Phakic/P-IOL

[Sajeev]

It is like what they always do say... "the least invasive first"

And the usual figure used for the percentage for corneal tissue removal is 10 to 25% with and average of 20% (or one in five), most (new) articles has figures quoted as 20% as well.

So, what ever the percentages, there must be many who suffer from poor vision even WITH contacts AND those WITH glasses. There must be also a lot who are part-time partial sightedness/are legally blind, when they have not got their contacts in, OR when they can't put them in due to "good days bad days"
with their lenses OR the fact that its not good to waer your lenses with out a break, all day every day.

I would say Micheal that a Professor's word is much more credible (for me anyway) than someone who is not a Professor. However everyone says the treatment they are doing is the best. Obviouly, they are not all the best for everyone, so we have to do our homework as we are not biased like they are.

All the options still allows a PK Graft to to done if need be... now most options don't stop a DALK taking place... which is even/much better than a PK Graft... so any option anyone takes must not stop a DALK taking place... thats the line to draw.

Every one does has a right to get their vision corrected with what ever way they choose, they can only do that with ALL the info. in front of them, and it is the least invasive first. For some its a hard lens which people find is just too invasive for them, but many do get on fine with them too!

[Michael O'Toole]

Well, there have been a few developments.
I now have to get grafts in both eyes, within the year. The graft in my left eye was 16 years ago, and it's in a bit of dofficulty now. The right eye has scarring, so that needs done as well. But I'm cool about it, the operation went well the last time and I'm sure it will this time around. I've been told they won't do them together. That's good news, obviously. I'm a reporter, so, hopefully, I should be able to type and take notes within a few days of each graft - if the other eye is functioning all right.
Here's a silly question: if I get grafts in both eyes, will that mean the KC is no more?
Here's another question: I remember when I got my gtaft done in 1991, it was around six, or seven, months before I could be fitted for a lens. Is that still the case, or is it only a couple of months now before I can get a prescription.

Thanks,
Michael.

[GarethB]

Michael,

Unfortunatly having a graft does not mean the KC has gone. Howevre here is the good news, there is a 99.9% chance KC as such will not return.

My first graft wa in 1989, the second in 1990 bot penetrating grafts as the DALK was not around them and the corneal disc was 7.5mm in both cases.

In 2004 I was diagnosed with KC in the right eye in the ungrafted part of the corena which now distorts the graft.

Since being part of this group and having spoken to many specialists whose combined experience totals over 350 years, the number of instances they have seen is just into double figures. They have lost cound of the number of grafts done.

Infact there is a greater chance of rejection which in itself is relatively low.

Hope that put things into context.

[Michael O'Toole]

It does. Thanks.

[Andrew MacLean]

Michael

All the best with your grafts. I presume that your original garfts were PK, and that your next ones will be the same again?

It is good that you have such a positive take on things. I don't know about time between graft and being fitted with lenses or specs. I think that tends to be one of those "piece of string" issues.

Andrew

[Michael O'Toole]

Yes, it was PK and I presume both new ones will also fall into that category, although I'll find out more on Monday.
I've had 16 great years with the present graft. I've just been unlucky that it appears to be going now, coupled with the right one needing done at the same time. That's life.
There was no internet when I got the left one done (it was the day before Gulf War One started) and the net has been a great help to me this time around - especially this board. My respect and admiration for all involved are limitless.

From my research, I see now that various sites say a graft can be performed under local anaesthetic. That's incredible. I had to go under the scalpel the day after my first graft for some routine maintenance and, let me tell you, it was horrendous. I didn't mind being awake and "seeing" what was happening, but the injecting into the eye socket and then into the eye itself live with me to this day.

The only thing, I have to admit, that really, really worries me is the prospect of going blind. By blind, I mean having no vision. The professor assures me I will not go blind, but I presume I could go legally blind, but still have vision of some sort, yet I wouldn't be able to work - something that fills me with dread. I love my career and the idea of having to stop is deeply worrying.
My serious illness cover for the house doesn't cover blindness, so that's always been at the back of my mind.
But if I do have to stop work, which I know is a remote possibility, my pension has a permanent healthcare aspect, which would mean a genereous percentage of my salary being paid until I retire.
So, another question: if my sight deteriorates to such an extent that I can't write - bearing in mind I'm a reporter - would anyone know if that would mean me being officially disabled?

[Andrew MacLean]

One of the users of this site had his DALK done under local anesthetic. I was a bit nervous of this, but I did have my cataract done under local, and think I'd have liked the same for my grafts.

Still, not everybody is as nosey as me!

Some surgeons actually prefer to do grafts under General Anesthetic. I think mine falls into this group . It is not good to have the patient hear a member of the team say "oops".

Andrew

[GarethB]

Michael,

Christmas 2005 the hospital were wanting to give up on my right eye which wuold have left me legally blind, but the vision in the left could still be corrected.

With what little vision was in the right eye, with visual aids for the PC I could carry on quite normally at work, the only things I would not do for health and safety is go into the laboratory.

Vision in the left eye is easier to correct, but I am partially sighted already. I have found with minor adaptations at home and work I can be just as profitable in the work place and do everything at home with little to no problem at all. The only thing I would say lack of vision prevents me from doing is drive.

Having met a graphics designer who is registerd blind through KC because he refused the graft route for whatever reason, he lives a very fulfilled life with his wife and children. Loosing my vision does worry me, however I know that I will still be able to continue with nearly all the things I enjoy now.

Both my grafts are nearly 20 years old.

[Pat A]

Apologies - I know this is a serious post but....

Gareth
You need to read what you've written above! Made me hoot! [Not sure what your own wife & children would be thinking though!]

[Andrew MacLean]

Gareth

I hadn't noticed, but when Pat drew it to our attention I re-read your post

You are right. Like you, the loss of my sight was a great nuisance, an inconvenience and a bit frustrating, but life went on and like you, I coped. Maybe the loss of sight is just another challenge, we either rise to it or we allow it to overwhelm us.

Still, given the choice I'd rther have the sight I now have than the blindness with which I lived then.

Andrew