Where to start??? Been the longest and toughest week so far since having the transplant done on October 16th. 3 weeks ago my consultant told me would have to undergo a minor operation to try and get rid of the fluid within the cornea. It started with a air bubble being inserted into the eye to try and disperse the liquid but this failed. I went back the next week for a type of adhesive to be injected into the eye, the idea would be that it would stop fluid leaking into the cornea I believe but this did not work. With both of these ops it takes a good few days to recover so meant more time off work, but held onto the fact that it is all in an effort to help.
So then came this week, went in on Monday for a check up and the the consultant wanted to inject slightly more glue as could see it was still leaking in. I was inclined to wait till after Xmas as didn't want to take more time off work but he pointed out the graft is repairable and better to do it sooner rather than later which I agreed with as eyes so important. So off I went on Tuesday to the day unit and all the usual aesthetic drops. Least I knew what to expect and it wasn't long before it was over. However I didn't expect to wake up early hours on Wednesday with really bad aching pains in the eye and looking at it was very inflamed I rang the on call eye Dr and was asked to come in to the eye clinic first thing.
I was checked over by an Dr who advised was high eye pressure causing the pain and inflammation and he put me onto pressure tablets and back onto stronger anti inflammation drops. Felt much better by the evening and even noticed that things in general looking through the right eye did not seem as cloudy but at this stage did not want to get my hopes up. The pressure drops have off side affects, tingles in hands and feet and make any fizzy drink taste like metal, yuck! Back I went Thursday for another check up and saw a different Dr but one who had sat in on the minor ops of the adhesive being inserted so he knew about me. And he was happy pressure back to normal and from he could see the eye looking clear hence me noticing things not as cloudy.
So surely a day off Friday? Nope back I went today but am very grateful for having such a good hospital nearby with excellent eye doctors. Things started well with usual eye sight check with the nurse as for first time could see something through the pin holes, that had not happened at all since the graft. And today my consultant was back and he checked his handy work out. He advised as far as he can see no fluid is entering the cornea and he's confident it wont return. Still slightly hazy but he said should start to go and with taking me off dilation drops the vision should start to improve. Obviously I am not expecting amazing vision but just be so pleased to hopefully be back on the road for eventually having glasses/contacts correcting the sight, which was impossible with old cornea due to the KC. If I was him I would of been hi-fiving everyone saying I did that, oh yeah whos the man!! But guess they have to be diplomatic and know its a long road to recovery :)
After all a dreadful week did get better and so many kind people helped including my wife, the whole Keratoconus GB Forum on Facebook, twitter followers, the Drs and Nurses at the hospital and in particular the consultants secretary who has been extremely helpful and made my life much easier helping me sort appointments etc. With this better luck today I got half way out the hospital and turned around and went back and bought a lotto ticket from the newsagents as luck seems to be turning, touch wood! So never know might be writing the next post from a Mac Book Pro!!
