Acute Corneal Hydrops - How much longer?

[spike]

Hi

I was diagnosed with KC about 3 years ago in my left eye only and have been on a course of numerous different contact lenses with my Optician ever since, none of which have been a success. The KC is now well advanced and I have been referred and am waiting to see the Corneal Specialist in Cardiff.

Just over three weeks ago, I developed Acute Corneal Hydrops and went into A/E where they sent me away with saline drops and a lubricant to be used for 4 weeks.

This is week four and although I have been using the drops strictly as required, my eye is as sore as ever and doesn't seem to be getting any easier, although the white cloud does seem to be slowly going. My Optician had a look about 1.5 weeks ago and I'm not due to see him for another 4.5 weeks.

I would be grateful for any advice, i.e. how much longer does the hydrops take to go away and is it normal that it gets sorer to get better?

I look forward to hearing from anyone, in the meantime, I will continue to sit in a dark room!

Regards

STEVE

[Andrew MacLean]

Hello Steve, and welcome to the forum.

Hydrops can take a long time to clear up; it depends on how bad the leakage of fluid into your cornea was.

If you continue to be troubled, go back to Ophthalmoloy Casualty and let them have another look. let us know how you get on.

All the best

Andrew

[Ali Akay]

Hi Steve

The symptoms of hydrops are very variable with some patients like yourself experiencing a lot of pain and others not having any discomfort whatsoever.Most get slight discomfort and the main problem is poor vision. Hypertonic saline drops (sodium chloride 5%) is the standard treatment although it is doubtful whether it actually makes a big difference. If you are experiencing pain, a soft bandage contact lens usually helps, and I would suggest you talk to your optometrist about this.A lens usually needs to be specially made as stock lenses would be too flat and poor fit. On the positive side, cornea is usually flatter after hydrops and some people are able to tolerate lenses better providing there isnt too much scarring. It could take 2-3 months to resolve, so I would think worth talking to your consultant about the pain.

[spike]

Andrew/Ali

Thank you for your advice.

Fortunately, it is cloudy and raining here in Cariff and should be for a while now. This makes my life much easier!

The discomfort seems to be fistly, in the early hours of the morning when the pain actually wakes me up, and secondly, when I get out of bed and get going in the morning, up until about 11am ish. After that it is a lot more managable until it starts to get sore again at bedtime.

As you say, hopefully once the hydrops has settled (say 2 more months - worse case scenario) it may be easier for me to wear a lens. In any case, I have been referred to the Corneal Specialist and am waiting for a date to see him, which I am told could be up to three months.

Thanks a lot for you help and great website.

Will keep you updated.

Regards

STEVE

[GarethB]

Spike

I hope your recovery is going well.

In addition to some people reporting improved lens comfort post hydrops, I know some in the Birmingham group and some in London too that have had improved vision post hydrops. One of these people went from relying on contact lenses to being able to get good vision with glasses

[spike]

Hi all, quick update

Approximately 11-12 weeks after Hydops and recovery very slow. Been to see specialist optician to make sure nothing unusual going on.

Problems times particularly with lights and first couple hours in the morning and just before bed.

Having said this, have definitely noticed a massive difference in the cone. In terms of vision nothing has changed because I couldn't see anything before the hydrops, but am hoping when hydrops fully recovers, may get some vision with lens or glasses.

Still on the waiting list to see consultant, but am now considering not proceeding with a graft. It's a difficult decision, but I do have great vision in my right eye.

Any advice welcome.

Regards

SPIKE

[Andrew MacLean]

Spike

Hang on in there, my friend.

All the best

Andrew