Is 968 around?

[smartie]

Hello,

Don't really know you of course, but always interested in your (unbiased) opinions on various eye topics.

I'm currently seeing Mr James Ball who is the consultant eye surgeon at St James' Hospital in Leeds. He has suggested I have a corneal graft for Kerataconus.....

I know Mr Ball was briefly at Moorfields and would appreciate your opinions if possible (if you've come accross him)

TIA

[Jimbeaux]

Now and then he sees his way clear to make an appearance.

[rich1231]

Would possibly the most unprofessional thing a Doc could do to comment on a colleague in the profession on an internet forum, when he has no duty of care to you nor has any specific information about your case.

[smartie]

rich1231 said:

Would possibly the most unprofessional thing a Doc could do to comment on a colleague in the profession on an internet forum, when he has no duty of care to you nor has any specific information about your case.

he has, in the past, been very complimentary of other surgeons he has worked with.

[tonyvid]

I thought there was some sort of website with a listing of Docs and their "scores" for want of a better term - have a google.

[smartie]

bump!

[968]

smartie said:

Hello,

Don't really know you of course, but always interested in your (unbiased) opinions on various eye topics.

I'm currently seeing Mr James Ball who is the consultant eye surgeon at St James' Hospital in Leeds. He has suggested I have a corneal graft for Kerataconus.....

I know Mr Ball was briefly at Moorfields and would appreciate your opinions if possible (if you've come accross him)

TIA

Hi

I don't know this chap, to be honest, but Leeds has an excellent unit and a very good reputation, so I would think he's likely to be very good. Might be interesting to know what kind of graft he's going to do... is he going to do a partial thickness graft (a DLK or a DSEK) or a full thickness graft or a PKP?

[smartie]

the intention would be to do a dlk, but may have to switch to a full thickness if it doesn't go well? Is this likely to be done under a local or general? Would I get any choice on this?

[968]

smartie said:

the intention would be to do a dlk, but may have to switch to a full thickness if it doesn't go well? Is this likely to be done under a local or general? Would I get any choice on this?

DLK is the best option, less chance of rejection, sutures don't stay in for quite as long, and less visual problems afterwards. It's more likely to be done under a GA, I would expect, as it is an operation that might take some time, and is quite delicate. It's possible that they do them under locals, but when I last did cornea, which was a few years ago, they were all GAs.

[smartie]

Thanks for your help, it is appreciated I don't have to make a decision right away, and I do have a couple more options to explore, but this looks like a likely outcome....

[968]

smartie said:

Thanks for your help, it is appreciated I don't have to make a decision right away, and I do have a couple more options to explore, but this looks like a likely outcome....

It's a good option and people get great results from this type of surgery. Good luck to you.