First, thanks very much to all the doctors who have created and participate on this site. Open, honest sources of information were very important in my decision making process.

After posting several questions here, I went ahead with my LASIK about 10 days ago. For the most part, I am thrilled with my results. I went from about -7 sph, to +0.25 sph in both eyes. I can read most of the 20/15 line, although qualitatively, I think I am more like 20/20 or 20/25. My OD thinks I will continue to improve over the next month and really feel like 20/15.... Even so, if my vision just stays where it is now, I will be very happy.

I had fairly significant neo-vascularization from my contact lens wearing days (15 years ago). The surgeon gave me some drops to control the bleeding, and the surgery proceeded just fine, I am told. (My wife says she needed to sit down when she saw the blood...)

My OD says that I have some red blood cells under my flap. He said they are nothing to worry about, and will go away "after a long period of time". Apparently they are not interfering with my vision, I am assuming because they are not near the center of the pupil. I noticed that when he drew a picture of them in his notes, they were all near the top of my flap, near the hinge, I believe.

So, doctors, would you tend to agree that they are nothing to worry about?

How long is "a long time"?

What is the mechanism the boy will use to get rid of them?

Since most of the cells are near the hinge, I assume that those un-cut blood vessels are the ones that lead to the blood cells being there. That sort of begs the question, what happens to the blood vessels that were cut? Do they tend to just sort of get capped of, or do they try to regenerate back to where they were? (just curious)

Thanks,

Chris

ooops, a typo:
What is the mechanism the boy will use to get rid of them?

should be:

What is the mechanism the body will use to get rid of them?

In general, Red blood cells under the flap wil get absorbed over a few days to weeks. They are a result of the blood vessels that were cut during the making of the flap - and tend to track under the flap - and can end up either at the edge of the flap, or as with you near the hinge.

It is of course important for your surgeon to keep watching your eyes to make sure that no excess inflammation occurs.

Best of luck

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL

Bill,

Thanks. I wonder why he (my OD) implied that the red blood cells would be around longer?

It will be interesting to find out what has happened to them at my 1 month checkup.

>> It is of course important for your surgeon to keep watching your eyes to make sure that no excess inflammation occurs.

Would you recommend more visits than just the 1 month, 3 month, 6 month and 1 year?

Thanks,

Chris

The length of time that the red blood cells will be visible depends on the amount of cells visible. I have seen red blood cells vanish withing a few weeks, but they certainly can be visible for longer periods of time.
My comments on inflammation refers to the fact that some people can have an inflammatory reaction after LASIK - and it was just a general comment - there has been no proven association between residual material under the flap and flap inflammation, but it is alway a good idea to watch closely.
As for the exact timing - you will need to talk with your surgeon about this. The schedule you mention is relatively normal, so it would be your doctor's and your decsion as to whether you will need more frequent check ups

Best of luck

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL

Bill,

I think I will make an extra appointment this week, just to see how things are progressing.

I, for one, truly appreciate that you participate both here and on usenet...

Thanks,

Chris