new member: not really dry eyes... yet

[littletyger]

Hi!

I'm 39 yrs old and will be having LASEK surgery in a couple of days. I went through all of the tests and the doctor felt that I would be a good candidate for this surgery.

I have a strong prescription, but I don't wear contact lenses because they really bother my left eye. I always thought that it was because of the astigmatism in that eye (toric lens), but now, after reading this site, I'm thinking it may be dry eye. It feels sticky, irritated and the contact lens gets filmy. I didn't discuss this with the doctor because I didn't realize it was a dry eye issue. I never have any problems when I'm not wearing contacts. So my questions are:

Is this something I should discuss with the doctor before the surgery?

Also, knowing that laser eye surgery can cause dry eye issues, I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to wear goggles like Tranquileyes after the surgery as a preemptive strike against that problem? Or perhaps that would keep the eyes too moist and closed in and result in infection?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[brd888]

2nd opinion

I would get a 2nd opinion from someone who is NOT going to do the surgery.

[Hangus]

I am not going to do your surgery - DON'T DO IT!!!!!

[littletyger]

Why should I not do the surgery? I didn't consider this to be a huge problem. I thought maybe I should just mention it to the doctor. Am I wrong?

I should mention that during my consultation I was tested for tears by attaching little threads to my eyes. No mention was made that I didn't produce enough. Also, my chosen doctor is one of the top ones in the field of laser eye surgery. Of course, if this is a serious issue that I didn't tell him about then being a top doc is irrelevant. Is this really a serious issue?

[MyDryEyes]

Don't do it!! The surgery will severe the nerves that communicate with your brain to produce your tear film. In some cases, these nerves do not reginerate properly. The higher your prescription, the deeper they have to cut. This puts you at higher risk for dry eyes.

I had laser surgery and I am now living with dry eyes that are chronically painful and disabling. It is difficult for me to go outside because I am so sensitive to wind. I have a really hard time at work in front of a computer. I can't watch TV. This condition is life altering!! It is really not worth the risk.

You are lucky you found this website prior to your surgery. I wish I would have. There are real people here who have major problems from laser surgery. You should also check out the sister website, Laser My Eyes.

Best of luck to you.

MDE

[irish eyes]

Surgery

I am not going to do your surgery either. Nor can I attribute my own painful dry eyes to Lasek. The cause is not known but it has made my life very hard over the years.

However, both my daughters considered the Lasek option until I pointed out the risks - mainly gleaned from contributors to online communities such as this one. They have seen the agony I have gone through and conclude that it isn't such a good idea. I see that as a blessing.

[littletyger]

Well, I guess I'm going to start by speaking to the doctor about this.

[Rebecca Petris]

Littletyger, welcome.

I can see that you would be surprised at the negative responses about surgery but bear in mind... this is a bulletin board existing mostly for people with severe dry eye. A large proportion of our 2000+ members got their dry eye from laser eye surgery and of those, almost all of us (yes, I'm one too) had our surgeries done by surgeons with excellent reputations and we were told we were excellent candidates. But the fact is - and it's probably tucked away somewhere on the informed consent document you will sign - persistent dry eye is the most common complication of these surgeries, even for people who go in with perfectly healthy eyes, let alone those with pre-existing dry eye. That's not to say it will happen to YOU. But the reason you'll find so many people here concerned about you is that we have a lot of practical knowledge about what it will be like if it does.

I have a strong prescription, but I don't wear contact lenses because they really bother my left eye. I always thought that it was because of the astigmatism in that eye (toric lens), but now, after reading this site, I'm thinking it may be dry eye. It feels sticky, irritated and the contact lens gets filmy. I didn't discuss this with the doctor because I didn't realize it was a dry eye issue. I never have any problems when I'm not wearing contacts. So my questions are:

Is this something I should discuss with the doctor before the surgery?

YES you should discuss it with the doctor; even better, as others have said, with an independent specialist.

Contact lens problems such as you are describing are often caused by what is sometimes termed 'subclinical dry eye' - not serious enough to produce symptoms when you're not wearing lenses, and not serious enough to bring up red flags in an exam, but existing nonetheless. If you read much on this site you'll find that a lot of people here had subclinical dry eye and then something, a surgery or a drug or even changing jobs and working in a more challenging environment, tipped things over into a full-blown dry eye case. That's the scenario you want to avoid.

Also, knowing that laser eye surgery can cause dry eye issues, I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to wear goggles like Tranquileyes after the surgery as a preemptive strike against that problem? Or perhaps that would keep the eyes too moist and closed in and result in infection?

Talk to the doctor about that as opinions will vary. Some doctors may recommend that it not be used in the first several days or week but many doctors are recommending it for use after that. I'd definitely max out dry eye care both before and after surgery.

[blackberry]

Lasik Survivor

Hi there. It's probably really confusing and intimidating for you to be bombarded with all this negative advice on your surgery. It seems to me that there are three really important reasons not to have lasek or lasik surgery:

1. If you are a high myope.
If your long-distance vision is very bad, they have to cut more deeply into the cornea, thereby severing more nerves that send signals to your eyes about blinking and tear production. This can cause trouble with dry eye after the surgery -- for years.
2. If you have dry eyes.
If you have dry eyes, or borderline dry eye, this surgery can push you over the edge into a very uncomfortable state.
3. If you have large pupils.
Large pupils can cause aberations that will make it difficult to see at night. You can get ghosting and halos around lights that make it almost impossible to drive and perform other tasks.

I had lasik and it was the worst thing that every happened to me. I warned a friend and neighbor about my troubles -- he was going to the same surgeon who had operated on me -- and he did just fine. He LOVES his new eyes.

If I were you I'd: 1) Do more research, 2) Get a second opinion, and 3) take my time. If your operation is scheduled for a few days from now, wait a month and weigh the pros and cons in a dispassionate and informed way.

I wish you all the best. Let us know how you do.

[bernmee]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpFMSrgHokQ

Above is a link to the hearing that were held on April 26th 2008. There are many more links on youtube, have a look at a few more before you make your decision.

I had Lasik done because I found contacts a little uncomfortable to wear. This should have been a red flag. I, like so many people on this site was told I would be a perfect candidate.

Please postpone your surgery and take more time. Get a second and third opinions. These are free so see a few more surgeons before making your final decision. Ask your surgeon what treatment plan they have in place for those who do suffer "dry eye". Drops are not enough for those of us who suffer severe "dry eye" after surgery, and finding a Dr. who will treat this "dry eye" is half the battle. Many people fly to New York and other states to get an appointment with a Dr. who treats "dry eye".

You were lucky you found this site before getting the surgery. Please don't deny the doubts you have about this surgery. Have all you questions answered before the surgury.

And remember, the grass is always greener on the other side, but for some of us it was not.

[bernmee]

And if you are a 39 year old female I believe (though someone else can correct me on this) you will be in a higher risk of developing dry eye.

[brd888]

In summary:
1 Screening is vital.
2 Laser surgery is a serious operation.
3 The surgeon has no idea how bad dry eye feels.
4 It's a gamble whether or not you will get dry eyes. est between 5% or 25% chance if not more.


plus why do so many Optometrists still wear glasses?

[Jen72]

I am a very similar case to yours, age etc. And now I have severe dry eye. Use caution, get a second opinion if necessary.