UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi everyone

This is my first post to the forum and after suffering for 10 years with advanced KC I am finally 7 weeks away from having a DALK or PK Op (scarring is deep so gonna find out which one when I awake!). I have my pre-admission appointment on Monday then due in for surgery on 8th Jan.

There is one thing that I would like to know that I am having trouble finding info on but are there any complications with Pregnancy after you have a graft? Not planning yet but would like to in next few years?

Many thanks

Lucy

Hi Lucy, welcome to the forum.

I doubt very much that the graft will interfere with your pregnancy, but check with your opthalmologist, as they will make sure that the eye drops you will be taking won't be of any effect. All the best with your graft and do let us know how you get on!

lcogrady

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your news (the pregnancy as well as the possible graft date)

As Amarpal says it would be best to keep both your ophthalmologist and your obstetrician informed of your conditions.

Stay in touch!

Yours aye

Andrew

Hi
Thank you for your warm welocme!

Sorry think I may have caused confusion.

I am not pregnant at the mo but would like to be after transplant and really wondered if there are any women that have had babies post graft and if there were any issues/ concerns. I will ask my consultant on Monday though.

Anyway, think I better just concentrate on the Op at the mo. It will be so nice to start the recovery and be able to begin to lead a more normal life! My right eye, although suffered quite a rapid loss in sight 2 years ago (4 perscription changes in 12 months!) has been pretty stable lately and left eye has no sight now so anything will be better after graft.

I hope to do something either diary or bolg wise as reading everyone's experiences has helped me feel much less anxious about the next few months

Thanks again

Lucy

Well, all the best with your intended pregnancy ... (shut up, Andrew; you are in a hole so stop digging)

And, all the best with your surgery; like you, I went into my first graft not knowing whether I would wake up with a PK or a DALK. As it is I had a PK in my first eye and a DALK in my second.

All the best

Andrew

Hey Andrew,

Did you notice much difference in the recovery at all?

Lucy

If anything the PK recovered more quickly; although the DALK is virtually guaranteed never to reject.

Andrew

I still dont know had I DALK or PK I think PK because I read from papers "penetrate keratoplastic" or something.

Good luck Lucy

Penetrating Keratoplasty is what we abbreviate to PK.

DALK stands for Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty.

Sorry, we do become a bit careless when we use abbreviations.

Andrew

Lucy,
Hi, and good luck with the graft.
Don't know of any particular reason for expecting problems with pregnancy post-graft. Obviously (?) you'll have chance to see how the graft settles down before then, and if any problems arise.
One thing in the other direction.....
YOu're likely to be on a lot of steroids. Steroid eye drops against rejection. Steroid in eye during op. And if you're having a general, quite possibly steroids with the anaesthetics (ask the anaesthetist if in doubt).
If you're on the pill, be aware steroids can reduce its effectiveness (not sure about implants etc). You may like to ask about this at the pre-op oppointment - and/or invest in some condoms just in case.
Rosemary