Hi there, about 2 weeks ago I attempted to have lasik surgery. During the first eye, there was a loss of suction which resulted in the flap being torn off. My doctor abandoned surgery all together, stating that since it tore off he didn't want to attempt to do the laser in case the prescription was wrong and the edge of the flap was not straight. He then put a surgical contact lens in my eye.

Now the flap has healed in perfect alignment, but I still cannot see out of the eye and glasses are not helping. My doctor said this complication that happened is rare, about 1 in 1000 chance and that he doesn't know how long it will take for my vision to return and what extent will return. He has heard of this happening to other doctors and said they were able to perform lasik on their patients after a month, but feels it could be 3 or 6 months for me. I don't want lasik again, probably PRK as there is always a chance of it happening again.

My question is what have other peoples experiences been like with the vision returning, and if they had laser again. I am hopeful that my vision will return to about what I had before, as at the moment seeing with only one good eye is very straining and I am getting sore eyes and headaches.

Thanks

Your situation is certainly one of the risks that can occur with LASIK. It can take many weeks to months for the cornea to heal. As well, your doctor needs to watch for epithelial ingrowth and make sure everything is healing appropriately.

Best of luck

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL

Hi there, I have now been twice since my first question and my doctor is looking for the growth. He also said there is a chance that my vision may not return from what it is now - I can't focus up close (i was short sighted) or at a distance. He said that he may have to go ahead with PRK after he has stopped checking for the epiltheral (?) growth. In your experience, has the patients vision returned to what it was originally and did you reperform with PRK and what is the success rate. He said that there is more chance of scarring and also a chance I will still need glasses. I would love to know what has happened to your patients with the same experience.

Many thanks