I read a lot of LASIK Survivor sites and forums, and I am weirded out that no one has mentioned moving to NY.

How do you all handle not being able to drive? I had LASIK 8 months ago, and yadda yadda, a long list of symptoms later, and like a lot of you, driving is now a serious no-no.

Being shuttled around has worked for me in the short term, but obviously is not a long term solution... how do you guys deal with this? Do you all, in fact, move to NYC?

Nope. I live in the armpit of the midwest in Illinois. I've lived with six years of seriously sh*tty vision for which there is NO fix. (We have no public transport to speak of here, and I live alone.)

It sounds as though you need some assistance with the issues you are having. What steps have you taken so far in dealing with the obvious complications?

VSRN has resources in Las Vegas that may be of help to you. If you are interested in getting help, please email me privately at info@visionsurgeryrehab.org and I will see what we can do to help you.

Wow Artist, how do you handle life affairs? Do you work at home? Yeah, I imagine most cities have little or no public transportation, and in general are rather spread out.

This is why I am so surprised that all you guys do not bring this up as a serious problem. Is there some secret I am missing?

I've done all the normal stuff... cocktail of drugs, supplements, drops, plugs. Flew out of state to get a flap relift and smooth. I drink a lot.

Also gave Synergeyes and hard lenses a shot. Nothing works. Seen around 9-10 different doctors, and no money to see more. Could use another plug, too, but.. a single plug costs $150-187.50. I think they cost doctors something like $17 to buy.

Pretty familiar story -- I'm sure most of you are in the same boat. What's the secret to getting a job, getting to and from work, and blocking out the pain so you can carry on conversations with people in a more or less civil tone?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Sounds like you've been to a lot of doctors, none of whom knew anything about your complications. An expertly fitted RGP lens should eliminate many of the complications, but there are so few expert fitters that it's tough to find someone. The key to getting help is to find the right person to help you.

I work full time as a graphic designer/supervisor, run VSRN, make jewelry and do digital art and illustration on the side. Until last October, I also owned and operated an art gallery. I have multiple pairs of glasses for all the various distances and tasks, and I've adapted simply because the alternative was even more painful.

I'll see what I can do about finding you someone who may be able to help you. Please check your email.

SynergEyes hybrid lenses are not actually designed for post-ablation corneas. The SynergEyes RS (post-refractive surgery) lens was briefly introduced but was withdrawn, at least for now. That lens is no longer on the company's web site and, when you look at the lens specs, would not, IMO, be optimized for post-ablation corneas in spite of the company's claims. I didn't expect it to be a success in most cases. Patients who had low levels of myopia prior to LASIK or PRK may have found it helpful but the higher one's pre-op prescription, the more the lens would be likely to fail.

Likewise, most rigid lenses are not particularly well-designed for post-ablation corneas; they simply aren't being customized to the level that is necessary. Most ODs, while well-intentioned, have not invested enough time and energy into fitting the ablated cornea. There has to be a paradigm shift in their thinking and the thinking of the contact lens manufacturers. Most CL labs aren't prepared to offer the degree of customization required.

Finding resources for patients like yourself is VSRN's mission. Maintaining a professional posture on this BB is consistent with that mission.

My optometrist uses Art Optical and they were fantastic at designing a reverse geometry GP lens for me. A recent topography and an Rx and a few tries later I had a pair of decent lenses. I was > -9.00 with steep corneas previously. An optometrist that's been in practice since "hard" lenses were the only option is key - GP lenses don't seem to be of much importance in optometry school today but hopefully that will change. Best of luck to you.