Failed transplant

[Bruce Irvine]

Hi what a relief to find this site. I have been diagnosed with KC about 10 years ago. Stable in the right but rapid change in the left. Glasses and lenses failed so a graft in the left eye two years ago. At my latest appointment have been told that the graft has taken up the same shape as the previous and that the sight is worse than before. Graft has not rejected. Glasses and lenses still not making a difference. Another opperation suggested to put two slits in the graft. Not a great deal of confidence that this will make any difference. Anyone else having similar problems?

[Susan Mason]

Hi Bruce

Sorry to hear it's not going too well at the moment.
You say lenses failed, is that all types of lenses? Did they try you on scleral lenses before your transplant or maybe you have them now and they are still not helping.
If you can give a bit more info others on the site may be able to comment several members have had transplants and some now wear lenses on the grafted eye(s).
Best wishes Susan

[Andrew MacLean]

Hello Bruce,

If I were in your position, I think I'd be feeling pretty fed up and disinclined to go through further surgery. I am just over a year after a right eye graft, and with stitches still in place it is hard to know how my sight will shake down when the new cornea is released from the tension in which it is currently held.

But, do you have anything to lose by accepting the new operation?

Also, have you tried a lens in your graft eye?

All the best. We'll all be thinking of you.

Andrew

[Bruce Irvine]

Thanks a lot to both of you. Yes I am a bit fed up and also resigned to manging. I am lucky that the graft has not rejected, I would not like that again with almost a guarentee that the next will also revert. No one seems to know why. Also further surgery puts the graft at higher risk of rejection. My right eye has been stable for 10 years now and in reasonable shape. The lenses just dont work, endless infections etc. So it feels a it like ajust is the only option.
Also the good news is that this is very rare.
Regards
Bruce

[GarethB]

Hi Bruce it is very rare.

I had my grafts in 1989 and the right eye now shows signs of KC. In my case the old cornea that left has gone KC again and is pulling the graft out of shape. Only option for me is contact lenses but unlike you I am lucky to have gone so long post graft I can wear contacts again. I was told if these ever start to be a problem, sclerals would be tried before the operation as a last resort.

You are not alone, I have only just come out of the fed up stage.

Gareth

[Sue Ingram]

Hi Gareth, I would give sclerals a go NOW, rather than as a last resort. They are so much more comfortable than corneal lenses (I wore corneals for 25 years, 5 years of which were an incredible struggle). Or, if at all possible, have both so that you can swap between the two if your eyes get tired of wearing one kind. Unfortunately, there does seem to be this 'thing' amongst practitioners that sclerals are a last resort - not sure if this is because they are scared of or not experienced in fitting them, or whether it is due to the fact they are pretty expensive (or both!).

In the meantime, good luck with trying the corneals again. SUE

[GarethB]

Hi Sue

I asked about sclerals when I first went to the lens specialist after it was confirmed KC was the problem again. In the four week wait I found this site which promted me to ask.

Having read some of the stuff on the board about herbal remedies that would appear to slow the effects of KC might be worth investigating. I try and stay away from most forms of medicine despite working for a drug company.

Hope to see you at the confrence in Birmingham as it is only 45 minutes by car (about twice that if I use piblic transport!).

Gareth

[Sue Ingram]

Hi Gareth, Yep we are hoping to be at the conference - it will be nice to meet you. SUE