UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi,
Couple of bits I could do with advice on please!
Had check up couple of days ago and all along my opthamologist has been monitoring some blood vessels in my eyes, she was worried they were prominent and if they got worse could affect whether I could have grafts )not that i would have them anyway, am petrified of all things medical!), I should have asked her about it more at the time but being hospitalphobic wanted to get out!! Has anyone else had this experience? Also have seen interesting stuff on internet re treatment of KC with riboflavin and ultra violet lights, does anyone have any views on this?
Thank you Emma
Ps this website is great, its the only place I can chat to other people with KC.

Hi Emma,

Yes, if you have blood vessels encroaching towards the cornea this is not a good sign as corneas don't usually have a blood supply; they get their oxygen from the air.

If the blood vessel does reach the cornea, it means that a graft will be more difficult and rejection more likely, as blood also brings the white blood cells that cause rejection.

It has been known for surgeons to suggest an earlier graft in your circumstances.

Don't be petrified of a graft though; it's not uncommon (especially for KCers), and the vision improvements are generally well worth the inconvenience and worry.

Of course, there's every chance that you'll never need a graft, anyway

Hi Emma,

Most doctors say that 90% of people with KC never need a graft.

I have heard of instances where blood vessels are seen growng towards the cornea being laserd. It is usually because the cornea is defficient in oxygen so it is trying to get it from else where, so an opthalmologist would have to investigate this further.

The rhiboflavin and UV light treatment is better known as C3R, just type it into the site search function and you will see many posts where we have discussed it and you will probably get some useful links too.

Emma

A friend of mine in West Central Scotland went into hospital recently to have a "vascular clump" removed before it got the the stage of encroaching on her conrea. When she had recovered from surgery she was encouraged to go back to wearing lenses.

Andrew

Thanks for all your advice, I have already been offered a graft twice but turned it down, I wouldn't give in as I felt there was plenty of people who needed grafts more than me, I hassled my opthamologist to try other lens instead, she gave it a go and my vision is good at the mo, I can't drive (have been told chances of me ever driving are slim even with grafts) but can see better than I have in a long time. KC is a pain, but you know how it is you learn to cope, very few people even know of my condition. Occasionaly people see me squinting at the pc and ask if i have considered a eye test, if only they knew! lol Will search for the treatment like you said, I am really interested to know more.

sorry to be frivilous but when I first glanced at the title I thought it said Doggy Eyes!