It’s been one year since my last DMEK cornea surgery, and I am happy to report that the cornea transplants in each of my eyes are healthy and functioning normally. No signs of graft rejection. Vision is stable (no more changing eye glass prescriptions every few months). Eye pressure is good. The retinas appear to be healthy (no signs of retinal tear).
With the DMEK surgeries safely behind me, my ophthalmologist says we are ready to discuss my next hurdle on the road to fully restored vision - the cataracts. Within a few months of each cornea surgery, I briefly experienced wonderfully clear vision (almost as good as 20/25 in my right eye), but then the cataracts grew worse, creating a double vision effect as well as blurred vision. I also experienced dry eyes (fairly common in cornea transplant patients) which disrupts the surface of the eye, contributing to the blurred vision.
At present, my vision is dramatically better than it was before the surgeries. Up close, I see fine details and textures that eluded me for years (lately I’ve been marveling at spider webs – a common occurrence in an old house, but I hadn’t been able to see them for years). Also, colors appear more vivid and saturated. I’ve been excited to look at paintings and read art books again! However, distance vision remains a problem. Even with new glasses, I struggle to read street signs or see faces clearly across a coffee shop. This will not likely change until the cataract surgeries – probably sometime later this year or early next (we want to give the cornea transplants plenty of time to fully heal).
With cataract surgery, I face a major decision: what kind of artificial lens to put into my eye? Modern lenses come in several varieties, but for DMEK patients, a monofocal lens may offer the sharpest detail and fewest visual artifacts. However, I need to decide between near vision and far vision. All of my life, I have been extremely nearsided. I’ve always needed glasses to see the chalkboard or anything at a distance. But for working close up (writing, drawing, painting), I’ve always taken off my glasses. Now, I have a chance to correct my nearsidedness - but I would need glasses for working close up. So, the big question is: should I get lenses set for working up close, and need glasses for distance? Or should I get lenses set for distance and need glasses for my illustration work? I’m so accustomed to working on illustrations without glasses, I’m a bit nervous to do anything that might jeopardize that. On the other hand, the opportunity to correct my lifelong nearsideness is appealing. Fortunately, I have plenty of time to research this decision. Any artists out there who have had cataracts, please feel free to comment and share your experience.
In the meanwhile, I am enjoying drawing in a small sketchbook again (something I was unable to do in the years leading up to my DMEK surgeries). Here is a recent page from my sketchbook, along with a short video showing how the drawing progressed from initial lay-in to its final state.
4 comments:
I'm so excited to hear things are going well. What a blessing! Amazing how challenges like this help us appreciate what we once took for granted...
Thanks!
Hi Thomas! Although I've known you a while, primarily thought events and gatherings at Patris's, I'm a latecomer to your amazing site. There is a lot to take in...holy cow! Today I was reading about the latest in your battle back to the best vision possible...what an incredible and challenging journey, particularly for someone whose personal passion and very livelihood relies on it. Your courage is remarkable. Congratulations on the successes you have achieved. It sounds like you are nearing the last bit of very difficult process. Although I have experienced nothing like you've been through, I've always been quite nearsighted. I got my first glasses in the third grade when that was uncommon and not the path to popularity. I first heard about contact lenses at the age of 25 from a buddy in the service who actually had them. The first purchase I made after discharge and finding a job was a set of contact lenses. In those days it took several weeks to break them in...I think I set the world record and probably nearly ruined my eyes in the process. I will never know the relief and joy you have experienced with each step forward in your struggle, but I can tell you those contacts were as wonderful as my discharge! To cut this short, I wanted to say that I went through cataract surgery on both eyes about 4 years ago. I opted for the far vision lenses which meant being able to go though daily activities and even drive without lenses or glasses, which was nice. I was already used to always having some "readers" close by primarily for reading. I could often do painting and drawing without them. Now as I've gotten older, my eyesight is getting less sharp, so I wear bifocals most of the time...but can still get along easily in everyday situations with nothing. It's pretty good. I would make the same choice to chose to correct far vision. It has worked for me. Good luck on this last process...you have made it to the finish line!
Bruce! Thanks so much for your wonderful comments here! Right now, I'm leaning towards the distance lenses, but I will be talking more about this with the ophthalmologist. I still have plenty of time to make a decision. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog!
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