THIN CORNEA SCAR after LASIK

[jlirio]

I am Mhes, happily married with 3 kids. I am 30 years old. I had LASIK done on both eyes last September 8 of this year. And this has been the start of my ordeal. I had DLK on my right eye and was treated 1 week after the surgery. I had Predforte every hour and some other drops. DLK is now healed but left a central scar on my anterior stroma (cornea)-right eye only. I would just like to ask for another opinion since I already got a lot from different doctors and they are saying the same thing-that my cornea scar is very thin. I know that I just have to be patient. I'm having difficulty with my everyday life now since I have blurred, hazy vision, starbursts, halos on my right eye. My work entails computer usage the whole day. I sometimes wonder how soon does a cornea scar heal especially when it's not thick (a very thin one according to my doctors, cornea specialists). Is it really possible that it will vanish overtime? I’m scared that it will not fade away. I'm young and everything's healthy and normal except for this scar. The thickness of my cornea was checked-normal and even the topography. I'm having PredForte 4x/day and Vigamox 2x/day and Duotrav and Maxitrol before I sleep. I hope that everything will be back to normal in the soonest possible time... I am praying very hard for this. I hope you can share some positive insights. Thanks. God bless.

I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks in advance!

[LasikExpert]

I am Mhes, happily married with 3 kids. I am 30 years old. I had LASIK done on both eyes last September 8 of this year. And this has been the start of my ordeal. I had DLK on my right eye and was treated 1 week after the surgery. I had Predforte every hour and some other drops. DLK is now healed but left a central scar on my anterior stroma (cornea)-right eye only.

The progression from presentation to diagnosis to treatment to stabilization of your Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis (DLK) appears to be a normal course.

I would just like to ask for another opinion since I already got a lot from different doctors and they are saying the same thing-that my cornea scar is very thin.

DLK scaring tends to be thin, but may affect a large area of the central visual axis. The scaring blocks and refracts light entering the cornea to provide poor focus at the retina. DLK scaring often presents as starbursts and haze.

In addition to scaring, DLK inflammation often leaves an irregular cornea. This irregularity can present as ghost images and halos.

I sometimes wonder how soon does a cornea scar heal especially when it's not thick (a very thin one according to my doctors, cornea specialists). Is it really possible that it will vanish overtime? I’m scared that it will not fade away.

It is reasonable to expect the scaring caused by DLK to dissipate and eventually disappear completely. This process is more likely to take months and years, rather than days and weeks.

I'm young and everything's healthy and normal except for this scar. The thickness of my cornea was checked-normal and even the topography.

A normal topography is very important. This indicates that your vision limitations are due exclusively to the scar tissue and not to an abnormally shaped cornea.

I'm having PredForte 4x/day and Vigamox 2x/day and Duotrav and Maxitrol before I sleep.

This amount of medication will affect the inflammation of the eye and reduce the DLK, but you will not know your final prognosis until you have completed all medication regimes. Be sure you continue to use these meds as directed by your surgeon.

[jlirio]

So it is possible that my right eye will be back to normal? It just takes time? Initially, my scar measures 2mm. Last Wed, it is 1.5mm. Is this a good sign? Although as long as it is there, it is still very difficult for me...I will be on my 2nd month on November 8.

[LasikExpert]

History shows that eventually the scar will heal and the cornea will clear. The question is how long it will take.

[jlirio]

In the average and based on history/facts-how long does it usually resolve? Average of how many months? Thanks. Pray for me! :)

[LasikExpert]

There is no possibility of predicting. Even if I was a doctor and I had examined you I would not be able to know when the cornea would fully heal.

[jlirio]

But do you know of actual cases similar to mine (involving anterior stroma, visual axis) that has been fully resolved? I just want to know. Sometimes, I feel so bad because of what I am going through right now but knowing that God is with me is what keeps me going...

[LasikExpert]

I know a woman who was one of the first to suffer DLK. In fact, it had not yet been identified and named. She suffered heavy flap melt with extensive scaring before the DLK was controlled. It has been about eight years and her corneas are nearly clear. This was a worst case scenario that was much, much worse than you describe.

[jlirio]

Thanks Glen. This somehow gives me hope. :) My work entails computer usage. It adds up to the discomforts of my condition. I will keep you posted. I will have a checkup next week. I hope there's an improvement.

[LasikExpert]

When you talk with your doctor ask if a reduced pupil size may eliminate light passing through the hazy area. If yes, consider Alphagan P, an eye drop that reduces pupil size. Your doctor will explain.

[jlirio]

I already tried Alphagan drops but my vision became darker than usual. My doctor told me to stop using it. According to him, if it makes me more uncomfortable, he will not recommend me to use it anymore. By the way, less than 10% of my anterior stroma is affected by the scar but it is in the central visual axis. You know what, the first time I realized what was happening made me feel so sad, my heart was so heavy. But now due to the sharing of experiences in this site, I am more than hopeful that I will overcome this trial in time. Thanks for being there. My family and church community also helped me a lot. I may not know you personally, but you are in my prayers. If you have any other things to share, just feel free to send me a message. I always visit USAEYES. :)

[jlirio]

ISOPTO-not ALPHAGAN.