UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Well, I saw my new consultant yesterday.

He wasn't happy about the pressure in my right eye, and has decided that (contrary to my previous consultant's view) I should reduce the FML drops to once daily to help keep the pressure down.

But we agreed on a DALK... and then he offerred me one next week! I declined this, but went for a date about 4-5 weeks away.

So the clock is ticking... any of the other potential DALKers got a date yet?

Intrestingly, the consultant has an excellent description of how he carries out a DALK graft using freeze-dried tissue (only inserting non-live cells so that there is no chance of rejection) on his website.

There are also explanations of DALK using fresh tissue and the full Penetrating Keratoplasty full thickness grafts.

Excellent.....sounds like progress there!!...Be good to see how this works for you!

Mine is either 3rd or 4th week of September....so not that far away...but enough for me to ensure I have booked enough time off...although Ill prbably book a week off......did you get any indication as to how long to have off?

J

John,

You will be competing with Jay to see who gets the best vision first!

Good luck.

GarethB wrote:You will be competing with Jay to see who gets the best vision first!

Hmmm... I don't know if I can cope with the pressure . Still, at least I'll have a month's head start!

As for time off, the likelihood is three weeks, but could be ok after two... or it could be longer. It all depends on how the op goes.

Remember though that I'm having my eyelid stitched shut; it will be different for you if you're not having the same thing done.

Ahhhh yeh....and remind me why its going to be stitched shut?......dam how long will that be for?.....how will he check the 24 hour period after?....

John

Still waiting for my date. All the best with your surgery.

Andrew

Apparently it's part of the freeze-dried process. Because the cornea will have no top layer it needs to be protected, so the eyelid will be stitched shut for 4-5 days. During that time, enough of a gap will exist so that the consultant can have a "quick peek", and for me to instil steriod and antibiotic drops.

wow John that will be weird having your eye stitched shut for a few days. Really hope it goes well for you both
Lx

Hmm John youve made me think now if I should take 2 weeks off!.....Are you taking 2-3 weeks off on advice from Consultant?...or because the way in which teh graft is being done?...ie lid stitched shut etc?

I was signed off for 6 weeks with mine