Intacs presentation in Birmingham (Question for GarethB)

[Kirsten]

To GarethB (and anyone else who may know..)

I was reading before about the presentation on Intacs that was held in Birmingham.

I've read the FAQ you posted (thanks for that by the way, it's much appreciated).

I just wondered if there's anywhere I can read about the patient scenarios?

You stated that it takes 6-12 mths to see the results, however i'm only at 5 weeks and was told I should be able to see by now. The surgeon says everything looks great, but I haven't noticed any improvement yet.

My friend who works at the place I had my op says unfortunately I may be in the 1% of people that see no improvement!!!

So really just looking for other people's experiences to work out what I should be expecting.

Thanks

[GarethB]

Hi Kirsten

Sorry can not add to what I put in FAQ, the notes are what I wrote from the slides and what the speaker said.

From memory the case presented said the vision was initially far worse, but after six months when the eye had settled properly improvements slowly came and after 12 months the vision had stabalised. Can not remember if the patient then wore glasses or lenses.

It may be possible to google intacs and look for any papers written on the subject.

Some surgeons say for grafts you get instant improvement, but that seems in my experience to be the minority. As far as KC surgery goes from what I have read on this site, most cases do not see improvements wshere the vision is better than pre-op until about the six month mark.

[Kirsten]

Thanks for the quick reply!

6 months is a long time for vision to improve - I know compared to a graft that's nothing... but I was expecting to be all set for when uni goes back at the end of Feb.

I just don't understand why I was told up to a month for recovery when it sounds like much longer. I would've thought if anything they would over estimate so people don't get their hopes up!!!

I was considering making an appointment at my regular optometrist for a soft lens fitting (I was told by now that should be fine).. but i'm just wondering how often the prescription will then need to be changed. The optometrist is about an hr away by train so it's not a practical trip to be making too often..

I think i'll go anyway, even if it is just to get some information out of him. I find the consultations with the surgeon are too rushed. At least this way I know he'll take the time to have a proper look and explain what's happening.

Thanks again for your help.

Kirsten

[jayuk]

Kirsten

Reason why they say Intacs can have a long recovery time is so that the Cornea can resettle...and this can take anything from 4 weeks plus. However, the initial resettling of the corea does take place in the initial few weeks...thereafter the cornea stabilises.....

If I were you then Id still go to the Opticians....and get there take on it....

J

[Kirsten]

Thanks.

Yeah - bad news on that front though i'm afraid.

My optometrist isn't available till the 8th of January!

I don't think I trust anyone else to fit me with a soft lens over the intac. It's just not worth the risk of anything going wrong...

Does anyone know whether a soft lens can do damage if it's not fitted correct?

My other option is just to find an optometrist who can prescribe me glasses. I don't know which eye to get though... both would be changing. The left one the cornea is going back to it's natural shape and the right one is hopefully healing!!!

[GarethB]

In the UK they wait for three consistent refractions before accepting the cornea has settled enough for a lens fitting. If you can afford it and are prepared for regular prescription changes they will provide lenses sooner.

Having seen a film of the surgery, it is nearly as traumatic for the eye as a graft! I would say four weeks for the post operative effects to settle, the rest is a slow process of the corneal curvature to become flatter which is the aim of intacs to amke lens fitting easier. I suppose it comes down to how springy your cornea is as to how quick it settles. There is also the case the brain must readjust to the change in corneal surface.

I have now evidence on realistic recovery times, all I have is the experiences of the surgeons to go on. Perhaps your conultant Kirsten usually sees benefits a lot sooner hence is prediction of a quicker recovery.

[Kirsten]

Yeah what you say sounds correct. I guess eye consultants can only really base what they consider to be "normal" on their experiences with previous patients.

Hopefully all it means is my eye is taking longer than average!

Thanks for the re-assurance. There's definitely so many ups and downs with KC.. it's the not knowing that's the worst.

It's probably better I don't use glasses or a lens for the moment anyway as I guess the brain needs time to adjust.

Thanks for all your help.. (and for making me see sense!)

Kirsten