Hi, all:

I have my eyes examed by two lasik centers (different companies) recently, one company said that I am a good candidate for lasik and I have enough tissue for operation and future enhancement if needed. The second company told me that I do not have enough tissue and thus is not a candidate for lasik. But I am a candidate for PRK. They told me that PRK can get better result than lasik except it is a painful process and requires long time for healing.

So I am confused by the different results. After future discussion with doctors from these two centers. The difference is the thickness of the flap. The first company said that their famous Dr W can easily make 110 microns which can leave about 300 microns tissues after operation for future enhancement. The doctor at the second center said that there is no way to gurrenty 110 microns and their calculation is based on 150 microns.

So could anyone suggest me what to do? Should I trust the first center?
Thanks.


Patrick

PatrickY,
That is a tough call. I would suggest that perhaps you should go visit one or two more lasik centers if there are anymore available to you in your area. I am leaning towards trusting the doc that suggested the PRK because he has nothing more to gain by suggesting that surgery (as far as I know). However, if the other doctor is that confident in his ability to cut the flap with that much accuracy, that could be a good thing. I have heard mixed reviews on the PRK but, it seems that it may be more painful and, like you said, it is a longer recovery. But, I had regular lasik just over a year ago and, I am still recovering from dry eye so, I certainly am in no position to poo-poo the PRK as far as recovery time when my lasik surgery recovery time has taken over a year so far.

Do you have a regular eye doctor that you can trust to tell you the truth about the thickness of your cornea? The reason I phrased that question that way is because, every eye doc I went to pre-lasik told me that I was, in no way, shape or form, a good candidate for the surgery just because of my astigmatism. Now, while that may have been true 3 years ago, it wasn't as little as 2 years ago. Even my Lasik doc confirmed that. He told me that I would have been turned away for Lasik at their center if I had come in 2 years prior to my visit (since that was last year, that means 3 years ago at present). Anyway, he said that at that time they could not correct astigmatism (or, at least, not my level of it). Anyway, my point is that, my other regular eye doctors were either uninformed of the newest lasik technology and didn't know that they could help me, or they were telling me an un-truth because they didn't want to lose the money I would have to spend in order to keep myself in glasses. Who knows what their motives were. I certainly don't want to accuse anyone but, that is what I have taken away from those doctors. Anyway, if you have a regular eye doctor that you trust, maybe go see him or her and ask about your corneal thickness. Perhaps, get specific with him or her. Ask for a corneal thickness number that you may be able to research online. That may be your best bet. If you have a number, you are better armed with the potential to learn what the average acceptable thickness for the surgery is. Then you can match it against yours and see if it is good as far as the first procedure and any enhancements you may need in the future.

Okay, now that I have written you a book, I hope that I was able to help in some way!

Take care and keep in touch about what you decide and your progress if you choose to go for it!

Dear PatrickY,
Hi. I'm Elyse S. I have my story posted about 6 or 7 postings below yours. I have had PRK. Four weeks ago tomorrow. The procedure itself is painless, however, the next 4 days were the most painful I have ever had. Of all of the surgeries, big and little, this has to be the worst pain experience I have ever had. I would not recommend it to anyone. This is from experience.

4 weeks post op now, my right eye is good. I'd say 20/20 in the afternoon, mornings suck. But my left eye, I'm lucky if I get to 20/60 or 80 on a good day. I can't read the liscense plate in front of me at a stop light. The street sign with the streets name? Forget it! Imagine an ear ache and that one ear is stuffed. Equate that in eye terms. Clear out of one eye, and total fuzz out of the other. Better yet, contacts? Take one out and leave one in!! I'm calling the doc tomorrow cuz I want to speak to him about how long I can expect this to go on.

I would suggest seeing a few other docs too. If I only knew then what I know now, I'd still be in contacts!

So far, I totally regret doing it and my vision sucks. It was not worth all that pain for what I have now. At least not yet.

Think hard and see someone else.

I can only speak from experience. Keep us posted. I'm curious to know what you choose to do. I have not read anything from anyone else who has had PRK so I can't say if my experience is normal or not. I just know I am VERY dissapointed with it, so far.

Elyse S.