Cut Free from Lasik Doc. Concerned.

[Karen]

I just went to my LAST post lasik appointment after a year and a half and I'm not sure what to do next. My doctor saw me for longer than the promised year, so that was nice of her. But she didn't seem to have a good grasp of what to do for my cronic dry eye. I still have "spk" (superficial punctate keratitis). To me this just means cronic blurry vision. YUCK!!!

The only good thing I can say, is I do not have any pain. I just read someone else's post that maybe that would come if/when my nerves finally heal. Who knows, but I sure would like to know if anyone else is out there like me.

My doc finally said that my last appointment, would be the last post-op appointment and to come back and see her in a year. I asked if this "SPK" could cause me to go blind. She claims not, but I'm not sure I believe her. So if anyone knows more about this I would appreciate some input.

I found this site/company about 6 months ago and have gone on all your drops. They are a LIFE SAVER for me. They at least make my life manageable. Before I started useing Dr. Holly's drops I had tried all the over the counter junk and my Doc had finally started me on ointments during the day. That was a huge mess.

Anyway, now I am willing to try anything (well maybe not quite "anything" ha, ha) to get my vision to stabalize. I currently have started using Dwelle & Dakrina several times during the day along with taking 3 tsps of flax oil twice daily and Restasis. I also have puctual plugs. I am thinking of trying the "tranquileyes" since my Doc claims I must not close my eyes completely at night. Right now I am sleeping with a sleep mask and a piece of plastic over my eyes at night. Boy is that a "cute sight". I live in New Mexico, so we have wind and dryness everywhere. So I am also looking into getting a good humidifier. Any suggestions there would also be appreicated.

Well, if anyone has any helpfull suggestions, I would take all of them. I was extremely far sighted before my surgery, and sure wish I had understood this was a post-op problem I might get to live with forever.

Also, I'm kind of curious what percentage of us have dry eye AFTER lasik. I never had it before, but of course my Doc claims it's due to everything but the lasik. Yea, right. Is there a running pole somewhere on this sight that I could check out and contribute to?

So, enough "venting" from me. Please help if you know anything.

[Lucy]

My doctor saw me for longer than the promised year, so that was nice of her

Karen, how much did you pay "her" for your lasik? It is not "nice" of her to see you for the promised year. It's her obligation and you paid for it. I sound a bit harsh, but you need to take a more assertive attitude or you will be out the door.

Since your "promised" year is up, I am not sure what her obligation to you is. I can say that I've had continual problems since lasik and my doc saw me for appointments for almost 4 years under the "global fee." He treated me for everything, mostly dry eye stuff and infections. Plugs, eye exams, etc. I had a "one year" deal too. I'm sure if I had just said ok and gone off into the night, my doc would have been ok with that, too. As a result of him seeing me for so long under the lasik fee, he did not make any money on me.

You need to be upfront with your doctor and tell her what you expect. I'm writing my experience for you to (hopefully) give you an idea of what to say and do. YOU are doing everything you can do to help yourself. You are not a doctor, though. I'm curious if anyone else will put any info out for you.

You say your vision is crappy and you have spk. I think this is from lasik. You can always start seeing another doc, but I believe you must let your current doc know you expect more from her than a shove out the door. Tell her you know someone who was treated for several years under the lasik code for post-op problems. My doc finally switched over to a cataract code, but was with the game for 4 years on the price of my lasik fee.

You deserve better. Do you have anyone who can be there to support you, only if it's for moral support? Your vision is on the line. Don't let this doc slam the door in your face and TELL YOU SHE IS DONE WITH YOU. I think perhaps this is called patient abandonment?

[Cindy]

Hi Karen, You won't go blind from SPK. I have had it on and off and I'm not blind yet . It's more of an occasional nuisance. Tiny, microscopic pieces of epithelium stick to my eyelids when I open my eyes in the morning. In my case, the dry spots that stick to my eyelids are right in my line of vision, hence the cloudy, blurred vision. If the sticky spots were a little more off center, I would have some stinging but my vision would not be affected.

Sounds like we have similar SPK episodes. Keep using a gel or good drop at night and it should be manageable. I use Dwelle at night which usually does the trick. If I'm feeling really dry and vulnerable, I'll use a night mask plus Dwelle or a night mask and GenTeal Gel.

