If you have Fuchs' corneal dystrophy, you'll want to join up
with "Fuchs' Friends," a free PRIVATE YahooGroup.  We just had a
meeting in Atlanta, GA, hearing presentations from corneal experts.
Information about this meeting is available to Fuchs' Friends.

Fuchs' Friends has 1,130+ people just like you who have banded into a
support group
(also here at YahooGroups). This place called
fuchs_corneal_dystrophy@yahoogroups.com
is NOT our REAL message board, but only a signpost to help you find
your way to our PRIVATE message board here at Yahoo (not listed in
the public directory). Join us by visiting our "Request to Join"
website at
<http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com>

I look forward to seeing you at Fuchs' Friends, the original
information and support group for Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy.
Our "grass roots" group of friends began in 1999 and has snow-balled
because we are known and respected among patients and eye
professionals alike. Our support group will change your life for the
better in your journey dealing with our common eye dystrophy.

Dorothy in Calif.
Co-founder of Fuchs' Friends
<http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.org>

"Fuchs' Friends" is a fast-growing free PRIVATE YahooGroup with
1,130+ people just like you who have banded into a support group
(also here at YahooGroups). This place called
fuchs_corneal_dystrophy@yahoogroups.com
is NOT our REAL message board, but only a signpost to help you find
your way to our PRIVATE message board here at Yahoo (not listed in
the public directory). Join us by visiting our "Request to Join"
website at
<http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com>

I look forward to seeing you at Fuchs' Friends, the original
information and support group for Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy.
Our "grass roots" group of friends began in 1999 and has snow-balled
because we are known and respected among patients and eye
professionals alike.  Our support group will change your life for the
better in your journey dealing with our common eye dystrophy.

Dorothy in Calif.
Co-founder of Fuchs' Friends
<http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.org>

Yep.  That's how many members we have in our fast-growing free
PRIVATE YahooGroup called "Fuchs' Friends." As of today we have 1,018
people just like you who have banded into a support group (also here
at YahooGroups) called "Fuchs' Friends." This place called
fuchs_corneal_dystrophy@yahoogroups.com
is NOT our REAL message board, but only a signpost to help you find
your way to our PRIVATE message board here at Yahoo (not listed in
the public directory). Join us by visiting our "Request to Join"
website at
http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com

Looking forward to seeing you at Fuchs' Friends, the original
information and support group for Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy.
Our "grass roots" group of friends began in 1999 and has snow-balled
because we are known and respected among patients and eye
professionals alike.

Dorothy in Calif.
http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.org
FOR AOL
<a href="http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.org">Fuchs</a>

Then you're looking for our fast-growing free PRIVATE YahooGroup
called "Fuchs' Friends." As of today we have 989 people just like you
who have banded into a support group (also here at YahooGroups)
called "Fuchs' Friends." This place called
fuchs_corneal_dystrophy@yahoogroups.com
is NOT our REAL message board, but only a signpost to help you find
your way to our PRIVATE message board here at Yahoo (not listed in
the public directory). Join us by visiting our "Request to Join"
website at
http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com

Looking forward to seeing you at Fuchs' Friends, the original
information and support group for Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy.
Our "grass roots" group of friends began in 1999 and has snow-balled
because we are known and respected among patients and eye
professionals alike.

Dorothy in Calif.
http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.org
FOR AOL
<a href="http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.org">Fuchs</a>

Then you're looking for our free PRIVATE YahooGroup called "Fuchs'
Friends." As of today we have 963 people just like you who have
banded into a support group (also here at YahooGroups) called "Fuchs'
Friends."  This place called fuchs_corneal_dystrophy@yahoogroups.com
is NOT our REAL message board, but only a signpost to help you find
your way to our PRIVATE message board here at Yahoo (not listed in
the public directory). Join us by visiting our "Request to Join"
website at
http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com

Looking forward to seeing you at Fuchs' Friends, the original
information and support group for Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy.
Our "grass roots" group of friends began in 1999 and has snow-balled
because we are known and respected among patients and eye
professionals alike.

