Corneal transplant

[Sheila_G]

Hi all. A very happy Christmas to you all. I apologise if this is not an acceptable question on here as it is not related to RA but it is a great platform to air the question. I am desparately worried about my brother who needs a corneal transplant. Has anyone on here had one or knows of anyone who has had one. I would be very grateful to know the outcome. He is also full of arthritis but damage to eye was caused during a cataract op. Thank you so much.

[Sheila_G]

Thank you so much for your reply. Much appreciated.

[Kags1068]

Hi Sheila

Yes, I've had 4 corneal transplants on my right eye in the past. Mine were necessary due to rare RA complications causing ulcers/inflammation to my cornea, so quite a different situation to your brother.

The transplants themselves weren't too painful, and were initially ok. I can't stress this next bit enough but, the reason mine didn't work and I had 4, was because the underlying RA disease process couldn't be controlled at the time and so the inflammation and ulceration just started again. It was absolutely NOTHING to do with the transplants themselves which all worked well initially. The doctors also were aware that may happen to me, and I was thoroughly warned in advance. As I said though, they were done for a completely different reason to your brother.

Obviously you have to use different drops for a while afterwards, but I can't see why he won't be fine. I've since come across a number of people at eye clinics who have had transplants for other non RA related reasons, and they tend to do very well.

I do hope you find that re-assuring - I'm really hoping so.

Best wishes 😊

[Sheila_G in reply to Kags1068]

Thank you so much for your reply. Yes, that is reassuring. I hope that you are now doing well with the current cornea and I am sorry you had such a difficult time.

[Kags1068 in reply to Sheila_G]

I'm so relieved you found it re-assuring. Unfortunately, my 4th one didn't work either, so I hadto have an operation to pull the conjunctiva over my eye to protect it as there was nothing else that could be done. Unfortunately I don't have any sight in that eye. It's been like this since 1997 now. I wasn't going to mention that bit as I didn't want to inadvertently cause any possible worry because as I said before, all these problems were absolutely nothing to do with the transplants themselves, they were all fine, it was just the RA wouldn't stop attacking them.

Again, I really hope I've stressed that enough as I really don't want to create any worry about something that won't be relevant. As I said, I'm sure your brother's will go very well. He will be being measured for new glasses, etc in no time! I wish him the very best😊

[Florida1959]

Think you need to do some research, my sister had eye issues and disease, and has made a full recovery, but it took time and healing.

[Sheila_G in reply to Florida1959]

Thank you for your reply. We are aware that it can take some time but if it heals eventually, we'll take that. Thanks ao much.

[seabreezegirl]

Lots of people get cornel transplants . He will be fine