Pete is an unsuccesful...

At the age of 15 doctors diagnosed keratoconus on both of my eyes. Keratoconus affects the cornea in ways that light won’t be projected correctly on the retina. The cornea unpredictably grows in a >-shape instead of maintaining a nice )-shape. Eventually the cornea will get thinner causing cracks, infections and scars which result in lesser sight. To compensate this terrible sight I use Scleral lenses to create an artificial )-shaped  cornea.

A year ago, my right eye went pretty crappy: infections every once in a while; corneal hydrops, a translucent white appearance on the cornea; small gaps formed on the surface of the cornea causing it to grow even bigger because it contained fluid. I couldn’t wear my Scleral lens, so there I was pretty dependent on my left eye.

The doctor decided to put me on a  list for a cornea transplant. In April, 2008 I went to the hospital to get this thing done, but unfortunately the surgery was delayed for two weeks because there were some issues with the donator’s tissue.

Two weeks later I received the surgery. A couple of hours after I could already see difference, although it was minor it felt pretty damn much!

Every once in a while I have checkups in the hospital. They check if the stitches are still in place; if my body isn’t rejecting the foreign tissue and progress in overall sight.

Past week I had my first appointment at my opticien to check what lens would fit best on my new eye. As people may know they first use a testlens on which they will measure the right strength. Even the testlens delivered the most amazing sight. Suddenly things were readable again! Without the transplant and a lens my sight was at 5% after the past 6 months I received 99,9%!

It feels weird saying this, but here it goes: thanks organ donator!