Dorothy in Calif.
http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.org
FOR AOL
<a href="http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.org">Fuchs</a>

If you're here, you probably have heard the word Fuchs' Dystrophy.
We've heard our doctors pronounce it two ways: FEWKS and FOOKS.
It's an inherited (but many of us don't know from which ancestor we
inherited it!) eye problem. As of today we have more than 900 people
just like you who have banded into a support group (also here at
YahooGroups). This place called
fuchs_corneal_dystrophy@yahoogroups.com is NOT our
REAL message board, but only a signpost to help you find your way to
our PRIVATE message board here at Yahoo. Join us by visiting
our "Request to Join" website at
http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com

And, by the way, I post a message here from time to time to let you
know there IS a support group for you---and also to keep Yahoo from
shutting down this "signpost" message board for lack of activity,
something that is definitely NOT a problem with our private site.

Looking forward to seeing you at Fuchs' Friends.

Dorothy in Calif.
http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.org
FOR AOL
<a href="http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.org">Fuchs</a>

If you're here, you probably have heard the word Fuchs' Dystrophy.
We've heard our doctors pronounce it two ways: FEWKS and FOOKS.
It's an inherited (but many of us don't know from which ancestor we
inherited it!) eye problem. As of today we have 766 people just like
you who have banded into a support group (also here at YahooGroups).
This place called fuchs_corneal_dystrophy@yahoogroups.com is NOT our
REAL message board, but only a signpost to help you find your way to
our PRIVATE message board here at Yahoo. Join us by visiting
our "Request to Join" website at
http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com

And, by the way, I post a message here from time to time to let you
know there IS a support group for you---and also to keep Yahoo from
shutting down this "signpost" message board for lack of activity,
something that is definitely NOT a problem with our private site.

Looking forward to seeing you at Fuchs' Friends.

Dorothy in Calif.
http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.org
FOR AOL
<a href="http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.org">Fuchs</a>

If you're here, you probably have heard the word Fuchs' Dystrophy.
We've heard our doctors pronounce it two ways:  FEWKS and FOOKS.
It's an inherited (but many of us don't know from which ancestor we
inherited it!) eye problem. Around 750 people just like you have
banded into a support group here at YahooGroups. This isn't our real
message board, but only a signpost to help you find your way to our
PRIVATE message board here at Yahoo. Join us by visiting
our "Request to Join" website at
http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com

And, by the way, I post a message here from time to time to let you
know there IS a support group for you---and also to keep Yahoo from
shutting down this message board for lack of activity.

Looking forward to seeing you at Fuchs' Friends.

Dorothy in Calif.
http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.org
FOR AOL
<a href="http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.org">Fuchs</a>

If you're here, you probably have heard the word Fuchs' Dystrophy.
It's an inherited (but many of us don't know from which ancestor we
inherited it!) eye problem.  Over 650 people just like you have
banded into a support group here at YahooGroups.  This isn't our real
message board, but only a signpost to help you find your way to our
PRIVATE message board here at Yahoo.  Join us by visiting
our "Request to Join" website at
http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com

And, by the way, I post a message here from time to time to let you
know there IS a support group for you---and also to keep Yahoo from
shutting down this message board for lack of activity.

Looking forward to seeing you at Fuchs' Friends.

Dorothy in Calif.
http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.org

Hello. My name is Dorothy. I started this group and I am a co-founder
of another support group called Fuchs' Friends here at YahooGroups.
Fuchs' Friends is a PRIVATE group, and over 570 members worldwide get
a lot of information and support there. This message board is public
and was set up to help folks like you to find our private group.

Please go to http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com and click on the Request
to Join button. Soon you'll be able to talk to several people who had
one or the other of your experiences. And you'll meet other people
who had trouble with the first surgery, but the second one went very
well. It will make you feel better a lot better. Fuchs' Friends truly
is a SUPPORT group. You are not alone. I am one of many in our
support group who has regained my sight. Keep your attitude positive,
and get into Fuchs' Friends. You won't believe how it will help you.

I'm glad you found us, and looking forward to seeing you in the
private group called Fuchs' Friends.

Dorothy in Calif.

