I am hoping that someone out there will give me some hope. I had Lasik about a month ago. I was highly myopic… -10.75 in the right eye, and -11.75 in the left eye. I am experiencing many of the usual side effects that are mentioned by other patients on websites such as this one. My side effects include poor vision in dimly lit rooms (I honestly can’t see faces in restaurants at night!), halos when driving, foggy vision when I’m indoors in the daytime, and of course dry eyes. By far the side effect that concerns me the most is the poor vision in the evening….even indoors when there are a few lamps turned on. I keep hearing that these side effects go away but from the testimonials I read on these websites it seems that most people that were as myopic as me seem to have these side effects permanently. I have been really worried by this. I am hoping that there is someone out there that started off highly myopic, went on to get Lasik, had all these side effects, and eventually is happy and problem free. If so, please let me know so that I have some hope that it will get better. I went to my doctor’s office and they told me that side effects can take longer with higher nearsightedness (I wish they told me that before the surgery), and they told me that I should expect to have these problems for 6-12 months. Does anyone know of a person that actually suffered bad night vision for 12 months and then it just got better after that? I also have a question for a doctor – if the blurry vision at night stays permanently then will I be able to resolve the problem with glasses? Or is it a problem that can never be fixed? I can’t seem to stop worrying about these problems and I really need to hear of someone that got through it okay.
I appreciate any insight you can give. Thanks!

We have heard from many people who were highly myopic who have no long-term problems after a period of poor vision. What has happened to others may or may not apply to you, but it most certainly is possible for your problems to be resolved.

It is reasonable to assume that your eyes are not fully corrected and the dry eyes you mention are affecting your vision quality. High myopes tend to regress and it is difficult to predict the exact amount of regression. It is very common for a high myope to need enhancement surgery. Ask your doctor for a set of contacts that will fully correct you, and then evaluate your vision.

Since dry eye degrades vision quality, your vision while wearing contacts or glasses and after applying a drop of preservative-free tears is probably what you can expect long-term. You may need Dry Eye Treatment and enhancement surgery to get where you want to go, but it is possible.

Visit http://www.complicatedeyes.org/dry_eye_treatment.htm

And you really need to discuss these concerns with your doctor. Detailed answers to your concerns will go a long way toward relieving your current anxiety. You may want to read our article about LASIK Anxiety.

Visit http://www.complicatedeyes.org/lasik_complications_anxiety.htm

Glenn Hagele
Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance
http://www.USAEyes.org
http://www.ComplicatedEyes.org
Email: glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org

I am not a doctor.

Would really like to have a update. How is your vision today?