Surely, loss of vision is too steep a price to pay when alternative therapy may be available. Finally, ask your eye doctor if you are a candidate for cataract removal and lens implant in the unlikely event that the prednisone is, indeed, lifesaving, but has a negative effect on your vision. I am 43 and recently had open-heart surgery to replace a damaged valve. I am quite impressed with this medical breakthrough. Very successful, as you and thousands of patients can attest.
Prosthetic valves are truly one of the miracles of modern science.
The valve is a caged-ball device that replaces the diseased valve, blocks the valve opening, and prevents backflow of blood. The Starr-Edwards prosthesis was one of the earliest and most efficient artificial valves. In addition, porcine valves are often implanted in humans whose hearts malfunction because of valvular disease. I am sure that your cardiologist or cardiac surgeon would be willing to sit down with you, show you a valve similar to yours, and explain much of the fascinating technical history of these remarkable inventions.