I am almost 4 months post op on a Lasik enhancement of my left eye. My original Lasik on both eyes was performed in 2000. I was unhappy with the visual acuity of my left eye (20/30 with +1.00 astigmatism), so I decided to get an enhancement in 2005 (maybe not a good idea, but that is another discussion). The flap was lifted for the enhancement, and the surgeon stated that it lifted easily. At about 3 1/2 months post op, I had an unexplained lifted flap and a subsequent infection! The eye was swollen, painful, tearing and red. Believe me, no one wants to go through this type of complication. After a strict antibiotic regimen, the infection is gone and the eye feels much better. I am curious, though, as to what might have caused this lifted flap. I had been using artificial tears, although not alot, maybe twice a day. I had not had any serious dry eye symptoms. I don't recall rubbing or hitting my eye in any way. Is it possible that I rubbed it while I was sleeping? Both my Lasik dr and my regular opthamologist are at a loss to explain how it could have happened. Now I am really careful. I sleep with goggles, and use drops 4 or more times a day.

Wow, so long after surgery that is a really rare, not to mention scary, post-op complication, Roger. Aside from some sort of flap trauma (which you say did not occur), the most likely scenario is that the edge of the flap got somewhat chewed up during the re-lifting procedure (not uncommon) and this allowed a small area of peripheral epithelial ingrowth to occur. When that happens, it can prevent the flap from adhering to the stromal bed in the area of the ingrowth. So, a pathogenic pathway may have been created in this way, and an opportunistic bug finally came along and took advantage of it. An unusual sequence of unfortunate events, for sure, but at least it sounds like you're okay now, though; so, I guess, as they say, all's well that ends well. But, man, what a bummer of a trip.

Bryce Carlson