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Hello, I am new to this website and have joined because of dry eyes caused by Lasik. My story is like many I've read here. I had Lasik on April 10, 2008 and have been suffering pain, depression and anxiety ever since. I presently take fish/flax oil supplement, use over 70 vials of Refresh Plus per week, have a humidifier in my room, and use warm compresses almost every day and have punctal plugs in both lower ducts. Is there anything else I can do? I cry almost every day. I am unable to work a full 40 hour week. My family depends on my income to survive. My husband and daughter are at a loss as to what they can do to help me. I don't know what I can do to help me! Before Lasik I was a very happy, upbeat person. This new person I've become is horrible. My perfectly normal life has become a nightmare. I can't work, stores cause my eyes to hurt badly, wind is awful, I can't mow the grass anymore or golf or practically do anything outdoors. If I can get 5-6 hours in at work then I need to come home and close my eyes and do nothing, no reading, no tv, etc. And what can I do while lying there? I'm not tired enough to sleep, so I just lay there with my misery. I know this sounds like all gloom and doom, and don't get me wrong, I do have some better days, but then the dry eye comes back with a vengence. Am hoping this all passes with time, but am coming up on 6 months and I'm getting very tired of the struggle.
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Hi Aly- I am from your state, too! I also had a bad lasik many years ago. Probably the most comfort you may get right now is knowing that you are "new" out of the lasik-gate at six months. You will probably be quite a bit better at one year post op. It takes time for some of us to heal. If you had a high RX, that is one of the reasons it is slower.
Boy, what can you do while lying down without using your eyes? Not much but listen to music. I remember I used to lay on the couch a lot and "listen to tv." Not much fun, but there are times when there isn't any choice. You must save your eyes for work and other absolutely necessary things.
You might try reading around this forum, especially about moisture chamber glasses. (Panoptx, Wiley-X) We're glad you stopped by. There are others here from Michigan too. LucyDon't trust any refractive surgeon with YOUR eyes.
The Dry Eye Queen -
Hi Alywankin,
I'm sorry to see you here, but if is helps you are in the right place to meet others who have gone through what you are going through, and who are now in a much better place.
I too had Lasik last April, and know exactly how you are feeling. While I am more in control now then when I first arrived I still suffer anxiety when I wonder what the future holds, but one day at a time! I had no idea a high Rx meant a longer healing time, thanks for that Lucy.
Have a look through the link below. Dry eye is caused by either
1. A lack of production of tears, measured by the Schirmers test
2. Tears are producted at a normal rate, but the oil content is wrong, which leads them to evaporate too quickly, measured by tear break up time test.
Knowing which one you have will ehlp you in your treatment.
http://www.dryeyezone.com/encycloped...esyndrome.html
I would strongly recommend you get hold of the book by Dr. Robert Latkany, The Dry Eye Remedy, I am reading it now for my third time, incase I missed parts that I didn't know applied to me the other times I read it. It has all the info in an easy to read book, and will help you get a head start on asking the right questions. A notebook to keep notes on al the new terms and ideas you read will aslo help.
Keep well and I'm sure we will talk soon.Comment
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thank you
Thank you both for your kind words and the words of hope and encouragement.
I did have a higher RX, which was one of the reasons I decided on Lasik to begin with, my glasses were heavy and were becoming quite expensive to get them lighter and glare proof and bifocals and with sun protection and well I can't remember what else. Oh but I miss my nice comfortable glasses now.
And the cost savings I thought I'd have by not having to buy glasses has been eaten away 10 time plus by the doctors visits and vitamins and drops.
Silly me, I wish I had known all this before.
There are alot of things I feel I wasn't completely informed on, even though I thought I had done my research. My doctor described dry eye as like when you've worked unsually long at the computer and your eyes feel tired and gritty. That is what I expected, but that is not the reality of dry eyes. I fully support websites like these to get the word out, so that others do not make my same mistake.
Most people think that I exaggerate the way this feels. After all everyone else goes back to work after 2 days and are thrilled with the results, right?
So very wrong!
I hope that others read this and do not choose to have this surgery. I hope that with more time I will heal. I hope! And that is so very important. Again I thank you for giving me that hope with your words and experiences.Comment
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This is not a surprising comment really, I'm guessing your lasik surgeon still wears glasses and has never experience post lasik dry eye.Originally posted by alywankin View Post
It was quite a strange observation that I made post surgery that a lot of the surgeons and DR's I've seen wearing glasses.
Hmmmmm... Makes one think are there more risks involved in this procedure than meets the eye and are they aware of them and don't want to tell us or are they are aware of them and simply don't want to take them.