"jlsouhrada" wrote:
  19 months ago I had corneal surgery in my right eye, a week after
the  surgery I was back on the operateing table getting it done
again. When the doctor saw me in his office a few days later he said
there was something wrong that this cornea was also going bad so he
said the only way to help it heal properly was to sew my lids shut.
He did this in his office which was not a pleasant experience, as I
was put through terrific pain with this being done. The problem is
still ongoing without answers. I am looking at most probably another
  surgery real soon for the same eye. I am very worried about this, I
  guess what I am curious about is , have any of you ever had such
  problems. This will make 3 times for the same eye. I also have to
use duratears ointment 4 times a day plus my eye drops 4 times a day.
  When my surgery was 1 year old he sugested contac lens, after 3 days
  my eye was so irritated I could hardly touch it. The lens was
moveing around and irritateing because of the ointment he told me to
  continue. When I went to see him for this I was told that perhaps I
  was not ready for this. Appreciate any input.
  Thank you,
  Jennie

19 months ago I had corneal surgery in my right eye, a week after the
surgery I was back on the operateing table getting it done again.
When the doctor saw me in his office a few days later he said there
was something wrong that this cornea was also going bad so he said
the only way to help it heal properly was to sew my lids shut. He did
this in his office which was not a pleasant experience, as I was put
through terrific pain with this being done. The problem is still
ongoing without answers. I am looking at most probably another
surgery real soon for the same eye. I am very worried about this, I
guess what I am curious about is , have any of you ever had such
problems. This will make 3 times for the same eye. I also have to use
duratears ointment 4 times a day plus my eye drops 4 times a day.
When my surgery was 1 year old he sugested contac lens, after 3 days
my eye was so irritated I could hardly touch it. The lens was moveing
around and irritateing because of the ointment he told me to
continue. When I went to see him for this I was told that perhaps I
was not ready for this.
    Appreciate any input.
Thank you,
Jennie

Hello. My name is Dorothy and I am a co-founder of a support group
called Fuchs' Friends here at YahooGroups. It is a PRIVATE group, and
over 550 members worldwide get a lot of information and support
there. This message board is public and was set up to help folks like
you to find our private group.

Please go to http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com and click on the Request
to Join button. Soon you'll be able to talk to people who had
cataracts removed, and most of us found our doctors very cautious. As
far as getting into the right mind set, after you join up with Fuchs'
Friends, you'll see that there IS life after Fuchs', and in many
cases of our support group, Fuchs' has brought us blessings as well
as frustrations. You are not alone. I am one of many in our support
group who has regained my sight. Keep your attitude positive, and get
into Fuchs' Friends. You won't believe how it will help you.

I'm glad you found us.

Dorothy in Calif.


"donut562002" wrote:
  How do I get in the right mind set for my future with fuch's
  dystrophy?  I am 56 years old and have known about this condition
for  about 5 years.  I have now developed a cataract (last april) and
it  is developing fast.  My doctor is being very cautious about
surgery  for the cataract and it might be spring before I have it
removed.  He  says that removing the cataract can make things worse
or not affect  fuch's at all.  He wants me to be mentally ready
for "whatever".  Any  encouraging words for me?  I don't see well in
my right eye right now  and I am concerned about my sight.

How do I get in the right mind set for my future with fuch's
dystrophy?  I am 56 years old and have known about this condition for
about 5 years.  I have now developed a cataract (last april) and it
is developing fast.  My doctor is being very cautious about surgery
for the cataract and it might be spring before I have it removed.  He
says that removing the cataract can make things worse or not affect
fuch's at all.  He wants me to be mentally ready for "whatever".  Any
encouraging words for me?  I don't see well in my right eye right now
and I am concerned about my sight.

Hello. My name is Dorothy and I am a co-founder of a support group
called Fuchs' Friends. It is a PRIVATE group, and our members get a
lot of information and support there. This message board is public
and was set up to help folks like you to find our private group.
Please go to http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com and click on the Request
to Join button. Also, I'll email you privately and give you the links
to a website about my personal journey with our Friend Fuchs', as
well as another webpage our group has put together to help outsiders
understand how our eyes see the world.

I'm glad you found us.

Dorothy in Calif.

