Update: I went to the Dr's a week and a half ago and have needed time to digest the results of the exam. There was no positive news- there is no "getting better": the cornea is no longer clear and there is more scarring. I will need a transplant.
Best of luck with the operation/transplant/finding a donor.
I did some work with developing artificial corneas using hydrogels back in the day. I assumed they were fairly standard now--might be an idea to ask about.
Actually, despite the procedure being fairly standard one, with great recovery stats, etc., it is still a risky thing. Nobody can promise JLP the op will go ok, the transplant will get accepted, the doc will be skilled and professional, there will not be any nosocomial infection, no extra scars, no mess, no major swelling, no vain cracks, etc. etc. I know you want to be supportive, sorry for sounding like a total party pooper. Just want to say, since I am actually quite afraid to go through the same crap in a few months, when I am through with exams, it's some risky, scary sh*t. You can easily: recover, have it the same, go blind. We cannot influence how it will go. Just want to wish OP strong nerves and read up on it. Lausanne opthal. clinique has very good ratio. People, if you have an outbreak of cold sores or other viral sores, stay away from smooching. And if you happen to smooch with somebody who has an outbreak, do not rub your eyes.
Due to this thread i stopped my mum kissing my little boy when i went back in early May, she had a visible cold sore and I might not have been so diligent prior to reading this
I agree with you to a point, MusicChick. Sometimes, however, one just has to have faith that all will go well, especially after struggling with setback after setback.
It's true, but it is not only about that. It is also about the level of damage and if one wants to undergo a serious op that might actually result in being blind completely. A dilemma, innit. Do I want my vision blurry, or do I want it perfect and then deal with the risks? Or no vision at all, since that can also happen as the side effect? Take Lasic, for example. I have had so many people asking me why not, when I know a lot of people that are still struggling with aftermath and vision worse than before because the pre op check was not done properly, their body didn't react as expected or they had an infection or swelling that went against the planned stuff. Growing up with my eyes made me aware of the dilemma. And, sometimes it is not only about just taking the risk of smooching somebody with cold sore, or, simply saying, sure, I will have my corneas replaced, a piece of cake. See you with new eyes. It takes one with eyes that seriously suck, I guess, to be aware how precious even the ability of damaged vision really is. Coz, there can be nothing.
People do not take well to that, true. But, even when you tell people, "you have a headcold, please, do not smooch my few weeks of child" earns you bewildered looks. Since, the chance of getting the flu is so huge, anywhere and anytime so why would one be careful with a wee child, rite? Some people's logic is weird.
I felt really bad for her as of course she doesn't see him much but I remember the post on here about a baby having a mouth full of sores and I thought, no way
I am so sorry JLP That really is sh1t. Sending all the luck in the world your way that everything goes ok.
With regards to people saying for sufferers to not smooch when infected, I can say as a sufferer of coldsores that I am not always aware that a breakout is about to come along. I have no tingling sensation before and tend to just wake up with a face full of them in the morning. I HATE the damn things and really hope that my little one and my boyfriend don't pick them up from me. I keep towels separate and try not to go anywhere near anyone when I have a visible coldsore but as others have said earlier, sometimes I can be infectious without even showing any symptoms. The only way I can guarantee i never pass the horrible virus on is to never kiss anyone again