Life After Lasik: An Experience
Lasik is a popular eye treatment worldwide. But is life after Lasik perfect? No, says a patient who once opted for it. Let's share her story:
I had been wearing eyeglasses since I was 8, and I was tired of seeing the stars with glare, of not being able to go rock-climbing unless I secured my glasses. This is not to mention the horn-rimmed barrier between me and a date. Only then I decided to go for Lasik surgery. Ophthalmologists told me I was an excellent candidate. I asked about the risks, and they explained some people come away with dry eye, double vision, decreased contrast sensitivity and decreased night vision. Some see halos around lights. I was assured these side effects were rare and usually fleeting. The surgery charged between $4,500 and $5,500; I paid $4,500. I signed a consent form confirming I understood the risks.
The surgery took place on April 13, 2007. The very next day my vision was a little blurry, but apparently that was normal. The blurriness continues despite claims of recovery the doctors made. At night, I saw halos around streetlights; neon signs bled; the moon had two rings around it like Saturn. My eyes felt sore, a result of dry eye, which also causes sporadic blurriness. I cut out all prescription and nonprescription pills. Didn't help. The doctor told me to use Refresh Plus, over-the-counter drops that temporarily help dry eye. The drops cost around $12 a box; I go through two boxes a week.
Nearly a year later, my problems remain. Still, I'm not mad at my doctor. I'm mad at myself. No one forced me to do it. In our quick-fix culture, we forget there are risks with any surgery, elective or not. Looking back, I do not think my doctor and the other experts I consulted adequately represented the pitfalls.
The doctors always keep saying that I can lead a successful life post Lasik. Perhaps it depends on your definition of success. A few doctors have told me they think they can help my dry eye, but I worry they will suggest more surgery, and I haven't gone to see them. A few optometrists said they could fit me with special lenses to moisten my eyes, and I may have to go that route.
To conclude, Roughly 800,000 patients have had Lasik annually since 2000, spending about $2.5 billion on the procedure every year. After concluding that too few well-designed studies have examined quality of life after Lasik, the FDA put together a task force in 2006 to design a clinical trial to explore the subject. A pilot study is under way at the National Eye Institute in Bethesda, Md.
Source: twincities.com
Filed under Dry Eyes, Eye Diseases, Eye Surgery, Lasik Eye Surgery
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