UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi all, I have decided to get a corneal graft. I am just sick and tired of constant contact lens problems and those darn mini scleral lenses! I just want to be able to wear my glasses again, and I am confident the graft will allow me to regain that ability. Just a quick question, how does the eye look after the graft? Is it very noticable after the graft that you have had one, even after fully healed. I am not vain, but am kind of apprehensive regarding the asthetic side of the operation. I google imaged some pics of grafted eyes, some you can't hardly tell that anything has been done and other eyes look quite unpleasant.

Best wishes to all and say a prayer for me, I really need this to work

Hi James,

I had a graft nearly 2 years ago now. I was just fitted with a lens a few months ago, and the novelty of being able to see out of it still hasn't worn off! However, without my other eye (which is getting worse) I would struggle. You will have to bear in mind James, that glasses might not be appropriate at the end of it all.

You cant tell i've had a graft, unless you look really closely at the eye in bright lights. I remember the day after the op, i was told that it looked much better, wasnt poking out as much. (I think that was a compliment )

Good luck, hope it all goes the way you want it too.

Sarah

I had a graft in January of this year - almost 9 months ago now.
If I look in a mirror, I can see where the grafted piece is - there's a circle about 2/3rds of the way out across the iris, and the bit inside is, well, different-looking. NOt quite "a different colour" but almost. SOmetimes the edge looks a bit paler than the rest.
In a really really good light at the right angle I can see some of the bits of the stitch.
I don't think anyone else looking t it without knowing and looking closely would know - I suppose someone might think I had a corneal contact lens in it, if anything.
I'm told it looks "very clear" and "very quiet" - ie not rejecting and not inflamed. If you get those, it would be visible - white patches for a bad rejection.
THe most noticeable thing now is that the whites of my grafted wye look red and horrible and very sore and veiny - to me, anyway! People inthe hospital keep saying it looks fine, but it doesn't to me!! - it looks horrible and feels sore and sandy a lot.
That isn't the fgraft per se - the eye has developed high pressure and the anti-glaucoma drops to combat the high pressure make it red and dry and itchy.
Before you jump - has no-one told you that many people who have grafts end up wearing contact lenses on top of the graft?
- the figures I was given are that 50% of people with grafts have lenses and about 40% glasses.
A graft as a way of getting out of lenses - well, that ain't necessarily so.
Rosemary

The primary aim of any corneal surgery is to provide a surface whereby vision correction is made easier.

A medical success is a clear cornea with no signs of rejection and that has healed well, so may differ to your interpretation of a success.

20 years on you can not tell I have had a graft, infact once the redness had gone and because I used to play rugby many assumed I had been hit in the face. I can still see the graft but I need to be very close to the mirror with the light right. Not many people get close enough to look that deeply into my eyes

It is pretty much 50/50 if you end up needing glasses on contacts. I went through glasses, a good period with no vision correction, back to glasses and now on contacts again. What is worth remembering ciontact lens technology is moving on and with a more normal shaped cornea the lenses although still the hard ones are a lot more compfortable.

Think long and hard before going for a graft as once done unlike some other corneal surgery can not be undone afterwards.

Good luck.

Yes, all the best with your surgery. I think that when I had my first graft I had imagined that I'd wake up with perfect 20/20 vision. Of course, that is not the way it works!

Be prepared for a long recovery process and be patient! From being legally blind I can now drive again and I live a full and normal professional and social life.

You are, of course, in our thoughts.

Andrew

All the best with your graft. Have you recieved a date for it yet?