DALK done
Moderators: Anne Klepacz, John Smith, Sweet
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John Smith
- Moderator
- Posts: 1942
- Joined: Thu 08 Jan 2004 12:48 am
- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Graft(s) and spectacles
- Location: Sidcup, Kent
Sorry to have confused you, Anne 
Basically, it is largely consultant choice. Some feel that you'll get slightly better vision EVENTUALLY if they scrape off the front layer of the donor tissue (the epithelium). Others go for the quick win, and let you keep the donor epithelium, allowing you to regain vision more quickly.
The other difference between Andrew's DALK and my own was that he was given "live" tissue, and mine was freeze-dried. Not sure about the differences here in terms of vision, but the freeze-drying process ensures that the risk of rejection post-DALK goes down from tiny to infinitessimal.
I think that the freeze-drying process makes it more likely to have the epithelium removed.
At the conference, John Dart did make a brief mention of the technique; saying that he didn't do it as there is a shortage of freeze-dried corneas(!)
Basically, it is largely consultant choice. Some feel that you'll get slightly better vision EVENTUALLY if they scrape off the front layer of the donor tissue (the epithelium). Others go for the quick win, and let you keep the donor epithelium, allowing you to regain vision more quickly.
The other difference between Andrew's DALK and my own was that he was given "live" tissue, and mine was freeze-dried. Not sure about the differences here in terms of vision, but the freeze-drying process ensures that the risk of rejection post-DALK goes down from tiny to infinitessimal.
I think that the freeze-drying process makes it more likely to have the epithelium removed.
At the conference, John Dart did make a brief mention of the technique; saying that he didn't do it as there is a shortage of freeze-dried corneas(!)
John
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Andrew MacLean
- Moderator
- Posts: 7703
- Joined: Thu 15 Jan 2004 8:01 pm
- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Other
- Location: Scotland
Thanks to everyone for you good wishes, and Piper: all the best with your recovery.
having had no useful sight in my left eye for such a long time I am stillenjoying the novelty of seeing anything at all through it. I find that I can read large print if I hold the page about 12 inches (I have not the first idea what that is in mm) from my eye.
John, I understand what you say about the epithelium; it seems to be a bit of a lottery. when I had my PK in 2003 the epithelium was intact when the tissue was sewn into my eye, but then fell off. this time I seem to be holding on to it, so far at least.
I just popped in to pick up mail etc. so will be away for a bit longer.
andrew
having had no useful sight in my left eye for such a long time I am stillenjoying the novelty of seeing anything at all through it. I find that I can read large print if I hold the page about 12 inches (I have not the first idea what that is in mm) from my eye.
John, I understand what you say about the epithelium; it seems to be a bit of a lottery. when I had my PK in 2003 the epithelium was intact when the tissue was sewn into my eye, but then fell off. this time I seem to be holding on to it, so far at least.
I just popped in to pick up mail etc. so will be away for a bit longer.
andrew
Andrew MacLean
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