14-days post-refloat of my left eye flap I am told that the striae in the central axis seem to have improved, while some peripheral ones remain.

However, there is virtually NO CHANGE in my ghosting/multiple image situation. I have been advised to give it a month before deciding the future course of action.

I am also informed that my superior flap is slightly decentered: the hinge is close to the periphery of the pupil. My Orbscan pachymetry maps show a much smaller transition zone (steeper change in corneal thickness) at the top (presumably near the hinge) in BOTH my eyes. Could these explain my continued ghosting?

I am puzzled that the resolution of the central striae has not made ANY difference to the ghosting problem and I am wondering if my symptoms are due to flap-decentration-related topographical irregularities.

At night times/dark rooms (expanded pupils), I see a broad "veil"—a band of blurr—below object contours, worse in the case of lit and high-contrast objects. This veil gets literally lifted when I tilt my head backwards while continuing to gaze at the object in front of me. The veil lifts at the same tilt for BOTH my eyes. My right eye has striae, but has not been refloated. During the daytime, even though I see multiple ghosting/blurriness—worse in my left eye, I DO NOT see the blurr-band (due to constricted pupils?)

Does this make any sense? How could one conclusively identify if the decentered flap is an issue? Is it correctable by further treatment?

Thanks in advance for the input.

Ramanath

It can take many weeks for the cornea to heal after a flap lift and refloat for removal of striae/folds. During this time, the vision can be blurry - so it is impossible to know if what you are describing is normal for two weeks after a relift - or is due to residual striae.
To find out - you may need a second opinion to get an unbiased look. If striae are still present (which is possible) than you may need further flap lifts or treatment to smooth out your cornea.

I hope this is helpful

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL

Dear Dr. Trattler,

Thanks much for your quick and reassuring response. Greatly appreciate the same.

Regards,

Ramanath