--- In fuchs_corneal_dystrophy@y..., "tonjabell" <tonjabell@y...>
wrote:
> Hello, I am new to the group.  Thanks for having me.  I was
diagnosed with Fuchs' Endothelial dystrophy about 6 or 7 years ago.
It is a shame that I don't remember exactly when...or to even know
that I had what I had.  On a yearly vision screening to have my
prescription adjusted the physician stated that I had fuchs'
dystrophy....when I asked what it was....he said...well you know when
you get that feeling like you have a film over your eye?  Yeah, well
I thought...oh okay....its just something that comes and goes...no
biggie.  Well, low and behold here I set 6 years later...can't see
hardly a darned thing...been back and forth to the optometrist and
had glasses changed two years ago....still can't see well...then I
had this "attack".  I woke up one morning and couldn't see.  I mean I
couldn't see squat...couldn't count my own fingers.  How scary!  I
had no idea.  Once I finally manage to get someone to drive me to the
dr...I find out it is this "fuchs' thing"that has caused ti.  Why
wasn't I informed that this is what was going to happen?  Now two
years later...vison has really gone down hill.  My left eye hurts
nearly all of the time.  I have blow dryed my eyes til they should be
like alligator skin.  Now I am using Muro 128.  By the way....I
cannot read what I am typing....thank goodness for the great typing
teachers I had in high school and college.  What do you do?  Who do
you see.  How do you get there from here?  I am just overwhelmed with
questions.  Is there anything that can be done about the eye pain?
How long does this thing go on before I am offered a transplant...by
the way...I have actually only been examined twice for this
problem....how did I get this far without getting help...mind you I
get glasses every two or three years...and have a yearly exam!  I am
39 years old.  Can't read scripting on a TV.  Can read large print
books....but lord not those small things.  I have difficulty seeing
the picture on the tv or seeing to drive. I am as accident prone as
they come....why...cause I can't see.  Help...someone please point me
in the right direction.  I am already legally blind in my right
eye....have been since a teenager...now...what do I do?  I feel
Desparate!

Hello, I am new to the group.  Thanks for having me.  I was diagnosed with
Fuchs' Endothelial dystrophy about 6 or 7 years ago.  It is a shame that I don't
remember exactly when...or to even know that I had what I had.  On a yearly
vision screening to have my prescription adjusted the physician stated that I
had fuchs' dystrophy....when I asked what it was....he said...well you know when
you get that feeling like you have a film over your eye?  Yeah, well I
thought...oh okay....its just something that comes and goes...no biggie.  Well,
low and behold here I set 6 years later...can't see hardly a darned thing...been
back and forth to the optometrist and had glasses changed two years ago....still
can't see well...then I had this "attack".  I woke up one morning and couldn't
see.  I mean I couldn't see squat...couldn't count my own fingers.  How scary! 
I had no idea.  Once I finally manage to get someone to drive me to the dr...I
find out it is this "fuchs' thing"that has caused ti.  Why wasn't I informed
that this is what was going to happen?  Now two years later...vison has really
gone down hill.  My left eye hurts nearly all of the time.  I have blow dryed my
eyes til they should be like alligator skin.  Now I am using Muro 128.  By the
way....I cannot read what I am typing....thank goodness for the great typing
teachers I had in high school and college.  What do you do?  Who do you see. 
How do you get there from here?  I am just overwhelmed with questions.  Is there
anything that can be done about the eye pain?  How long does this thing go on
before I am offered a transplant...by the way...I have actually only been
examined twice for this problem....how did I get this far without getting
help...mind you I get glasses every two or three years...and have a yearly exam!
I am 39 years old.  Can't read scripting on a TV.  Can read large print
books....but lord not those small things.  I have difficulty seeing the picture
on the tv or seeing to drive. I am as accident prone as they come....why...cause
I can't see.  Help...someone please point me in the right direction.  I am
already legally blind in my right eye....have been since a teenager...now...what
do I do?  I feel Desparate!

Hi everyone - I am looking for any ideas about sunglasses to reduce
glare in the daylight but make the stop lights a little brighter for
me.  I wear glasses now so would be interested in some clip on's for
something.  The ones I have now make it very difficult for me to see
the lights clearly until I am right up on them.  Haven't talked to my
Doc about this & maybe she would have some suggestions but I thought
I would throw this out to my Fuchs Friends.  Thanks everyone!  Have a
wonderful 4th of July and pray it is a PEACEFUL one!!

Hi, Everybody,
You are receiving this email because you are a member of the
fuchs_corneal_dystrophy group at YahooGroups. The purpose of this
group is to help those who are searching the YahooGroups public
directory to find information to lead them to our private support
group called Fuchs' Friends where we have over 550 members from all
over the world.

Recently some of our members who DID find their way to the Fuchs'
Friends group have run into some confusion as to when they are in
this "bridge" group and when they are talking to the big group where
we have gathered so much information and so many experiences. So I am
introducing a special Membership Moderator, Mike, who not only knows
a LOT about Fuchs' Dystrophy but who also keeps track of helping our
members get into Fuchs' Friends and through all the processes at
YahooGroups.

