Adult, Stromal Keratitis

Infections
1

I was a student at university, in my final year. I was around 21. I experienced pain and discomfort in my right eye, but thought of it as an irritant, possibly an eye lash lodged.

I also had vision loss. As a glasses wearer, it perhaps went unnoticed by myself. I realised the loss of vision one day when I covered my eye with a cup of tea when drinking, and the text in the newspaper disappeared when I was only looking through my bad eye.

I did nothing about it until the pain felt like someone stabbing me in the eye. Silly boy! I went to Hospital A&E at 4am when I could not stand it any more.

I was told I had a herpes infection in my eye. I was given anti biotics, and the pain, which I later was told was caused by an ulcer, receeded. This left a scar in the deep corneal tissues, which surgery cannot correct.

This all happened in 1999/2000. I accepted bad loss of vision in my right eye, and have been functioning with one good eye since.

I play chess. After a chance meeting with a retired eye surgeon over the board, he noticed from my glasses lens that I had a stigmatism. I told him what had happened, and he advised me on further action.

I am now attending the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. There I was provided with a corrective contact lens. I used it for the first time yesterday, and the results in correcting the problem are amazing!

Apparently, the contact lens, when contacting the surface of the eye, is designed to flatten out the scarring and help vision.

2

I think that is what I have also, my problem is I wear contact lenses and do not have a pair of glasses was told by the hospital on the first visit that in order to take medicatio I would not be able to have my contacts in.

Am visiting the optician this weekend - not sure what they say. Although when I take out my contact after around an hour the pain subsides but eye is still red and sore looking.

3

I too have been told that nothing can be done about my sight, but after reading this post I have new hope and will be visiting my GP soon. Fingers crossed. Thanks for the info.

4

Hi DFL,

I was just looking through this site and came across your experience.

Something similar happened to me. To make a long story short, I have the scarring on my cornea too, and have been wearing glasses since the infection.

For my own comfort, I am 100% ready to ditch the glasses and go back to wearing contact lenses (just like before the scarring). Can you please send me some info?

I hope this message gets to you.

YML