Hi, I just had a consultation to have lasek done, but the consultant said that my prescription meant that I'd get some haze and would "lose a line" on the eyechart (I can be corrected to 20/20 with glasses & lenses). The doc said my eyes were healthy and recommeded I go to see another doc who could do lasik for me.

My prescription is:
OS: -3.75 / -2.00 @ 175
OD: -4.25 / -2.50 @ 180

I really liked the sound of lasek, since I worry about the whole flap thing with lasik. But do you agree that lasik is likely to be a better procedure for this prescription?

Many thanks for any opinions.

Matt,

I had Lasek done at the end of January for the very reasons you state, wanted to avoid any flap problems and dry eyes. My script was -6.0 & -6.5 w/ .75 astigmatism. I followed the advice of Dr. Trattler and others on taking vitamin C before and after surgery. To date, my doc has mentioned seeing a trace of haze and that is clearing; my result has been very good. 1 eye is plano and the other is -.5 w/ .25 astigmatism, I can almost read the 20/15 line. I found the recovery for Lasek to be about 4 days for pain, if present, to subside; 2-3 weeks for blurriness to clear and 2-3 months for best vision to be achieved. I still have some fluctuations in vision, but it is less and less as time goes on.

Chris

Matt,

This is a rather odd one. I’m not quite sure of the logic of the consultant with which you met. Your prescription shows you to be a low myope (nearsighted) and well below any level of concern for corneal hazing with LASEK or its cousin PRK. The idea that you would “lose a line” of Snellen visual acuity is counter to your prescription.

You do have a high level of astigmatism. Astigmatism is when the cornea is not spherical like the top of a basketball, but elliptical like the back of a spoon. More important than just the amount of astigmatism, it is greater than half the amount of myopia. This usual indicates a higher probability of an enhancement to resolve all your refractive error.

If anything, your prescription would indicate that surface ablation techniques like LASEK and PRK would be better than LASIK.

I think the best advice you received was to visit with another refractive surgeon.

Chris in Henrietta provided valuable information about surface ablation recovery. Although Chris seems to have had a rather slow recovery, expecting 2-4 days of discomfort or pain (if any), 2-3 weeks for clear vision, and 2-3 months for recovery is reasonable. It may be much less, depending upon the individual, but you would go into refractive surgery with a reasonable expectation.

Chris mentioned vitamin C. What is being recommended is 500mg twice a day for one week before surgery and two weeks after surgery. Also, use dark sunglasses with 100% UV protection when out of doors.

If you go to this website’s doctor directory (https://asklasikdocs.com/directory.htm) you will see a doctor listed in Ithaca. We have a certified refractive surgeon in East Syracuse, not too far from you. If you want that doctor’s contact information just drop me a line at . You may find our 50 Tough Questions For Your Doctor at http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/tough_questions.htm helpful in evaluation an uncertified surgeon.

Glenn Hagele
Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance
http://www.usaeyes.org

I am not a doctor.

Glenn/Chris, Thanks for taking the time to respond, it's much appreciated. There is one thing I don't understand though: if I have (as in my right eye) -4.25 sphere & -2.50 cyl, doesn't that mean that at the astigmatic parts of my eye, the prescription is effectively -6.75 (i.e. adding the sph & cyl together)? Would this then explain why the original consultant said that this level correction would likely result in haze? Thanks.

Hi all,

Just FYI.

I had the LASEK procedure about 1 year ago.
I do not have the specifics on my correction handy but my left eye was 20/200 and my right eye was 20/100.

Today, my right eye is about 20/25 in low light and 20/15 in bright light (excellent). My left eye is about 20/40 in bright light and 20/100 in dim light (poor).

I went to my doctor again last week and he said that he could correct the problem with my left eye. He also said that I have some hazing in the same left eye that he would remove during the procedure. He also stated that he would apply some type of medicine that could inhibit the hazing during this latest procedure

I do not have a surgery date yet.
I'll let you all know how it comes out.

Ken

Hi,

I had LASEK (modified PRK) about a year ago.
Last month, on an eye exam, I noted that my left eye had regressed to about 20/100 (night), the day vision was still fairly good (about 20/40).

I went back to my original surgeon and he made the correction on my left eye (and removed some hazing) for free. I am now two weeks after surgery and see well in both eyes, day and night.

FYI, LASEK recovery hurts. It hurts (feels like an eyelash trapped under the lid) for about two weeks. The hurt can easily be medicated but it will 'remind' you of the surgery. I have never had LASIK but I understand it is mostly painless.

I chose LASEK for different reasons. This is how I understand the differences from LASIK. :

1. LASEK will provide (slightly) better night vision than LASIK.

2. The LASEK corrections are 'slightly' more accurate than LASIK.

3. There is no 'flap' with LASEK so you might still be able to be an aircraft pilot.
This was my deciding factor. If you never want to pilot an aircraft, get LASIK and avoid the extra pain.

I'm not a doctor so I do not know about the metrics of all this.

If you are interested in contacting me, try .

Enjoy seeing!

Ken Miller