http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php en Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:07:26 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=42 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:40:21 GMT Blinded by the Light, Bruce Springsteen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCu0VjAWX3o.
A good theme song for overcoming the iatrogenic laser. Everyone always seems to turn out alright in the song regardless of how screwed up they are or the ordeals they face. I can't find the screw to my own scull cap to check but hopefully the gap between my own ears is big enough that I'll be alright too.

Doctor My Eyes, Foreigner. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCTYxIsLThA.
One of the best of the group. This 1972 hit is eerily prophetic in so many ways. There are even references to an inability to cry. This song wasn't expected to be a hit, but it reached #8 on the charts probably based on the strength of its lyrical content. I think it says something about the deep and mysterious connection between our eyes and our minds and that helps explain its popularity.

Number One Blind, Veruca Salt. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnsM9PV6olQ.
"Blind me please." A humorous look back at the time I handed 5Gs over to the doctor. The song could have been written about LASIK. I won't spoil it, but you might have a difficult time figuring out the original meaning.

Foreigner, Double Vision. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxKCPjcvbys.
I can enjoy that foreigner song without even having a drink. My eyes are always filled with that double vision. Notice that the lead singer doesn't just sing the lyrics. He screams them. It's like his eyes are painfully dry.

She Blinded me with Science, Thomas Dolby. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IlHgbOWj4o
Perhaps the silliest refractive surgery song also predates LASIK. Somehow both the song and the concept of using lasers on eyes have grown more ridiculous with time. All my tubes and wires. I can't find anything!

Please feel free to add to this list. ]]> OculusCaedere http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=42 http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=41 Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:04:52 GMT I had assumed that I had allergies and was taking Claritan.About the 3rd day I noticed blurry vision in my one eye.My eyeball really wasn't dry just the front surface.The more I investigated I found that Claritan dries out the eyes even more.No more Claritan for me. ]]> Dee http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=41 http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=40 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:37:41 GMT I have been wearing swimming goggles all day and during the night.It provides a moisture barrier.My eyes are more comfortable.I am feeling alot less stressful knowing that during my vacation in 2 weeks won't be ruined by dry eyes.I also read that during the night if you put castor oil on the skin around your eyes and wearing the goggles will replace the oil lost. ]]> Dee http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=40 http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=38 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:10:02 GMT I saw my family doctor about my dry eyes.He gave me Patanol that worked for a little then stopped.He doesn't think I have an allergy.It really sucks that there is no help for me.I must suffer through the summer months. ]]> Dee http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=38 http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=37 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:25:31 GMT I have to admit I'm a bit down today. I was invited to play tennis. It was a beautiful sunny day and the courts were outdoors. There was a time when I enjoyed playing tennis nearly every day. I used to enjoy lots of sports. So I brought lots of eye drops and packed my racquets. I can still serve fine. But I hate to admit my eyes can no longer pick up the ball even in the brightest sunshine and it doesn't get any brighter than it was today. I can see that there is a ball (well, it looks like several). But the images of the ball are too faded and I have no depth perception anymore. I swing before it gets there or after it's too late. There is a big difference between seeing that something exists and being able to tell where it exists and where it's going.

I didn't mention today's vision problems to anyone. It's just not good etiquette. I pretended to be happy and uttered hopefully convincing yet sadly disingenuous laughs when I whiffed. I'm just not well suited to the dry eye low vision life style. I just don't get it. I don't know how to get much quality of life out of it.

Incidentally, you want to know what it said on my pre-surgical chart? It said "better vision for sports." Audacious, is it not? This was supposed to be better vision than glasses and contacts. I won't mention who wrote that on my chart. It's against the policy of this site to mention doctors. I also think it's a bit fruitless to mention them. My doctor is probably untouchable and more to the point I really don't think refractive surgeons are a respectable group. So why bother singling one out as a liar or as a destroyer of ocular health?

But I've learned a valuable lesson that helps me feel a bit better about myself. So I will mention this. My surgeon, the man who wrote "better vision for sports" on my chart, was a key player in the education arm of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. So I got my information on LASIK from the best the profession has to offer. I don't feel stupid for not doing my homework. I asked all the questions I was supposed to ask and I asked the doctors I was supposed to ask. I do feel stupid for not having recognized all the deception. I wonder sometimes when I see someone with glasses or contacts if they are better at judging character than I am. I could get down on myself for that. But I try not to. At the time my doc seemed to genuinely care. In retrospect I realize that my surgeon had done thousands of patient interviews and was well practiced at giving the impression that he cared. I genuinely felt I was doing something that was safe and effective for my eyes. I wouldn't have done it if I thought otherwise. Deceit just isn't that easy to recognize. Neither is character. Deception and lack of character are only obvious in hindsight. ]]> OculusCaedere http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=37 http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=36 Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:02:39 GMT Visited doctor at 4 weeks post-op. Given Lacrilube ointment to use at night. Apart from the oily residue that I have to clean up the next morning, I like using the ointment. My eyes feel better upon waking up. However, I noted after 2 nights of using it, my right eye starts to go red and... Visited doctor at 4 weeks post-op. Given Lacrilube ointment to use at night. Apart from the oily residue that I have to clean up the next morning, I like using the ointment. My eyes feel better upon waking up.

