Lasek recovery

#12 04-29-2004, 06:26 PM

Kelly,

Consider this an unplanned monovision trial. There are advantages to
having one eye slightly myopic.

I hear now and again of people who have wavefront-guided surgery that
experience a period of adjustment beyond that which would be indicated
by normal refractive error. Like when you switch from contacts to
glasses, you sometimes feel a bit "odd". Many report that this
resolves after a few weeks.

Keep in touch!

Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance

Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org

http://www.USAEyes.org
http://www.ComplicatedEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

#11 04-29-2004, 07:09 AM

"Glenn - USAEyes.org" <glenn.hageleSTOPSPAM[at]USAEyes.org> wrote in message
news

cmv805nkbd5jm6f36dkllc6626ont8rsf[at]4ax.com...
- quote -

> > > Any typical timeframe for the surface to smooth out? I guess I should
> > phrase that as "worse-case max time". :-)
> > > - Kelly
> > Everyone heals differently. You even healed differently between your
> own two eyes. It is reasonable to assume that within a few weeks you
> will experience significant improvement, but the healing process for
> refractive surgery is about six months.

Thanks Glenn.

Had my checkup - the opthomologist said it looks like the right eye was
undercorrected and the wavefront analysis might have introduced an
astigmitism correction that subjectively the eye doesn't like (~20/60 on the
Snellen chart w/ double image). Interesting, considering the left eye (with
significantly more astigmatism) was measured today at ~20/15 and views
fantastic, so I have to believe the process has been validated.

I've been told I might get used to it (undercorrection does have the
advantage of near-focus capability), but pending the results of the
remaining healing process I'm already planning the ~3-6 month (or so)
"touch-up". I'll definately wait and "see" (pun intended).

Still, after 5 days I have no need for any glasses/contacts whatsoever and
that's a major lifestyle change for me. Yee-Haw!

- Kelly

#10 04-28-2004, 05:20 PM

- quote -

> Any typical timeframe for the surface to smooth out? I guess I should
> phrase that as "worse-case max time". :-)
> - Kelly

Everyone heals differently. You even healed differently between your
own two eyes. It is reasonable to assume that within a few weeks you
will experience significant improvement, but the healing process for
refractive surgery is about six months.

Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance

Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org

http://www.USAEyes.org
http://www.ComplicatedEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

#9 04-28-2004, 07:20 AM

As already have been said - you're still early in recovery. I had
serious ghosting in one of my eyes (two "extra moons") for about two
weeks after the operation. They're gone and I see 1.2 (6/5 or 20/16 I
guess) with that eye now.

Since you expected to have rapid results and also did both eyes at the
same time, I understand that you're not happy about it. It will get
better. Talk to your doc about this at your check up appointment.

google[at]marcosscriven.net (Marcos Scriven) wrote in message news:<14e57b17.0404260502.854c2e3[at]posting.google.com> ...
- quote -

> I think things are marginally better - but still far from great, and I
> still have a distinct urge to reach for my specs to see any kind of
> detail (watching TV/film/recognising someone)
> I am finding it difficult to tell if it's my focus or not.
> I was looking up at the moon, and I could see a clearly separate ghost
> image in both eyes - in the left eye, just off the left, and in the
> right, diagonally up and to the left, but not as far.
> I'm going for a checkup on Friday, but in the meantime still feeling
> worried about this. Nothing like I'd hoped really.
> Marcos

#8 04-28-2004, 05:41 AM

"Frostypaw" <iain[at]frostypaw.org> wrote in message
news:a38c8304.0404270017.4e0fef50[at]posting.google.com...
- quote -

> google[at]marcosscriven.net (Marcos Scriven) wrote in message
news:<14e57b17.0404260502.854c2e3[at]posting.google.com> ...
> > I was looking up at the moon, and I could see a clearly separate ghost
> > image in both eyes - in the left eye, just off the left, and in the
> > right, diagonally up and to the left, but not as far.

> Marcos I have to assure you again that this is quite normal
> If you hoped it would be instant and magic then I'm afraid you hoped
> wrong

I had wavefront custom cornea done 4 days ago - my left eye, which had more
aberations, came around after two days with perfect focus. I thought that
was normal, so I was a little anxious about my right eye which still has a
blurred double image. So I guess from what I've learned here is that I can
calm down a little. Have my first week checkup tomorrow to also find out
what's up.

