Gunderson Flap

[PunkyJames]

I presently have band keratopathy on my cornea which is increasing getting worse and more painful. I wear a bandage contact in my eye which helps it not be as painful. The retina in the eye is non-functioning due to an infection I had 4 years ago.  It has been suggested to me that I have a gunderson flap to improve the comfort of the eye.

How benefical is this procedure in decreasing the pain from the band keratopathy?

Can a comestic contact be worn to improve the appearance of the eye having the gunderson flap surgery?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Might be a little more difficult to do as the first part of the procedure is mobilizing the conjunctiva and that tends to stick down over the buckle plus its not "virgin" tissue which always means more scarring and bleeding. It would take somewhat longer to heal and for the eye to turn white. It is generally not a very painful procedure.

JHaganMD

[PunkyJames]

I have had a vitrectomy and a scleral buckle procedure. In comparison to a vitrectomy and scleral buckle procedure, how does the gunderson flap post-procedure pain and recovery compare?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

probably

JCH MD

[PunkyJames]

Thank you for promptly responding to my questions.

One other question I have is regarding the bandage contact lens. The last month I have had a problems with the contact lens coming off my eye (center).  It seems my lid is dragging the lens up when I blink.  Is this due to the band keratopathy thickening?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

A G flap is extremely helpful at relieving pain. Often the flap thins with time and there may be less cosmetic problems than when the white cornea you have. Contact lens don't work as well as a cosmetic shell (like an artifical eye) worn over the entire eye.

Be sure to protect your good eye from injury and disease. Wear protective glasses at all times.

JCH MD