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Friday, October 20, 2006; Chat of the Day
Topic Started: Oct 20 2006, 04:16 AM (1,288 Views)
ElaineRuth
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harpo516,Oct 20 2006
08:16 AM
Good morning all:

margiew:  hope your efforts prove successful and Morrisa is safe home soon.

ER:  talons/fingers/toes/eyes all crossed for ya!

It's a rainy morning here but supposed to clear up a little later - I'll be on and off this morning and then away to the woods!  Of course the wind is supposed to pick up later in the day - just when we need to put all those tents up - oh well.....

And thanks to all who keep us supplied with lots of eagle photos ala nest!  Luv it!
Later

Well, it's almost tomorrow and here I am, just getting to todays posts.

For those interested, the condition I have is called "Fuch's endothelial dystrophy"
Also happen to have 'positive guttata'.

He Who Cuts Trees went with me and is a good advocate. My doctor saw how upset he had made me by his 'throw-away' remarks last week and was very sorry, contrite and took a lot of time to explain everything to me and to reassure me that he has my best interests at heart and is always there for me, 7/24.

Basically, I was right. But the good news is that if I don't live too much longer, maybe it will never get to that point!!! ;) <joking>
Anyway, with lasers, etc they can keep trying to 'forestall' the ineviable and when it gets to a point where I think I want to do more (like 'see'), that is the time they do the donor tissue transplant. Not the entire cornea, just the back layer from the donated cornea. He said I am very lucky ................. there is something they can do for this problem!

Now I have to get my driver's license renewed so I had better get to that. There is a vision test (hahahaha). It will be good for 5 years so you all had better stay off the roads!!!
Posted Image
VAROOOOOM!!!!!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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Sara Oh
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Elaine, I'm so glad to hear that your ocular news is not as bad as first reported. Interesting isn't it how they give you this really bad news and tell you how lucky you are at the same time?! I for one am holding positive thoughts for you. Thanks for the report.
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ElaineRuth
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Here is a very clear, easy to understand description of my Fuch's:

Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy

Overview

Fuchs’ dystrophy is an inherited condition that affects the delicate inner layer (endothelium) of the cornea. The endothelium functions as a pump mechanism, constantly removing fluids from the cornea to maintain its clarity. Patients gradually lose these endothelial cells as the dystrophy progresses. Once lost, the endothelial cells do not grow back, but instead spread out to the fill empty spaces. The pump system becomes less efficient, causing corneal clouding, swelling and eventually, reduced vision.

In the early stages, Fuchs’ patients notice glare and light sensitivity. As the dystrophy progresses, the vision may seem blurred in the morning and sharper later in the day. This happens because the internal layers of the cornea tend to retain more moisture during sleep that evaporates when the eyes are open. As the dystrophy worsens, the vision becomes continuously blurred.

Fuchs’ affects both eyes and is slightly more common among women then men. It generally begins at 30-40 years of age and gradually progresses. If the vision becomes significantly impaired, a corneal transplant may be indicated. Sometimes corneal transplant (also known as penetrating keratoplasty or PKP) is performed along with cataract and intraocular lens implant surgery.


Signs and Symptoms

* Hazy vision that is often most pronounced in the morning
* Fluctuating vision
* Glare when looking at lights
* Light sensitivity
* Sandy, gritty sensation

Detection and Diagnosis

Fuchs’ is detected by examining the cornea with a slit lamp microscope that magnifies the endothelial cells thousands of times. The health of the endothelium is evaluated and monitored with pachymetry and specular microscopy.


Treatment

Fuchs’ cannot be cured; however, with certain medications, blurred vision resulting from the corneal swelling can be controlled. Salt solutions such as sodium chloride drops or ointment are often prescribed to draw fluid from the cornea and reduce swelling. Another simple technique that reduces moisture in the cornea is to hold a hair dryer at arm’s length, blowing air into the face with the eyes closed. This technique draws moisture from the cornea, temporarily decreases swelling, and improves the vision.

Corneal transplant is indicated when the vision deteriorates to the point that it impairs the patient’s ability to function normally.


