I have had LVC done while on vacation in France at a very reputable center. However, up to 5 days after my operation I was still seeing as I did without glasses. Upon examination I was told that there was a "keratosis" on the surface of the cornea that had not healed yet because of poor lubrication on the eye. The doctor changed my prescription to a better lubricant and said it would clear up within a few days. The reason I could not se well was that this keratosis (small scars on the cornea?) where refracting the light. A few days did go by but I am still in the same situation. I would like to know in your opinion if I am being told the truth or/and whether I might need to be reopreated. Thanks. Jeff

Did you have LASIK, PRK, LASEK, or Epi-LASIK? What was your prescription before surgery? Is your vision able to be corrected with spectacles?

I highly suggest that you immediately start taking 500mg of vitamin C twice daily while you have this scaring problem, plus at least three weeks after it clears. Also, use 100% UV protection sunglasses whenever you even think of being near the sunlight. Studies have shown that vitamin C and UV protection can help with healing corneal scaring, and cannot hurt you.

Keep your eyes moist, even if they don’t feel dry. Read our article on dry eye treatment at:

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

It is impossible to know if additional surgery will be appropriate because it is currently impossible to know how much of your vision limitations are due to the corneal scaring and how much is due to refractive error. After the scaring (also called corneal haze) is resolved, then that question can be answered.

Your doctor may suggest the use of Mitomycin C to help resolve the corneal haze. This is strong medicine that should be avoided if possible, but is quite appropriate when needed.

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.