It’s been three months (I think) since I had my cross linking. I think it’s gone well, I don’t really even think about it anymore. Other then at some point I might need it in my right eye and hoping it will be on the NHS by that time!
I had a check up a couple of days ago and apparently I have in fact seen improvement in the eye that had the treatment! Which is quite rare as it’s meant to halt, but some people do see improvement. I can now read the bottom line on the 20/20 board with just my ‘bad eye’ which I couldn’t before. The Doc checked the eye and seemed to think everything was ok. So will see what it’s like a year after he first saw me, which will be January.
14 Comments, Comment or Ping
Where could you read up to on the cjart before the treatment. Best of luck, but I don’t think you need any !
Nicky
July 31st, 2009
I’m considering having collagen cross-linking. I’ve got bilateral Keratoconus, but it was only properly diagnosed last week, although my optician did tell me she thought I had it a month or so ago. Your blog has really helped in my feelings towards it, though. I wasn’t quite sure, but the other option is corneal transplant and I’m not comfortable with a 90% success rate and rehabiliation of upto a year.
It doesn’t sound promising, to be fair. But you’ve really helped me now and I’m going to go private and take the treatment. Thank you!x
September 19th, 2009
Hi Satty,
thanks
I think you might be confusing cross linking with a cornea transplant. The transplant can take a year to recover from. With cross linking you can usually go back to work, drive, etc after a week. Im not sure what the success rate is, but I think that depends what you mean by success. The rates of sight improving is low as it’s a preventable treatment, but the rate of halting the progress of the condition is high. The risk of something going wrong is, of course there like with any treatment but is very low, and is probably out weighed by the risk of not having treatment! The highest risk is from an eye infection (still a very low risk) which is why you get antibiotics afterwards for a bit. But the way I think of it is. But speak to your doctor about it as I’m not one so can’t give medical advice but, I’m sure they will be reassuring!
September 22nd, 2009
Your day to day description…really helped.
Many Thanks…
I am going for CXL after a week ..i.e on 24/10/2009
October 16th, 2009
@Deepak, good luck dude
October 16th, 2009
Hi David, I’ve been looking in to getting the cross linking treatment, could you tell me how much it costs? Apparently there is now also a laser treatment option after cross linking has taken place, which straightens out the Cornea and can give 20/20 vision in some cases!
February 11th, 2011
Hi Graham,
it really depends where you have it done. I’m not sure if you can get it on the NHS yet (assuming you live in the UK) but worth checking that out, there were trials a couple of years ago.
It cost me 900 an eye I think,with this guy http://www.visionplymouth.com/ who is really championing the surgery and not making much off it rather doing it because he believes in it. My Doc told me he’s one of the best eye guys in the south west of England too so comes highly recommended by many!
Not heard of the laser thing myself but I’ve not looked into this stuff for a bit as the cross linking went well and my other eye is fine still. But still look into that myself!
Good luck!
February 14th, 2011
hi david,
i’m looking at getting CXL done on my left eye, how is your eye now. Can you give us a general update.
Thanks,
Ian
May 25th, 2011
Hi Ian,
my eye is fine now, I have a yearly check up to see how it is doing, everything is a-ok now, don;t really think about the condition much at all like I did before the operation. Eys is stable thus far!
May 26th, 2011
Hi David
I just had CXL done on my left eye like yourself about 2.5 weeks week. I notice that you have not mentioned anything about hazy or blurry vision. Did you feel that your eyes were sensitive to light after the procedure?
My vision is still blurry even this far after surgery. seeing the Doc on Friday for the operation on the right eye.
Blog was really helpful. Thanks mate.
July 25th, 2011
Hi Vas,
glad you found this information useful. It was a long time ago now but yeah I think I remmeber some blurriness and senstivity at first yes, but ask your doctor.
Ah wow, that’s quick to get your other eye done, good luck!
July 28th, 2011
Great info. you have here on Keratoconus!
December 7th, 2011
Hi there David, have also had CXL done. 14th January 2012 at Accuvison London. As far as I can tell my recovery has been virtually identical to yourself. Obviously everyone’s recovery is an individual process, only thing ive noticed which I haven’t had a chance to discuss with doc yet is artificial lights seem distorted, when watching a TV screen there is a slight fuzz extended from the bottom line of the screen..? Is hard to accurately describe but hopefully you get the gist? Did you experience anything similar? How are you know as its been sometime since your last “official” blog post. You should keep it up as this is the only site ive found so far with a patients blogging style report, its comforting to see someone else with a similar experience. Thanks in advance!
January 31st, 2012
Hi James,
Thanks for the feedback. Was quite a while ago now so hard to remember. I recall site being werid for a week or two though. I’d ask your doctor about it as can’t really say if that’s normal or not unfortantly. Not a doctor so non of what I say should be taken as medical advice. It’s just my experience!
I will do another post I think soon yeah. But generally now just go to the eye hospital every six months and they monitor my eyes for change with big werid machines! Only had it done in left eye so waiting to see what happens with the right. I have found it reassuring to go an eye doctor as well as an optician for checks. I’ve found some opticians give appalling advice. Like the last one I went to said I should only have my eyes checked every two years. Way to big a gap I’d say! As my doctor wants me to get them checked every six months. Plus told me I’d probably not develope anything in my right eye, when far more likely I will. But to be fair to opticians was having a very good one when I lived in Devon that spotted I had the conditions in very early stages!
January 31st, 2012
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