Work that Crosslinking magic!!

So, I went through with Crosslinking on my left eye on Thursday. So far so good -- well, as good as you can feel with a layer of your cornea missing! It will regenerate (it's probably 50% healed by now) and hopefully they'll remove my soft contact lens "bandage" on Tuesday. I've actually had a soft lens in my eye for a few days now -- strange feeling to sleep with a contact in my eye (a huge "no no" for contact lens wearers). But, if it's doctors orders, it must be the right thing to do. Apparently I'd be in a huge amount of pain w/o it in!

Here's a "play by play" of what happened on Thursday (I posted this on my keratoconus list serv, KC Link, yesterday (a lot of people post experiences just to relate) -- so pardon the Keratoconus lingo! haha CXL = Crosslinking.

So, yesterday morning at 8am I underwent CXL in my eye that had a thickness of only 340 microns. I arrived at the center at 8am, paid for the procedure, and then was immediately taken into an exam room where post op medications were discussed and the doctor answered any questions I had. My husband was able to be there for this as he was going to be in charge of administering the drugs for the next couple of days. He was then escorted out and I was taken into another room where the epithelium was removed. I was given numbing drops, and then she proceeded to check the thickness of my cornea. She even proved to me that my eye was numb (at my request!). To take the epithelium off she used some kind of vibrating device (felt like a sonicare toothbrush!) and successfully removed my epithelium. She was very calm and so that made me more calm – I was so nervous for this whole procedure.

She then had her assistant start administering drops (I think they alternated between sterile water – I think – and riboflavin). After 20 minutes she checked the thickness though a slit lamp and since I wasn’t “thick enough” we did the drops for a bit longer. Soon after I was finally ready for cxl! My cornea had to be at least 400 microns in order to do cxl. She put a device on my eye to keep it open, and that was not uncomfortable at all. In fact the whole procedure was painless. Looking at the light wasn’t bad at all – I was just so excited that it was actually happening. Beatles music was playing in the background – they had an IPOD docking station in the room. Haha

Afterwards I was a little loopy from the drugs I had taken and walked around and acted like I was drunk – I actually am not a drinker so it was quite funny to tell you the truth. My husband and I picked up my oldest daughter from school (early dismissal that day – go figure!) and then went out to lunch. I was feeling good and knew that would come to an end soon so I thought I’d take advantage of it. I then came home and slept for a few hours and to tell you the truth I felt pretty good. I was able to have some dinner, helped give my daughter a bath (my youngest two were spending a few days at my parents – thank goodness!), and then tucked her in. I then slept some more, and then some more. Soon it was 11:30pm and I was in pain. Obviously I was overdue for some eye meds – I got the drops and some pills (actually ibuprofen worked the best! and I slept the entire night. In the morning I was in pain (again) but the drops solved that issue. I slept for ½ hr after the drops and then felt fine. It just felt like I had a small piece of sand in my eye.

At my post-op appointment the doctor said I was doing good – everything looked good. I have hardly any light sensitivity and just a small amount of uncomfortableness in my eye. After the appointment I went to lunch and did some grocery shopping (with my husband of course). I probably could drive, but with the medicine I’m on I’m still a little loopy so I’m holding off on that. I’m now sitting at the kitchen table writing this and feel great. Hopefully I continue to feel better. I’m avoiding getting water near my eye and just focusing on all the drops and medications I need to take. With three kids this was a major undertaking, but at the moment I’m glad I went through with it. I was supposed to have my other eye done a couple weeks ago, but opted not to due to research showing issues with patients who had hydrops previously (I had them 10 years ago). Who knows though – I might just be convinced to get that eye done.
Here’s hoping things continue to go well!

The funny part about the Beatles music that I mentioned in my KC Link post was that All the Lonely People came on -- I really didn't like hearing about Eleanor Rigby while having eye surgery! I felt like a lonely person! haha

So, I'm praying for no infections in the coming weeks (the only real risk factor!). Thanks for all of your prayers too! I've gotten water in my eye a few times already -- not supposed to do that, so I'm just praying for the best! No contact lens for a few weeks, but I'm doing good w/just one -- I've gotten used to only seeing good out of one eye. I'll keep you posted!