Upon inquiring further one Dr (my surgeon) said that his eyes weren't suitable, I wish that he had have made the same diagnosis on me, but I had hard folding cash in my pocket, of course I was suitable.
Warm regards and welcome.
IanComment
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Also a lasik victim....
Hi Aly - I had Lasik at the end of March and often felt like you - miserable, uncomfortable and wishing I hadn't had Lasik for my high Rx!
I did alot of research through the dryeyezone.com and read as much as I could on dry eye to push my treatment forward. My doctor is excellent, but she isn't an expert on dry eye. We've tried alot of different things over the last few months.
I recently tried Lacrisert - a pellet that you put in your eye each morning and it releases tears throughout the day. It is a prescription, but it has made a world of difference in my day to day life. It is a little bit difficult to use, but perserverance finally paid off and I am comfortable most days now. Just a thought....
I hope you find relief soon!Comment
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Low rx
Just to offer another perspective. I had a rather low rx pre-surgery -250 & -275. Still I ended up with lasik induced dry eye.
On a positive note, this is THE place to be to learn how to manage/overcome your symptoms. I have been to 3 doctors, one of whom is a corneal specialist. I can tell you this much, NONE of them helped me as much or even had as much knowledge as the great people on this site who have lived through this condition. Their help has brought me to a level where I am comfortable most days. My eyes are not perfect like pre-surgery, but I am regaining my life and am feeling happy again.
I am 2 years post op and I have improved BIG TIME from 6 months post op. Hang in there you have a ton of hope for improvement!!Comment
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I just have to chime in...
about what prattstar noticed regarding many eye docs and surgeons wearing glasses. Of all the eye docs I've seen, every one of them still wears glasses (and all of them, or other docs in their practice, perform LASIK) except one who said she wears contacts. I always found that very interesting too...
alywankin - I hope you're able to find some relief soon. Don't give up hope.Comment
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I am so sorry
Your post really hit home for me: the shock, the totally unexpected and unprepared for result of this "life changing surgery", the inability to work, the loss of pleasure in day to day activities, the ongoing expense (and we both thought we'd be saving $$ and of course, that logic is encouraged by the RS community). And finally, just being worn down from the constant pain.
And for those "Lasik" victims with children, my heart really aches.
But you need to know it can get better. You need to find a really good, understanding eye MD who specializes in diseases of the cornea and dry eyes and we are here for moral support.
When you feel up to it, I would strongly encourage you to file a report with the FDA about your outcome and side effects. Refractive surgeons totally downplay, either deliberatley or from ignorance, the incidence and severity of dry eyes. Regardless of their motives, the outcome is the same. We suffer. You might find taking that small action helps you feel a little less victimized as well. The link is right at the top of the page and really takes minutes. And I thank you for considering it.
If I could give you a big hug, I would. Just know that I am thinking if you.
NatalieComment
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Need help finding a good eye doctor in Michigan
You need to find a really good, understanding eye MD who specializes in diseases of the cornea and dry eyes
Hello Again, Can anyone direct me to a really good eye MD?
My family doctor referred me to someone for a 2nd opinion, but it was from another place that does Lasik and you probably know how that went --- "you're healing appears to be normal" "you knew this was an associated risk with the surgery" "That'll be $ 300.00 thank you."
I would like some who is not involved the the "Lasik" field. Anyone know of one?Comment
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Well, he doesn't wear glasses, but I am going to ask him if he's had the surgery himself. I know several members of his staff had the surgery and they all told me how great it was. Now I feel a little stupid; gee what else were they supposed to tell me -- how horrible it would be?Originally posted by prattstar View PostComment
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anxiety meds
One more thing - does anyone have experience with anxiety meds like ativan/lorazepam. My doc said they were addictive, but it helps me get through the day. I worry though that I am becoming dependent on them.Comment
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I have a similar story like many on this site..but I have seemed to wash my eyes with baby soap and it relieves them for a while after that. I know it kinda sounds silly, but it is peace of mind for me and I feel like it really does help. I take 3 1000mg flaxseed oil capsules daily. I have one plug in each lower punctum now.
You should check out the baby soap (Johnson & Johnson)Comment
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http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/forumdisplay.php?f=108
Hi,
Abiove is a thread where people post there experinces with good Dr.'s. maybe you can find somone there.
It makes all the differene finding someone who is up to date on "dry eye".
BernadetteComment
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Alywankin-
If you PM me your city in Michigan, I might be able to help. No promises, but I know a few eye docs. LucyDon't trust any refractive surgeon with YOUR eyes.
The Dry Eye QueenComment
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