I am starting to lose patience and worry

[crakerjacker]

Hi

I have updated my blog http://www.mycorneatransplant.blogspot.com

I am starting to get concerned now and feel like never going to improve.

[Andrew MacLean]

crackerjacker

I can't guess what you are going through; just tell you that we are all with you as you get ready for your next appointment. We all go into surgery with the hope that it will bring about the desired effect.

Please keep us informed.

Every good wish

Andrew

[Anne Klepacz]

I do hope you get some better news on Monday. As Andrew says, we're all with you. And don't give up hope. With my first graft, I didn't get any useful vision until I could be fitted with a contact lens, almost 2 years after the original op. But I got there in the end and I hope you will too.
Very best wishes
Anne

[crakerjacker]

Has anybody on here either heard of/had the same problem with the skin growing back??

Surely i can't be the only one? Although my consultant has already said he might write a case study about it.

Any experts on here that have an idea?

[Andrew MacLean]

? Not an expert, I know, but I'm flummoxed!

[crakerjacker]

If any one has any ideas, please shout up.

[Andrew MacLean]

My problem is that I am not entirely sure what you mean by 'skin growing back'. I know it makes us seem obtuse, but this is a phenomenon we have not come across.

If you felt you were able to give more details, somebody here might be able to offer some comfort; although your ophthalmologists are in the best position to offer advice as, unlike us, they have actually seen your eye.

Andrew

[crakerjacker]

It is the layer of skin that re-grows over the new cornea. Instead of the skin growing back smooth, it is growing in clumps and uneven.

Not sure how else to explain it really.

[Andrew MacLean]

Cell clusters forming as the epithelium grows back.

We have 'blue print' substances that act as activators and inhibitors, causing cells to regenerate but preventing them from regenerating in the wrong place, or in a random sort of way. I know that there have been reports of clusters of corneal epithelial cells occurring ectopically in the conjunctival epithelium, but I have never heard of cells clustering on the cornea. I know it is no great help to you, but I can see why your ophthalmologist wants to use your situation as a case study.

Normally, as you know, the epithelial cells grow back in a more or less smooth layer on top of the cornea; for some reason the inhibitor that normally prevents the cells growing unevenly seems not to be working. I know that this is little comfort to you, but I guess if your doctor can understand why this has happened, he may know more about how the cells regenerate normally.

Every good wish.

Please do keep in touch, and be sure that you remain very much in our thoughts.

Andrew