Eye Stitches Are Coming Out (Eventually)!!! [25/04/2016]
So, I went to the hospital for my first appointment since January. And it was quite an interesting one.
I arrive at the hospital first thing in the morning, and wait. I am seen to by a nurse to have an eye test with a chart. My right eye was capable to read two more lines than it did in my last appointment, so I’m glad that the vision in that eye is getting better. But with the left eye, as always, failed to read even the first big letter on the chart. However, with a pinhole covering my eye, I managed to read down five lines. Another improvement (with the last time being only 2 lines down)!
I go back to another seat to wait to seen to by either my consultant or someone else. Not surprisingly, I was seen by a different ophthalmologist, as the waiting room was literally packed. I am escorted to a room where there is a desk, computer, and that massive machine they use to check your eyes (don’t have enough time to Google it). As it was the first time I met this lady, I gave her a quick history with my eyes and after she was briefed, she checked my eyes. Weirdly, she checked my right eye, which is a first as it’s normally the left eye everyone in the department is interested in. I’m considered a bit of a freak show by how unusual my eyes are. But there is always a first for everything I guess!
She said that my right eye is in brilliant condition, considering the surgery that had it go through. CXL (Cross-Linking) is such an amazing and simple procedure. Sure, it was EXTREMELY painful, but the results easily make up for it. She then checks my left eye and says that the graft is clear and that everything is in the way it should be. After quickly asking again when I had my DALK surgery, she said that after a year or so after the surgery (which I had back in October 2015) they’d start considering taking out the stitches. It’s amazing to think that it’s already 6-7 months since my surgery and they’re already talking about removing the stitches! She then says that after the stitches are out, the department will start to look into seeing corrective glasses/lenses or, if both of those fail, possible laser eye surgery.
She then quietly excuses herself out of the door to talk to my consultant about what to do now. After 2-3 minutes of waiting, she comes back and says the plan is that I will go back in October for my usual check-up of my eyes and then they’ll want to discuss about more surgery in the stitch removal area. I was asked about either wanting local or general anaesthetic. I choose local as one, it’s quite a small operation for it to feel like I need to be put to sleep, and two, I like watching the consultant operating on me and learning a thing or two about the eye!
One thing I always hate about these checkups is that they always put in numbing eyedrops which hurt like a mother. That will always be one feeling I will never get used too. I think the GIF down below perfectly explains the feeling.
But after a quick conversation, she gives me a piece of paper to give reception and I then I’m headed to the hospital canteen to have some breakfast and then head home.
A quiet appointment, but one filled with positive vibes and a bright future. Bring on October!
P.S. Sorry for not posting regularly, but will try and keep posting about my eye from time to time.
