UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hey all,
Since my last post on the 30/03/2005 things have certainly changed. This is my first time sitting in front of a computer. I was due to have a PK Graft on 25th April (which is on Monday), but received a call on the 1st April from Moorfields.

They had a cancellation on Monday 04th and would I like to come in on that day to have my graft done. As you can imagine I was not expecting this as I was mentally preparing myself for the 25t. After discussing with the Mrs. and work, I agreed to go ahead with it.

I am now 3 weeks post graft and have had no major scares YET!!! My vision is a lot better than before and glad I able to see out of my right eye. For me the worst time was after the operation because I had a very bad head ache asked the Nurse to give me Morphine to help me relax. After a being knocked by Morphine the next morning was a lot better. Rather then being released the following afternoon I was kept in due the AC (not sure what this meant by AC) on my graft being high. After a further test in the evening, they allowed me to go home with my wife.

After returning a week later for a check up the consultant told me the AC (post OP) was at 40 and ideally needed to be below 21 fro them to be happy.

My next appt is now in May and still off work, but am hoping to return soon. The boredom at home is getting to me and look forward to going out when I feel comfortable with the weather.

All I can say is I am glad I had the graft and thank the family who donated the cornea.

What next for me, I am looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of my car, but understand I have to inform the DVLA.

Also is anyone able to recommend an Optician (in South London area) who has good knowledge to KC. Having done all my eye appt's via GP and Moorfields, I feel seeing regular Optician would benefit me more.

One final thing, apart from the everyday cautions I take, is there any thing I could do to help with improving my vision.

Good nes on the graft, but one question, why do you have to inform the DVLA?

When I was training to be a driving instructor, I told them I had had two grafts and I got the reply 'So what, as long as I can see like someone with glasses all is OK.' Got pretty much the same response when I went for my instructors theory test and was told pretty much the same thing.

No longer training now, but a definitive answer from the DVLA would be worth posting as I think from some of the posts I have read there is some confusion about if you have to inform the DVLA or not.

On a brighter note at least there are more daytime channels to choose from compared to nearly 20 years ago when I had my grafts done! I think there were only 4 chanels!

The DVLA rules are quite clear. They want to know if you have any condition which can affect your sight IN BOTH EYES.

In my case, they then wrote to my optician to get confirmation that I could drive. I was "borderline" so they called me in for a sight test... 2 days after the stitches came out. I decided that it would be very lucky for me to see well enough then (I was under a self-imposed driving ban at the time), so called to postpone that.

Keep meaning to fill the form in again, but never seem to get round to it

Dipesh

Good to see al is well so far....and hope it gets better

How clear are you seeing now? Having read your previous post I have the same prob yu had as Post Hydrops scarring.......so was it a big change?....

How long are you planning to take off work?....Do you think you could have gone back to work after a week?

Dipesh...

Hmmm.. a bit confused by you saying the AC was high... AC usually means anterior chamber... and the numbers you quote usually relate to the IOP - Intra Ocular Pressure - which is preferably kept under 21. Does that ring any bells?

Are you still using any drops??

Lynn

Hi
Thanks for your comments.

To answer Gareth qu: - I was told I would need to inform them DVLA by a consultant at Moorfields, also read this in various leaflets on Corneal Grafts.

Lynn, with regards to the AC, that what I kept on hearing. Your comments on the IOP sound more correct, but to be honest with everything going I did not ask what AC meant.......will learn to next time I go. I am still using drops Dexamethasone every 2 hours, Chorlamphenicol 4 times a day, Betagan twice and Xalatan at night. Although the consultant at Mpprfields did say to reduce the Dex to 4 times a day after next week. These may even be reduced further when i go back in May.

Jayuk, My Hydrops had not cleared by the time a got to the Graft hense my vision now is far better than before. I was not able to. visualise anything as the hydrops covered my pupil. As for work, I was initally signed of by my GP for 3 weeks and then spoke to my work and they suggested taking a few more off until i feel i am happy to return. That is likely to be the second week in may. I suppose you could return after a week, it depends on how comfortable you feel with the healing process.

John thank you for information, I saw the next post on the DVLA and will go through it shortly.

For those reading... I've had three of those eye drops myself, so can comment on what they're for.

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic- usually used post-operation to prevent infection.
Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid - used to suppress the immune system and thus prevent rejection. It can have a side effect of increasing the eye pressure though.
Xalatan is an anti-glaucoma drug used to reduce the eye pressure if caused by the dexamethasone.

In my case, as dexamethasone (aka Maxidex) was increasing my eye pressure, after reducing the pressure with Xalatan, I was switched to FML - a less powerful steroid. I've not had eye pressure problems since.

Dipesh

Just wanted to see how things were going with your graft.....is all ok?

Hey Jayuk,

Thanks for your concern, things are good with me. The graft is behaving and have had no issues (touch wood), I have good days and lull days as fell I should be doing more than sitting around relaxing. You see before the operation I was enjoying going to the gym, but have not been for a month, which is annoying.

I have reduced the Chloramphenicol and Dexamethasone to 4 times a day now which is good. I go back to the hosiptal on the 11th May sowait to see what they say. As for work, we have verbaly agreed to return after my appt on the 11th.

Take care and have a good weekend.

good to hear that Dipesh

Do you get any credible vision from it now?