Once you have found your way to Fuchs' Friends, we will be removing
you from this public group. All the Wealth of Information you need is
over at the private Fuchs' Friends group, and it is our goal to help
you get into the "real" support group.

I'd like to thank Mike for helping us get everyone safely over into
our Fuchs' Friends support group. If you get an email from Mike, you
will know he is there to help you make the contacts you need to help
you or a loved one cope with Fuchs'. We also welcome eye
professionals who work with Fuchs' patients.

Dorothy in Calif.
Founder of fuchs_corneal_dystrophy, a public YahooGroup
Co-Founder of Fuchs' Friends, a private support and information group

Hi I have read some on the transplant before I had mine in Oct of 2001. You
will find loads of info on fuchsfriends@yahoogroups.com)fuchsfriends group in
Yahoo. You should go there to chat and talk to some of us. I do not think
anyone really knows how long it will last but I have heard something like
20-30 years.  I could be wrong I am still learning. But, I have never heard a
few year. I know it take a year to heal (in some cases maybe 375 days) some
people take longer some less. But you should really go to fuchsfriends group
in yahoo and read some of our posting. I know I have learned a lot in the few
months (about 9 so far) I have been with the group. I had my first T
(transplant) and I do not regret having it even if I don't have 20/20 yet in
that eye I know I will get close to it and it will stop getting worse.
Because with Fuchs dystrophy it will keep getting worse everyday. Some Fuchs'
will progress slow some of us it will progress more rapid. I am 46 and I
started showing signs in my late 30's When I kept having to have my lens in
my glasses changed in my 40's every 6 months I was referred to a cornea
Doctor and he said when it gets where you have trouble in your ability to
perform your everyday duties like reading the alarm clock or just to read
readings or make out faces put on eye makeup or read the phone book. (Just
some of the things you do everyday. ) Then it is time to think about the
transplant. But it will not go away nor improve. You might have good days
where it is not as bad but those days get fewer and less in between. Then
some of us also have the blisters and the eye pains to go with the foggy days
or fuchie moments. You can read about that in the fuchsfriends group in yahoo
too.
But the main thing is if your friend needs the T he/she should have it done
early enough that the other eye can carry the vision load for both eyes
because you can only have one at a time because it take a year give or take a
few days or weeks to heal. You do not have 20/20 vision right after the
surgery and it is a long road of waiting and some discouraging days. But it
will be worth the wait. I say it is like waiting to have a baby. You know it
will be here someday but you have to wait. But when it arrives it is
wonderful and a Gods blessing.
Always,
Sherry Myers
Nebraska
wollfman wrote
Hi, a friend of mine has been recently been diagnosed with fuchs. Of
course, a transplant is not in the immediate future. However, my
question is how long does a corneal transplant last after surgery ? I
read that you only have clear vision for a couple of years. Thanks,
Wolfman




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi, Wolfman,
Thanks for being there to help your friend. We do have quite a few
discussions about the lifetime of a corneal transplant over at our private
group called Fuchs' Friends. I hope you will go to
http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com and request to join the Fuchs' Friends
support group. You don't have to be actively involved, but it does give you
access to an entire library of information we've gathered about Fuchs',
transplants, and research. Wherever you read that a transplant gives you
clear vision for a couple of years, they don't have their facts right. You
need to get to Fuchs' Friends and hear the facts from the horse's
mouth--those of us who have had our transplants, some for many years.

If you're already a member of Fuchs' Friends, then just post this same
question over there and you'll hear answers. This is our public group, which
is set up just to help people find their way to the private group.

Dorothy

----- Original Message -----
From: "wolfman48093" <wolfman48093@...>
To: <fuchs_corneal_dystrophy@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2002 8:34 AM
Subject: [fuchs_corneal_dystrophy] corneal transplants


> Hi, a friend of mine has been recently been diagnosed with fuchs. Of
> course, a transplant is not in the immediate future. However, my
> question is how long does a corneal transplant last after surgery ? I
> read that you only have clear vision for a couple of years. Thanks,
> Wolfman

Hi, a friend of mine has been recently been diagnosed with fuchs. Of
course, a transplant is not in the immediate future. However, my
question is how long does a corneal transplant last after surgery ? I
read that you only have clear vision for a couple of years. Thanks,
Wolfman

Hi, Sharon,

You have joined the fuchs_corneal_dystrophy group, a public group
which has been set up solely to help you find your way to an active
PRIVATE support group called Fuchs' Friends.

