I have had issues with dry eyes and allergies since last August. I am hoping to get surgery, but I want to make the best decision. I have high Schirmer's scores, but doctors have told me that I still have corneal staining. I have a PRK appointment scheduled, but as I find out more about PRK, I begin to lean more towards ICLS. The downside is that they are far more expensive and new (at least in this country.)
I am worried that PRK could cause my allergies and dry eye to become exacerbated. I do know the most worrisome complication of ICLs is catarct formation (scary), but after going on MANY different sites, it seems to me that while cataracts would be awful, at least doctors have done cataract surgery for years. The outcome of bad PRK is having double vision that is not correctable or dry eye that has you wearing Also, ICLs can be taken out if my intracular pressure increases. It seems like with PRK, you get the procedure then cross your fingers for a few months hoping your eye sight becomes 20/20 and any dry eye you had before becomes much worse, at leat in the interim (if not permanently.)

Maybe I have only perused sites where people have had negative experiences (as my husband tells me), but I only have two eyes and don't want to make a devestating decision. Is there anyone else out there who had allergies/ dry eye/ was contact lens intolerant before PRK? I am eager to hear your story....good and bad.

Miss P

I have been suffering from seasonal allergies for many years, and I have been taking allergy medications for just as long. I had PRK done in 2004 because my surgeon said it's better for people with dry eyes comparing to the Lasik procedure. It took me a year to reach my optimal vision after the surgery. I'm now seeing 20/20 and 20/25 (I was -7 and -7.5 pre-op), and I do not have issues with dry eyes now. But I had to admit my eyes were quite dry the first few months after surgery. My doctor prescribed me with Restasis which really helped after 3 months of usage. Overall, I think my outcome is pretty good. Best of luck to you.

what is your pescription? If your thinking about ICL's you may be quite myopic. If I had to guess, your probably -5 or higher. If I am wrong and you are a low myope, its definately not worth the risks. Do research about laser surgury and ask yourself if you really need surgury and if your increased risks are worth rolling the dice. I cant tell you what to do, you must research for yourself.