Trying Different RGPs – My lens tolerance is only a few hours.
Well, as usual, this is going to take some trial and error!
I have tried three different RGPs (Essilor Perimeter Lens) and cannot tolerate any of them – the mini-scleral was pushing a “grove” into my sclera – apparently my eye was swelling around it?
I can wear them 7-8 hours, but my eye is very sore afterward. I am now going to be trying a custom-profiled soft lens. The manufacturer apparently uses my topography to construct them. I was hoping I could use a soft lens, so we’ll soon know.
Koffler Vision Group is doing a great job.
photo: Lee J Haywood
Lens Difficulties (New lens ordered with different edge profile.)
Well, my first post-graft contact lens is wonderful, but I think the fit needs adjusted.
The insertion and vision have been just fine, but I’ve been having difficulties with removing the lens. I’m competent with mini-Sclerals but this one seems too tight. It’s nerve wracking to pull a “stuck” lens off a grafted cornea with a plunger. I have this nighmare image that I’ll rip the graft off (I know, probably impossible.)
But this lens is too tight, so I’m going back to discuss it with the fitter.
Still thrilled!
Postscript: Another great appointment at Koffler Vision… New lens with slightly different edge “roll” was ordered. Also we looked at my topography to decide where it best for me to apply the plunger to remove the lens (cool use of technology!) … the traditional 6-oclock position may not be best for me – 4-oclock looks like a flat area I can use. Will post again if I have new news!
Allergy News: My eye has been getting red – allergies I’m pretty sure. It’s not “rejection-red” but just red around the edges. Any corneal transplant recipient will be hyper-vigilant about redness, so this causes some anxiety. The best thing to do is just take some Zyrtec and check again in a day. I’m now taking Zyertec daily again.
Little Things: A Robin Feeding Her Young
Today I watched a robin working her nest. My depth perception was, well, deep. With keratoconus, I would previously have been less able to pick out the nest against the leaves in the background. But this time, it was clear. The colors were distinct, and the ugly little birdlings were even more homely than I recall before. Brilliant.
New Lens In!!!! Binocular Vision! The World is in 3D Now!
Everthing was in 3-d today!
A very big day on this long journey. Today, I inserted the mini-scleral lenses in my grafted eye at Dr. Koffler’s office…and, for the first time in 15+ years, I had clear vision in my left eye. My brain and eye muscles are not sure what to do with the new information so the crispness came and went, but here are my unfiltered first impressions:
- Wow. I can read the doctor’s diploma across the room.
- The world is sparkly!
- Everything’s in 3D!
- Look at the birds!
- Look at the clouds!!!
- I don’t want to take this out!
I was only at a 3-hour wear limit today, so pulled them out mid-morning. I’m looking forward to inserting them again tomorrow.
The removal was touch and go because I’m out of practice, and the eye is just slighly “dry-sore” tonight. Nothing bad at all. Totally expected.
I got a ‘care package’ with new plungers and other solutions, etc from the office.
NEXT UP!!!
- 3-D Movie!
- Stargazing!
Postscript: Day 2, 3 of lens were tricky. Eye was a bit sore from lens and insertion / removal was difficult. I’m clearly out of practice on this. Still feel a lot of anxiety about damaging my graft with lens effort.
Contact Lens after Corneal Transplant – Trying a Mini-Scleral
Well, after a fair bit of anxiety and dread, I found my visit to Koffler Vision Group* for the fitting of a new mini-scleral RGP contact lens on my grafted eye to be quite uneventful. We tried several diameters and shapes until one felt, well, like it wasn’t there. (*My choice for contact fitting in Lexington. I’m still Dr. Holland’s patient. I would link to their site but it is not great and crashed my browser twice. I will link to their Google Place page though)
Turns out the one with most comfort was a mini-scleral.
I hadn’t considered mini-scleral for my grafted eye, but it makes sense. It forms a “helmet” over the graft and rests well outside my cornea. It keeps the corneal hydrated and provides good vision. I think I had put mini-sclerals out of my head after my less-than-stellar experience with them before my graft. But that was not due to the lens, it was due to the cone and abrasiveness.
Anyway, I have my lens ordered and will post again when I get it in. As usual, the Koffler staff were terrific. By the way, Dr. Koffler was my second choice for my graft – but I just clicked better with Dr. Holland’s attitude about DALK options. I feel confident either would do a great job, especially on a PK or other surgery. I did apologize for being such a grump during my last visit to them 2 years ago (I was frustrated with trying to find a contact lens with a steep cone.)
Oh yes, they did a new topography. Said it was “beautiful.”
New – DALK Transplant Chronology
Quick post to let you know that I just made a new page which covers the chronology from my first Dr. appt to one year after the surgery. Same posts, but in chronological order.
DALK Transplant – One Year On
photo by Celia Clark
March 9th is the anniversary of my DALK transplant in my left eye, the subject of this blog. I’m posting a bit early as I have a few moments. As of one year, I am thrilled that I had the surgery – and forever grateful to the donor and their family. I’m certain that the posts will slow down now unless I have good reason to post – changes, vision, etc. but I want to thank you for being a part of my story. I will still monitor for comments and do my best to offer a layperson’s response. When reading the story – try to go back in time and read the older posts first.
I will be returning to Dr. Holland in a month or so, and I think he’ll be asking me if I was fitted for contacts. Thus far, I have not built the courage to put anything on my grafted eye. Soon I will. I am going to get a new glasses prescription first from my regular eye doctor. It will be amazing to be able to see with glasses, and I’m thinking that will prompt me to move forward with a RGP lens (Dr. Holland’s recommendation.) I’m in the primary rejection period for DALK – so am extra vigilant for the RSVP symptoms. So far, all’s well.
One little aside:
Sometimes we all just forget how precious life is. How precious love is. My DALK eye has not forgotten how to shed a tear. I’m sure those tears are a combination of my own and the loved ones of the donor. Take today and give someone in your life a hug or a thank you. It’s easy. Sign your donor card. That’s easy, too.
I want to thank my wonderful wife Heather for all of her support, both before and after the surgery. She was my crutch when I was in pain and always was there to give me the support that only a truly caring wife could give. She was awake with me that night after surgery when I thought everything was going wrong. We went on a date recently – at night – and I could see her clearly in the dim dinner light. Candle fumes used to burn like fire. Not this time. I drove there and back – dark outside. The eye didn’t even come into play. It was just our date. This is the combined gift of the donor and my good fortune for meeting her.
The Author
Kerataconus & Cornea Headlines
- New Investigational Corneal Procedure Performed by Cleveland Eye Clinic Surgeons - MarketWatch (press release)
- Muscat Eye Laser Center's Medical Director showcases research work at ... - AME Info
- Add a personal message:(80 character limit) - Boston.com
- Aloha Ohana helps one of their own - Hawaii News Now
- Alabama Eye & Cataract Center and Michelson Laser Vision Welcome Corneal ... - PR Web (press release)
- Contact Lenses: Technologies and Global Markets - NEWS.GNOM.ES (press release)
- Owen to undergo first eye operation as school continues fundraising - Portadown Times
- Congratulations: You have cataracts - Ponte Vedra Recorder
- Employer bankrolls teen's eye surgery - Brantford Expositor
- Common Acne Medication Doubles Risk of Eye Infection, Study Suggests - Science Daily (press release)
