Author Topic: So...I'm going blind (Read 4322 times)

rogerzilla · « **on:** 29 January, 2011, 07:03:27 pm »

Has anyone here had either a full or partial (endothelium only) corneal transplant? I'm going to need two of them within 10 years. Just wondering how well they last.

The irony is that I don't even need glasses, since the prescription would be 0.25 diopter in one eye only. However, any photographer will tell you that a cracking lens can be made all romantic and hazy by breathing on it.

Shouldn't interfere with riding the bike; my father was able to do most things, except drive before mid-afternoon, right up until he had his eyes done. You don't need brilliant eyesight for bike speeds.

Hot Flatus · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 January, 2011, 07:06:58 pm »

Tewdric · « **Reply #2 on:** 29 January, 2011, 07:10:24 pm »

Has anyone ever seen them in the same place together? I think we should be told.

rogerzilla · « **Reply #3 on:** 29 January, 2011, 07:13:50 pm »

Not too far off, if untreated. US residents without private health cover generally go like that.

andygates · « **Reply #4 on:** 29 January, 2011, 07:28:45 pm »

Yay NHS! And you'll be fine, Grasshopper.

rogerzilla · « **Reply #5 on:** 29 January, 2011, 07:42:05 pm »

It might get done privately, as I'll probably still be working.

I didn't know this until I saw the consultant (who does private and NHS work) but you can use donor material for private operations as long as it is obtained via the NHS, who naturally make a charge for it. Presumably this is to prevent any Burke-and-Hare style enterprises.

Feline · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 January, 2011, 03:46:34 pm »

This is rather bad news RZ, although I have generally heard very good things about the success of corneal transplants. The anti-rejection side of things is more likely to be a PITA than the actual op and its results I think. How long before they think it will be necessary?

Sergeant Pluck · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 January, 2011, 03:55:46 pm »

That's quite something to have to cope with, RZ. It's a long way ahead but best wishes from me.

Charlotte · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 January, 2011, 04:01:47 pm »

It's sent you blind, hasn't it?

You mean you'll have a dead guy's flibbly bits in your eyes?

rogerzilla · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 January, 2011, 04:10:58 pm »

Or a dead chick's.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 January, 2011, 04:33:56 pm »

Quote from: Feline on 30 January, 2011, 03:46:34 pm

The anti-rejection side of things is more likely to be a PITA than the actual op and its results I think.

I'd think so too. I hope it all goes well for you.

ScumOfTheRoad · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 January, 2011, 04:39:20 pm »

Or you could just get a guide dog.

If I'm not wrong David Blunkett said his dog was the biggest babe magnet out there...

Adrian · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 January, 2011, 04:48:56 pm »

Do you have a favourite death row prisoner in mind as a potential donor?

itsbruce · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 January, 2011, 05:18:20 pm »

Quote from: Adrian on 30 January, 2011, 04:48:56 pm

Do you have a favourite death row prisoner in mind as a potential donor?

Evil Eyes!

Wowbagger · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 January, 2011, 05:30:17 pm »

Do Zefal do the HP4 in white? Or is it back to Bluemels?

Ian H · « **Reply #15 on:** 30 January, 2011, 06:45:47 pm »

How long before they can grow new body parts from your own cells?

Butterfly · « **Reply #16 on:** 30 January, 2011, 06:52:29 pm »

My Cousin had transplants in his eyes (he has always had shockingly bad eyesight). I assume they were corneal. He had to come back from Mauritania where he was working as the Sahara was not an appropriate enviroment. They seemed to go really well until he walked into an open cupboard door and ripped the lens and broke the transplant. It was hoped they would be able to make things better but at the moment, one year on, he is nearly blind, although he covers it well.

rogerzilla · « **Reply #17 on:** 30 January, 2011, 09:31:18 pm »

Quote from: Ian H on 30 January, 2011, 06:45:47 pm

How long before they can grow new body parts from your own cells?

They're working on it. The front of the cornea has stem cells and can regenerate - it needs to, because the eye can get scratched by grit. The back, unfortunately, doesn't, so research is focused on "regressing" the endothelial cells so they can do this.

Everyone starts out with a full complement of endothelial cells and they die off throughout your life. For 99% of people you still have plenty left by the time you die, if you have Fuch's dystrophy they're all gone by middle age and then the fun begins.

andrewc · « **Reply #18 on:** 30 January, 2011, 09:39:19 pm »

You're going blind from too much Fuching

Hugs mate. Even though it's treatable it must be an awful thing to have to look forward to.

rogerzilla · « **Reply #19 on:** 30 January, 2011, 09:43:38 pm »

I am assured they will operate before it causes any pain and before it makes daily living impossible. They have to do the first eye early enough that I can rely on the untreated other eye for the period (18 months with a full graft, less for an endothelial layer only) it takes to get decent vision back in the treated eye.

Sadly I am not allowed to choose the colour of my new eyes as the cornea is only the very front layer, in front of the iris and the lens. When it's done it looks exactly as it did before, except that I will have to wear glasses since the finished curvature is never quite OEM. I'd need glasses by that age anyway.

clarion · « **Reply #20 on:** 30 January, 2011, 09:45:54 pm »

Feline · « **Reply #21 on:** 30 January, 2011, 09:46:40 pm »

Will the Fuch's dystrophy affect the new corneas in the same way as your originals over time?

Charlotte · « **Reply #22 on:** 30 January, 2011, 09:48:07 pm »

Serious question now... Presumably there's a shortage of corneas, much like there's a shortage of everything else?

Tewdric · « **Reply #23 on:** 30 January, 2011, 09:49:56 pm »

Quote from: rogerzilla on 30 January, 2011, 09:43:38 pm

I am assured they will operate before it causes any pain and before it makes daily living impossible. They have to do the first eye early enough that I can rely on the untreated other eye for the period (18 months with a full graft, less for an endothelial layer only) it takes to get decent vision back in the treated eye.

Sadly I am not allowed to choose the colour of my new eyes as the cornea is only the very front layer, in front of the iris and the lens. When it's done it looks exactly as it did before, except that I will have to wear glasses since the finished curvature is never quite OEM. I'd need glasses by that age anyway.

Shame you can't get funky iridium given all the shit you have to go through. I really do hope that you manage to steer a relatively painless course through it all.

Adam · « **Reply #24 on:** 30 January, 2011, 09:51:53 pm »

Quote from: rogerzilla on 30 January, 2011, 09:43:38 pm

Sadly I am not allowed to choose the colour of my new eyes as the cornea is only the very front layer, in front of the iris and the lens. When it's done it looks exactly as it did before, except that I will have to wear glasses since the finished curvature is never quite OEM. I'd need glasses by that age anyway.

So could you end up like David Bowie??

It's a nasty outcome, but I suppose you at least know what will happen. Good luck.