UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hey guys, got the date for later this month, first graph

its pretty bad news, at least i can recover from the operation in time for xmas,

i am nervous and a little afraid, i know its so final

All the best.

I had my first graft in the weeks leading up to Christmas. In my line of work that was inconvenient, but the result has been well worth the trouble.

Every good wish

Andrew

how long does it take perform if they do

Penetrating keratoplasty (PK)

or

Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK)

I think that the DALK probably takes a little longer. Well, mine did, but not by much.

My first eye was PK. I was wheeled away carrying a large friendly box with big blue letters that said "Human Tissue for Transplant" at about 8.30 and I was back in the ward in time for tea and biscuits at 11.00. Lunch was lacklustre, I remember, but visitors came and brightened my afternoon.

Because I live a long way from the hospital they kept me overnight so that I was in place for the clinic early the next day.

My second graft was DALK. The timings were the dame and a similar large box was in my possession as they wheeled me away from the ward. This time I missed the morning tea and biscuits round, but I had another lacklustre lunch.

They wanted me to take time off work both times, but having learned from the experience of the first graft when my GP wanted to delay my return to work, I managed to accommodate my second graft in annual leave days, saving the tiresome necessity of a sick line.

If you do a google search it will give you the answer to your questions.

DALK:-

http://www.chadrostron.co.uk/Keratoconus/DalkFreshKeratoconus.htm

Comparison:-

http://www.healio.com/ophthalmology/cornea-external-disease/news/print/ocular-surgery-news/%7Bd06cadae-e1ad-49d5-8ee1-a8ef76bea99b%7D/dalk-preferred-over-pk-dsek-for-keratoconus-and-secondary-ectasia

it looks like your at the same point on your KC journey as I am. Good luck.

you cant help not feeling like Frankenstein, i will start laughing if i see the blue box

it is a very different proposition when you have the date for the graft than you talk about it in abstract

You when face with it, you can see how it will improve your quality of life and doesnt become frighten

The actual surgery is pretty good in terms of discomfort, the big arrow drawn on your forehead makes for a laugh!One of my friends threatened to do noughts and crosses on me, but I understand your anxieties, it's always a big thing having any surgery to your eyes. Really routing for you, all positive thoughts

Harley Str consultants website quite informative concerning surgery options:-

http://www.chadrostron.co.uk/index.htm

PK graft:-
http://www.chadrostron.co.uk/Keratoconus/PkKeratoconus.htm

Because of the theoretical risk of disease transmission, corneal transplant recipients are no longer able to be blood or organ donors.

Some questions concerning DALK:-

Do they inform you if transplant cornea is fresh tissue or freeze dried?

Can you have local anaesthesia instead of general?

How long is it before stitches are removed?

You can have surgery under LA if you're very brave!
With PK's it's usually about a year before they start removing stitches

i have preop class on Tuesday, as i have been told i will have general Ass, and everyone is panicking,

i was actually informed the stitches are removed at different times, with the first couple removed after six to eight months depending on the healing rate. this was actually mentioned in a letter to were i work