Post-LASIK Regret

[Perception]

Shogan,

Sorry to hear about the canceled appointment. I would be frustrated too. Were they able to reschedule you for another time in the near future?

Regarding the computer glasses, did you buy over the counter ones, or ones made specifically for your refractive error (as slight as it may be)? For a while after surgery, I tried using over the counter ones, and they were not doing the trick. Now I have prescription ones with high quality anti glare lenses. Most days I seem to be doing better with them, as they are taylored to balance the vision between my two eyes. But don't have a final conclusion, as I haven't been using them that long.

For the dry eyes, are you wearing any protection at night.. like goggles or a mask? Almost two weeks ago I started wearing goggles while I sleep (bought through this site) to keep moisture in. My eyes feel alot better upon waking in the morning than they used to, and I think it might be helping overall with the dry symptoms.

Hope things improve for you.

[LasikLady]

So much time to heal...

Hello there!

Just wanted to chime in with my 2 cents here You are so very early in your healing process, you will improve greatly over the next few months and years and you have come to the right place to learn ways to cope and deal with your physical and emotional issues in the meantime.

This month marks 4 years since my lasik and reading through your posts I can tell you I initially felt all the same things you are now feeling. And in the beginning my symptoms were quite severe as well. However for me, the emotional fallout was even worse than the physical. I tend to be an obsessive person by nature and the decision I made to have this surgery haunted me night and day and all I could think about was my eyes and how they were feeling. I would not let myself be distracted and I was filled with gloom and doom thoughts about my future.

Through the coping techniques I learned on this website, and with time and the support of my husband and family, I can now say at worst my now mildly dry eyes are a minor inconvenience that I have learned extremely well how to cope with. And for much of my day I am symptom free. On the weekends when I am not working at a computer for 9 hours a day in an airconditioned office - I rarely have any discomfort. That is huge from where I was in the beginning.

I think the one coping techinque that has helped me THE MOST and I highly recommend to everyone with dry eyes is MOISTURE CHAMBER GLASSES/GOGGLES. Even if you only wear them in the car while driving, a few hours at home in the evening, they can make a huge difference. When I started making time during the day to wear these (kind of like making time for an exercise routine) is when my eyes started taking a huge upswing in comfort. Something about protecting the tear film for a few minutes/hours in the day really improved my eye health and comfort, even when I wasn't wearing the goggles. I have the tinted and non tinted Harley Davidson ones and they fit me perfectly.

Anyway, good luck, chin up and try to not look at the future and think you will always be this bad. Because you won't!!

LL

[Lucy]

Lasik Lady, you did very well telling of your 4 year trial of Lasik dry eye and other problems. It is nice to see others who have gone through this help some of the new folks. Your post is telling them just as things really work out in most of the cases!

I am almost 11 years post-Lasik and frankly, am tired of telling the tale sometimes to others. They do need to hear this though. I remember how it was to think what Lasik had done to me. I still think this way, but not very often. Other things have come into my life and pushes that towards the back somewhat. Best regards, Lucy

[LasikLady]

Thanks Lucy! You were one of the ones that really helped me come to terms with my situation and learn to deal in the beginning.

I remember a post you wrote about putting on your goggles and going to Vegas and having a blast despite the smokey casinos and dry desert air. And I thought, "Yeah, that's what I want to learn to do." And I have. So thank you for being a source of inspiration to me and I am sure many others who have come here looking for help.

I am happy to keep telling the story to anyone who needs to hear it. I have spoken to several people contemplating Lasik and have warned them about the possible outcome. A few actually have listened to me. And the others at least are now informed, which is something I was not.

God bless,
LL

[Shogan]

Couple days away from 8 months out.

I saw Dr. Hector, dry eye specialist in Bradenton, today. The first opthamologist I have seen since late May/early June. The staff was warm and helpful.

They started out by checking my vision (still seeing 20/15 according to the Snellen, but its a blurry 20/15). The technician did a test to check my periphery; that looked good.

She then did a test similar to the Schrimer test (according to her its better). Two little hook wires (looked almost like a christmas ornament hanger, not paper strips like schrimer) on the edge of my lower eyelid. Apparently I scored a 15 right and 12 left. The next step was dilating my eyes. The tech said my left eye had a "reaction" to the dilation drop. Apparently my eye got really bloodshot. Also staining dye was added.

