UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

HI folks,

I am back in the realy world having finally moved and regained our internet connection as of today.

Since I last wrote after my "non " graft story I have had a contact lens fitting and also an appointment with my consultant.
Unfortunately at my contact lens trial my vision was nowhere near as good as it was the day I was due for my graft. I could only just read the 2nd line of the chart, and even those were blurred.
However we tried 4 different types of lenses, which took for ages but we finally settled on two different types of hard lenses for the left and right eyes. These were ordered and I am due to have a fitting in the next 2 weeks.
Two days later I was with my consultant. Needless to say he wasnt happy and was disappointed that the vision has deteriorated again since last month. I told him that when I first go my new prescription I felt "wow" i can see better but over the weeks i had noticed that i had started squinting. Its very frustrating to see a good improvement and then to see a detrioration. I take a few steps forward and then a marathon back!!
Anyway he took a look at my orbscans that had been done at my contact lens appointment and we discussed the differences since my intacs ( 12months ago). Its so hard to accpet that my cornea has flattened and is a much better shape but the vision is so unstable - this is very hard for me to understand and to relay to everyone else. Sometimes I am sure that they think I say that I can see the chart when I actually cant. My consultant suggested that there may be a strong case for removing the upper intac and asked that I leave it with him whilst he discussed this with the manufacturers of the intacs.

This he did and they are very interested in my case history - the fact that the vision keeps changing 12 months after intacs!
From their collection of global data there is a very strong case that removing the upper intact - where it has over flattened the cornea- should proivde me with a significant improvement to my vision. This I have agreed to and will have the operation next Wednesday.
In the meantime I am to continue with a contact lens for the left but to wait a while for the right.

I would like to know has anyone else had their intacs removed for the same reason and what was the outcome??

I know that I am in safe hands with my consultant, Mr Morgan and is so grateful that I am allowing him to try this. It almost feels like I am doing him a favour, but I suppose at the end of the day Intacs is such a new procedure and they are learning and gaining experience all the time. Suppose I am a bit of a guinea pig.

Thanks for all your advice and support
ali x

Ali

I am so sorry that you are still having all this trouble. I really hope that the removal of your upper INTACS semi will give you the improved vision that you hope for.

Will that affect the prescription for your contact lens in that eye?

Andrew

HI Andrew,

Thanks for your support. Yes, it will affect the prescription for contact lenses, hence why I am just continuing with the left contact lens trial for the time being.
I do hope that this sorts me out. One half of me still thinks that I am just delaying the inevitable graft.
Thanks again
Ali x

I see what you mean; given that your vision had improved before the delay was understandable. Have you spoken to your ophthalmologist about the possibility of your going back onto his list for a transplant?

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

We delayed the graft because of the good improvement but now a month on it's deteriorated to the same as before intacs.
Yes he will defo put me back on his graft list if we decide that the removal of the upper intac has not improved the vision.

Its a little frustrating, to be delighted with an improvement only to be downtrodden a month later with a deterioration.

I suppose its the characteristics of KC, unhealthy cornea providing unstable vision.

I am in on Wed for the op so fingers crossed.

thanks for support

ali

All the best on Wednesday: let us know how you get on!

Andrew

Thanks Andrew, will keep you posted.
ali

Yes, good luck on Wednesday. Hope it all works out for you.
Rosemary

Thanks Rosemary.
Will let you know.

gdnt