Which procedure is best for me?

by **BAM17** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:52 pm

Hi,
Your plan sounds very similar to how mine went. I had Wavefront Custom-Lasik on 3/19. I had the initial consultation, then an extensive exam (it lasted about 2 hours total)...then I had a pre-op appointment a week before the surgery where the did an "orb-scan" and some other tests. Then on the day of the surgery, they did more measurements/tests...I guess like you said, to make sure they match. Will you have easy access to your surgeon after the surgery...or will you be seeing the optometrist? For me personally, I wanted an Opthamologist/Eye Surgeon(preferably the one that did my surgery) to follow me post-op. I'm sure others on this site have had good post-op care arranged differently....but that's what I personally felt comfortable with. I went with a smaller practice, where my surgeon sees me personally each and every time. Sometimes I call him with questions...and he always calls me back. My end result is great....my vision is great, moderately dry eyes. I am also taking Restasis twice a day with very good results. I'm down to using the artificial tears probably once every couple of hours. I use a gel at night to keep my eyes lubricated during the night. Good luck! Keep us posted on your appointments....and especially once you've had your surgery. I had a stronger prescription.....-6.50 and -6.25 with a little astigmatism. At this point, I am totally glasses-free. If I regress some...at least I can pick out cute, "thin" glasses....and will not need them all of the time. good luck

by **NINnerd** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 5:13 am

In my package, I will get follow-up care with my Optometrist. But I'm sure I can call the surgeon if I have any more serious questions that my Optometrist cannot answer. I'll have to ask the surgeon, though (haven't met them yet).

I haven't noticed much difference with the Restasis, but I've only put it in three time so far. And I put on a lot of eye makeup today (which messes with my eyes).

So do you have moderately dry eyes WITH drops, or like, moderately dry eyes that are being taken care of with drops? In other words, when you put the drops in, are they bringing your level of dryness down to just moderate? I'm thinking you mean the other thing.
Also, how much longer do they think you'll need drops every two hours and gel at night?

My Dr. also said that if I ever need a touch-up, it would be possible.

I'll keep you updated! Thanks for reading! :)

by **BAM17** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:02 pm

It takes a couple of weeks for the Restasis to kick in. When I had my evaluation done, they didn't detect much dry eye at all with me. I've never really had a problem with dry eye either. But I live in New England where it is still cold....and I have little children so I have to keep my heat on quite high...and it just dries everything up, including my eyes! Then the Lasik procedure just adds to that. I do feel that the Restasis works, and I will continue it probably for several months. As for the artificial tears....I guess everyone is different. I also use the computer a lot which dries my eyes out...so it could continue like this for a couple more weeks...possibly months. I think when the cold weather subsides, and there is more humidity in the air, it may decrease my need for the tears a bit. I'm only 2 1/2 weeks post-op too.....so my eyes are still healing.

by **NINnerd** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:16 am

Update:
So I'm still using the Restasis twice a day. Is it normal for me to still be experiencing irritation after putting the drops in? My eyes will be irritated (scratchy, dry-feeling) for about 45 minutes to an hour afterwards.
I've been on the drops for about three weeks now.

Thanks!

by **NINnerd** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 11:14 pm

BUMP. Anyone? :)

by **BAM17** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:14 am

Restasis does give me those feelings too....I usually get a little burning and then a scratch feeling for a bit. I asked my MD about it, and he said other patients complain of that same thing.

by **NINnerd** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:11 am

Thanks for the reply.

Yah, my Dr. mentioned this. But he said it should stop after about two weeks. It's been longer than that now.

Hmmm.

by **NINnerd** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 8:25 am

Ok, update time. I hope you guys remember me. Haha.

So I have a pre-pre op meeting with the surgeon. I just want to meet with him and feel him out. See what he says.

My main Dr. still thinks that Lasik is best for me (over PRK). I don't need that much correction, my pupils are normal sized, and my thickness is normal.

I've been using the Restasis for about a month and a half now, and I haven't had one "dry" day since then. :) And the drops aren't even at their full strength yet (takes up to three months). So he said that because of that, the Restasis should be able to control any future elevation in dryness due to Lasik (which he doesn't think will be much at all).

So I'll let you know how my meeting with the surgeon goes! It's next week. I'll be bringing that list of 50 tough question. :)

by **LasikExpert** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 3:34 pm

I highly recommend that you send a copy of the 50 Tough Questions For Your Lasik Doctor to your doctor now, so the answers that require research can be provided in advance or at the consultation. The 50 Tough Questions are not a pop quiz and most doctors will not have the time/ability to answer them all without looking up some stats.

Many doctors already have all the general answers to the 50 Tough Questions completed so they only need to answer the questions specific to your individual needs.

by **NINnerd** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 8:42 pm

Oh ok! Good idea. I'll get his email address. But it is Saturday, and appointment is for Wednesday. I think he'll have time, though.

by **NINnerd** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 4:51 am

Well, I was rejected for Lasik. :( :( :(

The surgeon said that the pool of my tears at the bottom of my eye was very shallow. He also said that when I blink, and my lids spread my tears over my eyes, that film breaks up in 1/2 the time of normal people.

I'm really dissapointed. But now I'm going to talk about contact options with the Restasis. So we'll see.

Thanks to everyone here for the info and support!

by **LasikExpert** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:39 pm

If Restasis resolves your dry eye problems, then you may become a candidate for Lasik or even more probably the surface ablation techniques PRK, LASEK, or Epi-Lasik.

by **NINnerd** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:31 pm

The surgeon said that even if the Restasis helps/cures it, that he wouldn't do the surgery. Because he doesn't do surgery on eyes that need any kind of medicine to be "normal" prior to surgery.

But a lot of my friends say what you just said. :)

by **LasikExpert** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:37 pm

After three months on Restasis you may want to be evaluated by a corneal specialist. If that evaluation comes out positive, renew your consideration of refractive surgery.

by **NINnerd** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:00 pm

I'll let you know what my eye doctor says.

Thanks, guys!

Which procedure is best for me?

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