Lasik and dry/allergy eyes...

[sadgirl222]

I am considering Lasik, however, have had terrible problems with dry eyes, allergies, etc. My eyes sometimes burn constantly, and I can no longer wear contacts or eye makeup. Also, if I don't get close to 8hrs of sleep a night my eyes burn ALL day. I went to see a doctor to see if I'm a candidate and he said yes, though was rather fast with the exam and when I asked if my dry/allergy eyes would have a problem, he just said "it won't make them better!" He never warned me against the surgery.

Reading posts on here make me worry, but I want to ask if anyone out there has had problems similar to mine and have had success with Lasik??

[This message has been edited by sadgirl222 (edited 05-30-2003).]

[DonnaDe]

No, you are not a candidate! No, no no! Totally cross this off your list of possibilities. You are already experiencing major eye problems.. do you want to doom yourself to a lifetime of agony?

If you type "LASIK" into your web browser you'll likely hit upon a site much like this one where people discuss their bad outcomes with LASIK. Please read it. Some of these people feel suicidal.

I know many people have the procedure and do great. But it should be reserved for people with healthy eyes.

[purple2067]

no no no no no no no no NO!!!!!!!

Don't have lasik surgery! With all of the problems that you are describing, you are NOT a candidate. NO NO NO! I also have the terrible dry eyes, allergy eyes, burning, etc... When I first started going to my ophthalmologist, I had told him that I was tired of wearing glasses, and he said that I could not wear contacts because of the fact that my eyes are so dry. So I asked him about Lasik. He asked me if I wanted to guarantee that I would have dry eyes for the rest of my life, because for people who have dry eyes previous to lasik surgery, it is deterimental. His answer was a resounding NO! He is a corneal surgeon and would have been the one to do the lasik had I been a good candidate for it. A lot of doctors just want the money and won't tell you that you are not a good candidate for the surgery. If I am not mistaken (somebody please correct me if I am), during lasik surgery they have to cut one of the nerves that helps to supply tears to the cornea in order to create the flap. If you have ever had even the tiniest, slightest bit of dry eyes, you are NOT a candidate.

If I were you, I would never go back to that dr again. How can he think you are a good candiate for lasik? NO!

[iChrisi]

I don't think you should have LASIK done either. I know that some nerves are severed during the procedure, and it can affect tear production. Dry eye problems can be made worse. I don't know that the condition is always made worse, but I'm thinking you wouldn't want to take a chance and be one of the ones who are worse off afterwards.

There is LASEK, which I understand is much less likely to cause dry eye problems...I don't know though. Nothing is 100% guaranteed, and "less likely" doesn't mean it can't/won't make it worse. LASEK is supposed to be safer than LASIK, and they don't have to cut a flap over the cornea like they do in LASIK. You may want to do some research on it.

Whatever you do, don't get LASIK done. And find a new doctor. The only safe option with no risk is to do nothing...I know, not what you want to hear. It's not what I wanted to hear either.

Chris

[JanettoB]

NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!

Don't have lasik done if you already have dry eyes.....you could become absolutely miserable!!!!

I also think that it's time to look for a new doctor if he told you that even though you have dry eyes you are a candidate for lasik surgery.

Janettto