I live in California. I used to have about -8, and very strong astigmatism. I was diagnosed with keratoconus in early 2003 when I decided to apply for a Lasik surgery, and I was turned down. I was told that my cornea was “uneven,” and no doctor would agree to operate on it. I didn’t hear the term “keratoconus” until I went to a different specialist.

I started noticing that I couldn’t see well with my right eye in the late 1990’s. It was as if I didn’t have any focal point. No matter how close or far I would hold a book, the letters would remain blurred. I consulted with a doctor, but he could see nothing at the time.

Another specialist who saw me in early 2004 in California told me that I had keratoconus. In his opinion, it was still possible to correct it with reading glasses or contact lenses. When I asked about other treatment options and the progression of the disease over time , I was told the following: “You can still see now, and when you become completely disabled we will put you on the cornea transplant list.” It sounded terrible – as though my blindness was a complete certainty. He didn’t even say “IF I become completely disabled”!

I started to search the Web in order to find out as much as I could about keratoconus. Quite soon, I found information about Professor Lombardi. What struck me immediately was that Prof. Lombardi referred to Svyatoslav Fyodorov, a world-famous ophthalmologist from Russia, as his “mentor.” Everyone in Russia, as well as many people outside Russia, know about Professor Svyatoslav Fyodorov and his unique clinic. I myself happened to live not far from the clinic in Moscow. My grandfather used to go there to treat his glaucoma and cataract on both eyes and was always impressed with the quality of the care and the results.

I contacted Prof. Lombardi by e-mail and very soon I received an invitation to come to his clinic in Rome.

 

My first operation took place in September 2004. The operation went very well, although from a lay patient’s point of view it has to be called an extraordinary experience. There is no pain during the surgery. The biggest problem for me on the operating table was to have to look straight at the very bright microscope light while relaxing my eyes. A special device is used to keep the eyes open, but if they are not relaxed enough, the eyelids can become quite sore after the operation.

The first ‘uncomfortable’ night after the surgery went as predicted. In my case it was probably a little more uncomfortable because I was heavily jetlagged after my flight from California.

I was able to walk around Rome on the day immediately following the surgery (wearing sunglasses) and do some sightseeing. The most important problem for me was the sun, and any bright light in general. I stayed in Rome and went to the clinic for check-ups for two more days, and then I flew back to California. I was able to start working full time a week after the surgery.

After about four months, at the end of January 2005, I went to Rome again for a check-up and Prof. Lombardi decided to make a small enhancement. Everything went as planned, except that I had a micro-perforation of the cornea on my right eye. After the surgery I had no more than -1 on both eyes and almost no astigmatism. Prof. Lombardi told me that my cornea was stable in terms of its curvature and thickness. Finally, in July 2008, I was told that I was ready for the next surgery, this time accompanied by riboflavin crosslinking in order to further reinforce the cornea.

 

The procedure took place in December 2008, without any complications. The first half of the procedure was  a standard ARK surgery enhancement, and it proceeded as usual. Prof. Lombardi then made me sit up on the operating table and asked me to look at the clock on the wall. I could see very well, just like after the second enhancement surgery. Prof. Lombardi then told me to remember that moment very well, because, as he put it, I would not be able to see that well for a period of 7 to 15 days.  At the beginning, nothing unusual happened.  I had to lay flat on the operating table while riboflavin was periodically applied to the surface of my cornea andUV light was directed at it. Finally, the procedure was over. When I got off the operating table, I realized that I could see almost nothing. The impression was that I was looking through a thick layer of motor oil. Then I realized that I could in fact see large objects such as doors, windows and people (recognizing their faces).  Prof. Lombardi assured me that this was normal, and that it would only be getting better from now on day by day.

I was able to walk back to my hotel by myself with no problem. I was able to insert the key and open the door.

The night after the surgery was not much more uncomfortable than usual. I was given some anesthetic drops, but I didn’t need to use them.  In the morning, however, I was already able to see the telephone number pad (with my ‘better’ eye)! Three days after the surgery, I left Rome.  By then, I had enough eyesight to get around in the city, at the train station, the airport, etc. Even on the second day after the surgery, I was able to go to a restaurant and read the menu. It took my right eye about a week to catch up with the left one. I stopped seeing ‘machine oil’ colors completely after about two weeks. I cannot say that the sensitivity to light was much worse after the last surgery as compared to the previous surgeries.

I  ordered my first, very mild pair of eyeglasses a month after the surgery.  I keep my eyeglasses mostly in my car.

By the way, it’s quite an experience to order glasses after the surgeries. I became very famous in my optometrist’s office, and it took him a while to get used to the fact that my vision is changing to the better. At first he could not believe that my astigmatism had decreased so much and he kept asking about how that was done.

I am now looking forward to seeing Professor Lombardi and his staff again, and to hearing about the final quality of the results of my treatment.