I got my INTACs on 6/27/00- and my eyesight is still poor (I am strugglig to see to write this). My eyes are still blurry and one is drastically different (better) than the other. From my visit to the Dr. on 6/30 I understand the vision in my right eye has not improved since the day after surgery and I am willing to bet it has gotten worse since 6/30. My problem is that not only is my far vision bad now but I have to struggle to read normal print (& just forget small print). I understand that there could be fluctuations in my vision but I am ocncerned that my my eyes (my right eye in particular) are so bad particularly my near vision which was perfect before I got my Intacs. I am trying to be patient but my vision is so bad I haven't been able to drive since the surgery (I take the train to work) and is beginning to affect my abiltity to perform at work. I am getting very frustrated with my inability to drive and to read, let alone the headaches I get from not being able to see. I was prepared for the discomfort and the longer recovery time but this is becoming one of the biggest mistakes of my life.

Does anyone know if this is normal? How long should I wait before I can assume that this is close to the results I will have?

I just got back from my dr.'s she said that i now have astigmatism and that my eyes have gotten worse since my last visit but that the fluctuation isn't that severe. She said that the astigmatism is most likely temporary and may come and go (i could see much better yesterday) and offered to write me a prescription. Is this indeed something that is temporary & I should wait out? or is it possible/likely that now I have astigmatism? Also will this be fixed if I have my INTACs removed?

The vision recovery with Intacs can take much longer than LASIK. I usually ask my patients to wait up to 3 months before making a decision on removal. Astigmatism may be due to the incision made in the eye for the Intacs placement. If a suture was placed, this can also affect astigmatism. Your surgeon may be able to manipulate the astigmatism by removing or replacing a suture. There are some advantages to Intacs if you can get good results. My advice is to take the temporary glasses and wait it out if possible. If it doesn't work for you, most patients will return very close to their original vision if the Intacs are removed.

Demetri Dornic, MD

my vision today in my left eye is much better- looks clear but my right eye is as bad as ever. my dr. is on vacation until the 19th-- will it be too late then to do anything w/my sutures? also i understand that it may take up to 3 months (something no one told me BEFORE my surgery) but I still can't see well enough to drive. I also feel like I've traded contacts for glasses which is the worst outcome I can imagine. Is it possible that the right eye will have permanent astigmatism?

I don't know enough about your case to tell you that the suture truly is the cause of your astigmatism, but in general removing a suture or replacing/adding sutures are best done within the first month. It sounds like you have plenty of time if this is the issue. I have never seen significant permanent astigmatism from Intacs but I suppose anything is possible. In a worst case scenario, you could have the Intacs removed and have LASIK a few months later. LASIK would correct both your nearsightedness and astigmatism. It is way too early to fret over this, however.

Demetri Dornic, MD

I am sorry you are having difficulties. I am just
curious, who is your surgeon?
Leonard Friedman MD Washington DC.......

I have not been able to get in to see the Dr. that did my surgery since my day after appointment. I have only been able to see other Dr.'s in his practice that don't do INTACs and am hoping that is why no one seems to be able to tell me anything or reassure me re: the state of my deteriorating (and continuing to do so) vision. I would be happy to tell you his name after I have had the opportunity to actually see him (which I've managed for the 13th).

Yesterday I learned that my prescription now (I had to get new glasses to wear so Ican function) is :

OD -1.5 2.00
OS -1.0 1.7r

(i might have the eyes wrong b/c i'm doing it from memory)

So now I have officially traded my daily wear soft contacts for a pair of glasses. I have had my intacs a little over 2 weeks-- my Dr. recommends waiting a while longer before I decide on explantation(which he thinks is probably what I am going to have to do). My question is - given how bad my eyes are (haven't changed since my day after appt.) what are the odds that my eyes get any better? Has anyone else experienced such poor results?

Thanks in advance..

Can't tell from the prescription as given. If the second number in the prescription is a "+" I think there is still hope. If the second number is a "-" it is much more likely that the Intacs will require removal

Demetri Dornic, MD

i don't have a copy but i'm pretty sure the second numbers were "+"'s. can i ask what the difference is?
there is also something strange i have noticed. my vision appears to get clearer at night and be worst first thing in the morning. for example i woke in the middle of the night on friday night & looked at a clock not far away from my bed but far enough that i can't see it in the morning & it was perfectly clear.. this seems to be the exact opposite of what i have been reading.

Well I am 1 day short of a month and my vision is still poor. The glasses the dr. prescribed now actually make things worse in my left (I am assuming that means my left eye is getting better)& much better in my right-- and as of today my vision (with the exception of maybe 1 or 2 days over the last 2 weeks) still isn't good enough to drive. However, Monday I had a day where things looked almost as good as my w/my contacts in my left eye--my right eye is still bad- the double vision seems worse and the vision is still so bad I can't read standard print with the right eye. Today both eyes are pretty bad. Tomorrow I go to see the Dr. and to discuss having my intacs explanted. I had so hoped the INTACs would work- but I can't imagine that my eyes will get any better? I guess I will find out tomorrow..