This is NOT the private Fuchs' Friends support group which has over
530 members sharing and caring. To join that group you must go to
http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com and click on "Join."

To join the private Fuchs' Friends group, you need to fill out the
application at http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com. Then you will receive
an invitation from Yahoo to join the Fuchs' Friends group. You MUST
respond to that invitation to join the private Fuchs' Friends group.

At Fuchs' Friends, members discuss problems caused by FCD and our
solutions to those problems, and you will have access to a members
only site with lots of information about Fuchs'. The benefit of the
private group is to keep the public from reading information we share
that we might not want all the world to know, etc.

Because the fuchs_corneal_dystrophy group is a public Yahoo group set
up only to help you find your way to Fuchs' Friends (and to prevent
confusion about where to post your messages), you will be
unsubscribed from the fuchs_corneal_dystrophy group as soon as you
have accepted the invitation from Yahoo to join Fuchs' Friends.
Please save your questions and comments about Fuchs' for the private
support group, Fuchs' Friends. Questions and comments posted at
fuchs_corneal_dystrophy should be confined to information about how
to join the private support group. We look forward to seeing you
there.

If you do not wish to join the private support group, you can visit
http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.org (Through A Glass, Darkly) for a
detailed story of one woman's 25-year journey with Fuchs' Dystrophy.

Regards,
Dorothy
Moderator, fuchs_corneal_dystrophy


"sllayton1" wrote:
Dear Fuchs' Friends:

I have just been diagnosis with Fuchs'.  I've had several episodes
(over a year's time) with blurred vision in the morning and I was
sent to an eye doctor who diagnosed the problem.

I have questions about how to prolong the disease (loss of cells). I
use a computer almost all day in my job.  Will this cause my
condition to deteriorate more quickly and would a glare screen help?

I am going to wear sunglasses and hats in the sun at all times, but
are there any other suggestions anyone would have to "save" the cells.

I think I am in the early stages of the disease but I'm not sure.
I'm 53 years old and have a very active life.  How long does it take
to have blisters, loss of sight, corneal transplant, etc.?  I'm
trying to be optimistic and realistic at the same time.

Thanks for your help,
Sharon

Dear Fuchs' Friends:

I have just been diagnosis with Fuchs'.  I've had several episodes
(over a year's time) with blurred vision in the morning and I was
sent to an eye doctor who diagnosed the problem.

I have questions about how to prolong the disease (loss of cells). I
use a computer almost all day in my job.  Will this cause my
condition to deteriorate more quickly and would a glare screen help?

I am going to wear sunglasses and hats in the sun at all times, but
are there any other suggestions anyone would have to "save" the cells.

I think I am in the early stages of the disease but I'm not sure.
I'm 53 years old and have a very active life.  How long does it take
to have blisters, loss of sight, corneal transplant, etc.?  I'm trying
to be optimistic and realistic at the same time.

Thanks for your help,

Sharon

Shirley wrote:
> Dorothy - I would be interested to hear how your eye is doing since your
> corneal transplant - would you do it again, is it better than before,
etc.,
> Any advice you can give.  I am going to have my first transplant this fall
> and I am really nervous about the whole thing.  Please tell me it is worth
> it!

Hi Shirley, I read your email in the Fuchs group mail I know it was directed
to Dorothy but to have had transplant. Mine was Oct 10, 2001. I have 20/200
in the t eye. I get depressed a lot but everyone says to hang in there it
will get better. Plan on changing your life a year. Because I was told it
takes a year to totally heal. I can see to drive now to the store a few
blocks away. But I can't see to get a new job. I was working in a factory and
my hubby thought it best to quit till my eye healed completely. I am a very
busy type person and I hate being idol. That is why I get depressed. I am 45
years old. I would still have it done even if I don't end up with 20/20
vision for the fact the pains in my eyes and the head aches I was having are
less now. I have Fuchs' in my left eye but it isn't as bad when it is only in
one eye.
I was scared to death before I had it done but it was a breeze (the surgery
part) I was afraid to take a shower the first week So I took baths and my
hubby washed my hair for me but other than that it is just the waiting that
gets to you.


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Hi, Carol,
Fuchs' is a fickle disease, and some mornings you might wake up with cloudy
vision that gets better later in the day, or you might wake up with clear
vision (on a dry day, for example), or some days you might have the
fogginess all day long (on a humid day, for example).  Once in a while I
would wake up with clear vision, but if I got into a stressful situation, my
eyes would cloud over. When you get to the point where you can't live your
life anymore because the foggies are so bad all the time, you need to be
talking to your eye professional.

