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All, I'm about a year post-Lasik, and have had many ups and downs. Lately more ups, and here's my recent experience.
I read about one of the triumphs here, and she said that she "discontinued almost everything", so I tried that too - no more restasis (which ALWAYS burned, and messed me up for the rest of the day), no more Doxy, just some basic drops and I got a good pair of onion goggles. I started seeing a turnaround. Some caveats here - it's been a horrible, long winter in Minnesota, (and still continues! - yikes!) but the maximum pain/trouble I had occurred in Jan/Feb, which was almost unbearable. So, I think weather/humidity is a factor for me.
I also re-read Dr. Latkany's book The Dry Eye Remedy, and noticed that the drops I used were not thick enough and likely did nothing for my poor tear film, so I switched to Soothe and even Refresh Celluvisc when the pain got really bad. It didn't help with my blurry vision, but it at least usually put the fire out.
Some days are great - always perfect except for still halos, less clear vision at night (I have bought several glasses, which I may always need for that), and some, like yesterday are still kind of bad, but the better days are getting more frequent. A few times, the miraculous has happened where I went almost half the day without even NOTICING my eyes or putting drops in. My drops are now about 4-8 times a day. What's made me most happy is the clarity (which was hiding with the severe dryness) is awesome when things are good.
I went to my yearly Lasik check-up, and I can see some lines 20/10. He said I have a little MGD, but he's seen this level in a lot of people who report no vision/pain disturbances. It actually made me pause and not "hate him", seriously, for like a minute or so, because I'm now wondering if some people just feel cornea pain more sensitively than others, .....and how could they test for that? My husband had Lasik, clearly had dry eye for up to two years after, but had perfect clearness and not much pain (both which I've had in spades). Who knows why he was so lucky - he loves Lasik. Needless to say, I'm still doubting the general procedure - my issues are not gone, and it's taken a huge toll on the past entire year......BUT (and that's a big BUT!) I do feel some encouragement that this will continue to fully resolve, and that possibly I might someday get over this darn thing.
So - that's where I'm at - not quite the triumph page, but an encouraging "heads up". Strangely, I had a week in March where everything was awesome, and then it degraded again, so I'm aware of getting too worked up about things. But, as I have much better days, it is encouraging. There is also the cost involved (which is particularly offensive after spending several thousand on Lasik) - I was considering sclerals lenses, and spending $100/mo on drops and medications, so I'm hopeful that will go away as well.
Two things that scare me - winter re-occuring next year (it is, afterall, Minnesota!) and hearing that some people get well, and then this completely reoccurs....but I am hoping for the best. I'm also keeping all of you in my prayers as well. This site is wonderful - thank you so much for this great site. I'm not leaving yet - but hope to report back even better news someday.
Over and out ~ Chandra
I read about one of the triumphs here, and she said that she "discontinued almost everything", so I tried that too - no more restasis (which ALWAYS burned, and messed me up for the rest of the day), no more Doxy, just some basic drops and I got a good pair of onion goggles. I started seeing a turnaround. Some caveats here - it's been a horrible, long winter in Minnesota, (and still continues! - yikes!) but the maximum pain/trouble I had occurred in Jan/Feb, which was almost unbearable. So, I think weather/humidity is a factor for me.
I also re-read Dr. Latkany's book The Dry Eye Remedy, and noticed that the drops I used were not thick enough and likely did nothing for my poor tear film, so I switched to Soothe and even Refresh Celluvisc when the pain got really bad. It didn't help with my blurry vision, but it at least usually put the fire out.
Some days are great - always perfect except for still halos, less clear vision at night (I have bought several glasses, which I may always need for that), and some, like yesterday are still kind of bad, but the better days are getting more frequent. A few times, the miraculous has happened where I went almost half the day without even NOTICING my eyes or putting drops in. My drops are now about 4-8 times a day. What's made me most happy is the clarity (which was hiding with the severe dryness) is awesome when things are good.
I went to my yearly Lasik check-up, and I can see some lines 20/10. He said I have a little MGD, but he's seen this level in a lot of people who report no vision/pain disturbances. It actually made me pause and not "hate him", seriously, for like a minute or so, because I'm now wondering if some people just feel cornea pain more sensitively than others, .....and how could they test for that? My husband had Lasik, clearly had dry eye for up to two years after, but had perfect clearness and not much pain (both which I've had in spades). Who knows why he was so lucky - he loves Lasik. Needless to say, I'm still doubting the general procedure - my issues are not gone, and it's taken a huge toll on the past entire year......BUT (and that's a big BUT!) I do feel some encouragement that this will continue to fully resolve, and that possibly I might someday get over this darn thing.
So - that's where I'm at - not quite the triumph page, but an encouraging "heads up". Strangely, I had a week in March where everything was awesome, and then it degraded again, so I'm aware of getting too worked up about things. But, as I have much better days, it is encouraging. There is also the cost involved (which is particularly offensive after spending several thousand on Lasik) - I was considering sclerals lenses, and spending $100/mo on drops and medications, so I'm hopeful that will go away as well.
Two things that scare me - winter re-occuring next year (it is, afterall, Minnesota!) and hearing that some people get well, and then this completely reoccurs....but I am hoping for the best. I'm also keeping all of you in my prayers as well. This site is wonderful - thank you so much for this great site. I'm not leaving yet - but hope to report back even better news someday.
Over and out ~ Chandra
and i feel better now in winter than i did in 30degree humid summer . perhaps our eyes just need a break???
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