4 days post-graft

[dmac831]

hello all,

after a long time deciding to go for it I finally had my graft this past wednseday. as far i know, so far so good i think. think the toughest part was recovering from the aneasthesia. surgery went smoothly and the doctor said she didn't numb my eye at all. first night was just weird but no pain. day after, patch came off and i thought the vision seemed slightly better but that didn't last too long. it seems less distorted but still not great. not too concerned with the vision just yet but that the eye recovers well. at the post-op doctor visit they said the endothelial later(outer layer) was already healed. so far, minor discomfort and an odd spot in the eye, don't know if it's eye gunk or the new cornea. and my lashes are super matted and dry cause of all the drops and stuff. but i wouldn't dare rub or try to get it off. doc said i can use a warm cloth over the eye which helps a little. back for another visit on tuesday.....for the most part it feels like i have an old hard lens in my eye (hope that's somewhat normal???)

for those with recent grafts, all the best to you and you are recovering well......

[Chris Pope]

Hi dmac,
I also had a graft done on Wednesday which went well according to the consultant.
I have had very little pain to speak of so far just discomfort which was expected considering what the eye has been through.
I was completely blind pre op so the difference for me was massive after the patch was removed.
I am back on Thursday for my next check up so keep in touch.
Chris

[dmac831]

chris. great to hear all is going so well!! where did you have your graft done?

[Andrew MacLean]

dmac831 and Chris

I know that this is never an easy decision, but you both seem to have come through the experience and now to have begun your recovery.

Don't forget that the transplanted tissue is held in place by sutures, and the presence of these will mean that the new tissue is probably not lying entirely flat. You will probably not have a good idea about your final vision until the sutures have been removed and your respective eyes have had a bit of time to stabilize.

All the best

Andrew

[Chris Pope]

I had it done at Basingstoke hospital by Mr Greenwood.

Thanks Andrew for your support. I am struggling the last couple of days with disorientation generally especially whilst reading and using my pc, it feels like being sea sick. I am hoping that it is something that I will get used too because its something I did not struggle with pre op because the eye was so bad.

[Andrew MacLean]

I tried not to look at my computer screen for several months after my graft. Indeed I seldom turned on the screen as I have a Mac (supplied by my employer and access to work) I was able to listen to my computer and tab through fields and windows. Actually I practiced navigation on the KC site.

By the way, when my computer read the the letter "D", I "heard" a smiley face!

Andrew

[dmac831]

2nd visit post graft went well today. go back in a week and doctor is taking out one stitch!!! i am shocked so soon but she says that's a good thing and that's what she does. wake up in morning with very dry eyes and feel like i'm wearing a dried up old hard lens. other than that, inflammation, redness and light sensitivity seem to be getting a little better. today's the first day i'm not wearing the sunglasses inside!!

was reading through other posts recently about a married couple on the site with KC. oddly enough, my boyfriend has KC as well. for now he wears hard lenses, one at a time. his 5 siblings all say he screwed once i get my vision back, HA!! have to be able to have a slight laugh with this obnoxious condition right!

[Andrew MacLean]

Each consultant seems to have a different approach to suture removal, and each tailors their own approach to each patient. this makes for a virtually infinite variety of experiences!

I think it was Piper in Louisianna who had all his sutures out within weeks of surgery while I had my DALK the day after he had his and my sutures all stayed in place for over a year!

My vision is now pretty near perfect; which is good. From my window I am looking out over a layer of fog that lies along the Clyde Valley. Beyond I can see the mountains around Helensburgh and Loch Lomond standing proud of the fog. It is a staggeringly beautiful sight.

Andrew