During the op on my right eye I was informed a contact lense had been put in place as the flap had wrinkled when it was put back in place. This lense was removed the following day but it has now been 7 days post op and the right eye is still very blurred. The left eye is great but I am now worried that the right eye will never be as good.

I have to return to the clinic for a check but would like more information on what to ask and what my options should be. I have great difficulty in reading close up and find it easier to close my right eye and simply use my left. I also have discomfort in my right eye, as if a contact lense is still in it but not in right.

Any advise? I am worried if it is left untreated the chance of correcting it will reduce.

1. If you have a flap wrinkle which is affecting your vision - you need to have your flap fixed. I personally feel that suturing the flap provides the best results, but there are a number of techniques.

2. Time is also of the essence. The sooner flap wrinkles are identified and fixed - the better the chance for a full recovery. This is because the wrinkles can get locked in if they are not fixed in a timely fashion.

3. Consider a second opinion.

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL

You very kindly advised surturing,what is surturing? Also mentioned alot is Straie, what is this? Could I be suffuring this and not a wrinkle?

I am not a doctor, so hopefully, someone will give you the correct explanation. But, I had suturing on both eyes. One 4 months post lasik and the other 8 months. Depending on how set your wrinkles are, it is the best way to go. Why go through an unnecessary proceedure of lifting, smoothing alone only to find that the wrinkles remain. Suturing totally eliminated the wrinkles for me, and helped me see better. It sounds much scarier than it is. If you decide to do it, and want more information, please e-mail me and I'll tell you how it is.

I'm 4 days post op and have very blurry vision close up. I also had a contact in my right eye. The doc said I had wrinkles at the time of surgery, but during my follow up with my own doc who spoke with the lasik doc's on the phone, they told him I was a slow healer and all sounds normal and I don't have wrinkles! This all scares me listening to 2 diff stories. Also I've heard that some are blurry for a good week then all is normal after that. How are you doing now? You can email me if you want to Good luck

It is worrisome when there are 2 different findings, and especially when one doctors find flap wrinkles - which are a significant cause of blurry vision after surgery. The main issue is that when wrinkles are identified quickly, they are easy to fix. But if there is a long delay (of many weeks to months), the flap wrinkles can be very difficult to remove - so that patients can end up with permanent blurry vision.

There are a few good ways to diagnose flap wrinkles. Corneal topography (by the way) does not help for this)

1. Place fluoroscein dye in the eye - as the flap wrinkles will cause channels of dye to form.

2. Dilate your pupils, and the surgeon should look in retro-illumination

Please make sure your doctors perform both tests before they declare that you do not have wrinkles.

Also - if you are in a comanagement situation - your comanaging doctor (the doctor who is not the surgeon) may not be as familiar with the appearance of wrinkles - so make sure you see your surgeon.

I hope this helps

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL

Thanks so much for replying. I have my one week in 2 days and I will be sure to mention these test. Since my post, I have called my surgeon who have told my that I don't have wrinkles, but my cornea was sratched while the machine was cutting my flaps. Presently I'm taking Muro ointment at bedtime and the wetting drops as much as poss. My vision is still blurry, but does seem to be getting better day by day, but the change is very small, hardly noticable. It seems better in the aftnoon than the morning (probably from the oinment still in my eye), then at night they seem to get tired. My distance vision is better thaen it ever was, and I'm keeping my hopes up for the rest to come along. Thanks again for the reply doc, it's much appreciated!