Need advice on getting a second opinion (post-op).

11-20-2011, 03:59 PM

I am 6 months post-op on my wavefront Lasik/PRK. The halos and starbursts have not improved in 5 months. I have made an appointment with another ophthalmologist for a second opinion about my problems. Here are some questions I want to ask regarding statements made by the surgeon who performed the procedure. If anyone could answer them or suggest additional questions to ask, or additional specialists to see, I would really, really appreciate it.

The surgeon says my eyes are dry, that the dryness could be the cause of my vision problems, and he prescribed Restasis (again). Can increased tear production really make that much of a difference with the halos and starbursts? If so, shouldn't I notice immediate improvement in vision with artificial tears? Furthermore, my understanding of the data on Restasis is not encouraging - it helps a mere net 10% of patients.

I saw some of the data on the wavefront scans of my eye. For example, my pre-op scan showed my left eye (myopic) at spherical -4.25 with 4% high-order aberrations. Post-Lasik the same eye was spherical -0.62 with 22% high-order aberrations. The 22% sounded quite high, but the surgeon said it was a percentage relative to the prescription, i.e., 4% of -4.25 = -0.17 and 22% of -0.62 = -0.14, which would seem to mean that my high-order aberrations are LOWER now. But how can this be, with all my vision problems? Is this the correct meaning of the wavefront scan data?

The surgeon is going to make custom "preview lenses" for me which supposedly can simulate the result of an enhancement surgery. They are not designed to be worn, just held up to the eye, but he suggested it was possible to make wearable eyeglass lenses in the same way. Has anyone had experience with these?

Finally, the surgeon suggested that my problems could be neurological, i.e., having to do with how the brain processes the raw 'data' from the retina into the images I perceive. He suggested that I could see some improvement as my brain adapts neurologically to the new vision. This seems possible but can he really be saying I will simply no longer perceive the halos and starbursts, or perceive them less?

Again, many thanks for your help.

11-21-2011, 04:37 PM

Got the same problem with halo, starbursts, low light vision, also 6 months post op.
What was your prescription, do you know size of your pupils in dark?

11-21-2011, 04:49 PM

Hey ang welcome. If I were you I would see a cornea specialist as opposed to a DO. Also, do a little more research on LASIK complications on line as there are some good sites with great info. Now for your starbursts and halos at 5 months out I would start to worry. I'm almost 13 months in and not one thing has changed for me. I have severe starbursts and halos even in daytime. I now know that it's not gonna all of a sudden disappear out of the blue. I got the oh your eyes are dry routine also. Tried restasis for about 8 months and eye lubricating drops also ( which I still use). But nothing takes these distortions away. I had a large script at -875 or so. I was never warned of possible issues. I think for you and others looking to help with this stuff are scleral contact lenses which I'm gonna try on a visit to Florida in the summer by a post LASIK specialist there I've tried anti glare glasses to no avail also. Good luck, keep us posted.

11-21-2011, 06:48 PM

Mario: I know both of my eyes were -4.25 (spherical) before surgery. I'd have to dig up the other numbers. I don't know my pupil size in the dark, but the surgeon said my treatment zone was 8.5 mm diameter and should not be the cause of the problems.

R.E.: I assume a corneal specialist is also an M.D.? Hopefully I can get a referral. Plus, if you could recommend some websites that are fairly 'gentle' in tone that would be great... I have to take a Xanax or two just to calm myself down enough to check this message board, it's so upsetting. I understand where you are completely. My eyes were improving for about three weeks post-op, then... nothing. I also see starbursts in the daytime, and my job is in a dark environment, so there's no relief. It was a complete shock to me given how 'advanced' the wavefront procedure was supposed to be. My surgeon, who has been my regular ophthalmologist, is board certified with years of Lasik experience and has contributed to books on the subject... and this is the best I can get? Good luck to you too and keep us posted on the scleral lenses.

11-22-2011, 10:11 AM

Yea, they said to me 9mm treatment zone, So I kinda assumed everything is covered, new technology, wavefront this wavefront that, now it seems like i got lasik 10 years ago on some first lasers. And they say on their websites new lasers improve nightvision yadda yadda yadda. Well then I wouldn't have these problems would I. Seems like these doctors love to gamble with our eyes, easier to gamble when it's not their vision.

11-22-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angsty

Mario: I know both of my eyes were -4.25 (spherical) before surgery. I'd have to dig up the other numbers. I don't know my pupil size in the dark, but the surgeon said my treatment zone was 8.5 mm diameter and should not be the cause of the problems.

R.E.: I assume a corneal specialist is also an M.D.? Hopefully I can get a referral. Plus, if you could recommend some websites that are fairly 'gentle' in tone that would be great... I have to take a Xanax or two just to calm myself down enough to check this message board, it's so upsetting. I understand where you are completely. My eyes were improving for about three weeks post-op, then... nothing. I also see starbursts in the daytime, and my job is in a dark environment, so there's no relief. It was a complete shock to me given how 'advanced' the wavefront procedure was supposed to be. My surgeon, who has been my regular ophthalmologist, is board certified with years of Lasik experience and has contributed to books on the subject... and this is the best I can get? Good luck to you too and keep us posted on the scleral lenses.

11-22-2011, 06:10 PM

Hey angst I don't think a corneal specialist is necessarily an md but I think they can give you more of an in depth look over. The problem with this stuff is when it goes wrong there is no taking it back therefore even the most " experienced" LASIK surgeon or D.O. Is gonna be able to "fix" what they did. They'll keep you at arms length with " your eyes are too dry" or " your eyes are still healing" and the old " give it more time". So you'll realize your left on your own to try and find help. It wont be pretty what you read so be prepared. I drive for a living so like you work in the dark at times. Not fun stuff for sure.

Need advice on getting a second opinion (post-op).

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