I recieved the Intacs treatment on January 5, 2001
(today is January 31st)
before the surgery my vision was -2.50 in both left and right eyes.(I Received the .35mm intacs)

The day after the treatment (January 6) my vision was tested to be 20/60.

on January 15 (10 days later), I my vision was tested at 20/30.

on January 22 (17 days later) my vision was tested at 20/30.

on January 29, (After requesting another eye exam because of experienceing intense pain in my left eye on a number of occasions)
although I didn't feel that my vision had changed, I was told that my vision was tested at 20/60 in one eye and 20/70 in the other.

My doctor told me that this happend because I was putting too much strain on my eye and trying to hard to focus which inhibited the intacs from correctly reforming my eye. Focussing too hard also caused the intense pain and the spasms in my left eye which also resulted in redness.

My Doctor also told me that another of his patients (who had LASIX) had a similar condition which caused visual decline.

I wanted to know :
1) If any other Doctors have experienced similar symptoms in Intacs or LASIX patients
2) If it is possible to have your vision decline so drastically in such a short period of time (one week from 20/30-20/30 to 20/60-20/70) because of these spasms.

Thanks,

Eric DeFazio

What you say your doctor told you makes no sense
to me. There is no effect on the results of your
surgery based on how you use your eyes. I would
question him/her again to explain what is
happening. Who is your surgeon?
Leonard FriedmanMD Washington DC........

After visiting my doctor once again, the reason I was experiencing pain was determined. (loose sutures (they were removed approximately one week ago, and I have not experienced the pain since).

However, currently (Feb 6, 2001) one month after my surgery I am told my vision is 20/60(at best).

According to keravisions numbers/estimates
http://www.allaboutvision.com/intacs/benefits.htm
I must be among the 8% of people who do not have 20/40 or better vision one month after surgery...

My doctor maintains that the reason my vision is not better than this is because of the way I tend to focus on things (Supposedly, I concentrate very hard on things when I focus and tense my eyes too much which will counter the effects of the procedure...) Every time I go in and the doctors say that everything appears to have healed fine, and that "I" am the reason that my vision is not better.

According to him, concentrating too hard causes my eyes to be "Spasmed" which will counter the effects of treatment. Currently my doctor has asked me to wear reading glasses (1.25) (Which make my vision more blurry than they already are, since my near vision is fine) as much as possible (to allow my eyes to relax). I am supposed to wear these glasses for 10-12 days, and then return for another appointment to find out if this helps my eyes to relax and the procedure to take effect properly.

My Doctor Explained that one of his LASIX patients also had similar symptoms, and that if I could relax my eyes, I would be able to see better.

Given that I am a Software Engineer and tend to sit in front of a Computer for extended periods of time, I have tried to derease the amount of time I spend in front of a computer... And take breaks often to try to avoid focussing to intently on the computer screen (Which is now inches in front of my face so I can see it properly).

If wearing the reading glasses doesn't work the next treatment would be to dialate my eyes for an extended period of time (up to a week) which will relax my eye muscles and allow my vision to correct itself.

I just wanted to know if any of the other INTACS doctors had experienced similar symptoms among any of their patients, (Is this a common?) Or find out if there I have any options (other than removal) which may help my situation.

To be honest I feel like a guinea pig, and I am disappointed in the results I have gotten so far. The reaon I got INTACS was for convenience, (to get rid of glasses and contacts) and the experience has been extremely inconvenient so far.
(Try going one month with pain in your eyes seeing worse than 20/60 and you'll know what I mean).

Thanks for your response,

Eric DeFazio

My Doctor is
Dr. Thomas Clinch
University Ophthalmic Consultants of Washington
4910 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Suite 210
Washington, DC 20016
Phone

Unfortunately, (since I have "bugged" him too much with my recurring problems) Dr. Clinch has referred me to a Dr. Tran (who is also at the same location...) who is currently treating me.