UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

hi all

I am a new member
I am due to go into hospital on 27th January to have a DALK on my right eye- feeling very anxious and scared. I have had KC since 2004 and have worn contact lenses ever since. however my eyes have really deteriorated and left me feeling very down as I struggle to see what I use to be able to see. driving at night is a nightmare too as other's drivers lights hurt my eyes!!
have lots of questions going round in my head but mainly around being able to return to normality- outside of work I dance and have a show in April which I really would like to take part in and also member of a walking group. they are saying I can return to work after 4 weeks.... i will be soooo bored in this time as i'm such an active and independent person.
I also love travelling and had plans to take a career break early 2011 to go and volunteer in Africa and now very anxious as to whether I will still be able to do this!!!
i know it is for the best and trying to stay positive

Rachel

Hello Rachel, welcome to the forum.

I know it is an anxious time as you wait to go into hospital. I had a DALK in my left eye and PK in my right.

the immediate post-operative recovery from the DALK was faster than the PK, I guess because the grafted tissue was sewn onto my own endothelial cells, rather than into my eye. That said, I think it would be wise to be guided by your ophthalmology team about the time lag before you take up strenuous activity. I was told 6 weeks before I returned to sport.

Ask your surgeon about your dancing, and explain how important it is to you, and seek his advice about the stages by which you can build up to the more strenuous aspects.

Every good wish.

Andrew

thank you for this- will chat to them about my dancing
I have plans to go to Africa and Oz next year to travel and work- do you think this will still be possible?

Rachel

As for dancing I guess it depends on how much vision you have in your other eye, having less vision in the other eye for a while might make turns and 'spotting' difficult depending on what form of dance you do. As for Africa it mainly comes down to having access to clean water supply for washing hands and lens handling

I was told by my consultant that I could travel after the graft. My problem now is that I still have the bandage lens in so if I do travel I will be restricted to what I can do in case anythoing gets in the eye and trapped under the lens. My concern would be whether the place you go is near a hospital in case anything happens as the stitches will still be in i would imagine. ALso, think about the travel insurance - will your graft be covered if anything goes wrong and you need urgent medical attention.

I know it sounds a bit pesimistic (if thats how it is spelt) but these are the things I would be concerned about.