When Dr. Hector came in he said "Are your eyes always this red?" "Yeah, it sucks" was my reply. He narrated some information to the tech as he observed my eyes. "Mild or moderate conjunctival staining" etc etc. He said the incision looks well healed. He said I have some mild inflammation. He also confirmed posterior vitreous detachment in both eyes, although I only notice it in my left eye.

Following his tests he placed two collagen plugs into my left eye, an upper and lower; was a strange experience. I assume they are inner plugs because I see no apparent change in the way my ducts look; no cap or anything. He then gave me a week sample of the restasis to see how I handle it (the burning I assume).

His staff technician mentioned a program where I can get restasis for free. When I call back in a week to update she told me to ask for her to get into the program. HECK YES I will do that. They also gave me a trial of Theratears and the technician said she loves the stuff. I should have asked her why she loves it. Did she have RS?

I asked his opinion regarding contacts for dry eye and he made that out to be a negative idea. Little disappointed by that. I've read great things from the D'eyealogues forums regarding experiences with sclerals, mini-sclerals, etc. I dunno. I'm scared, I'm hopeful, I'm working with what I've got. We'll see how it goes. As of now I see that as the only thing that will get me feeling better.

On a plus side, while dilated I didn't see the floaters. But they came back

[Margaret]

Hi Shogan and others,

I'm post Lasik, 5 months. I have dry eye, apparently MGD ("thickened" upper eyelids), my vision is waning (ghosting at night seemingly getting worse, eye strain, blurry vision during the day), and extreme anxiety/depression over this. I just want to let you know that I'm fighting the same fight as you are every day and completely understand what you are going through. I hope you are doing well. My doc has said the floaters are a pain, but the less you can think about them the better your brain will as well. She said it takes a year or so for the floaters to diminish as well. I am scared to ask about the nighttime vision if that will get worse because I live in Wash. state and I have to drive during the winter time a lot in the dark! My newest quest is learning all i can about MGD because they are now diagnosing me with that (I've seen four docs and all of them said I had it mildly).

Since I'm in the same boat as you I don't have much to say as someone from "the other side". I keep trying to think that pretty much every one on the site says it does get better, either in terms of the anxiety/depression, or your eyes, or hopefully both. At this point I would like to just get rid of the constant pain in my stomach and heart. Anxiety actually hurts me, like I'm going to have a heart attack. I'd like to move on from that!

All the experts I've heard from say that improvements can take up to 1 year and beyond (I have even heard that people improve after several years).

I don't know about you, but I just need hope. I do believe there still is some out there. there are also a lot of amazing people on this forum and they have helped me through this continuing tough time. Definitely keep reaching out like you are to everyone here. I know that I will be here to support others when i finally reach "the other side"

Good luck, I'm thinking of you!

[Lucy]

Margaret, from an "old-timer" here, this is a very thoughtful and sweet post.
Your volunteering to help others etc is very much needed here as people keep coming on with post Lasik dry eye, as well as other reasons.

You mention your heart and stomach....many of us are aware of the same feelings. It will go away, but may take awhile. You might want to speak with your GP about antidepressants or something else to ease your tension a bit. So many have needed this for at least a period of time, to get them through the worst. Good luck and I hope to see you on DEZ again. Lucy

[Perception]

Shogan, Magaret,

I am 4+ months post Lasik, and dealing with some of the same issues you both are. It is unfortunate that so many other people are as well, but it does help us to know we are not alone in this - there are people out there who truly understand what it's like. The advice from "veterans" about options I would have never known about that can help with some of these issues has been extremely helpful to my recovery (both physically and mentally).

I truly hope for your improvement, and feel free to bounce any questions/ideas off me.

[Shogan]

Perception & Margaret,

I am extremely thankful to have a place where people can relate, and hopeful that anything in my experience can be beneficial for you. There are alot of people in the community that want to help and will do everything feasible to make that so. Dr. Hector is the first one I've met in person so far that understands the pain, but there are tons.

Its hard for me to recall what it feels like to have no pain or sensations in my eyes. I find that really troubling sometimes but I am hanging in there. I haven't had a real episode of freaking out in 2 or so months now. Not that I feel any better physically, just more accustomed I guess.

Regarding my visit, I forgot to mention to the doctor that I previously been on Alrex. I put in my first drop of restasis this afternoon (only in my right eye since I have temp upper and lower plugs) after I let it chill in the frig. A slight stinging sensation but that faded in 10 or so minutes. Pretty cool.

