Thursday, September 29, 2011

Steroid Free!

I had my operation just over one year ago, and my overall experience has been about a 9.5 out of 10.

Things have been stable, comfort-wise, in Pablo (my operated-on left eye). That is to say, I haven't had any issues with redness or irritation. My pressure today was 20, down from 23 on my last visit.

Also, I can stop the Lotemax, which is a light steroid. Keep in mind, virtually all my stitches remain. I asked Dr. Holland if the eye might reject the stitches without the steroid, and he said that while there was a small chance of this happening, he did not think it would. We just have to keep an eye out (no pun intended) for irritation.

That leaves me with only the Restasis twice per day.

My vision checked out at 20/30 today even though today was one of my bad days. Whether good or bad, my vision is still generally in good order, and Dr. Holland and his staff continue to be the best.

To be specific; Without correction, I can read my computer screen quite clearly with my operated-on eye. I can read books on my iPad, and I can sometimes read the writing on my degree that hangs on my wall. With correction (glasses), I can read license plates and street signs within a reasonable distance. Watching TV (52") has never been better. My only problem now is that I've sufficiently scratched up my new lenses and will need to go for some new ones within 6 months or so.

There were couple new doctors working with Dr. Holland today, one was a cute Asian lady with an English accent. It is always funny that everyone wants to look at my eye several times over. I feel spoiled.

I go back in 3 months.


Monday, February 21, 2011

Fill My Eyes, with that Double Vision

As I discussed in my last entry, I was a little concerned about some of the double vision I had been having. For example, when reading words I noticed a shadow either in the top left or bottom right of the letters. It seemed to alternate depending on the day. After looking through some prescription lenses, these "shadows" became very noticeable to me. That's why I panicked a little.

The more I thought about it, I realized this had always been there, but I just never mentioned it specifically because I thought it was just my eye healing. Regardless, I made an appointment with Dr. Holland just to be sure I had not done anything stupid.

I went in on Friday, 2/18. After a topo and an exam by the residents, everyone seemed to agree that the cornea looked great and did not see any reason to make an adjustment. They said that I should go back to my regular optometrist and mention the double vision condition specifically. They said she could adjust the prescription to clear this up, and they were even able to clear it up significantly with Dr. Holland's office equipment.

Even today, my vision is much improved and I'm reading my computer screen comfortably with just my operated-on eye opened. A false alarm, I suppose.

The important thing to realize when recovering from DALK is that you have to be religious about your eye drops, and continue flushing with lubricant drops even if it seems you don't need to. Also, be aware that (I believe) changes in air pressure--and sinus pressure--can make a big difference in what you are seeing. Your vision might even depend on how much sleep you get. Always try to stay positive and understand it is a long journey.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

DALK [Surgery + 5 Months]

Well, I have to say that for the first time I am a little disappointed. The week started off great, knowing that I'd reached 20/30 with lenses in Dr. Holland's office. I went over to Dr. Schaffield to get rechecked and have my prescription filled. I also came out 20/30 at her office and could even read some of the 20/25 lines on the chart. So, I placed my order for glasses.

The next evening I slept rather deeply. I vaguely remember waking up and rubbing my left eye without realizing what I was doing. Just briefly, but enough to make it a little sore. The rest of the day was a bad eye day. Still seeing OK, but not as good as on a good day. I noticed a great deal of double vision which has lasted up until today, so around 4-5 days.

I must have pissed Maria off, because she is in full effect.

Needless to say, I have been thinking about going back over to Dr. Holland's and getting checked out to make sure I didn't screw something up. What has stopped me is that this type of vision has happened before, and it usually fixes itself in a day or so. It could be because of the steroid or even the Restatis (they have been known to make the vision a little blurry) so I have tried not to worry. The only other thing could be the weather changes we've been having, adding to the ocular pressure in my eye and causing some blurring.

My glasses do make a big difference, just not as much as I had hoped. I can now read street signs and license plates if I'm close enough, and watching TV was awesome last night. But today my eye feels very "tight" and not quite right.

I'm going to give it a few days and think about making another appointment with Dr. Holland.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

DALK [ Surgery + 4 Months]

Day-to-day reports are unnecessary as the vision in the eye changes often by small measures depending on dryness, pressure and my daily activities. I consider myself very fortunate that I work from home, as I am sure it has helped my recovery.

Overall, I'm doing very well. Saw Dr. Holland yesterday and had a full eye exam. The eye looks great, no scarring (maybe some around the edges) and no other complications. I "pinholed" at 20/30 and was able to reach 20/30 while testing through actual lenses.

That means I can go to my optometrist and try for some prescription glasses or even soft contacts. They said in 9 months I could get Lasik! Amazing. I won't do that, but nice to know I have the option.

They did not remove any stitches because the topography of the graft it checking out OK. Nice and flat.