Eleven years later

[Cindy]

This month is my 11 year LASIK anniversary. I still have LASIK induced dry eye and still have ghosted vision. I cope. I have a job I enjoy. I still despise my lasik surgeon and his dismissive treatment of me post-op. Everything I have gained since has been of my own doing and on the back of others who have shared their stories and coping skills with me. I am fortunate enough over the years to learn what works for me and what doesn't. I am reasonably comfortable most of the time. But I still regret the day I had LASIK.

I am offline most of the time because computer use bothers the crap out of my eyes. I have lost contact with many of the people who helped me. Today, I honor them and thank them for giving me the tools and the fortitude to get up every day and deal with this. Phyllis, Rebecca and Glooms, thank you.

[Hopeful2]

Hi Cindy!

Congratulations on your 11 year LASIK anniversary!! You deserve a lot of credit for trying to find the help that you need to improve your eyes, as well as for finding the skills needed to cope with long term dry eyes.

The dismissive post-op treatment seems to be a recurring theme. It is the poor treatment that I find most intolerable. It really paints a picture of greedy surgeons who don't have the courage to stand behind the people they have damaged.

Thank YOU for popping in every once in a while and being available to share some of those coping strategies. Those of us who are only at the one year mark are looking for healing solutions. . . and ways to cope. I know I really appreciate the posts of those who have come through LASIK ahead of me.

THANK YOU

[SunshineinCalgary]

Congratulations Cindy. YOU've come a long way and I'm impressed when you said "I cope. I have a job I enjoy." It's not easy at all. Working at the computer 7 hours a day in an air conditioning environment really drives me crazy!!

I'm hoping that 10 years down the road I can repeat what you said today, "I cope. I have a job I enjoy, and I do love life"

I hope you're enjoying life and I really like your quote !!

[Rebecca Petris]

Woke up this morning and looked at the date and realized it's my 11 year 'laserversary'.

And yes the first people I think of are you and Phyllis and Glooms. Thinking of a driving drip back in 2004 was it? when I first got to see you all. Two year old daughter in tow who is now going on 10! I miss the two of you and and today I especially feel that hollow place missing Mary who has passed. Sending good thoughts and a big hug to "the old guard" of the post LASIK crowd.

I am thankful, so thankful that I can echo so much of what you said Cindy. While we are among the ones who "didn't get better", we've got so much going for us. And your description: "I am reasonably comfortable most of the time" - to me sounds like a really good good goalpost for some of the others in situations like ours to be able to look forward to.

[cristinalatina]

I am nearing my 7 year anniversary post LASIK, and hope to celebrate with my first pregnancy I share the feelings of both Rebecca and Cindy. Worst decision of my life. I am reasonably comfortable but would like to be even more, looking for long term solutions for my dry eye like Rebecca did (what a relief and inspiration to read your dry eye story!) I admit I'm still behind in terms of acceptance. I am hoping that a child will put my time into better use

My best to you both.

Cristina

[Bennys]

Cindy -

I can relate to you exactly. I had my Lasik surgery in 2002 and my eyes have never been the same - dry, itchy, halos, floaters, you name it, I have it along with the discomfort and pain of dry eye. I have tried everything and nothing really helps that much. It's surprizing how much it affects your life - having to stay away from fans, heaters, malls, grocery stores (due to air flow). Like you, I don't get on the computer much either as I can't stand staring at the screen - really hurts my eyes. In fact, I was a medicaL transcriptionist - can't do that anymore. Just hope that someday soon someone will come up with something to help us suffers. I'm just glad that there is this website for support and that I am not alone in this battle. Glad to know that you found some relief with this condition and know how to handle your symptoms.

Bennys