Had Lasik in November 1998. My husband & I and a good friend all had it the same day. We were all in our early 40's. My husband is very please with outcome-feels he has had no complications (was corrected from a very low diopter however). My course and that of our friend however has been much different. My friend had cataracts prior to, but understood that Lasik would not affect this and with 'improving' refraction thought that her vision would be benefited overall. WRONG! The cataract development has increased since surgery and she has had to have them removed since. I experienced improved mechanical acuity (undercorrection)BUT THE QUALITY OF MY VISION AND PHYSICAL HEALTH HAS NEVER BEEN THE SAME! Halos/stars around lights at night, affected depth perception, (difficulty and loss of visual confidence driving at night, which was involved in my work), and probably the worst has been the impact on my overall vision impairment with an increase in floaters as well as a 'haze patches'(separate from the floaters) throughout & moving over my visual field and blurred vision/poor definition. There just is not the same clarity or consistency of clarity from one second to the next. Trying to read (books and computer work)or look at something (day or night) is a constant disruption of concentration to maintain my focus or tracking abilities. I have tried two sets of lenses with the vision still fluctuating by the moment,and wear glasses now again full time (as I refuse to go back for 'enhancements' -frankly that term is a bitter joke in my mind-as if they'd get me back in that chair!!). I added Bilberry and Eyebright to my usual supplement of Vitamins E,C,A&D,a good natural MultiVit/Mineral, EFA'S and Blue Green Algae for a number of months which I feel helped with dry eyes and overall health of the eye but the haze patches & halos,stars, poor definition (ie. the 'mechanical' problems created by the cutting of the cornea)etc continue. I just feel that the outcome would have been worse without the support of the supplements and I strongly believe that they have helped and continue to be the main thing helping me now & that whatever improvement I get over time is a result of really supporting myself physiologically in this way. The other advers effect I found systemically was a total/profound exhaustion for a number of weeks following surgery, and although I did regain my strength to some degree, over the next year, I have experienced more immune problems and persistent profound exhaustion in the last year and a half (interestingly when I stopped/slowed down on taking supplements and watching my diet) and have never returned to my pre-surgery energy level or feeling of wellness (physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally). I am an RN and Practitioner of Iridology and Rayid Therapies (both are studies of the Iris and 'mapping systems' of understanding the total body physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually). Although I KNEW intuitively and through these [surprisingly insightful and accurate]studies of the Irides in relation to the whole body, the concept of this surgery did not enter my mind as an area of concern, as I felt that this was simply 'reshaping' the Cornea and had no direct impact on the Iris itself and so would not affect anything. I felt very confident that this surgery would be 'minor' and uneventful. WRONG!! WRONG!! WRONG!! I understand now that the Iris may in fact be the 'holographic image' of the entire wholistic person. I certainly believe that now and sincerely wish I had paid attention to my instincts and connection to my training. I felt that my total 'protective' mechanism' (immune,physical energy,ability to deal with life, my humour, my voice etc) all just dived drastically. Physiologically we know that the Cornea is indeed the protective area of the entire eye, and I have come to integrate the understanding that, from and Iridiology perspective & in my opinion, it perhaps is the 'holographic protective mechanism' of the entire person. I realize this is a real stretch for many of you (especially those who do not know Iridology in particular, as an amazingly accurate 'visual' of the body)and of course it is purely hypothetical but even if you just go with the physiological (proven)'protective mechanism of the eye' understanding of the Cornea and think of its role and work from that perspective, you may gain some improvement -ie try especially the Antioxidants, & Essential Fatty Acids to rehydrate and renourish and probably the other key thing is hydrate and then hydrate some more by juicing fresh vegetables, fruit and greens and drinking alot of purified water through the day (try thinkin of 2 glasses prior to meals and an extra glass in the afternoon and evening and it makes it alot easier to follow through on and get close to the 8 glasses/day). Also (something I am just starting to work on myself and I think it is helping) is focusing on and affirming my own ability to rebuild my 'protective mechanism'-I am firmly but gently EXPECTING that I can improve my internal strength and relate it to every aspect of my being and think on how each aspect of my person can respond and strengthen in this regard. It is very subtle and a real 'shift' in expectation from constantly being conscious only of the difficulties this whole life event has created for me. Again I am still working on all of this as well and it is a long process but it is discouraging to think that nothing can be done and I refuse to go there (although I have feelings of profound hopelessnes at times) and there is such grief with it too--as our lives, for some, do feel 'stolen' by this unresearched and cavalier surgical money-grab. But we have to move ahead from this point. I would be curious to hear from any others, through the forum discussion, who may have experienced the 'total' tiredness that seems to affect people (I have casually asked others and have found a consistency, anecdotally, in this.)Or any other comments etc. on anything I've mentioned here. Hope it helps. CHend
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C.H.