hello...I had the Lasik procedure done on Friday, 2/4/00. The procedure was very quick, though not without some discomfort and mild pain. When the Dr. clamped the lids open, there was some pain involved. The suction on the eyes was also uncomfortable.

After the operation I felt a mild to moderate irritation in my right eye. Later that day, after resting at home for a few hours, I noticed that the right eye was considerably redder than the left and also irritated.

The next morning I had a follow-up, at which time the opthamalogist recommended increasing the ant-biotic drops to every 2 hours instead of every four, and scheduled me to come in monday am for another follow-up. The vision correction itself seemed good, left eye seems fine with 20/20 and no pain, although a large red spot about the size of a dime (slightly smaller) is behind the upper eye-lid extending down to the colored part of the eye. I'm assuming this to be a broken blood vessel? The opthamalogist made no mention of it however.

The right eye also seems corrected though a bit blurry. The pain and irritation/redness has only gotten worse, and it is increasingly hard to keep that eye open. The upper-lid also shows some swelling. My question is...how serious can an infection be? It was my understanding that these infections were quite rare? The stinging sensation is very painful...and my right eye is watering as I write this. Any thoughts or advice to ease my concerns?

An infection can be extremely serious. Contact
your ophtalmologist immediately. Your symtoms
should not be getting worse if things are OK.
Please keep us posted.
Leonard Friedman MD, Washington DC,,,,,,,,,

Dr. Friedman...thanks for responding to my question. I returned for this morning, 2/7/00 for a follow-up for my Lasik procedure done on 2/4/00. My right eye is indeed infected as I thought. I had to specifically ask the opthamalogist if it was infected, as she seemed unwilling to volunteer this information herself. This is not conjuctivitis, but an infection of the eye itself. The pain has decreased since I posted last night, and the redness and watering has diminished. There is some continuing discomfort in the right eye and it is somewhat sensitive to light.

The opthamalogist has increased my anti-biotic drop schedule from one drop every 2 hours in the right eye, to 1 drop every hour. The schedule for the left eye remains at one anti-biotic drop every four hours, and the Flarex steroid drops one drop per eye every four hours. I was also given some Acular drops in case the pain becomes severe. She (opthamalogist) has scheduled me for an additional follow-up on wednesday, 2/9/00, at which time I will also see the surgeon who performed the Lasik procedure. The opthamalogist seemed up-beat about full recovery and thinks the infection will probably be cleared-up by wednesday. I'm still a bit concerned about the infection, and not at all sure about what sort of long-term complications it may cause to vision in that eye. The right eye is still a bit blurry...but seeing at about 20/30. I also inquired if the flap was intact and it is. I'm staying home from work today and tommorrow and maybe wednesday as well, for fear of further aggravating the infection (I'm a carpenter). Any thoughts or advice appreciated.

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner but my
computer line was down. How are you doing now?
Are you being followed by an optomotrist or an
ophthalmologist? Does he still feel it is
infected? You need to be watched very closely.
Keep us posted.
Leonard Friedman MD Washington DC.......