UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Having got back from my appointment at Liverpool Hospital this morning, i am now on the waiting list for Intac for my left eye. Consultant reckons it will be around 3 months, so after my holiday to America and hopefully before Christmas.

I hope it all works out well for you, Lizb, and that the wait isn't too long.
All the best
Anne

Hi Liz

I finally got INTACS in Glasgow after a very long wait. The procedure is really straight forward. If you want to chat about it, fee free to drop me a message

Hope you don't have long to wait

Claire

I have a date for my op

I go for pre-op on thursday 4 November (day after i land back from america) and thursday 18 November for the op.

Claire - couple of questions
- how long were you signed off work for? (boss needs to know for planning cover for my work, considering none of it can be left until i get back - even for a couple of days generally)
- how long before you could wash you hair under a normal shower

Would you still need contacts after having intacts? also 'what if' you accidently rub your eyes real hard? I have a really bad habbit sometimes i forget i have RGP's in and start rubbing .

Good luck (not that you will need it) :thumbup:

Many people with Intacs do need contact lenses. The Intacs procedure provides a more stable cornea on which the contact lens is fitted.

Andrew

it could be either glasses or contact lenses that would be needed to correct vision after intacs - Intacs (hopefully) will make it easier to get corrected vision. I am hoping for glasses as i really struggle with contact lenses due to dry eyes. I need some correction for the right eye as (currently) it doesnt have KC fully, but extremely short sightedness with very very early stages of KC showing.

great news there!

i've been wondering whether are intacs offered on the nhs? how did you go about having intacs fitted?

mine are being done on the nhs, it is only available at certain hospitals (my local hospital didnt have a clue about the treatment let alone offer it to me). I asked to be referred to liverpool as i knew that they had the specialist knowledge and offered intacs.

Hi guys

Sorry for the delay in replying

You are asking all the right questions:

I was off for a week, the procedure is straight forward, but I was allergic to the drops they give you after - I think it was the antibiotic drops

You only have mild pain for a few days, then its just adjusting to the INTCAS. I recommend having lots of tissues & sun glasses handy & a sensitive eye cream to soothe the eye lids from the "crying eyes"

I was given an eye shield, so you should be able to carefully shower with no problems as long as you tilt your head back enough

With regard to rubbing your eyes - I'm a walking allergy, so i was concerned about this too. Basically you won't be able to rub your eye too hard as it will be sore & you will have a jerk reaction & you will instantly stop rubbing!

Also, if you wear eye makeup, you won't be able to apply eye shadow as firmly as you may have done previously

You may also be sensitive to light & you may or may not get a "halo". A halo is most bizarre & takes time to adjust to - basically if its dark & there is a bright light you will get a glow in your eye. I notice it in the cinema & in night clubs

Please be assured that it is all very minor compared to the improvement in my vision.

Think positive & look forward to great vision with your "bionic eye"

Claire x