I read in the literature that it's typical for distance vision to clear
first, then near (I was ~-6 in both eyes). My "good" left eye is perfect
for distance and clearing near. However my blurred-double image right eye
is actually great up close. Kind of an temporary monovision (I hope it's
temporary!).

Any typical timeframe for the surface to smooth out? I guess I should
phrase that as "worse-case max time". :-)

- Kelly

#7 04-27-2004, 09:17 AM

google[at]marcosscriven.net (Marcos Scriven) wrote in message news:<14e57b17.0404260502.854c2e3[at]posting.google.com> ...
- quote -

> I think things are marginally better - but still far from great, and I
> still have a distinct urge to reach for my specs to see any kind of
> detail (watching TV/film/recognising someone)
> I am finding it difficult to tell if it's my focus or not.
> I was looking up at the moon, and I could see a clearly separate ghost
> image in both eyes - in the left eye, just off the left, and in the
> right, diagonally up and to the left, but not as far.
> I'm going for a checkup on Friday, but in the meantime still feeling
> worried about this. Nothing like I'd hoped really.
> Marcos

Marcos I have to assure you again that this is quite normal - it's
simply the surface can take a while to smooth out and you have nothing
to panic about - you're still in the early days.

At your stage I had 3-7 mutliple images in each eye lol - you're doing
fine

They're all gone now eh

If you hoped it would be instant and magic then I'm afraid you hoped
wrong

it will work and it will be magic - but try to stop expecting
amazing changes in a few days. It's not going to happen.

Iain

#6 04-26-2004, 02:02 PM

I think things are marginally better - but still far from great, and I
still have a distinct urge to reach for my specs to see any kind of
detail (watching TV/film/recognising someone)

I am finding it difficult to tell if it's my focus or not.

I was looking up at the moon, and I could see a clearly separate ghost
image in both eyes - in the left eye, just off the left, and in the
right, diagonally up and to the left, but not as far.

I'm going for a checkup on Friday, but in the meantime still feeling
worried about this. Nothing like I'd hoped really.

Marcos

#5 04-23-2004, 06:54 AM

It is actually irritating that clinics say that you will have 3-4 days
of visual recovery with LASEK (or surface ablation generally). While
it is possible to have pretty clear vision after 3-4 days, it is not
common. LASEK has many advantages for some people, but fast visual
recovery in the 3-4 days range is not one of them. What the clinics
refer to by "3-4 days" is the time needed for your epithelium to heal
(not even to smoothen out).

I had LASEK done on both my eyes, one at a time. The first one healed
a lot slower than the next one. The next one actually had good vision
pretty much directly after surgery, but that is not common. Now I am
1.5 month post the second op and very satisfied with the result. Crisp
vision and no problems.

So, probably nothing's wrong. Just take it easy and wait, and the
"funnyvision" will clear up in time. The actual healing time to get a
somewhat stable result can be expected to be 1-2 months. As others
already mentioned, healing/changes in the eye continue for at least 6
months.

google[at]marcosscriven.net (Marcos Scriven) wrote in message news:<14e57b17.0404211005.26893338[at]posting.google.com> ...
- quote -

