Patch wrote:First, let me thank you for this outstanding site and the wonderful folks who are, with their unique knowledge and expertise, helping other people for no monetary return.
Thanks for the kind words, but I do get paid to research answers for you. Eveyone else, however, is helping while at the same time being helped.
Patch wrote:I had Lasik 22 days ago and am still experiencing blurred/double vision and overall poor quality vision.
That is way early in the healing stage. There is nothing wrong with being concerned and you want to report all problems to your doctor, but it is much too early to come to any conclusions yet.
Patch wrote:Now my doctor (not my surgeon, given I live in a remote area) judges my eyes -.75 with some astigmatism.
The 0.75 diopter myopia (nearsighted, shortsighted) vision is probably a good thing for someone who is 45. A little bit of myopia can greatly reduce the need for reading glasses. You may also want to read about
sudden presbyopia.
The astigmatism is another matter, but being so early it's difficult to know how much a problem it will be. Astigmatism means that your cornea is not spherical like the top of a ball, but is elliptical like the back of a spoon. The "tip of the spoon" will cause some of the light entering your eye to be off center and off focus, often resulting in poor vision quality. Vision is likely of better quality in brightly lighted environments.
Patch wrote:Bright light on shiny objects gives me problems still.
Photophobia is often a symptom of corneal edema (inflammation). Edema can cause or exacerbate astigmatism. It sounds like your corneas are a bit angry after your surgery.
Patch wrote:Also, I can see blood spots and "bulges" (albeit outside my cornea area) on my eyes.
This is likely what is called subconjunctival hematoma. It's a blood blister in the white part of the eye. This can be caused by the microkeratome that is used to create the Lasik flap. I'll bet they are crecent shaped.
The microkeratome is applied to the eye with suction. This can bruise the eye. It can look terrible, but this is normally benign and resolves with healing. If it is subconjunctival hematoma, don't be surprised if it takes a long time before it is gone completely. Discuss this with your doctor.
Patch wrote:I went from 4 drops per day of Pred Forte and Zymar...
The steroids are used to control healing and reduce edema. It is very likely that some of your photophobia is related to the steroids. Some people react differently than most.
Patch wrote:Also, using Refresh Tears since day 1, but don't really need to now except sometimes in the morning.
Dry eyes is the number one complaint after Lasik, so a good
dry eye treatment routine is important and will help promote healing.
Patch wrote:To me, the Zymar and PF (especially PF) seem to adversely affect my vision.
It may, but continue using them until your doctor advises otherwise. These are very important to your long-term recovery.
Patch wrote:My local Dr., during the day 11 exam, said things are going well. There was a question on the day 1 exam about an epithelial defect, but that had healed by day 11.
Your experience provides hints as to why you may have edema. Those eyes
are probably are angry.
Patch wrote:My local Dr. said he could solve the blurred/double vision immediately with glasses, which I might need long term. He also said my eyes could adjust and clear up the blur/double deal.
Glasses will not hurt your recovery and you may find them necessary. Your doctor is probably correct that this can resolve completely with healing.
Patch wrote:After 3 weeks and counting, I am again concerned.
From the symptoms you describe, you need to not consider your final outcome until about 3-6 months. The improvement will likely be very gradual, but it would also be reasonable to expect a quick improvement after you taper off the steroids. That does happen sometimes.
Patch wrote:Also, my reading ability has been adversely affected.
This must be from the astigmatism. Your -0.75 should give you a bit of a reading advantage, but the astigmatism can make things blur.
Please keep us informed of your progress over the coming weeks.