I am “fairly” satisfied with my first Custom Vue Lasik procedure, but I am scheduled to receive the euphemistically named “enhancement” procedure next week (April 19).
I offer my (abbreviated) story (thus far) for the benefit of others weighing the risks and rewards. I also welcome any comments, suggestions, etc.
I was just past my 41st birthday when I had Custom Vue Lasik January 8, 2007 by a surgeon approved by this site and one of the most experienced in my region. I still like him.
My eyeglasses Rx was OD -3.75 +0.75 x 107
OS -4.00 +1.75 x 060
It took a couple of weeks to get decent vision for much distance. Be patient. It can be a little scary at first. I saw much improvement after the first week and after getting off of some of the medicated drops.
Post-op, I used Flax Seed Oil,“TheraTears Nutrition For Dry Eyes” (which makes me burp fish taste), and Restasis. Doc now puts patients on Restasis drops and TheraTears capsules pre-op, which makes sense because inserts say they can take several weeks to have an effect.
I had no major dry eye problems, but I do still experience a little dryness 3 months out. I use a drop in the a.m. when I get up, one in the afternoon, and usually at least one in the evening. I use gel drops at bedtime too. (Plus Restasis drops twice daily).
At the several post-op checkups, some including scans, Doc said healing issues looked good. He said I am “a little under-corrected.”
After several weeks, close vision was pretty good; medium to distant was still fuzzy.
Exam March 2007 (3 months out): I could read most of the 20/20 line, but it was fuzzy. They said I was 20/20 (minus a few letters) in right, 20/25 in left. Opposite of how the eyes read (L/R) in the last test, they said. In layman’s terms, I have fair vision (not as good as with glasses before), decent in a room setting, but lacking crispness at much distance.
Also, I still see “ghosts” on digital clocks (and digital eye charts) in the dark, which clear up when I turn on background light like opening a refrigerator door (which makes the pupils shrink). Is this correctable on enhancement?? I plan to ask during pre-op for the enhancement. I forgot to ask today.
My vision is good enough to drive, work, etc. But it is certainly not as good as it was with glasses before. I would have difficulty driving in a strange town and trying to read road signs at high speed. Hazy or cloudy days are the worst.
Today, April 13, 2007: Vison was exactly the same as when last checked a month ago. Everything has stabilized, but it is not where we want it.
The computer/wave-front pics in March indicated astigmatism in the right eye is gone, but there is a tiny bit in the left eye.
I am still -.75 in both eyes (nearsighted). That is the primary reason for the enhancement.
Doc suggested we do the enhancement (as he predicted at the last visit), and we scheduled it for next week. I want to go ahead and knock it out, and try to get better results.
I have a vacation planned for early June, and Doc was very optimistic that I would be well recovered for it. He said recovery for the enhancement should be shorter than for the original operation.
I have my (second) pre-op Monday, April 16, and “enhancement” April 19.
That’s the story thus far. I hope it helps you in your journey or decision. I plan to add updates after the enhancement.
If you have advice for me, please offer it. Thanks.
Light Sensitivity Note: I wore photogray and then transition lenses for 25 years, so I am used to having sun protection. I no longer need corrective lenses (even pre-enhancement), but I still must wear sunglasses almost anytime I am outdoors, even on cloudy days. I am very sensitive to light. Is this simply a function of my years of tinted lenses, or is it a Lasik side-effect (or both)? And might it go away with time? I talked to a lady who had a serious but temporary light sensitivity problem a few weeks post-Lasik that kept her indoors for several days. Mine is not that bad, but it is a bother.
I am going to write a list of these questions for my pre-op. I think of them walking in and then get side-tracked and forget, even though Doc and staff take plenty of time with me during visits. But I’d also appreciate hearing from others about their experiences with these issues.