Had Surgery! QUESTIONS! HELP!

[Cariabu]

I had the lasik surgery 11 days ago today.... vision is still very bad. I had a high astigmatism and very nearsighted going into it, so far the Dr. is saying that everything is normal and the eyes just need time to adjust and this can take 2-6 weeks. I also have a friend who had it a few years ago and said even at 1 month their vision wasn't perfect and it took some time but now he sees perfect.... so is this normal..

My right eye is much better than my left eye? Normal? Does it just eventually catch up??

I had the protective lenses (contacts) put in my eyes after surgery and after 5 days my eyesight started to increase a lot I was excited, but then he took the protective contacts out and it dropped way down again and I am starting over and not really seeing any improvement... ? Normal???

At what point do they allow EXTRA lasik surgery for any mistakes with overcorrection or undercorrection.... I asked the Dr. a few times and just get a general answer that I will see good in a few weeks. I need to know at what point do they determine for SURE that extra surgery MUST be done and at what point CAN they do the extra surgery??? 1 month out? 6 weeks?? At least then I have a time period I know that if I just remain calm and patient that by 6 weeks weeks (or whatever time period) if it's not better they can fix it.

Many people say they see right away with a few days of correction, but is this mostly people who had little eye sight problems and not such a high vision nearsightedness or astigmatism?? My eyes were like -1.75 and -2.25 something like that, pretty much very nearsighted. Is it normal to take 2 -6 weeks to see??? Very blurry now. Left eye awful!

Should I be worried? what have others undergone and the time period? i was hoping to be out driving already but dont' trust myself and can barely read to type.

Vision also fluxuates as the day goes along, it is best when I first wake up (but still far from perfect) and decreases as the day goes along, or all of a sudden has a few hours of good vision?? Normal????

I'm just trying to be PATIENT!! Dr. appt. again in 2 days, but I know he'll just tell me I need to wait longer. Not even sure what my eyesight is registering at at this point into the process!???

If you can answer any questions to calm my nerves I would greatly appreciate it!
Thanks so much
Cari

[sdv]

Hi Cari,

Sorry to hear that you are having so many problems with your vision. I'm not sure if such blurry vision is normal or not, but I can tell you that things will continue to change for quite a while, so try to be patient. I don't believe that most docs would even consider any sort of enhancement until atleast 3 months. My vision has even changed after the 3 month mark. I'm at 6 months post-op now.

Are you still using your lubricating drops? My vision fluctuations were mostly due to dry eye which I still have. Perhaps that could be part of your problem as well. Your eyes can be dry even though they don't feel that way, although I imagine your doctor would have told you if they were since they can see it. Just try to stay patient, and I hope that things start clearing up for you!

Michelle

[Hating glasses]

Cari,
What you are experiencing is normal by my standards. I had pretty blurry days for the first 3-4 months. The first couple weeks were the worst. They would be better one minute and worse the next. But, like sdv said, make sure the keep them well lubricated. I would suggest trying to stick to a schedule of every 2 hours just getting used to putting drops in. Get a timer, stop watch or if you have a cell that has an alarm you can set, use that. Alot of the blurriness can be linked back to dryness. And, your eyes will fluctuate day to day, week by week and even hour by hour or minute by minute. One eye may be great one day while the other one is a bugger and vice versa the next day. Just remember that your eyes are two seperate entities that work together but, after this surgery, they heal at 2 different rates. If you broke both of your arms or both your legs, they would heal at different rates and speeds as well...that is what my doctor told me.

I know it can be frustrating. One thing that some of the surgeons don't stress enough is that this is actually a pretty major operation. It seems like a simple procedure/operation because it is out-patient and quick. But, it is a small part of our bodies with a big job to do so, it is way more major than most people know. Just try to be patient. Try to rest your eyes as much as you can later in the day. Keep them well lubricated. Like sdv said, even if they don't feel dry, they might be. So, lubricate at least every 2 hours. If you need more for the first couple weeks or so, then do more but, try to get yourself on a wetting schedule so that your eyes start recognizing a routine. Even 11 months later, I still have to stick to a routine of using eye drops...but, I am not the rule. So, you may heal even quicker.

As for the fluctuations, your eyes will continue to change for even as long as 12 - 18 months. But, it is more common to see stabilization around the 6 month mark. I think right around 4 or 5 months post-op was when my blurriness started to clear up. But, even now, they are blurry first thing in the morning and for the first 5 minutes after I put my drops in in the AM.

So, be patient! I know it seems like alot to ask when the issue is your eyes but, do try!

Take care!

[neoorbs]

Cari
I know its frustrating to not be able to see well.Especially after spending big bucks for Lasik!Frustration and and even a little anxiety are actually common with most post-Lasik people.Read some of the other posts and I think you will realize that you are not alone in your worrying about your results.Try to relax and enjoy the good days and focus on some of the positive things in your life.Sometimes we get a little impatient waiting for things to happen.A five day headcold seems forever.I don't know if you have children but the 9 months of being pregnant seems like an eternity.You begin to think you'll never actually have a baby.The next 9 months is just a blur.
Hating glasses said "If you broke both of your arms or both your legs, they would heal at different rates and speeds as well...that is what my doctor told me." I almost fell on the floor laughing!!! This is the funniest analogy about Lasik that I have ever read.

[Hating glasses]

Originally Posted by neoorbs

Cari
I know its frustrating to not be able to see well.Especially after spending big bucks for Lasik!Frustration and and even a little anxiety are actually common with most post-Lasik people.Read some of the other posts and I think you will realize that you are not alone in your worrying about your results.Try to relax and enjoy the good days and focus on some of the positive things in your life.Sometimes we get a little impatient waiting for things to happen.A five day headcold seems forever.I don't know if you have children but the 9 months of being pregnant seems like an eternity.You begin to think you'll never actually have a baby.The next 9 months is just a blur.
Hating glasses said "If you broke both of your arms or both your legs, they would heal at different rates and speeds as well...that is what my doctor told me." I almost fell on the floor laughing!!! This is the funniest analogy about Lasik that I have ever read.

Hehehehe! I am glad I could make you giggle but, I hope I didn't inadvertently hurt you by making you fall on the floor! Hehehehe!