I thought this might be helpful for others on the recovery process.

Pre LASIK: -8.0 in each eye
Post LASIK; 20/20 in each eye with ghosting in the left eye. In reality, outside of doctor's office is around 20/30)

Recovery process:
1. Didn't see 20/20 until 1 month after surgery. Overcorrected by 1.0 but it regressed.
2. Near vision returned to pre-lasik after 3 weeks.
3. Epithelial ingrowth in left eye 1 week after sugrey however, it's still there but doctor say it's less than a grade one so no need to go in.
4. Dry Eyes are severe with a high tear break-up. Started on Restasis a month ago with no major improvements. Plugs (silicone) put (one in each eye on the bottom) in a few days ago with no major improvements. Using Thear tears all of the time (now every hour inside and 30 minutes outside).

QUESTIONS:

1. I was expecting to see major improvement with plugs, any reason why this hasn't occurred? I can feel the plug but I can't see them which means they have gone below the surface levels.
2. Any suggestion which tears to try for someone with a rapid tear break-up
3. How long does the ghosting last and is this really due to dry eyes.

Any suggestions is appreciated. Thanks.

A rapid tear breakup time tends to indicate that you have a deficient lipid layer. The lipid layer is an oily outermost layer of the tear. The oil provides a protective film that keeps the underlying watery aqueous layer from evaporating.

Punctal plugs tend to do a great job if the aqueous layer is deficient. They keep the water from flowing away. While this can help tear breakup time, it does not resolve the problem of a poor lipid layer.

Often supplements available at most pharmacies or health food stores can resolve a poor lipid layer. Flax seed oil and anything high in Omega 3 essential fatty acids often do the trick. A daily warm compress on the eyes for 10-20 minutes can be helpful. Restasis is the only prescription medication that is approved to treat an underlying cause of dry eyes.

We have a detailed article about dry eye treatment at http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/faq/lasik-dry-eyes.htm that you may find helpful, and then discuss other possibilities with your surgeon. Also, if your puntal plugs are irritating, they may be the wrong size or shape. Ask that they be changed.

Glenn Hagele
http://USAEyes.org
Lasik Patient Advocacy & Surgeon Certification

I am not a doctor.