I had PRK in left eye (non-dominant) with the MOST HORRIBLE PAINFUL healing complications. Now I REFUSE to do my right eye. My correction was slight (-1.25 taken to -.25)I have been told it is possible to "reverse" the PRK by treating it as a hyperopic correction. I just want both my eyes nearsighted again and I want to wear progressive glasses. I am so VERY SORRY I did this to myself. I am willing to go ANYWHERE in the United States or Canada. But, after all I have read, I feel like I am swimming with refractive surgeon sharks, and I do NOT want to be in these waters. Which few facilities are the best in the United States...Who can I trust anymore? It is very difficult to get accurate information and
make a decision. My original surgeon was supposed to be "THE BEST INTHE AREA". The more research I do, the more confused I become. I don't know who to believe anymore...and now I have been reading about the differences between the lasers!!!

why are you soo unhappy? i would be very reluctant to operate on a person who does not have a clear expectation of what the surgery can and cannot achieve. even treating for hyperopia may not bring you back to where you were pre-op, although that is the intention. you must be prepared for even more complications, and that does not sound like the case.

tell me where you are located? some of the best centers in the country include Emory university on atlanta, and louisiana state university with marguerite macdonald.

good luck,

debra tennen, md

I am located in SOutheast. I am so unhappy because I was 39 when I had ther surgery. Apparently, I was so accustomed to going around nearsighted and being able to read everything so well (in BIG eyes) . I noticed my vision changing, so I thought I will get 20/20 eyes and just wear reading glasses. The PRK was the worst thing I have ever experienced in my life. I decided to wait before doing 2nd eye and wore contact lense to match (for 9 months) I could never get both eyes to focus together up close or middle distance with contact lense. I know now that I was simply NOT a candidate given my age, my habit of going around near-sighted anyway. I know I will need reading glasses - even being myopic - its just that it was such a horrible drastic change, that I really want to just wear glasses again.

1. Can your left eye be corrected to 20/20? Can you wear a contact lens in your left eye to make it 20/20?
2. Are you happy with your vision in your left eye, or is it distorted. You stated that now your 2 eyes won't work together- why is that so? Do you have double vision?

3. PRK is a safe procedure, but it is more uncomfortable than LASIK. The question you have to ask is do you really want to do anything with your untreated eye. If you leave it alone, you will be able to read without glasses once you reach age 41-42. However, if you make your right eye perfect with laser surgery, than you will need reading glasses all the time.

I hope this is helpful

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL