TERESA'S LASIK EYE SURGERY - page 3 of 4

1-31-98 * 23 DAYS AFTER SURGERY - BLURRY

My eyes are about 20/50 for the right eye, and 20/100 for the left. So things are blurry. I can't see my husband wiggle his ears at me from the church choir, I can't see really cute doggies unless from up close, I have difficulty reading street signs, I have to squint real hard to see the blackboard at school, and gazing at stars is useless. But the eye doctors say to wait at least three months after the surgery to give the eyes time to unswell and acquire some stability. So we'll see how much better my eyes get.

But at this point I feel I need the free "enhancement" to bring my eyes closer to my desired goal. But I have to wait until mid-April to do it. Since this surgery may be impossible to reverse, and everyone heals differently, they tend to under-cut the cornea. That is why free "enhancements" are offered.

At this time I wouldn't recommend LASIK to others. My vision is blurry, thus it's frustrating not seeing well. I know I'll be getting the enhancement, which will dramatically improve my sight, and THEN I'll be pleased oh! so much! But not yet.

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2-10-98 * 33 DAYS AFTER SURGERY - UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT

My vision is still blurry, especially at night. No problem up close. But driving home last night at a slow safe speed (55 mph in a 70 mph zone) I was unable to see the tire piece laying on its edge in the road in time to avoid it. Signs and lights were blurry and there would be double-triple ghosts around them. So I let my husband drive. My local eye doctor said that's normal with my vision as it is now. He agrees that I can use an enhancement to bring my vision closer to what's desired. My next eye appointment with him will be shortly before I return for my enhancement, so I assume my eyes will have stabilized by then.

I plan on taking in my old eyeglasses and having the lenses replaced to bring my vision to 20/20 with them. That way I can see better in the classroom, drive more safely at night, and use them only as needed until I have the enhancement.

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3-21-98 * 72 DAYS AFTER SURGERY - EYEGLASSES AGAIN

I got my updated eyeglass prescription a few weeks ago. Now I can remember what it was like to see 20/20 like when I wore contact lenses.

I am going next week to see my local eye doctor for a last exam before I toot off to Phoenix with my mom for my free enhancement. I am looking forward to getting my eyes closer to perfection.

I do not regret having the surgery, even if this was all the eye surgery I were to have. I can see most everything I need to without having to wear eyeglasses, don't have red eyes from wearing contacts, I can go swimming without the old hassle of contacts, and I can bike and be in the wind without having the terrible discomfort of dust with my contacts. Also, eye make-up lasts better, too, without having tearing eyes because of contact lenses.

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3-23-98 * 74 DAYS AFTER SURGERY - WHAT BAD VISION I NOW HAVE, AND WHY

I just returned from my opthamologist. My left eye has REGRESSED to 20/200 from 20/80 the last time I was checked, about a month ago! My right eye is still about 20/40. Dr. Lim said it is common for the eyes to regress about this time, but as the eyes get closer to 20/20 vision, there is much less chance of regression. He also said it's because the brain can't figure out which eye is the dominant eye, so the vision tests are off. The BD eye clinic also said that is a normal predicament.

I thought I wasn't seeing quite as well. Now I know I why.

I'm going for my enhancement next week. Will tell you more after that.

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I went with my mom to Phoenix for my free enhancement. Pretty much the same procedure as before. The reason my eyes are fluctuating in vision is because both eyes are fighting to be the dominant eye. They operated on just my left eye to bring it to 20/20. With my right eye at 20/50, I'll be all set when I become presbyoptic in the next few years.

The operation seemed even faster this time than before, but they only did the one eye. Once again I am very impressed with the BD eye clinic. I eagerly asked questions of the other returning eye patients about their reactions to the whole kit-and-kaboodle of LASIK -- ALL are extremely satisfied with having the surgery. But most were there getting rid of their monovision.

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5-2-98 * PROS AND CONS SO FAR

It's been over a month since my second eye surgery. I have come to the conclusion that I am not seeing as well as I had with contact lenses or with glasses, because of the monovision. But I can do most everything a person with normal vision can do -- ride a bike or be outdoors without dust bothering me, see how dirty the shower is while showering, being able to swim without the hassle of contacts or glasses, and no smeary glasses. Etc. and more etc.

My vision gets blurrier as the day goes on, but I feel comfortable driving. I use to see road signs much better before LASIK -- day or night. Once my presbyopia sets in, then I will have the pleasure of not needing glasses for driving, but that may be 8 years or so. Thus, I am considering having a third surgery to bring my eyes to 20/20 bilaterally.

Am seeing my eye doctor next week, and will let you know more if there is something of interest.

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5-11-98 * EYE DOCTOR EXAM , ABOUT 5 WEEKS AFTER MY SECOND OPERATION

My eyes are both 20/40, per the doctor. I know that I am seeing much better out of one eye than out of the other, though. One eye I see distance well, the other eye I see up close well. My vision still gets blurry as the evening rolls around.

I am swimming in the river now, and what a blessing to not have to mess with contact lenses before or after a swim! That right there is enough to make it worthwhile for the whole LASIK procedure!

I'll have to go back probably to get one last enhancement done. I'm frustrated that the eye clinic didn't get it right the first time, like I've heard other people at other clinics have been lucky enough to have. But it's better than being over-corrected.

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7-22-98 * I'M SO HAPPY AGAIN!

Good news! I DO have a modified monovision, so I won't need to go back for another surgery! My vision now is 20/25 in the left eye, and 20/40 in the right eye. True monovision is about 20/20 and 20/50 per eye, so though I don't have true monovision, it's close enough. I have less of the blurriness toward the evening now.

This LASIK is wonderful! I DO recommend it for everyone!

Once again I'm thrilled to share my happiness with you! Some ways this is great is that I can swim w/o problems, I can actually SEE while showering, no gunk accumulating in the corners of my eyes, no tearing from dust or wind, no red areas on my nose from heavy eyeglasses, my mascara stays put, and when I wake up I can immediately see where I am and the surroundings.

The worse side effects are increased blurring at night (most noticeable when driving), and a slight blurring when reading in bed at night. The only discomfort is that my eyes get dry, so I add drops about four times a day. Also, I'm always scared that I'll loosen the eye flap if I rub my eyes. That's about it!

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9-6-98 * WHAT HAPPENED TO MY EYES ON A CRUISE

I went on a two week cruise, and after about 10 days I could feel a bulge over the medial third of my right eye when I blinked or moved my right eyelid. I put in eyedrops continuously for the night, and it went away. I think what happened was that the air conditioning dried out my eye, making the edge of the flap more noticeable.

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10-21-98 * WHY I WAS SEEING DOUBLE OUT OF ONE EYE!

Due to decreased vision, seeing double posts at distances with my right eye, and necessitating eyeglasses for driving even during the day, I had another eye appointment today.

My eyes have regressed, and my doctor agrees another surgical enhancement is necessary. He said that women's hormone level (estrogen) often causes less stability. (There IS some basis to this: read about it on my Mayo latest LASIK research page). Also, it is about impossible to fix the eyes if the doctor causes farsightedness, so they do best by doing a number of smaller enhancements. Some people's eyes regress more than others, and I'm one of them.

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