Update

[Kirsten]

Hey everyone.

Well I wrote a while ago about my intacs experience - basically I had it put in last November and I've had no visual improvement even though the steepness of the cone and astigmatism have both reduced.

I went back to see the surgeon today and he wants to try adding another segment and doing C3R... so i'm booked in for Wed of next week.

He said we could either do this or take out the intac, but since we've come this far we might as well give it a go.

I can't wait. It's been such a long process and we haven't even begun on the other eye yet.

Kirsten

[GarethB]

You don't mention trying lenses or glasses over the intacs.

Have these been tried and what were the results?

[Kirsten]

I'm wearing a soft lens over the intac at the moment. It gives me some improvement but the vision is nowhere near as good as my RGPs were. There's a lot of ghosting and things aren't anywhere near as crisp.

[Anne B]

Well good luck for next Wednesday i have my fingers crossed for you.

Take care
Anne

[Kirsten]

Thanks Anne - the support is much appreciated.

Kirsten

[GarethB]

In Birmingham, they correct intacs vision with RGP's and if things go really well glasses are OK.

[Kirsten]

Yeah the main reason for having my surgery was to get away from the RGPs though as my eyes became intolerant. I also play softball so glasses are impractical.

I don't know if having a more regular cone makes wearing the hard lenses easier.. but our main goal at the start of the surgery was to get good enough vision that I wouldn't need any correction. That's what the surgeon originally seemed to think was realistic anyway. My KC is only moderate, it's more the fact that my eyes are so sensitive that's the problem.

Going by the fact that i've had no improvement yet though i'm not getting my hopes up. I'll just take things as they come...

[GarethB]

The presentation I attended in Birmibngham said the aim of making the cone flatter was so that firring a lens was easier.

The intolerance they said was in part due to the steepness of the cone and the way the lens rubbed. A flatter cone is easier to fit and the lenses are more comfortable.

There are sport goggles for squash which it is recomended anyone playing the sport wear.

The honest answer to any surgical intervention for KC; intacs, C3R or a graft is to provide a cornea surface where vision is easier to correct.

To be truthfull it is rare for people to have such surgery after which no vision correction is needed.

[Kirsten]

Yeah I must admit most of the literature i've read on the internet does imply that the purpose of intacs/C3R is to make lens fitting easier. I was a bit surprised when the surgeon told me I probably wouldn't need any type of visual correction after.

It would be fantastic to never need lenses again, but as long as I can wear something that is comfortable and provides me with good vision that'll be enough for me.

[Andrew MacLean]

Kirsten

all the best with this. I am sorry that you did not see an immediate improvement.

another sign that even the best hyped therapies may have their downside.

Andrew