keratoconus = cornea transplant

Before:

"We see through the cornea, which is the clear, central part of the front surface of the eye. Normally, the cornea has a dome shape, like a ball. Sometimes, however, the structure of the cornea is just not strong enough to hold this round shape and the cornea bulges outward like a cone. This condition is called keratoconus." (WebMD)

The picture above is Jers' eye just a couple of hours before he went in for a cornea transplant. It's a pretty good close up of his "bulging" cornea. He found out a few years ago that he has keratoconus. In the last 3-4 years, it has become extremely frustrating for him. Because of the shape of the cornea, a contact wouldn't stay on his eye. There are lot's of studies being done including everything from a contact with a hard center and a soft outside ring to eye drops. Unfortunately, regardless of all the different things a doctor can try, eventually a cornea transplant is necessary.

Jer went to Dr. Mifflin at the Moran Eye Center (U of U). Our first visit with him was only about a month ago. He suggested Jer have the surgery in his left eye immediately and in the right eye within about a year. We had anticipated surgery in the left eye, but were hoping the right eye wasn't that advanced. So, yes, he will be going through this again. Sad.

After:

This is a picture of Jer's eye about 42 hours post cornea transplant. There was a lot we didn't fully understand before the surgery. It is outpatient surgery so we didn't figure there would be all the standard post op pain and recovery. Silly us. It's a transplant for heavens sake. Needless to say, it has been painful and frustrating for Jer (to say the least). He is trying hard to be the tough guy and returned to work today (only 7 days after the surgery).

This is him the next morning (last Thursday). It had only been about 12 hours since the surgery and we were headed back up to the hospital to have the patch removed. Once the patch is removed, the drops and meds start.

These little items are constantly with him. He actually has a little bucket now with all the goods so that he can haul it around with him (considering he pretty much only goes from upstairs to downstairs right now - it's not too bad). There are three drops that have to be done every 4 hours (waiting 5 mins. between each drop). Then Lortab and Aleve for pain and inflammation. The patch and tape that will be his sleeping buddies for 4 weeks. The little rice bag that goes from the freezer to his eye (swapping it out every couple of hours). The tear drops are needed several times a day to keep the eye from drying out (these have to be done between the other drops). The tissue is for the constant watering of the eye. The allergy meds were only for the first day - the anesthesia caused serious itching (and it didn't hurt to help with the sleeping). Then those snazzy shades he got at the hospital that will be his closest friend for the next several weeks. His phone and the remote are there, but haven't really done a lot of good. He is still sick of sitting in the dark and bored out of his mind.

So, the surgery was done on February 23. Today is March 2. One week post op. His eye still looks like I gave him my right hook a couple of times (though it is starting to yellow). The redness on the eye itself will be there for several weeks. The stitches (all 16 of them) will stay in for a long time. They will look at removing them after 90 days, but even then will only remove one at a time. It will take about 6 months for his eyes to adjust and for the doctors to know what his sight is. The donor tissue can be rejected by his body at any time so the steroid drops will probably be a never ending thing.

Whew. Crazy. Right now he probably wouldn't tell you it was worth it. I will. That next morning when we were sitting in the dark at the hospital and they were checking his sight, he was seeing 20/80. I cried. I am still in awe with modern medicine and am so thankful for every single person out there that is a donor on their drivers license. This is what it is for when they ask you if you want to be a donor. It means my Jer get's to see the world again like he did when he was in 4th grade. It means he won't be in constant pain and he will be able to see well enough to drive again. It means more than words can say. I'm also thankful for all those smarty pants doctors that can perform such a surgery (and call it fun 'cause these procedures are the best part of their jobs). Everyone at the Moran Eye Center has been amazing.