I'm here too...

[Lina]

Hi everyone,

I'm happy I've run across this website. Couldn't even imagine that so many people had the same problem - thought it was just me.

I had my LASIK back in April and I had it done in Russia (though I live in England), so I can't go back to see the doctor. My surgery was a "prescribed" one as apparently contact lenses had ruined my eyes and gave me this dry eye syndrom. So the surgery was supposed to treat it. It didn't.

I've been reading people's complaints and seems that my problem is a bit different. I do feel dryness in my eyes when I wake up in the morning, but my major concern is blurry vision (not redness or pain). I can't see well. Before I left hospital they checked my sight - it was 80%. they said that after dryness subsided, I'd see better. I still don't. And now I feel desperate at times - after corrective surgery the dryness is still there and I can see 20% worse! Perfect.

The treatment prescribed to me was Vidisic gel for the night and Hycosan hyaluronic drops for the day. Have been using liters f these! Have also bought new (apparently the best) drops called Ocumed Tears 0.2%. Have been taking TheraLife Dry Eye Enhanced®. No effect.

I've already ordered Dwelle and night goggles from this website. I'm looking forward to start using them. I have high hopes.

And I'd also like to ask people living in London - could someone please recommend a good doctor and a place to have tear plugs inserted. Please! NHS is useless.

Many thanks.

PS oh yes, and what is erosion please? how does it look and feel? (maybe I have it too?)

[lboogie]

Oh my goodness -- it's like a parade of new "lasik" dry eye members. Lina it sounds like you need to see an opthamologist who also does lasik so that they can assess your situation and advise on a course of action. If your vision is blurry -- can glasses correct it? If so -- then that would be your answer. Yes, it would defeat the purpose of lasik, but the good news would be that you were just undercorrected --a nothing more worrisome.

I've been 20/20 since day one -- but with pretty bad dry eyes, floaters, and starbursting at night. You're not alone --and our UK members here are great -- I"m sure you find some recommendations.

[Lina]

I may be undercorrected, but on my good days I see better then on my very dry eyes day. And on some days drops seem to work better. Immediately after instillation I see clearly but then the drops evaporate and my vision is blurry again...

[irish eyes]

Punctal plugs

Hi Lina

My dry eye is not caused by Lasik - but believe me that I know what the pain is like. The NHS can be brilliant for some things but an understanding of dry eye is certainly not one of them.

You may be a good candidate for punctal plugs - I once had them in top and bottom lids but there was a lot of bacteria floating round my eyes so it resulted in cysts and other really horrid things. The doctor removed the bottom plugs (that are responsible for retaining around 70% tears) and I now only have them in the top. This helps when you are asleep because 30% of moisture is lost when you lie down. (Or so I was told - but it seems plausible).

You could try contacting an optometrist who specialises in dry eye. I can name 2 - although they are not in London. (It's something to think about)

http://www.matheson-optometrists.com (Alresford and other locations)

http://www.edinburgh-eyetests.co.uk/dry_eyes.htm (Edinburgh)

Both reputable.

Good luck.

[Nimmykins]

Have you been to a specialist eye hospital or just your GP?
I ask because I had no joy with the GP, but I happen to live near Sussex Eye Hospital, and went there. They were fantastic.
I know there is an NHS eye hospital in London, but I can't remember its name.

[Guest]

Lina

I am sorry to hear you have joined us because of your dry eye after lasik but I am equally pleased for you that you will get some support, encouragement and tips here.

I am in the UK but I am still under the care of my laser eye factory so can't really recommend anything.

I did see a DR at the Wolverhampton eye hospital whom I felt really comfortable with.

He seemed to know what he was doing.

I think the hospital in London is Morefields if I'm not mistaken. It is supposed to be the best in the country and could be worth a try.

Clinitas Ultra is available in the UK and could also be worth a try.

It is my drop of choice these days. I still use Viscotears PF.

You question about how does an erosion/abrasion present is a difficult one. For me, it is a distinct difficulty opening my eyes followed by incredible pain and watering eyes.

I immediately flood my eye with a good lubricant, then pop and ice pack on and head back to bed.

Mine seem heal much quicker these days. Gone are the days where my vision is pants for hours to days.

If you want the name of the DR I saw in Wolverhampton, please PM me.

Ian