corneal graft..

[John Smith]

So all you need to do to find out your level of vision is count the number of lines you can read and put a "/9" on the end - simple!

Hi Rob.

Sorry, but I think you've got the snellen scale wrong here. In my case, I can barely see the big letter at the top of the chart (line 1). According to your method that would make me "1/9", although I am variously "6/30" or "6/60".

The "6/60" means that I can see at 6 metres away what someone with normal vision can see at 60 metres. (6 metres is I think the standard distance between you and the lightbox; and the chart is resized appropriately so that everyone has a 6/xx rating).

Of course, in the USA, they don't go a bundle on metric, so they use 20/xx (feet) instead. Hence, 20/20 vision means "normal".

Also, I suppose that the snellen scale measures only what you can read, not how well you actually see it. Presumably, opticians have a different measure for that?

Any professionals out there care to give a definitive answer?

[Kim Remmington]

Well great news about the driving.
I really thought I wouldn't be driving for a year or so. A couple of weeks or whatever is no problem(if I'm lucky), as I'm sure my friends and family will help.

If you can go racing with one eye and obviously driving is not a problem, then I feel much happier about it now.
I will book a lesson as I think it's a really good idea, but also I would like to do an advanced driving course as I think it will help me gain confidence after the accident as wall. I've looked in the yellow pages but haven't found anything.

It's also reassuring to hear of another mother having that nightmare school morning. I think I agree with you about having the pressure to get the lens in on a morning. I always find it easier at the weekends as I know I wont be driving so I don't worry if my vision is dodgey.

It's also very encouraging to hear that although Rob can still read the same line on the eye chart with his grafted eye, it is much clearer, without all the ghosting etc.
I find it very difficult to imagine how my vision will change for the better when I have a graft, which really gives me little incentive to have it done. I can't imagine how it will improve, as I'm so used to seeing very little, esp. with my right eye. Did anyone else feel this before the operation.
Also I'm am completely thick on this 6/9, 20/20 vision stuff, which is a bit ridiculous really so if someone could explain it, it would be very interesting.
John, I noticed you said that you can barely see the first letter on the chart. Is this with the grafted eye?
I have also made myself feel really sick and looked at the pics. of a graft. I did read on one site that some people have a very light anaesthetic when they have it done and can remember things!!! Please tell me that I will be completely unaware of what's going on. I am seeing Mr Morgan (the surgeon) on Monday at Sunderland so will ask him again then.

[Rob Armstrong]

Kim Remmington wrote:

"It's also very encouraging to hear that although Rob can still read the same line on the eye chart with his grafted eye, it is much clearer, without all the ghosting etc."


Hi Kim, just thought I should clarify this - I was comparing my unaided grafted eye and my left eye with a contact lens in.

Prior to the graft I couldn't see any letters! It was just a light on the wall with a couple of smudges near the top. (my left eye is currently the same without a lens in). The graft has made a much more profound improvement than what you mention.

In my case, put simply: grafted eye = better than left eye with lens in! (On a good day at least)

Although apparently its still settling down over 18 months later, having gradually improved over this time.

Disclaimer: I seem to have been very fortunate regarding the outcome of my graft - please remember that EVERY case is different.

I'm unwilling to get my second eye done yet, even though the first went so well - as there's no guarantees the second will too.



Hi John, no doubt you're right - I'm probably just being naive thinking it's that simple!

I actually wrote a paragraph in that post about it originally being out of 20 and how it's now out of 9, and that it was something to do with metric versus imperial - but I thought better of it before I clicked "submit".


Another anecdote about the system being flawed -

I was recently prescribed glasses that gave my grafted eye a quality of vision that I had forgotten was possible - I was actually excited as I went to pick them up!
... Only to be disappointed when I got them.

I went for a follow-up four weeks later and explained my disappointment. Was given an eye test with them on, and with them off. Got 6/9 both times.

"So what's the problem?" asked the doctor.

"I can see the letters clearer without them on!" Was my reply.

"Well, your chart result is the same - but it obviously makes a difference to you"
(words to that effect anyway).


It may sound daft but to me it did make a big difference. But the test didn't demonstrate that. Admittedly, across a room there wasn't that much in it between the two - but when it came to both looking at greater distances outdoors and reading/computer etc, I found myself struggling with my new glasses on, and coping easily without.

Anyway, I'm back at the hospital on Monday. They want to test my vision again and compare it to previous visits to work out how stable it is before they give me another prescription. So hopefully we'll make some progress. I just feel a bit disappointed by it all that's all.

Bit of a rant I know, sorry.

Rob.

[John Smith]

John, I noticed you said that you can barely see the first letter on the chart. Is this with the grafted eye?

No. My 6/60 status is with my ungrafted eye. The grafted eye makes it down to about line 5 on the chart with glasses. I'm seeing Ken at Moorfields in December to try a scleral in my grafted eye, which will hopefully be enough to allow me to drive again.

Please tell me that I will be completely unaware of what's going on. I am seeing Mr Morgan (the surgeon) on Monday at Sunderland so will ask him again then.

There's a school of opinion that does a graft under a local anaesthetic only. My understanding is that is more common in the states, and generals are more common in the UK. If you have a preference (I certainly did - like you, there was no way I was going to be awake during this procedure!!), make sure you tell your consultant.

[GarethB]

Hi Kim,

The Institut of Advanced motoring web site is http://www.iam.org.uk and this will help find a group near to you.

When I did it, it was cheaper to join the local group and the lessons were free. The next time I had to pay was for the test itself. This saved me about £20, but I still got all the useful IAM books included.

Once you pass the test, you can become a full member which can be renewed annually for about £14.

It is a really good course that boosts driving confidence and beats out all the bad habilts we aquier over the years.

Good luck.

[Kim Remmington]

Thanks Gareth,
This is exactly what I was looking for. I will contact them soon.


I have just been to hospital today and have received my graft date, Thursday 9th December.
I was also told today that I am no longer legal to drive! So much for worrying about not being able to drive after the graft!!!!
So this is it.
Sophie, have you had your date yet?
I can remember on the old site reading the posts about a few of you who had grafts done, now it seems it is my turn. Arhhhh!

[John Smith]

Hello Kim,

I'm sorry to hear that you're no longer legal to drive with your current corneas... hopefully, your new cornea will be good enough for you to drive with.

Beware though that for about the first 4-6 months or so, as the cornea heals it is constantly changing shape, so as you will need to use your "new eye" for driving, you may find that you're having to replace your glasses a few times during the healing process.

I'm sure you'll be careful during that time; my consultant advised me not to drive - or even get new glasses - until 6 months post op, Then I was fine driving - until the stitches came out 2.5 years later.

Still, only 6 weeks to go. Best of luck; and keep the group posted how you're getting on.

[Dave Dale]

Kim,

Sorry to hear you are 'primed' for the op but equally happy that you are going to get sorted and begin climbing back up the hill to the top!

I too see Mr Morgan, and have only seen him once as I was recently referred to him after my local hospital Darlington have a *very* limited eye department, or opathmology but I can never say that nevrmind spell it!

I would be grateful if you could contact me directly on the email below to share experiences/advice on teh Sunderland process! It nice to meet someone who sees the same consultant as you, wel I think so!

Cheers,
Dave

teessideuni@hotmail.com

[GarethB]

Dave,

Is James Haslam still a consultant at Darlington? He did both my corneas there in 1989 and 1990 and he did the post op stuff at his house near Northallerton.