I am concerned for my 65 year old mother who underwent a lasik procedure almost 4 weeks ago. She lives in another state so I don't know all the details except to say the one eye was corrected for distance and the other for close vision. She was borderline on being accepted as a patient because of dry eyes. Since the procedure, her vision has steadily worsened to the point she has been taken off work for 6 wks by the surgeon because of blurred vision and halos. She had minor improvement 1 wk after the procedure before regressing to her present condition. The doctor said her Epithelium is sloughing off and to give it time. He has her putting Refresh Endura drops in several times a day. No mention has been made of any other complications but should it take this long for the epithelium to heal? What should we be asking/looking for? Please advise...she is terribly frightened.

I recently had crysteline lenses put in both eyes and then waited one month to have lasic to fine tune distance. One month after the lasic suddenly a large black spot appeared in my right eye. It is always in front of my eye and much larger and pronounced then any little floaters I had all my life. The doctor stated that I just got a new floater and nothing can be done about it. He said there was no connection with what he did and me getting this large floater 30 days after Lasic and 90 days after the caterac operation. Is this true? Please reply, it is very dishearting to go through all I did and at a great expense to now have thia spot in my right eye. Maybe I can be directed to someone that can help.
Thank you

It is not rare to develope vitreous separation which is the usual cause of floaters after cataract or lens implant surgery. It is also occasionally noted after lasik especially in highly myopic patients. If the spot is troubling enough you might need to have surgery to have the vitreous removed. We usually don't recommend this in people who still have their natural lens as it speeds cataract formation. Since your lenses have already been removed you might be able to have this performed. You need to see a Retinal specialist to make sure the spot is just vitreous and that your retina is OK. He/she can also dicuss vitrectomy.
Leonard Friedman MD Washington DC.............