The cause of the scaring would undoubtedly relate to the probability of full recovery and the speed at which you would recover. If the scaring is corneal haze due to a high correction, that may be able to be treated with Mitomycin C. If the scaring is actually haze at the epithelium, then it would more likely resolve on its own. The doctor's use of the term "scaring" may be specific or more generalized. It would be valuable to ask for the doctor's presumed cause of the scaring as well as the doctor's prognosis.
Astigmatism can be caused by swelling of the cornea (edema) or IntraLASIK induced temporary dry eye. Dry eye can exacerbate astigmatism. Depending upon how long it has been since you had surgery, this is something that may improve with healing.
If you are not comfortable driving, then don't. Perhaps after corrective lenses.
A very important question is if you have good vision quality with glasses. This can be checked in the doctor's office with a manifest refraction (which is better, one or two?). If you can see well with glasses, then the majority of your problem would appear to be simple refractive error. That is good news because you could either wear glasses, contacts, or possibly have enhancement surgery to resolve the refraction issue.
If the reduction in your vision quality is because of the scaring, that is a completely different situation and will be totally dependant on the how, why, and where of the scaring.
Eye glasses are most certainly appropriate during the healing period, but I recommend that you use a dispensing optician who has a lens replacement policy, otherwise you may find you are buying several sets of lenses over the next few months.
Whatever business arrangement agreed to is what you both should honor. The doctor did not charge you extra at the time of your initial surgery and equally you should expect to pay the agreed amount should you need enhancement surgery. That said, there is nothing wrong with asking if the doctor would wave this additional fee.
Glenn Hagele
CRSQA
http://www.USAEyes.org
I am not a doctor.
