hi there,

i had LASIK done about 6 months ago. since then my life, like a lot people on here, has been extemely troublesome. my greatest physical problems are dry eyes, loss of visual acuity in left eye, and constant irritation in the left eye. Like everyone else, I went to see "doctors" at the lasik eye center and they said everything is fine, just dry eyes. (And I love how they make comments like, "You should be happy with your results. Some 'serious' things can go wrong with this procedure." To which I would like to reply, "Don't you have any heart at all! If you see how this has ruined even one life, why the f**k would you submit anyone else to this torture!" I guess it's hard for someone to really get this unless they're in that person's eyes). Psychologically I'm really bad off.
I don't know what stage I am in this roller coaster of emotions. It's mostly angry, livid, angry some more, scared, shocked, sad, depressed, full of rage, and of course extremely regretful.

In any case, it seems like no one has posted in anything in awhile, so I'm just wondering if there are still any active members out there and if anyone would like to chat sometime, or at least allow me to vent, hahaha.

Thanks,
-Ben

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Hello misery, you're in good company.

Sorry to hear you're having problems, that's why we're here. It's tough to explain to others what's going on and why you're having problems. Unless you have experienced it, you have no frame of reference for understanding. Friends mean well, but they are at a loss to really help.

These forums are full of stupid, unfeeling things that doctors have said to patients. I have a whole repertoire of stories, myself. About 10 days after my surgery, in July 2001, I bullied my way in to see the surgeon. I had DLK, which went undiagnosed. All the fool could say, over and over, was, "Well, you're legal to drive." Never mind I couldn't SEE to drive.... Finally, losing my temper, I said to him, "OK, fine. You tell me where you live, and send your kids out to play, and I'll just go drive through your neighborhood!" Surgeons often seem not to grasp the negative impact of post-surgical issues on their patients' lives. Your anger and fear are pretty normal at this point, as it's all still relatively new.

The bulletin board has become primarily clinical in nature, with patients asking specific questions regarding their situations, or requesting help. There are still many people who read, and if you make your email visible in your profile, they may write you privately. I would, however, advise setting up a dedicated, free email address specifically for that purpose.

Regarding dry eye, please read the post featured at the top of the Complications/Dry Eye/Pain forum, Dry Eye Treatment Info. An exam by a competent doctor familiar with post-RS issues and dry eye may be able to help isolate the cause of the constant irritation, which may, or may not resolve on its own. The post mentioned above gives suggestions that should help to manage the dry eye.

As for your emotional/psychological state, whenever we experience a loss, we go through a grieving process. With respect to post-RS issues with our vision, some people also exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A skilled therapist who deals specifically in PTSD issues can help patients come to terms with their trauma, allowing them to move forward in the process. It's easy to get stuck in a place of anger, bitterness and fear, and a lot harder to dig oneself out. Don't be too hard on yourself, either. Yes, you did choose to have surgery, but NO, you didn't do this to yourself. It just happened. Life is complicated, and sometimes we get something we didn't bargain for. We can either come to terms with it, do what we can to "fix" it, and make every day count, or not. Not is a tough way to live.

I encourage you to read through the wealth of material contained within the old posts. There is a lot of wisdom there.

Please check your email, as I've also emailed you privately.

Hang in there.

hi barbara,

i like that story about suggesting you drive in the doctor's neighborhood where his kids play if he's so confident about your vision.

i think i'll take your suggestion about the email address and also look into the dry eye treatments. i've already had punctal plugs put in about 2 months after the operation from an opthomologist not related to the LASIK center. the plugs help somewhat, but it's more of an issue of tear break up time than not enough tear production.

thanks again and i emailed you privately, too!

I think there is hope. I had surgery on 02/24/07 and had punctual plugs put in immediately after the lasik procedure. I still have dry eyes on and off but it is progressively better. I use celluvase (sp) at night and that helps the next day without needing to use anything else. It is found over the counter. G

hi nur.gdm,

i have used that before, but didn't think it was that effective. maybe i'll give it another shot. do you get headaches from your dry eyes?\

thanks

Hi There

Something else you may want to consider, I was recently advised that corneal nerves can take up to 9 months to grow back - this means dry eyes could improve after this time. Something to give hope at least.

Also you have time for things to get better at such an early stage, unlike most of us you have undertaken this surgery sometime after it was first introduced, many practioners now have quite a lot of experience.

It really would be interesting to know if you are still having problems in 12 months time, my guess is you wont be!

Keep us posted - and remember as most of us know you can get used to almost anything - life always goes on.

Debbie (UK)

Thanks Debbie for giving me some hope. I hope what you say is true. But if not, I think you're right in that I can get used to it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sometimes I get headaches but not that bad and not that often. Dry eyes much better in the fall/winter. Still occassionally use eye drops. Every few days.