lifespan of intacs and cornea transplant

[serge111]

wondering if anyone who had intacs or corneal transplant done many years ago would share their experiences....how long do these things last...? what are the long term results?

[Andrew MacLean]

I do not know that the intacs procedure is yet old enough to judge the average lisfepan of the implant.

As to grafts, did I not see here that they last, on average. around 15 years?

My first graft is now three years old, and going strong. Even if it failed tomorrow I should still have enjoyed restored sight, every day of which is a bonus.

Andrew

[Anne Klepacz]

Serge - the 15 yrs span for a graft comes from one speaker at a KC meeting and is lower than others quote. The usual figure quoted is an average of 20-25 yrs but I certainly know people with grafts of 30yrs and more. And the figures are improving now (see the thread on lifespan of grafts). As Andrew says, Intacs are relatively new, so there isn't long term data.
Anne

[GarethB]

Graft life span figures I think are more down to the specialists experience, my grafts are both 20 years old and they are fine.

[serge111]

really that is very good news because i think i might need a graft....sigh....

another question: for people with grafts...do you usually still need a contact lens to achieve acceptable vision if yes, what kind, if no, what kind of uncorrectable vision can be achieved?

[serge111]

i think i will try intacs before the graft though and my dr tells me to do c3r even before that...i think intacs&c3r will not achieve the quality of vision a graft will and might just be a waste of time and money..what do you guys think?

[BlackA]

I think it depends in the severity of your KC. For not severe ones it is said that the combination of C3R&Intacs can provide good vision.

My situation is similar and definitely I am going to try the rings first. Although I think they are not always effective I see the graft as the last resort, furthermore it seems a lot of graft advances are coming which can dramatically improve the operation, so every year gained is important.

I think the usual result for a succesful graft is 20/40 spectacles correction though I am still researching this as well.

[Andrew MacLean]

... I see the graft as the last resort, furthermore it seems a lot of graft advances are coming which can dramatically improve the operation, so every year gained is important.

I think the usual result for a successful graft is 20/40 spectacles correction though I am still researching this as well.

My surgeon aims at 6/9 with glasses. Until my recent difficulty I was seeing 6/9 in my PK eye. No vision there at all now, but that is a temporary situation pending further surgery.

I absolutely agree that the graft is seen as a last resort.

Andrew

[GarethB]

Once both my grafts had settled I wore glasses for a couple of years followed by 5 years not needing any sight correction then about 8 years glasses and for the past 2 years RGP contact lenses.

From people posting here and a survey done a few years ago by the group it was split mainly between glasses and lenses. As to the proportion lenses were essential rather than cosmetic is something to ask next time round. It may well be that no one has lenses for cosmetic reasons post graft. Another additional question would be what type of lens post graft.

[BlackA]

6/9 with glasses sounds quite good , what about the irregular astigmatism after the graft? if you are able to wear glasses I suppose you don't have heavy ghosting etc etc which I think is the best improvement