Eye surgery

New Hope · March 10, 2005

I had an awful lot of astigmatism and used to not even be a candidate for the surgery. So I think that's most of my problem. Also, I'm having an awful lot of trouble w/dry eyes. I'm currently taking some cyclosporin RX eye drops and have the tear duct plugs in. They have told me the dry eyes is affecting the vision more than anything.

Hopefully, you don't have those problems.

Penni60 · March 10, 2005

Marie: Do you use any eyedrops for the dryness other than the prescription cyclosporine? I use the Refresh liqui-gel. It is really soothing and keeps my eyes hydrated for 4 - 6 hours in between drops. Check with your doc before you get any. It is sold at any drug store over the counter. Have they suggested Restasis? That is also another eyedrop for dry eyes.

Mine were tested today and they are somewhat dry but not too much. I have to increase my eyedrops from twice a day to 4 times a day till surgery, just as a precaution.

I had astigmatism as well really bad but they were able to work with it in my first surgery. They have made such leaps and bounds in the surgery these days. It is amazing.

New Hope · March 10, 2005

I've bought every type of over the counter eye drops or gels that they make. Yes, the Restasis is the RX cyclosporine drops I'm using. I think I'm just prone to dry eyes. Previously, wearing contacts, I never could sleep in them for days and days like my son does. Just one of those weird little quirks that some people get and others don't.

Hopefully you won't have any problems. And since you've had this done before, you know what to expect. I do want more than the 1 valium they gave me next time though! LOL

I'llsucceed · March 10, 2005

Penni-

When I had mine done they told me after 40 I would need reading glasses. Which I kinda do now. They said they could than do the mono-vision BUT would recommend that I just use reading glasses instead. If you could get perfect distance in both & just need reading glasses that MAY be another option instead of having the mono.. I have heard of people getting the mono & not being able to adjust. Maybe see if you get it done & don't like it months from now if you can go back to just near-sighted vision correctiveness?? Just a thought.. Well be seeing ya;0) Lol- Good Luck

gunn4ya · March 10, 2005

Penni,

Best of luck to you. Hope all goes well with the surgery.

Mita · March 10, 2005

Good Luck Penni.

I have been thinking about doing the Lasik myself just do not have the money to pay for it.

Iluvharleys · March 10, 2005

The only time I have problems with dryness is when it is so cold and the heat is on alot. Once in a while in the summer when it is over 100 degrees I have some dryness. I use the saline drops off the shelf that they had me use after surgery, and after a couple of days, I am back to normal.

Penni60 · March 10, 2005

How long ago was everyone's eye surgery? I was told it takes a good year and sometimes two years for your eyes to make its own tears.

I asked about doing both eyes and just using reading glasses. I was told that if they correct both my eyes then I would need reading glasses for EVERYTHING else. Including typing like I am doing now. SO I would still be in glasses 50% to 60% of the time. If I get the Monovision then I won't need reading glasses for another year or two and then just for reading in low lite areas or fine print. They let me see the difference with both eyes and with monovision by using lenses to see how it would affect my eyesight. I must admit I am more interested in the monovision than doing both eyes.

I still have time to cancel. I can even talk to them the day of surgery.

leatha_g · March 10, 2005

I had my original surgery Feb 2004. I have had a constant battle with dry eyes. Put in lower plugs, put in 'smart' plugs that stay forever, now I have an upper plug in my right/distance eye and the 'reading' eye is dry. I never had dry eyes in my life! The monovision is great for up close reading, but still is NOT helpful for computer work. The distance is great for real far away IF I use my glasses that correct the 'reading' eye. IF not, I have very distorted vision and the detail I was once used to is no more. I may still go back and have the distance only corrected on the 'reading' eye. I don't mind glasses, but now there is no middle ground. If I'm looking over someone's shoulder at a computer screen, I have no GOOD 'middle' vision, it's all very distorted and guess what! I used the Dr who has done 'THE MOST' lasik surgeries IN THE WORLD. They can't tell me if the dryness will ever correct itself, or the distortion. It's cool if I'm doing nothing in particular, but even watching TV is a nuisance with distorted vision. Lotsa money to go permanently damage my good eyes.

Iluvharleys · March 10, 2005

Leatha I was hoping by now you were much better.

They told me I could do both eyes for distance or just one and read with the other. The whole point of me getting the surgery done was to not wear glasses anymore. I went with the monovision because of that. I am happy with the outcome, and would do it again in a minute. I had mine done about 3 years ago.

Penni60 · March 10, 2005

I am with you Betty. I don't wanna have to wear any type of glasses till I absolutely have to. I wore them for over 30 years so to not have to wear them for the past year and a half has been fabulous.

I will just do more asking questions till I feel completely comfortable.

blossom · March 10, 2005

Good luck, Penni!

Can I do a quick hijack??? This may sound really dumb, but are watery eyes a symptom of dry eyes? I have been having the worst problem with watery eyes for the last 2 yrs. I thought it was allergies for a long time, but NOTHING my allergist has given me has helped. Okay, Penni, back to you, LOL!

New Hope · March 10, 2005

I had my Lasik in December, 2004. I chose the mono because I didn't want to wear any glasses. I do like being able to wake up in the a.m. and be able to see! I'm trying to be patient and hope this dry eye/distance eye corrects itself. But it is a huge financial investment and a risk to take having someone operate on your eyes.

leatha_g · March 10, 2005

Yes, Blossum, it is.

I'llsucceed · March 10, 2005

How long ago was everyone's eye surgery? I was told it takes a good year and sometimes two years for your eyes to make its own tears.
I was told that if they correct both my eyes then I would need reading glasses for EVERYTHING else. They let me see the difference with both eyes and with monovision by using lenses to see how it would affect my eyesight.

I had mine in 1998. It took aprox 6-8 mnths for my eyes to not be so dry. I used natural tears for drops & after that intial phase never needed them again. I do think my vision isn't as sharp as it was a couple years ago but I am too chicken to go & find out if I am no longer 20/20.LOL

I think you should go for the mono vision- sounds like you have your heart set & you've done great research - so go for it & let me know how it goes. I am sure I will do it in couple years also.