My Cross Linking Experience after Intacs
Posted: Tue 12 Jan 2010 12:13 pm
Hello Everyone. It has been a while since my last post which followed my Intacs surgery in December 2008 in Dubai.
Well since then I have moved back to UK (why? I hear you ask!!!) and was transferred from Moorfields Dubai by the lovely Dr Borsario to Moorfields UK (private) to the equally lovely Julian Stevens. I saw Julian early December and we discussed having CXL now that my eyes have stabilised following Intacs (1 year ago). He thought I would be a good candidate and recommended the procedure. He actually trained my surgeon in Dubai so I was happy that this was the way to go. He also took photos of my Intacs which he is going to send me, perhaps I can share them somewhere on here...he said that Dr Borsario did a FANTASTIC job on them, he was really quite excited!
Anyhow, the cost was £1400 for the surgeon plus £1800 for the hospital (some insurance will cover that part but not Axa PPP - dont even get me started on that). Alot of cash, but a worthwhile investment I hope.
Had the surgery last Friday. Could not wear eye makeup for 3 days before, or any makeup on the day. At the hospital I had my drops given me for afterwards by the nurse, and she gave me a nice colour coded 'timetable' of when to apply them. Then I was led on a patient bed, numbing drops applied, then Julian used an instrument to 'abrade' the epithileum - he does not remove it like some surgeons, but instead makes 14 small 'holes' in it. Supposedly this is less painful and reduces the risk of 'melting' etc. Very strange and unpleasant feeling, but over in 2 minutes. Then I was transferred to another room. By this point my vision is blurred and I feel a bit 'shocked'. I then lie on another bed and my eyes are clamped open. He then procedes to put Riboflavin drops in which turn the world yellow. He does this every 3 minutes for half an hour, along with more numbing drops and tears. Then a UV light is placed over my right eye for 30 minutes, all the while more Riboflavin is dropped in. After 30 minutes the light is moved to my left eye. Slightly uncomfortable with the clamp I have to say and strange sensation of the weight of the drops on your eyeball. He puts in a medical contact lens. Then its over. You get up, put your oversized Gucci shades on and leave. Who knew that snow could be so painful to the eyes!!! You need someone to take you home, feed you Gin and Tonics and prize open your eyes on the first day. Pain starts at about hour 2 after the surgery. Its probably as intense as Intacs for the first day, so my advice would be to take as many drugs as you can get your hands on - sleeping tablets etc. I slept for 18 hours that first 24 hours, rising only to drink more wine and put in drops. The numbing drops they give you take the pain away for about 45 minutes, after which time its back. The second day you can open your eyes a bit and your vision improves marginally. By Sunday things were looking much better and I was much less sensitive to the light. I took the contact lenses out too even though they were supposed to be in until Monday. I am contact lens intolerant anyway so was expecting this, it was just uncomfortable. By Monday most pain had subsided and I would say vision was about 70% of normal. Had my follow up at the hospital, all is well, vision is better than he expected, and I go back in 3 months.
Today, Im at about 80%. I can read emails etc, although I can feel already that my eyes are itching and getting tired. Gritty feeling in left eye, right eye feels fine although is a bit blurry. Julian expects vision to be 'normal' by about Thursday/Friday so I will be going back to work then. In the meantime treating myself to a haircut.....!
Will keep you all posted on the outcomes over the following months. I would recommend Julian if you live in the London area - he does all the sporting stars of the F1 world and various footballers, and if its good enough for them then its good enough for you and me. His staff also are genuinely excited to be working with him, which I think is a great sign. They are all really lovely and welcoming.
Hope this is helpful to those of you thinking about CXL, best of luck!
Charlene
Well since then I have moved back to UK (why? I hear you ask!!!) and was transferred from Moorfields Dubai by the lovely Dr Borsario to Moorfields UK (private) to the equally lovely Julian Stevens. I saw Julian early December and we discussed having CXL now that my eyes have stabilised following Intacs (1 year ago). He thought I would be a good candidate and recommended the procedure. He actually trained my surgeon in Dubai so I was happy that this was the way to go. He also took photos of my Intacs which he is going to send me, perhaps I can share them somewhere on here...he said that Dr Borsario did a FANTASTIC job on them, he was really quite excited!
Anyhow, the cost was £1400 for the surgeon plus £1800 for the hospital (some insurance will cover that part but not Axa PPP - dont even get me started on that). Alot of cash, but a worthwhile investment I hope.
Had the surgery last Friday. Could not wear eye makeup for 3 days before, or any makeup on the day. At the hospital I had my drops given me for afterwards by the nurse, and she gave me a nice colour coded 'timetable' of when to apply them. Then I was led on a patient bed, numbing drops applied, then Julian used an instrument to 'abrade' the epithileum - he does not remove it like some surgeons, but instead makes 14 small 'holes' in it. Supposedly this is less painful and reduces the risk of 'melting' etc. Very strange and unpleasant feeling, but over in 2 minutes. Then I was transferred to another room. By this point my vision is blurred and I feel a bit 'shocked'. I then lie on another bed and my eyes are clamped open. He then procedes to put Riboflavin drops in which turn the world yellow. He does this every 3 minutes for half an hour, along with more numbing drops and tears. Then a UV light is placed over my right eye for 30 minutes, all the while more Riboflavin is dropped in. After 30 minutes the light is moved to my left eye. Slightly uncomfortable with the clamp I have to say and strange sensation of the weight of the drops on your eyeball. He puts in a medical contact lens. Then its over. You get up, put your oversized Gucci shades on and leave. Who knew that snow could be so painful to the eyes!!! You need someone to take you home, feed you Gin and Tonics and prize open your eyes on the first day. Pain starts at about hour 2 after the surgery. Its probably as intense as Intacs for the first day, so my advice would be to take as many drugs as you can get your hands on - sleeping tablets etc. I slept for 18 hours that first 24 hours, rising only to drink more wine and put in drops. The numbing drops they give you take the pain away for about 45 minutes, after which time its back. The second day you can open your eyes a bit and your vision improves marginally. By Sunday things were looking much better and I was much less sensitive to the light. I took the contact lenses out too even though they were supposed to be in until Monday. I am contact lens intolerant anyway so was expecting this, it was just uncomfortable. By Monday most pain had subsided and I would say vision was about 70% of normal. Had my follow up at the hospital, all is well, vision is better than he expected, and I go back in 3 months.
Today, Im at about 80%. I can read emails etc, although I can feel already that my eyes are itching and getting tired. Gritty feeling in left eye, right eye feels fine although is a bit blurry. Julian expects vision to be 'normal' by about Thursday/Friday so I will be going back to work then. In the meantime treating myself to a haircut.....!
Will keep you all posted on the outcomes over the following months. I would recommend Julian if you live in the London area - he does all the sporting stars of the F1 world and various footballers, and if its good enough for them then its good enough for you and me. His staff also are genuinely excited to be working with him, which I think is a great sign. They are all really lovely and welcoming.
Hope this is helpful to those of you thinking about CXL, best of luck!
Charlene