David Redmond

My story: I'm 44, a physician, nearsighted since I was 8. Wore thick glasses, then hard contacts for 25 yrs. Worked my hind end off to get through medical school, internship, residency, etc. Paid back my education costs through military service, then joined a private practice group about 10 yrs ago, worked hard to get out of debt and finally did.

Two years ago I decided to do something nice for myself, to reward my efforts. My partner had LASIK and was very happy. I read the classical articles and the reported "95%" satisfaction rate. Went to see the best surgeons at the time, had both eyes done in Dec 96. Left eye OK, Right eye started with monocular diplopia, and after an enhancement at 3 months, digressed to irregular astigmatism. Six months after the surgery I realized the gravity of my situation and nothing seemed to help. Nine months after the surgery I lost my Dad unexpectedly, and this was the low point of my life.

Things got better when I met Clarence McEachern, a mid 70 yr. old optometrist experienced in fitting rigid gas permeable contacts. After about 6 months of fitting, I have returned to 20/20, wearing a thin pair of glasses over the contacts, and using pilocarpine in the evening. Still some nasty haze from the increased tear layer, and the contacts cause flaring around lights, but overall I am back to playing golf.

I got close to but never used my disability policy. Now I am talking with different optometrists trying to get suggestions on better contacts (materials, fitting, eye drops, etc), and I am following topolink, PTK with Biomask, and PALM. Further surgery now is too risky for me.

LASIK, I wish I had never met you!