I had PRK in both eyes on Thursday (not even a whole
week). I could see street signs to some degree but with
a double vision like feel. Today, they took out the
bandages and I see worse. I would be surprised if I
even saw 20/40. I can barely see what I'm writiting here
without squinting and I'm on a fairly large Apple
monitor. Is this normal? If so, how long should I prepare
to be inconvenienced like this? I'm afraid it is going to
interfere with my job since I'm a graphic artist and I do a
lot of typesetting? Is this straining going to hinder my
healing? Just curious and want to know what I can
expect. Can my vision get much better? It would be
amazing to think that a couple of weeks could improve
what I have now to @ 20/20.

Insight?

I purposefully perform PRK, LASEK and Epi-LASIK on Wednesdays rather than Thursdays - as the eye takes atleast 5 days to recover. But some patients take even longer. The delay in visual recovery is related to the epithelial healing. As the epithelium heals, the vision will get crisper.
When removing the contact lens - if the epithelium is still not completely healed - then the vision will be blurry and can drop in quality.
I tell my patients at day 5 that vast majority of patients will be able to drive their car and go to work during the week - and as the week progresses - the vision will improve. Some patients can reach 20/20 by day 5 - while others can take 2, 4 6 weeks, or longer to reach 20/20. Everyone heals at different rates - and the key is to have patience and work with your doctor to help your eye heal.

I hope this helps

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL

As a PRK patient myself, I can tell you that vision recovery can take what seems like an eternity. While "functional fuzzy" may get you by, don't be surprised if you cannot read street signs or newspapers for a while.

Vision will fluctuate, often with fleeting moments of excellent clarity. The ghost multiple images will fade slowly, and as they do the clarity of edges will increase.

You need to have patients, and use your preservative-free eye drops to promote healing.

Glenn Hagele
http://www.USAEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

Hi....

I'm now three-months post-op from my PRK. About a month after my surgery, I was in a panic. My vision was minimally adequate at best. I had severe double and triple vision from the remaining astigmatism and I could barely read my computer monitor.

I told my doctor who told me to be patient and gave me a perscription for some temporary glasses while my eyes continued to heal. On the day the doctor gave me my perscription, I finished my steroid drops. I was finished taking them.

Within a couple of days of going off the steroids, my vision improved dramatically. I never had to use the glasses my doctor perscribed for me.

My left eye is very nice. It's close to 20/20. My right isn't quite as good. It has a more noticable astigmatism and blur. It's okay, but just mildly annoying. If there is no improvement at my six month checkup, my doctor says he will do a minor enhancement.

Be patient. Take your meds. Keep your eyes lubricated. Stay positive. Things will be okay.

Take care....

Steve

This morning, I went back into the Dr. because my Rt.
eye was itching and burning really bad. For my comfort
he is letting me nurse on a bandage for two more days.
I decided not to drive to work this morning as my vision
was worse. I think it was likely due to irritation. At times
during the day I have had moments of better vision....I
suppose I should just relax. It's hard because nobody
around me understands. They all had Lasik and were
fine the next day or so. I think they think I'm making it up
or something. When the Dr. said it would take time, I
suppose I didn't realize exactly how long a day,
week..etc. would be.

I suppose my best friends are now my Lotemax, PF
eyedrops, Vit. C. and time. I'm sure a + attitude will also
help. Thanks for the support. =)

Rhonda,

If you find a place that can dispense attitude, preferably in caplet form, let us know!!

Glenn Hagele
http://www.USAEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

For me, that comes in the form of anti-depressant
medication. Sometimes it fails me, but for the most part,
it keeps me from going totally mad. =D

If I didn't have it while going through this, there may be
one less person in this world. I'm a lucky one. If I
suffered from some of these problems people have I
really don't think the AD dugs would help though. My
heart goes out to these people.

The good news for the day is that I'm having a great
vision day. I can see my computer screen! I can also
read liscense plates today! Yeah! Hopefully tomorrow
will be another good one.

It is the cruelest of ironies that some anti-depressants, which are needed to help people get through the challenge of a poor refractive surgery outcome, also cause the pupils to dilate and can contribute to poor vision. Those with pupil size related vision problems and are taking anti-depressants need to verify that the cure is not contributing to the cause.