About that shadow in the middle of your eye......go see an ophthalmologist
as  soon as you can. That doesn't sound like any normal Fuchie symptom I
have heard. I'm not a doctor, and I can only tell you what I have heard from
listening to over 550 Fuchs' Friends. I don't know what that shadow is, but
you should tell your eye doctor about it.
Dorothy in Calif.

Carol wrote:
> In your first answer you asked me , if I had "foggy symptom". I didn`t now
really what it was. But this morning when I got up  , all around me was
looking as white smoke. As I told you in my first e-mail, I have to blink a
lot to see well , and that for a pretty much long period of time. But this
morning despite that , it took almost an hour before I could see normaly.
>
> Is that means that my Fuchs syndrom is getting worst ? And also when I
read I see a shadow in the middle of my right eye. I`m worried.

Shirley,
My transplant story is related at http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.org
for AOL
<a href="http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.org">Through a Glass, Darkly</a>
and I describe in detail how my vision improved after the transplant. If you
join our private group of Fuchs' Friends, you can read the stories of many
members who also tell of their regained vision. Here's how much my vision
improved. Before the transplant I couldn't drive, couldn't go shopping for
my own clothes (couldn't read the tags), couldn't show my customers any
houses by myself (my hubby had to go along and be sure I didn't fall down or
up any steps). Yesterday I did all of these things BY MYSELF. That's just a
small sample of what I got back in my life with my new vision. Would I have
the transplant again? YES!!! A million times!!!
Dorothy in Calif.

Shirley wrote:
> Dorothy - I would be interested to hear how your eye is doing since your
> corneal transplant - would you do it again, is it better than before,
etc.,
> Any advice you can give.  I am going to have my first transplant this fall
> and I am really nervous about the whole thing.  Please tell me it is worth
> it!

Hi Shirley,

No, I haven`t  tried the haird dryer trick yet, but I will. It seems that it
works well for some people. Thanks for the piece of advice about sodium chloride
drops. I will contact my ophtamologist for that.

And about you, as me do you have to blink a lot to see better ?

About the sun, it`s really hard for me without sunglasses, so I wear some every
time I go out. And what`s more, I walk outside every day, so I have to wear
sunglasses.

About driving at night, it`s pretty much hard for me, cause the light of others
cars. So I avoid to drive in the dark. During the day it`s ok. But I have to say
that I got a kind of sunglasses that increase the red of the traffic lights.
That helps a lot. Cause when to sun is very bright, Iit`s hard to see the red
well.

Yes in my case I know that I will need the corneal transplant .but I dont know
when exactly. I hope that it will not too soon. And as you say praying it helps.



God bless you

Bye Bye            Caro







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Hi Caro - I know what you mean by foggy!  One thing that has helped me
somewhat is using my hair dryer in the early AM when I first get up, holding
it about 6-8 inches from my eyes, and it kind of drys up the fluid that has
accumulated while you were resting.  Did your optomalogist prescribe 5%
sodium chloride drops, that too helps somewhat.  But it does get
progressively worse.  I have had it now for a number of years, and it seemed
that once it started progressing, it went pretty rapidly.  How do you do with
headlights, sunlite etc.?  I rarely drive at nite, and daylight is even
getting bad for me, thus I have come to the conclusion that I need this
corneal transplant.  Praying it helps.


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Hi Dorothy,

In your first answer you asked me , if I had "foggy symptom". I didn`t now
really what it was. But this morning when I got up  , all around me was looking
as white smoke. As I told you in my first e-mail, I have to blink a lot to see
well , and that for a pretty much long period of time. But this morning despite
that , it took almost an hour before I could see normaly.

Is that means that my Fuchs syndrom is getting worst ? And also when I read I
see a shadow in the middle of my right eye. I`m worried.

Thanks in advance for the answer

Bye Bye                Caro



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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Dorothy - I would be interested to hear how your eye is doing since your
corneal transplant - would you do it again, is it better than before, etc.,
Any advice you can give.  I am going to have my first transplant this fall
and I am really nervous about the whole thing.  Please tell me it is worth
it!


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

A message belongs to the "young" gal of  66 who will have the operation soon.

I will have a thought for you. As you say with support it`s easier to go through
everything.

Bye Bye

Caro









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