When to have a graft?

[Anne B]

I may attend the social now. Anthony said he would drive me.

After my visit to Moorfields today i need to chat about grafts

Anne

[GarethB]

In a nut shell, a big step to take, but not as uncomfortable as you may think.

Does this mean that the position of the cone makes lens fitting just too hard and a graft is more likely to make correction easier?

[Anne B]

I still need to try scleral lenses!
How bad should i let it get before i have a graft?

Anne

[GarethB]

Anne you have just asked an impossible question.

For me, the graft decision was made at a young age, partly as a graft 18 years ago was considerd a cure and secondly because at that time I had exhausted all lens options which meant I did my A levels partially sighted. Had the graft 3 weeks after my last exam and started Uni still registerd partially sighted while the graft settled enough for glasses.

No idea what the Moorfields waiting list is like. If it is long I suppose you could get on the waiting list while you waited to try the scleral option. You can afterall back out of the graft option and take a step back in the que.

I do however feel that people know when it is the right time for a graft.

Can't remembre if you were still with us when Michael said he set him self criteria that had to be reached before he would consider a graft. Then because he felt it was not the rigt time, he changed the criteria.

I'm sure he will elaborate further.

I will definitly do my best to be at the next social, probably enter the pub the same way i have been known to depart and that is via the bog window

Quite happy to share my graft experience and Sweet will say what she has been through and John can share his which may not be as positive as mine. You will at least get a variety of experiences to help make an informed choice.

[Anne B]

Thanks Gareth.

[Michael P]

Anne, in my case, a graft has been offerd on the basis that my lifestyle has been affected; as simple as not being able to play tennis to the standard I could before the KC got a bit worse. Also because now unable to see a golf ball after it has travelled more than40 yards or so.
I have always said to myself that as long as I can drive I will not consider a graft. That day is getting closer but I suspect I will then move the goalposts again.
Having said that, John pointed out that one may want to consider a graft whilst the "good" eye is still ok. So there are many things to consider and I guess every case is different. I know your vision is worse than mine so you will undoubtedly have different thoughts.
I am sure coming to the social will be helpful as some of us attending will have had grafts and others not. Of course you will also get input from the forum.
I suspect John will wish to move this to the general discussion forum which will hopefully produce some more insight.

[John Smith]

I will definitly do my best to be at the next social, probably enter the pub the same way i have been known to depart and that is via the bog window

Not very likely Gareth... the loos are in the basement, and have no windows

[John Smith]

Hi Anne,

It will be good to see you at the social, and I'm sure we can continue this conversation there... but in the meantime...

My feeling is that you need to set yourself a target. I did that - I'll go for a graft when I can no longer see to drive using my bad (right) eye.

So I waited, and waited, and made do, but I was happy, because I could still see to drive. Then I couldn't, so I had the right eye grafted.

Unfortunately, whilst the right eye was healing, the left eye suddenly progressed which stopped me driving altogether, and put the kybosh on a lot of my social life.

My consultant then pointed out to me that had I gone for the graft earlier, my right eye would have healed before the left eye went bad.

But the decision is only your own. You have to take your own circumstances into account, and the age of your children is probably relevant!

[Anne B]

Yesterday when i had a eye test with the right eye,( the one they would graft)i couldn't see anything on the eye chart only a grey blur!
so that shocked me a bit. My left eye i can see to the second line but that eye was better with pin hole.

I am thinking whats the point in waiting.
My husband can take a couple of months of work to look after the kids(and me)

One ouestion that i didn't ask was if the KC gets worse does it make it harder to operate?
John Dart was talking about doing a DALK

In the mean time i am going to come of the Cyclosporin to see how i get on. I have been given some dexamathasone in cause the eyes flare up.
Theres so much to think about. I was given some info to read so i will do thet over the weekend

Thanks for the advice
Anne

[GarethB]

Your right eye sees as much a mine does uncorrected. Corrected I have 6/5 but I know the location of the cone is easier to correct for than for you. Just shows what a difference the cone location makes.

Dalk seems to be more the preferd option as the idea is that the the finished surface is a whole load smoother, even if it may take longer overall to get good vision.

In your case the cone is off centre which may well mean that a graft would come close to the corneal margin. Dalk is again better in these cases as the risk of rejections is greatly reduced.

A full penetrating graft in the same area carries a lot higher risk of rejection compared to the same type of graft in a central location of the eye.

If you have the right eye done, will you still progress with trying to get a scleral for the left?

John, if entry via loo windows is out, the sewrs it is