Firstly big apologies for the huge amount of time since my last update/blog. I’ve had a tough year medically (not to do with the transplant) and once my transplant was done and I healed which happened pretty quickly other things took over and I wasnt thinking about my graft – which in a way in probably a good thing! I know everyone’s experience is different, but I am very lucky to be able to say looking back a year on the recovery from the op really didn’t take as long as I was expecting it to from some other things I’ve read.
I am very lucky to be able to say that I have had no rejection episodes. In the winter I had a horrible cold and bad sinuses which was affecting my eyes (very painful & teary), a trip to eye casualty told me that the graft was fine and it was down to being ill which was a relief – best to get these things checked out though to put your mind at rest. I am currently not wearing glasses or contact lenses in the left eye as we were waiting for the stitches to come out to fit these. My operated eye is much less blurry that my KC eye and the different in vision is really noticeable – but by no means is my left eyes vision perfect, but I never expected that.
I was due to have my stitches removed this week, but I have had to put this back until the new year (stitches can stay in for up to 2 years but normally come out after a year I think). The reason for this is I am 16 weeks pregnant with a complicated high risk pregnancy and I don’t want any stress of the procedure whilst I am pregnant (I am pretty nervous about having the stitches out and was thinking of having them out under a general anesthetic). So, until the baby hopefully arrives the stitches will be staying put. I’ll be going to see Mr Larkin for a check up and to discuss this in the meantime, and hopefully will be fitted with a lenses or glasses to improve sight in the left eye until next year.
So a year on, I am really pleased that I went ahead with the graft, nothing was as bad as I expected & life has returned to a less blurry normal! I’ll update again (I promise) after I have my follow-up with Mr Larkin.
Emma x
Emma's Corneal Transplant 
Hey Emma!
Glad to read about your progress. I got my stitches out from my left eye last month 6 months after graft. The doctor used topical anesthetic drops and was able to do it in his clinic office. Getting the stitches out was not so bad for me though I had to rest for at least two days to get over the discomfort.
Last week Wednesday 2nd graft was done(right eye), I’m currently nursing that. The doctors also did astigmatic keratotomy on my left eye so there’ll be no need for spectacles or contact lenses.
Thank you Emma
please keep us posted
I had it too just a week ago left eye and very nervous about what to expect and my doc said that he has a patient who has had his graft functioning for 30 years !!! But when u read articles 80% survival in 10 years
Hi Emma,
Good to hear your graft is doing so well. I had the surgery done 5 weeks ago. Still pink I guess where they stuck a needle in my eye, but looks good so far. I also just noticed with the donor cornea the colours of white looks better than my KC eye. Anyhow hope you have no issues and all is well.
Nick
Hello! I just found your blog. I hope your pregnancy went well.
I have a surgery consult for a cornea transplant 3/29/16. I’m terrified even though I know living with vision like this isn’t a better option than the transplant. Your blog made me feel better. There are so many variables that are out of my control. I just want to see again. I’ll have to have a transplant in the other eye once the first heals. Thank you for your brief blog.
Hi there! Wishing you all the best for the graft, let me know how you get on. Don’t worry you will be fine – it’s not as bad as you expect it to be. My pregnancy went well in the end thank you – she’s now a very lively 2 year old! Best wishes, Emma
Thanks, Emma! Glad you’ve got a wikey 2 year old!
Few people post positive things about cornea transplants. I’m hoping for the best and a speedy recovery. It is very scary and it seems like most providers don’t really understand the fear KC patients live with.
Regards!