I’m glad to hear you are having a good day. One good day means that there may be many more to come. At least you know good vision is possible, even if it is not yet reliable.

Glenn Hagele
http://www.USAEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

antidepressants also exacerbate dry eye. So you need to discuss that with your doctor, who may need to increase your postoperative dry eye treatment, such as adding Restasis, punctal plugs, etc.

I hope this helps

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL
http://www.Centerforeyecare.com

Yeah!

Today is another good vision day. I can even read auto
plates up to two nearly three away. I think I will take a
trip to Wal-Mart during my lunch break to take one of
their free vision tests. I'm curious to know where I'm at
now.

Other than things not being really crisp, I can't tell the
difference between my vision now and when I wore
contacts. At least not that I can remember.

On the downside, I notice by the end of the work day my
eyes kind of hurt or ache and I have a slight headache.
I take a 30 min. nap when I get home and all is good for
my reality show marathon on TV. I'm trying to catch up
for the couple of days I missed while I was recovering.
Thank God for TIVO!

As far as dry eye goes, my eyes do not feel dry or itchy.
I use my tears a couple of times an hour just because I
was told to do so, not really because I feel I need them.
Is this something that will develop later, or is it
something that you pretty much have from the
beginning if you do not use your drops?

I do know about the AD's and pupil size. Some I have
tried really make them large even in light situations.
And I have big ones to begin with. They are about 7-8
mm. I've gotten off of those quickly and have gone to a
drug that doesn't do that. I did inform my Dr. post op of
the fact that my meds at times have that effect on me
just as a caution. He said to keep him informed if I had
any issues.

Since I knew having large pupils is a risk, I went out last
night and so far I have no trouble with glare or
starbursting. My doc used the CustomVue. I made sure
he was using it after I consulted with my favorite "online
lasik Dr." I just hope these "symptoms" won't start to
develop as my eyes continue to repair.

Thanks all for your support! I'm now one week glasses
and contact free. Hopefully I will continue to have
success.

It is good to hear that your vision is on the mend and it appears that you will be one of those with a satisfactory result, even if it is taking a bit of time.

Glenn Hagele
http://www.USAEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

I went to get my Rt. contact out today and I was tested
and I have 20/25 at one week after PRK. I think that is
pretty good. Is it? The Dr. said I still have some healing
to do, but I'm progressing at the rate to possibly achieve
20/15. I can see the 20/20 line, but it is a little blurry and
I missed a letter or two. I'm excited about my progress
and my potential outcome. I go back in two weeks.

If the 20/25 line was clear with crisp edges, and the 20/20 line was a little blurry but you could determine the letters, then it would appear that you are doing quite well for so soon after surgery.

Let's just hope all continues this direction.

Glenn Hagele
http://www.USAEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

Over the past couple of days it seems things have been
getting a bit blurrier. My left eye, which used to be my
best eye is now being outdone by my right. Where as it
used to be moderately clear. Now, within the past three
days it has been noticeably blurrier to where if I close
my right eye things like my screen are blurry. I'm
starting to notice more "double like vision".

It is amazing how vastly things can change from day to
day. What causes these radical changes in vision? I
would think things would gradually be getting better,
not the other way around.

Last night was the first night I have actually driven at
night. The lights seemed to have a downward V shaped
reflection on them. I didn't see a glare on top. Could this
be attributed to possible night vision problems, or does
it sound more like I'm still adjusting and maybe I have
some residual astigmatism? I hope the second is the
case. The signal lights also seemed to "glow" from
further away, but it seemed to diminish, but not all the
way, the closer I got to it. So far, I wouldn't say my night
vision is horrible, but it sure doesn't make things a
picnic.

When does one's vision usually begin to even out to
where the fluctuations aren't so drastic, and night vision
is not so distorted?

Thanks so much!

Again - the key is to continue following your doctor directions regarding lubricating drops and giving your eye time to heal. For some people - it can take a while - regardless of the type of laser procedure performed.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL

I am experiencing that as well when I am out at night one week after Epi Lasik and was worried about it.

A week after my procedure I am seeing at 20/40 and 20/50 and things are very blurry so I feel your pain.

AD medicines here as well and without them I would be in a world of trouble.