataracts after surgery; there are more than 1900 registered users of the forum!

So in answer to your question: the development of cataracts after a graft is not unusual, but neither is it normal.

All the best

Andrew

HI people

Dont worry Sarah I have already had carteract operation im 23 lol. it will be fine so dont worry i was nervous too i know how it feels to have been delt blow like that and gone two steps back but for me i hope and pray the best for you is that now once the cataract was out and replaced i was able to wear glasses but there verifocals and very expensive set me back 250 quid and only got one lens with precription in it lol

I was wondering if there any help in paying for such dear glasses like there was for the contacts as i remember paying 300 quid for my first person form my opticiains and then charge a only 80 quid at the hospital

I now i go in for my other graph in my right eye in october the 6th all fun and games

Any way good luck wish you all the best take care

Hi ya'll,

Finally had my appointment (only 2 months later due to numerous cancellations - not by me!)

Great news is, I can finally stop using Maxidex!! Bad news is, I have a cataract lol. I might actually believe someone the next time they tell me that lol.

Anyway, at the moment, I am more than happy with my new lens and what I can see (maybe its just a novelty at the moment that I actually can see lol).

So no change - got to go back in 3 months see how things are.

Sarah

PS good luck in Oct Cuddly!