I am really sorry for my kids, to hear that it's hereditary. :(
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peppermint
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ER: Did either of your parents have this?
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ElaineRuth
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One more then I'm done, I promise:

Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy

The Dr says you've got it... but nobody you know has ever heard of it before. When you look at your eyes they look perfectly normal. There are a lot of questions running through your mind right now. Questions like these:

So, what on earth IS Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy? The dr. says it's an eye DISEASE.

Fuchs' Dystrophy isn't well-known, since only about 1% of people have it, and you and I were a couple of the "lucky" ones! Yes, it's an eye DISEASE, and needs to be monitored accordingly. When you have fuchs' dystrophy the cells in an inner layer of the cornea called the "endothelium" start dying off (sometimes this disease is called "Endothelial Dystrophy"). Since these cells pump the water out of the eye, the cornea fills up with water and swells. The cornea is the "window" of the eye, and assimilates the light, so the more advanced the fuchs' dystrophy is the blurrier and more indistinct your vision will be.

Fuchs' Dystrophy begins when "guttata" forms in the endothelium. Then it starts creating edema (swelling) in the cornea due to the water building up in it. Sometimes the water builds up inside so much that it must explode out of the eye in the form of painful cornea blisters.

Where did I get this from?

Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy is a genetic, autosomal dominant disease with high penetrance. That means you got it from a parent. With this kind of gene each child born from a parent carrying the disease has a 50% chance of getting the Fuchs' Dystrophy gene, and a 50% chance of getting a normal gene and NOT getting Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy.

Neither of my parents had this! I couldn't have gotten it from them!

I'm sorry, but one of them (or both) had it. It's very likely that the disease had never progressed to the point where it was diagnosed; or, perhaps they had a eye dr who never looked for it. In any case, in order for YOU to have Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy, at least ONE of your parents had the gene! Keep in mind also that the equipment used to detect fuchs' dystrophy wasn't common in eye doctors offices many years ago! Because it's genetic, it also means that if you have any siblings or children they should be checked over on an annual basis to see if they have inherited it. They may be looked over today and be declared "fuchs' dystrophy free"; but they may have the gene and not have it developed to the point where it can be detected; it may show up years later (hence the annual checkups for it) or it may never diagnosed at all (even if looking for it) and be passed on to their heirs.

Is there a cure for this? Will it go away by itself?

The only real cure for the disease is a cornea transplant. If the disease isn't very far advanced you can get temporary relief, under the care of an eye professional, by using muro eyedrops. However, it isn't going to go away by itself. It's possible it may never progress very far; it's also JUST as possible that it may take a sudden nosedive leaving you almost blind literally overnight. Sometimes the disease will progress to the point where painful blisters will burst on the surface of the cornea, scarring the tissue.

When is the right time to get a cornea transplant?

The time to get a cornea transplant with fuchs' corneal dystrophy is AS SOON AS the fuchs' symptoms BEGIN to affect your daily life. Since the healing process takes quite awhile you don't want to wait until you can't depend on having good vision in the non-transplant eye for a long time
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ElaineRuth
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peppermint,Oct 21 2006
12:37 AM
ER: Did either of your parents have this?

Hi PittyPat,
Mom is 89 and in perfect health. My dad dropped dead at age 48, heart attack. so I don't know if he had it or not.
I'm worried about my kids.
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ElaineRuth
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Just saw how late it is.

'Nite all and sleep slow.
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Bixby
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A late hi to all...just finishing up another day of unpacking, but there's progress and by tomorrow evening we should be able to get at least one cars into the garage. Most of the kitchen is unpacked and put away...I just have to remember where I put everything!

ER: I'm glad the doctor improved his bedside manner and also glad for all the info you provided on Fuch's Corneal Dystrophy. I hope medicines will help to control and slow down the condition. My mom had severe eye problems which led to a corneal transplant several years ago. She came through that operation with flying colors. I'm hoping yours never reaches "worst case scenerio" stage.

I loved the way your car went flying by....was that by chance Bixby Beagle driving?

