Corneal Scarring

One Last Personal Update

It's come to my attention that I haven't updated this blog in a really long time. And really, that's because I don't obsess over my vision the way I used to, and the scar doesn't consume my every waking thought anymore. It's still there, but I've gotten used to it.

For a long time I didn't think I could handle getting any more bad news, so I put off getting a second opinion about surgery. But earlier this year I decided I could take it, so I asked my new optometrist to recommend a different ophthalmologist. I also asked him point blank what he thought I could expect to hear.

The optometrist explained that surgeons might be reluctant to touch the scar because operating could potentially make it worse. That made sense. He also apologetically told me that at this stage, it's unlikely my scar will fade any more on its own. I was expecting that, so it was fine.

So I went to the new ophthalmologist fully expecting bad news. I asked if surgery to correct my nearsightedness and/or improve the scar would be a possibility for me, and then I braced myself for the "no" I figured was coming - remember, that's what I was initially told by a different doctor a few years back.

Instead, I was told that, while LASIK isn't an option for me because of the scar, PRK probably is. Some additional tests would be needed to be sure. I was flabbergasted and asked the ophthalmologist if there was a risk of worsening the scar. I was told that while surgery always has some risk - fair enough - it was unlikely. If anything, the PRK could actually slightly improve my scar!

I left the office with biggest smile on my face!

You know what? At this stage I feel like I've been through enough with my vision, so I'm not going to pursue surgery. Maybe I will in the future, I don't know. But right now I'm content with the way things are and don't want any more eye anxiety. That being said, it feels great to know that I might have other options available despite what that first doctor told me. So if you're reading this and are in a similar position, don't give up hope!

One last thing: I recently tried ordering prescription eyeglasses online from Zenni Optical* and was thrilled, both by the low price and the accurate prescription. I have really bad eyesight so my eyeglasses always cost a fortune, but not anymore! For a long time I felt like my glasses were a ball and chain and hated them, but now I have several pairs and treat them more like fashion accessories than necessities. It's nice to be able to have some fun with them.

*I'm not affiliated with Zenni Optical in any way, I'm just a happy customer and want to spread the word. I know there are other online glasses companies out there with good reputations too, it's just that I have never dealt with any of them personally.

I may or may not update this blog going forward, but your comments still get emailed to me so I will see them. I still think about the people who have written to me and hope they are doing well. Thank you for reading and good luck to you!

An overview of some corneal scarring treatment options.

I came across a video by eyePorter that was posted to Youtube earlier this year. It discusses things I've already come across and have mentioned elsewhere on this blog. But it's a nice succinct summary and it may also be a good resource for some of you as questions are encouraged.

Shortly after my scarring, I asked the ophthalmologist who treated me about the possibility of undergoing PTK in the future. He gave me the impression that it wouldn't be an option for me although he was so rushed and distracted that I don't think he really explained why. Now that it's been a couple of years and my cornea has had a chance to heal, I'm thinking about getting a second opinion - hopefully from someone who has the time to sit down with me and answer my questions.

I think I'm at a point now where I won't be completely devastated if I get an answer I don't want. I've always been scared of surgery and the risks involved but if I could get some of the sharpness back it would be a dream come true. If not, then I'll just keep waiting and hoping for the existing technology to advance. It won't be the end of the world.

If anyone who reads this has had surgery to improve corneal scarring, I'd love to hear about it!

"Using Excimer Laser PRK—Not PTK—for Corneal Scars: Straight to 20/20 Vision"

I've come across an article by Dr. Arun Gulani published in September/October 2012. Click here to read it.

I believe that soon, corneal transplants for anterior corneal scars will be discussed only as backup surgery or what it was always destined to be . . . a last resort.
- See more at: http://eyetubeod.com/2012/10/using-excimer-laser-prknot-ptkfor-corneal-scars-straight-to-2020-vision#sthash.EUyGyDzQ.dpuf

A couple of tips.

I'm on the computer for hours and hours each day. When I first returned to work after my corneal scarring, the eye strain of that caused me considerable pain.

I might be stating the obvious, but in case you're not aware, you can easily make the text on your computer screen larger. You can try hitting CTRL and + at the same time - that keyboard shortcut works for me. Alternately, you can adjust the text size in your web browser options (the specifics will depend on which web browser you use).

Recently I also came across a free program that I find helpful. It's called f.lux and it lets you adjust your screen's lighting settings depending on the time of day. The program will do it automatically if you want, or you can adjust it manually. I find it helps a lot. You can check out the program (and download it if you're interested) here: http://stereopsis.com/flux/

Advancement in the treatment of glaucoma.

I don't have anything new to report about my corneal scarring, but I came across something in the news that made me think of this blog:

(KARE) Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. Now there's a brand new treatment for those with glaucoma. It's a micro-stent, called the iStent. Robert Poirer, a retired ophthalmologist, has glaucoma which can lead to blindness due to increased pressure in the eye. Eye drops from two medications reduced his pressure only so much. So when he heard about the iStent, he made sure he was one of the first in line. "As a retired MD, this has been the most eye opening experience that I've ever had," he says. Dr. Thomas Samuelson with Minnesota Eye Consultants was the primary investigator on the FDA trial for the tiny one-millimeter iStent, which drains fluid from the eye to lower pressure. "These new stents are completely novel. There has not been anything like them in the past," Samuelson says. He says it is safer than getting traditional glaucoma surgery because the iStent is implanted during cataract surgery.

Click here to access the video accompanying the news story.

I wanted to share this because personally, I find any vision-related advancements encouraging. I might sound like a broken record by now, but I truly do believe that one day soon there will be new, better ways to treat scarred corneas. Every time I hear about things like this, it just confirms that belief.

Another Quick Update

It's been close to two years since my corneal scarring. My doctor recently said something to the effect of "your scar has improved so much" - and it really has. I'm comfortable going outside without sunglasses. I haven't experienced pain behind my eye in a long time. I think the halos I see around lights are smaller now than they first were. My vision is still blurry but I can read with the affected eye the majority of the time now. I also see far fewer black floaters than I did in the beginning.

My vision may or may not continue to improve, but I'm hopeful that the scar will keep fading. When I think about how hopeless I felt after this happened, I can hardly believe how far I've come. It was so hard to be patient but for me, time really has led to remarkable improvements.

I see this blog is still getting quite a few hits and the occasional comment. I just wanted to check in and say best wishes to everyone who's affected by vision problems.

Study Underway

Just a quick update to call attention to an ongoing study, which you can access here.

Its purpose is to determine whether the use of topical steroids is effective in treating corneal ulcers resulting from bacterial infection. No results have been published yet, but regardless of what they find, I think it's kind of reassuring just to know that things like this are on researchers' radar.

I'm still optimistic that one day my vision will be fixed. Technology and medical knowledge have come so far already. I can't wait to see (ha) what treatment options will be available in 5 or 10 years.