Little interesting tidbit. I got some sort of Allergan Restasis catalogue or introductory booklet from the office staff. In there is a small asterisk...quote:
"The action of Restasis is not fully known*

Heres a drug! Take it! We don't really know what it does!

Oh well, still grateful for the trial and the potential free program.

Regarding the plugs: I don't think they are really doing much. No significant difference in pain/sensation/etc to confidently state they are helping.

P.S forgot to mention that Dr. Hector said there is a potential cure/treatment for PVD floaters awaiting the approval process for the FDA. An injection that dissolves the little buggers. Going to be interesting to follow that journey.

Thanks all,
Shogan

[Perception]

P.S forgot to mention that Dr. Hector said there is a potential cure/treatment for PVD floaters awaiting the approval process for the FDA. An injection that dissolves the little buggers. Going to be interesting to follow that journey.

I read something like this was in FDA trials a couple years ago, but the trials stopped before it was completed. From what I remember, the primary goal of this was to reduce retinal issues in high risk patients (primarily diabetics) by dissolving vitreous, but a side effect was that floaters were decreased as well.

Did Dr. Hector mention if FDA trials are starting back up? Or if this is something completely different? I too am interested to follow this, as the "buggers" is the complication I have the most difficulty dealing with!

[Shogan]

1 year and a day

Hi again everyone,

Its been awhile since I've last posted on my circumstance, but I have been back now and then reading the forums.

Yesterday was the 1 year mark of my Lasik surgery. In hindsight it feels its past so quickly, but during the worst suffering it felt as if there would never be any relief. Fortunately there has been relief; relief of wound healing over time. I haven't had any erosions since Oct. 2010 and I have been able to ween myself off of eye drops all together. My eyes are not like they used to be...they are still painful and dry all of the time, but I have grown "used" to it somehow and the severity has decreased to a nuisance.

I didn't even think about the 1 year mark till right before I went to bed last night. I feel happy about the fact that it slipped my mind, but still sad about the entire situation. Fortunately life is better in new ways for me. I feel excited about the prospect of seeing Dr. G in Dallas this summer. The hope of that solution helps me. I also have a better job as a fitness instructor working nearly 50 hours a week. The exercise and little time to think about my eyes does well for me. However, I still struggle mentally with the floaters. Only noticeable in one eye but still bothersome in daylight or uniform pastel colored backgrounds.

Anyway getting ready to head to bed to end my week. Feel free to PM me or write back with any questions comments or if you want more info if you are suffering as well.

Thank all

[Lucy]

Shogun, so happy you are feeling better about your eyes. During the early times, each day seems like a week. After awhile time goes more quickly and at a year you almost forgot. Thanks for posting your information. It is good info, neither a "no problem" post nor anything scary. Lucy

I was at a dry eye seminar when Dr. Hector was a presenter. I was just in Fla and could have made an appt with him. I live in Mich, so it's something I need to think ahead about. Maybe next year. I don't think I would ever see the doc who does the expensive consult. I have been to drs who have charged that much though. I hope your future includes the things you want to do. You are still a young man.

[Perception]

Shogan,
Glad to hear you are doing ok. I am 8+ months now. Even though some of the complications remain, I mentally am getting along better than before.

I too plan to see Dr G this summer in July. We'll have to share experiences.

[LilyFair]

Shogun, so happy you are feeling better about your eyes. During the early times, each day seems like a week. After awhile time goes more quickly and at a year you almost forgot. Thanks for posting your information. It is good info, neither a "no problem" post nor anything scary. Lucy

I was at a dry eye seminar when Dr. Hector was a presenter. I was just in Fla and could have made an appt with him. I live in Mich, so it's something I need to think ahead about. Maybe next year. I don't think I would ever see the doc who does the expensive consult. I have been to drs who have charged that much though. I hope your future includes the things you want to do. You are still a young man.

Where is Dr Hector located Lucy? Have you head good things about him? I'm a post lasik dry eye person, had the Lasik last June, no dry eye before that. I'm in Miami Beach for the next month and wondered if he was anywhere near me.

[Sammy B.]

Lily,

Dr. Hector is in Bradenton, FL, so that is a bit of a drive from Miami.

Dr. Toyos has been holding IPL sessions every month in either Miami Beach or Ft. Lauderdale. Not sure where he'll be this month or next month, but if IPL has interested you, and if you have MGD, it might be worthwhile to see him since you'll be in his general area.

Rose