As always, thanks Cumbrian and Eagle Duo for the pix, I'm so grateful to you, it lets me keep up with the forum, and keep up with unpacking too.

HB: the folks are fine. I'm just your basic MaMa's girl. Got to talk to my mom every evening, and got to visit every couple of weeks or I just get nervous. Luckily Hubby is tolerant, after 34 yrs of marriage (as of tomorrow) he knows I'm not going to change.

Well, I'm going to sign off.

Good night dear forum friends, have a pleasant evening.
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peppermint
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ER: your concern for your kids is very understandable!!! On the bright side...look how far eye care has come in the last decade(s)....cataract surgery is now routine complete with lens implant, lasik, macular degeneration treatments, lasers...when we were little kids none of that was around. A few years ago, my mom developed bleeding in the back of her eye...doc said it was like a hardening of the artery that leaked...he stopped it with laser. It didn't reverse it but at least it stopped it so that her vision loss is quite small.....amazing!!! Before laser, she probably would have totally lost her eyesight...or worse. And wow....amazing that corneal transplants are even possible! I'll keep you in my prayers that yours just stays PUT and doesn't get any worse. And...NO GUILT for your kids...ok? It's not like you gave them anything on purpose! They have a 50/50 chance of NOT developing it!
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Bea
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ElaineRuth, Peppermint's post is right on the mark!! Every day new procedures and treatments are being implemented. I also understand you being sorry about your kids. But they will have the advantage of knowing about it in advance and will have a greater chance for treatment because of it. Hang in there Elaine!! And I'll repeat what Peppermint said: NO GUILT!!


Edit: And thank you for the detailed explanations of Fuchs'. I have learned so much thru those posts!
On an aside note, Fuchs in german means fox. Do you remember that Elaine?
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Bea
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Cumbrian and Eagle Duo thank you so much for all the great pics from today. They were great!! Good to see some eagles after a long day. Cumbrian, I loved the caption about Dad calling in the cleaning crew before nestorations.
Bixby: Happy 34th anniversary!
Will say goodnight for now. I'm gonna try and catch up on some sleep.
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skellis
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ER: my thoughts are with you, but it sounds like its not nearly as bad as you feared but worse than any of us would have hoped. At the rate medical improvements are advancing, there may be a cure for it or a better treatment. Plus your family members are forewarned and thus able to get treatment or genetic detection to clear them. Genetics are still random, out of five children in my family only one had brown eyes and four had blue eyes.

Although it was once thought that brown eye color was always dominant and blue eye color was always recessive, the fact that two blue-eyed parents can give birth to a brown-eyed child has shown that the determination of eye color does not follow the simple rules of Mendelian inheritance. This may not run true as to the 50% chance, because there should be more people with the disease.

Take care. Have good thoughts, and make sure that you make your decisions after getting multiple opinions.

Sylvia
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KLJinOz
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ER said
Quote:
 
'm worried about my kids.
Well of course you are, who wouldnt be, this is also true for some types of breast cancer, my best friend from Canada had genetic hard in her family, another sister, 2 aunts... and herself. Her daughter has the opportunity to now know if she is disposed to the same as your children could find out too, and by the time it affects them, there may be some treatment available not available to you. I agree with everyone's comments here, no guilt, lots of 2nds opinions, and most of all, 50% full (rather than empty).

Also, thanks to you and ED, Cumbrian for posting all the photos today, its a highlight of my afternoon to peruse them all.

Margiew ~ still praying your little Kitty comes back.

Night All (its only 4pm here..... )
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margiew
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Elaine I'm glad your eye problems aren't as bad as we thought at first.

Great photo captures Cumbrian and ED

Congratulations to all the winners so far.

Sunday is one day away now! Y'all have a wonderful time and take lots of photos for the rest of us to dream with. I'll be here at my computer, wearing my badge and working on the posters and newspaper letter for Morrisa. All the time seeing how quiet the forum is and wondering if anyone on Santa Cruz is watching an eagle.

All your prayers and good thoughts are helping me get through this time of missing Morrisa. Many thanks to all for that.
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Teddy_Neal
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ER

I'll keep you in my prayers!
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