Vision post graft & stich removal

[Asif]

Hello everyone

I am now currently six and a half months post graft and will be having one or more stitches removed in 6 weeks time. I just wanted to know from anyone else who has had a graft whether having stiches removed made sigfnificant changes to their vision, and what your VA was/is when corrected with spectacles.

Since the graft the vision in my grafted eye fluctuates a great amount from day today. At post graft check ups and cl clinic appointments when reading of the eye chart I see the same lines 3-4 times but my VA varies from 6/36 to 6/6 unaided and can almost see 6/5 through the pinhole.

My vision has improved a great deal since the graft and ghosting/multiple images have reduced. I also wanted to know whether any of you had/have ghosting or multiple images post graft and whether stitch removal helped reduce it.

Thank you

Asif

[GarethB]

Asif,

Removing stitches and maintaining good sight is much an art for as it is a science so hard to answer.

Basically the optom will be looking for where there may be creases or astigmatism left in the graft and remove stitches to get the correct smooth curvature. at the ned of the day they are trying to make things sharper.

It is possible to get the correct corneal curvature, but sight correction is needed because you may naturally be short sighted which is to do with other parts of the eye.

Plus being six months post op, the aim may also be to remove stitches to help more of the cornea heal where the stitches were.

[Andrew MacLean]

Asif

I had my 16 stitches removed in two stages. Each time they were removed in a theatre visit. Eight on the first occasion, and this led to a change in the astigmatism, and a deterioration in my sight. It went from very bad to very very bad. My eye was now held in such a steep shape that I saw everything streched.

I remained legally blind in that eye.

The second stage was the intended removal of the remaining eight, but one broke and stayed put.

the upshot of the second stage was that, after a settling down period, I was able to read right down to the 6/9 line (I can easily see all of that line) and part of the 6/6 line.

I have to wear specs.

The remaining stitch does give me a bit of an astigmatism, and this has a tendency to shift polarity.

So if things are not immediately clearer after the removal of your first sutures, don't panic. Your surgeon has lots of things to take into account when removing sutures, and maybe the short term effect on your vision is less important to him than the long term viability of your graft.

All the best

Andrew

[jayuk]

Asif

Each time I have had stitches removed, my vision has got better.....its all about close and correct manipulation against the topography.....a real art and skill........

Take them out to early.....and the cornea can buldge and take them out too late and they can be embedded and harder to remove and form part of the corneal structure.

J

[Rob Armstrong]

I would say the vision in my grafted eye has definately continued to improve as the stitches have been taken out. I had the first couple out around the sixth month mark also - but everything takes time to settle down. I went past the 3 year mark last week and things are still settling down (got 4 stitches remaining out of 16).

A useful analogy might be to think of individual stitches as the ropes surrounding a circus tent - it only really works if they are all pulling evenly. If one is pulling too tight it distorts the shape of the dome, conversely a loose stitch could allow it to sag a little. In both cases it may be deemed necessary to remove the offending stitch (the risk of causing infection has to be taken into account).

It's a gradual process of taking them out as and when required, trying to keep it all in balance as the cornea settles down. For example if a tight stitch is removed, then the stitches opposite can become loose so they too may need removing, and so on.

Well, that's the idea - my experience, especially of late, involves ringing the hospital, telling the nurse I've broken another stitch and being told to get down there quick to attend the rapid access clinic! Only several left so it can't go on much longer.

Anyway, despite the slightly chaotic manner in which it has happened, my vision is much less variable now and has steadily improved as the stitches have come out and the astigmatism has decreased.

As for distortions, I now only get a single faint ghost image and although I still get a halo around streetlights etc. I have noticed that the "spokes" of the starburst have reduced as the stitches have come out. (In contrast my ungrafted eye still sees streetlights as what I can best describe as a blurry orange ferris wheel - a combination of a starburst and a halo).

The sensitivity to light has also improved, the low winter sun is no longer such a problem etc.

Rob.

[Sweet]

Hhmm ok i kinda feel a little better now reading that others have had stitches removed at six months as i am at five months and have had to have quite a few removed because they were broken. I haven't noticed any change in my vision but then i wasn't really expecting to yet as it is still too early.

Taking stitches out i find is very easy and painfree. A drop of anasthetic in your eye, a tiny snip to cut the stitch and then having tweezers to pull it out. This is with individual stitches though and am not sure which ones you have.

All you need to do is relax keep nice and still and don't panic, it is all over in a minute! Hoping that everything goes well with you. Take care!

Sweet X x X

[Geraldine]

well I posted alot in other forums about the fact that my vision will get worse after my stiches..

so far I have had eight out and have eight left/..will be two years post op in beginning of march[6 weeks time) . five were removed 2 and a half months ago..[three times in casutlty with loose stiches was annoying the hell out of them] and to get the rest out within 3-4 months

yes my vision has got worse ...although I can't be 100 percent as I got my glasses 3-6 months post op and since then the astigmastism changes[still does] my sight got really good for a while[after the pressure drops started working ] and then dropped after the stiches...and I still have the bulk of the drop to come..the only nuisance is that while they come out one by one I have to wait six months for another pair of glasses[as opticien said your prescription will change [meaning i will need stronger glasses] however the drs seem to be pleased it hasn't go too much worse so far

[Val G]

Most of this discussion invoves having 'individual' stitches removed. I understood my graft to be done using a 'continuous' stitching. Does anyone know if this is removed all together (omg) or am I just confused? Please help!

[Sweet]

I believe that it is removed all in one go or maybe in two as once you cut it i guess it can't remain there loose.

I have individual stitches thankfully as with so many needing to be removed i would be in serious trouble!

Hoping you get it all sorted out and someone can help you here.

Sweet X x X

[jayuk]

Val

I have both Individual and Running stiches..

The running stitches can be taken out in segments, and the individual ones, well there taken out individually.

hope that help

J