OK, just in case you give a hoot, here is the update. Last monday, Feb 12, I was to appear at the Eye Clinic, have the surgeon pass on my graft and forward me to the Optometrist for a contact lens fitting. I was really expecting, as were the doctors, that I would be leaving the clinic SEEING.
Well, four tries with the vision measurement tools ( which is better one or two?) and no real improvement......several trial fittings of normal size contacts......no improvement.
I still see a stack of images, say 20 or so, of everything with the graft. With correction and the contact in place I see a smear to the right of everything, much like things were freshly painted, and then just SMEARED off to the side.
So, off I went to have me retina surface mapped, all the fluid in my eye examined, the optic nerve examined and so forth. Many internal pressure tests and more surface topographical mapping of the replaced cornea......and finally a very close up and detailed inspection of the lens. This last search revealed evidence of cataracts forming in the grafted eye, not unusual but happening sooner than they typically expect. These can be caused by the trauma to the eye in surgery and the prednesone I use for anti-rejection.
Anyway, the plan changed from a simple lens on the graft and a new cornea on my left eye, to a month delay and then a graft and a lens replacement on the left (as there is a cataract in it, too)......and nothing done on the right eye for now. This will leave me with partial vision in the right eye and virtuallly none in the left for several months.
I guess I won't be building that OKWATA kayak for a while, Matt. Dammit.
As usual......and I hope you dont get pissed off when I suggest it.......I'd appreciate it if you guys checked the "cornea donor" box on your driver's license. Your silmple gift of corneas you don't need any longer will help several other people see again. Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and support as I trudge along on this journey.
Cheers, Piper
