It has been 10 months since my lasik procedure which has left me with a buttonhole in one eye. At first it was going to be three months until the Doctor would think about repeating the procedure. I was told just the other day that the eye has not healed properly...there is a permanant scar in the center of the pupil. They can not repeat the Lasik procedure and might have to do a corneal transplant or a "two procedure" type surgery to correct. I have been wearing a contact lens in that eye since procedure...but all of a sudden my eye is rejecting even the lens causing it to "pop" out now and than. also, the Doctor says that my other eye is digressing. I am having problems with night driving and night vision. Can you tell me if this a common occurance? I am a women in my 40's and in excellent health....what questions should I ask and what should I expect?

Your condition is very uncommon, but not unheard of. It is possible for laser to treat the anterior surface of the cornea and remove superficial scarring - but one problem may be that you level of myopia is too mild - so too much laser would result in your being over-corrected.
I would first recommend a few opinions from other surgeons to see if there are any other options prior to a corneal transplant. If you plan on getting a corneal transplant anyway, then you may consider the option of an attempt to remove the scar with laser - and if that does not provide satisfactory vision - then have the corneal transplant.
Corneal transplants are a common procedure, but there are risks with the procedure, including rejection and loss of vision.
So please talk with your doctor and get a few opinions.

best of luck

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami,FL

Thank you for your reply Dr. Trattler. Since my original question, anothere problem has come up. The eye with the "buttonhole" now seems to be larger (I know that sounds crazy!) almost "sticking out" of the socket more than the othere eye and the pupil is dialated quite a bit more. It is rather scarey.... I have an appointment with another Doctor, but not for a few weeks. Should I be concerned? Thanks for your help!

I do not know the answer as to why you are having these other problems, but they may or may not be related to your surgery. If you are concernced - you should be seen right away rather than a few weeks from now.

Best of luck

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami,FL

Dear Marge,
The symptoms you now describe do not sound as if they are likely to be related to your LASIK procedure, but they do need to be brought to the attention of your ophthalmologist. I would be inclined to think you should be seen right away, rather than wait. Best of luck!

Thought I would give you an update on my condition. I had a PTK procedure three days ago. PTK, as you know, is a way of smoothing out the surface of the eye so that I will be able to have a follow-up lasik without (hopefully) any flap complications. I am on Ocufloux, Pred Forte, and Tetracaine. I saw ths doctor yesterday and was suppose to have surgical lens removed, but he decided to leave it in three more days. It was very uncomfortable the first couple pf days but seems to be calming down. The plan is to re-do lasik procedure in another three months if all goes well.

Another possibility would be PRK. There are risks of corneal haze with PRK after a LASIK flap, but there is also risk of problems when recutting flaps.
Just a thought for you to ask your surgeon.

Best of luck

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL