I did not have lasik, I had CK (conductive
keratoplasty) done at Maumee Eye Clinic in
Maumee, Ohio by Dr Perozek on May 6, 2004. I
had this done to restore my close vision but I
have NEVER been able to read without
reading glasses on after the procedure. Plus
now my far (distance) vision is distorted (like
looking through a waterfall). My cornea didn't
steep up correctly and has left me with an
astigmatism. My cornea is now shaped like
the back of a spoon, I have a bulge area below
my pupil. I had to find out this shocking
information myself after seeking a second
opinion. Dr Perozek was dishonest and kept
this information from me! Both Dr Perozek
and his partner Dr Weidaw, at Maumee Eye
Clinic, tell me that "my brain just isn't
accepting monovision" (I guess all this is MY
fault). But I can't help wondering if my
irregularly shaped cornea is contributing to my
persistant blurry close vision and distorted far
vision. I am currently seeing another doctor
who is helping me with contact lenses but so
far there is very little visual improvement. Can
anyone tell me what are the visual signs of an
astigmatism?
Thank You, paula

Astigmatism is refractive error caused by the corneal surface not being spherical at all angles around the circle looking at the pupil/iris. Remember that expressing corneal refractive error has to consider all 3 dimensions. Astigmatism is measured in diopters as is the main or spherical "in and out" plane. Astigmatism is the expressed error in the "back and forth or "up and down" plane. The diopter is the measurement of the magnitude of flatness (noted as plus) versus steepness (noted as negative) as compared to a perfect sphere. But for astigmatism it also includes a vector component or the angle the aberration is oriented measured in degrees. Right is zero degrees, left is 180 degrees, up is 90 degrees and down is -90 degrees. Astig manifests itself as a fuzzy edge around an image or a slightly offset "double image" of what you are looking at. If the double image spreads left and right, the angle is typically near zero degrees for one eye and near 180 degrees for the other. If the double image spreads up and down, the angles are near 90 and -90 degrees, but the angles can be any value. Most naturally occuring astigmatism is symetrical meaning an equal and opposite amount across the entire axis of the eye, roughly in a line. Asymetrical astigmatism (occuring only on one side of the central axis) as well as irregular astigmatism (the error in curvature only occuring over smaller or scattered portions of the cornea) can be induced by lasik and is not easily corrected by lenses. Special RGP contacts are typically used to correct that.

Tom,

Thank you for your detailed definition on
astigmatism. Also thanks for your suggestion
of a RGP contact lens. I have an appointment
tomorrow and I will ask about the RGP contact
lens, I sure hope it helps. paula

I know a well-fitted RGP works very well for most post-lasik patients with asymetrical or irregular astigmatism. I had lasik over 5 years ago and ended up with a small amount of residual + astig. Glasses restore 20/20 vision from 20/25. But I used to have 20/15 corrected prelasik which lenses will not quite give me back. I've been just satisfied enough to use the lenses when I need them and have not tried RGP's. Contacts, which I've never worn just seem like too much bother for such a small amount of improvement. But for folks who have more serious visual impairments post-lasik, they can be life-savers.