My single most reliable technique for reducing SPK events is keeping a glass of water next to the bed. I dip my finger in it and moisten my eylids/lashes thoroughly (let some of it seep into the eyes) before opening my eyes in the morning. It took a while to get used to doing it but it's second nature now. It probably makes eye docs cringe but, tough. Works for me.

[Jeff]

Also, I'm kind of curious what percentage of us have dry eye AFTER lasik. I never had it before, but of course my Doc claims it's due to everything but the lasik. Yea, right. Is there a running pole somewhere on this sight that I could check out and contribute to?

Hi Karen,
I am sorry for the trouble you are having. I recently (yestersday) read the statistics were 30% of LASIK patients have dry eyes. It also went on to say that most of them had dry eyes to some extent before the surgery and were not aware of it. I do not know who wrote the article (LASIK Dr. or otherwise)

Jeff

[Rebecca Petris]

Getting hard figures is difficult, but that they are pretty substantial we know. It's understandable when you consider how many people are driven to LASIK by contact lens intolerance, which itself may be a warning sign of mild dry eye.

[Lucy]

Wrong Issue----

I think the issue is..........the title of her post. Cut Loose from Lasik Doc.
Whether it causes SPK/dry eyes is of little help to Karen. Her doc flipped her off. That is the problem.

But she didn't seem to have a good grasp of what to do for my cronic dry eye. I still have "spk" (superficial punctate keratitis). To me this just means cronic blurry vision. YUCK!!!

I think this doctor owes Karen an explanation and continued care. In the beginning of this (dry eyes after RS), many were noodles about asking for what's right. No reason not to address that.

[Rebecca Petris]

I think the issue is..........the title of her post. Cut Loose from Lasik Doc.
Whether it causes SPK/dry eyes is of little help to Karen. Her doc flipped her off. That is the problem.

Disagree. The problem is that she has SPK/dry eye and wants to continue finding better solutions that she can be as well as possible. If she has the energy to fight for continued care for the principle of it, from a doctor who does not seem to have much else to offer, fine, but this condition takes enough out of us that I personally think energy is best directed to getting solutions.

I do agree that simply "cutting someone loose" is unacceptable. Patients should not be fired without cause. Doctors who have no more to offer a patient and don't see any benefit seeing them anymore need to refer them to someone with more specialized expertise where appropriate.

[Karen]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the support and info. Lucy, it is very kind of you to stand up for my rights for me. And I appreciate knowing that someone got more post-op support than I am getting. So, I might go "fight" for the right to see her for longer. But since all the last "good ideas" came from me and this website, I'm not sure what she has to offer. I would love to see someone "more qualified" but I not sure if Albuquerque has such a person.

Also, I appreciate knowing that "we" don't believe spk will cause blindness. That helps with my concerns! And THANKS Cindy, I will be trying the water glass idea. My spk primarily affects my right eye and has been there since the beginning. My Doc discribed it as "a dirty windshield" and that's pretty acurate. I can clean an area sometimes but most of the time the right eye's vision is murkey. (sp)

So, thanks again for ALL the support and ideas. I will keep "dropping" and watching this sight for any/all other bright ideas. Afterall, this is a consequence of my own decisions. http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/newre...uote=1&p=5096#
Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)

[kaypeeoh]

I typed, "superficial punctate keratitis" into Medline and got nearly 200 responses. So somebody is working on fixing this. What about a soft contact lens? Focus Night and Day is available plano. Have you asked for a referral to a corneal specialist?

[Rebecca Petris]

I'm not sure what she has to offer. I would love to see someone "more qualified" but I not sure if Albuquerque has such a person.

Karen,

If at some point in the future you pursue additional medical advice and don't have a referral from your current doctor, try and look for a corneal specialist. Also consider working with your general practitioner on this. In a climate like yours they definitely have a lot of other people with dry eye and s/he may have suggestions or may know an optometrist or ophthalmologist who has particular experience in this area.

Dry eye is a complex condition and it really does take a team to deal with it: - doctor who's knowledgeable and willing to go to bat for their patient; patient who's willing to put a lot of effort into research and trying things out; and fellow patients who share ideas, which is where DEZ comes in

[Karen]

Sounds Good.

I will mention this to my regular Doc, when I see him. And look up a corneal specialist. I didn't even know what to ask for, when I wanted someone with more knowledge than this Lasik doc.

You guys are great!!! I am starting to get "addicted to the sight". I found some nutrition info on an alkaline diet, I am going to have to look into now. You are keeping me busy. Especially since I try to limit my computer time nowadays, to help my eyes out.