> rebeccaNO_SPAM[at]lasermyeye.org (Rebecca) wrote in message news:<120ffab4.0404210609.e0a25b1[at]posting.google.com> ...
> > google[at]marcosscriven.net (Marcos Scriven) wrote in message news:<14e57b17.0404210241.4a036753[at]posting.google.com> ...
> > > Hi
> > > > > I had LASEK with Optimax on Saturday morning.
> > > > > I am now extremely worried because my right eye doesn't seem much
> > > better, and is a little hazy, and my left is awful - a really bad
> > > double image.
> > > > > I can hardly read close up, and my long distance is bad, all with the
> > > further problem that I can't just stick on my glasses to correct it...
> > > > > I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience, and if and
> > > when it cleared up?
> > > > > Also, I wonder if I moved my eye whilse the laser was on, this could
> > > cause the problems I am experiencing?
> > > > > Marcos
> > > Don't panic!! In many cases the first several days or even weeks can
> > be rocky but still clear up later on. As regards eye movements,
> > generally the lasers have eye trackers to deal with this.
> > > What is your surgeon saying about it?
> > > Regards
> > > Rebecca Petris
> > www.lasermyeye.org
> Hi people
> Thanks ever so much for your considered responses - I do tend to be a
> worrier and quite impatient - a bad combination!
> I was just feeling very low and worried - wondering if I could ever
> even read comfortably again! I guess I was also kicking myself for not
> researching it a lot more before commiting to the possible risks.
> Also, a lot of the literature said 3/4 days, so here I was on my 5th
> day, panicing...
> I asked to see the optician today at Optimax, and a nice opitician
> called Barry put me at ease. He had a look at my eye closely and said
> my left eye did indeed have a very wavy surface, and that I could
> expect it to heal mostly within a week from now.
> I am just hoping that is the case!
> He did mention that moving the eye is a remote possibility, but
> unlikely as like you, he said the surgeon was looking through a
> microscope and the laser had a tracker. I think I was just diverting
> my *attention* between the green guide light and the red laser light,
> rather than moving my eye.
> I will report back in the next few days.
> Marcos

#4 04-22-2004, 11:23 AM

google[at]marcosscriven.net (Marcos Scriven) wrote in message news:<14e57b17.0404211005.26893338[at]posting.google.com> ...
- quote -

> > > I had LASEK with Optimax on Saturday morning.
> > > > > I am now extremely worried because my right eye doesn't seem much
> > > better, and is a little hazy, and my left is awful - a really bad
> > > double image.
> > > > > I can hardly read close up, and my long distance is bad, all with the
> > > further problem that I can't just stick on my glasses to correct it...
> > > > > I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience, and if and
> > > when it cleared up?

I had LASEK with Optimax on January 14th, Finchley Road clinic - it
took about a week before I was ready to go back to work and I'd say a
month before combined vision was 20/20 - and that was slow healing
apparently! People usually see a little faster than that - but either
way it's not a worry, just that everyone's different.

The double images can persist for a while as various parts of the
epithelium finish healing but they WILL heal, so don't panic and try
not to stare at the visual errors all day or it'll drive you mad

If you want to know more feel free to contact me, I recognise your
name too - think we've spoken before somewhere else! (OUT?)

Iain

#3 04-21-2004, 07:05 PM

rebeccaNO_SPAM[at]lasermyeye.org (Rebecca) wrote in message news:<120ffab4.0404210609.e0a25b1[at]posting.google.com> ...
- quote -

> google[at]marcosscriven.net (Marcos Scriven) wrote in message news:<14e57b17.0404210241.4a036753[at]posting.google.com> ...
> > Hi
> > > I had LASEK with Optimax on Saturday morning.
> > > I am now extremely worried because my right eye doesn't seem much
> > better, and is a little hazy, and my left is awful - a really bad
> > double image.
> > > I can hardly read close up, and my long distance is bad, all with the
> > further problem that I can't just stick on my glasses to correct it...
> > > I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience, and if and
> > when it cleared up?
> > > Also, I wonder if I moved my eye whilse the laser was on, this could
> > cause the problems I am experiencing?
> > > Marcos
> Don't panic!! In many cases the first several days or even weeks can
> be rocky but still clear up later on. As regards eye movements,
> generally the lasers have eye trackers to deal with this.
> What is your surgeon saying about it?
> Regards
> Rebecca Petris
> www.lasermyeye.org

Hi people

Thanks ever so much for your considered responses - I do tend to be a
worrier and quite impatient - a bad combination!

I was just feeling very low and worried - wondering if I could ever
even read comfortably again! I guess I was also kicking myself for not
researching it a lot more before commiting to the possible risks.
Also, a lot of the literature said 3/4 days, so here I was on my 5th
day, panicing...

I asked to see the optician today at Optimax, and a nice opitician
called Barry put me at ease. He had a look at my eye closely and said
my left eye did indeed have a very wavy surface, and that I could
expect it to heal mostly within a week from now.

I am just hoping that is the case!

He did mention that moving the eye is a remote possibility, but
unlikely as like you, he said the surgeon was looking through a
microscope and the laser had a tracker. I think I was just diverting
my *attention* between the green guide light and the red laser light,
rather than moving my eye.

I will report back in the next few days.

Marcos

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