broken/un-tied stitches and discomfort?

[piper]

On Monday of this week I had a ten day check up complete with the good-old contact microscope inspection......and soon after developed a noticable scratchiness and discomfort. It is now Thursday PM and still uncomfortable. Has anyone here had a stitch untie or break? How does it feel? What level of discomfort? Am I just being a baby or it is a real possibility and worry? Can someone else see the stitch problem or only the doctor?

As usual, any help is appreciated. Thanks, Piper

[GarethB]

The basic rule is i in doubt get it checked out.

Stitches can become loose or break and can really irritate in much the way you describe. everyones pain threshhold is different so a minor irritation to one is absolute agony to another.

If your eye is uncomfortable despite using any medication prescribed I would get it looked into.

Did you go back to work straight after the check up?

Just a thought as one time I had that feeling was when some coal powder I was working with became airbourne and got behind my safety glasses and lodged behind a stitch. The only way it could be removed was to take the stitch out and irrigate my eye with saline. I know the maximum size of the particle as I was working in a special clean lab which we used to measure powder particles and it was 10 microns in size!

[jayuk]

Piper

Id have to agree with GarethB on this one...if in doubt get it checked!

If a suture does come undone youll more than likely notice it when you blink and youll feel it scraping on the inside eye lid....however that is not the only indication.......

If it is causing you discomfort or is turning red in colour (eye and surrounding area) just whiz over to the Optham and get him to check it...

J

[Sweet]

As i said in pm i would get it checked! I didn't notice most of my loose stitches but the one i did i was in absolute agony, it prickled and ached constantly.

Hoping you get better soon

Sweet X x X

[piper]

Thanks, guys. I'll phone today and get in when I can. My eyeball is not read, the lower lid is. As for level of pain, as most everybody here can attest, by the time we have had KC for a while, worn 20 pairs of contacts and suffered through epithelium pull-offs a couple of times, our level of pain awarness may be a bit different than the average person's.

GarethB, I work in a wood dust environment and usually make chips and shavings, but do have to use a power sander some, and of course there is wood dust in and on the tools, shelves and instruments. So, I may have just picked up an eyefull of that.
( http://www.kdavisviolins.com http://www.cannonmandolins.com )

Yes.......I'll call the clinic.

Yes, I went back to work the next morning after the ten day check up as it is far enough away I can't do both in the same day due to travel into and out of New Orleans.

thanks!! cheers, Piper

[GarethB]

As y managers like to say 'jsut checking all the bases'.

Good luck with getting it sorted.

[Alison Fisher]

When I've had a stitch come loose or break Piper it's usually been when I'm looking out the extreme corner of my eye - the sort of movement that would dislodge a rpg lens. The first time it happened there was a definite 'ping' sensation and I had a heart stopping moment wondering what on earth had happened before realisation dawned.

[Andrew MacLean]

Piper

What medication are you on? With my first graft I had irritation in my eye and they increased my anti-inflammatory drops.

Like the others I'd say if things don;t seem right get it checked.

I'm a day behind you and doing well.

Andrew

[piper]

Andrew.....not using anything but the EconoPred 1%....nothing for inflamation I guess.

Today things seem a bit better, no sharp pains, just a little discomfort. My wife looked for me and didn't see any irregularities in the stitch pattern or any redness, etc.

This is my first and will need the other eye done when I can get to it. The KC has made both of them pretty useless. I am guessing that the second eye is a bit of a relief since I'll have an eye (#1) that actually works and I'lll know the process by that time.

Believe me, having you all here to rely on is a lifesaver.

Thanks, cheers, Piper

[Andrew MacLean]

Piper

Maybe a visit to your ophthalmologist would give you a chance to review your medication.

I use Prednisalone in my right eye (grafted PK, December 12, 2003), but only one application every second day. In my left eye (grafted DALK October 27, 2006) I use Dexamethasone four times a day and Chloramphenicol four times a day. All these meds are taken by eye drop.

I think that the steroids (Dexamethasone and Prednisalone) are supposed to combat inflammation of the eye.

any word yet of how long before you get back to making violins?

Andrew