However, I noted after 2 nights of using it, my right eye starts to go red and uncomfortable. It appears that there is a small red swelling at the inner corner of my right eye. Inside within the lower lid. I suspect the ointment caused something to get blocked there. I cleared it up by putting warm compress and not using the ointment.

It happened again when I attempted to use the ointment after the first episode. I have stopped using it and changed to Genteal Gel.

Frankly, I don't need to use special night ointment or gel. But since the doctor gave me, I thought why not. So there are days I don't use anything at all except my Naturale Tears PF just before I shut my eyes.

But the ointment does make my eyes feel extra good in the morning. Maybe I will try again using lesser blob than before. Quite difficult to handle.

At 7 weeks post-op, vision wise I am about getting used to the monovision. My distance vision is really good now. Reading is also good. My eyes are less strained and tired at the end of the day. Still some blurry bits (double vision?) with distance and I hope this will improve further.

Improvement is very slow. Maybe it's just impatient me. Whenever I feel things are not moving fast enough, I remember the first week when everything was blurry, my monovision was like crazy and I was using drops like all the time. I always get a better perspective after that and felt better.

Earlier on after the op, I had thoughts of maybe this was not right after all. Now, I feel okay.

I have floaters but minor. They seem to be less noticeable now except when the sun is really bright, I am looking at a plain wall for example and not wearing my sunglasses. Looks like they are reducing or I am used to them I do not notice like they are not there? I dunno.

I am happy I can apply my eye cream again. Very carefully of course. Cleaning my eyes is also much easier or again perhaps I am used to the routine. I don't have the "Oh God! I have dislocated my flaps!" fobia anymore.

However, vision still fluctuates. Early morning so-so. Afternoon onwards better. Night is the best. This is indoors vision.

Outdoors at night I see big starbursts and halos from incoming car headlights. I think it is worse than what I saw after post-op. Hmm .. have to talk to the surgeon who did my eyes at my 3-month check-up next month.

I think I am okay at 7-weeks post-op. :) ]]> mrshm http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=36 http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=35 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:19:08 GMT But last night I think I would have welcomed the end of the world with a sigh of relief. I kept waking up with dry eyes. Also, eyestrain is getting to be a problem. My eyes ache from it. Mostly the strain seems to come from multiple images. The eyes fight to find the right image, but the image... But last night I think I would have welcomed the end of the world with a sigh of relief. I kept waking up with dry eyes. Also, eyestrain is getting to be a problem. My eyes ache from it. Mostly the strain seems to come from multiple images. The eyes fight to find the right image, but the image doesn't seem to have a well defined location. I'm trying some techniques to reduce the eyestrain. Perhaps I'll write about them. Another contributing factor for this eyestrain is fluctuating vision. I sure could use a pair of glasses with adjustable refraction.

'Irreversible' is not glamorous at all.
--Monica Bellucci ]]> OculusCaedere http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=35 http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=34 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:45:27 GMT When I first had DES it started in the winter.It became very difficult to function.I lost 5 pounds from being so defeated.It was frustrating not being able to do the things I enjoy.I was put on Refresh tears and Celluvisc.It helped somewhat especially after getting the Punctum plugs..This happened... When I first had DES it started in the winter.It became very difficult to function.I lost 5 pounds from being so defeated.It was frustrating not being able to do the things I enjoy.I was put on Refresh tears and Celluvisc.It helped somewhat especially after getting the Punctum plugs..This happened for about 3 winters.Then the next winter I was fine and it started to occur in the summer.I would get alot of sinus congestion and my ears would plug.My family goes to Cedar Point in the summer and going on the rollercoasters would be a problem for me so what I did was buy some ski goggles so I could see on the rides because what's the point if you can't see? The following summer I didn't get dry eyes,but this summer it happened again.I searched on the internet for some kind of relief for my sinus and eyes.I am on several meds so I rather not take anything by mouth.I bought a neti pot and started doing sinus washes.My sinus pain is now gone but the eyes remained dry.My doctor gave me a Patanol trial and a prescription if it helped.It didn't and I almost threw it in the garbage.It was my last resort so I got it filled out yesterday.I put a drop in each eye after getting it.What a difference.My eyes feel alot better.I didn't have any itching that comes with eye allergies but whatever is in it,it has helped.I really hope that this is my answer! ]]> Dee http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=34 http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=33 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:15:09 GMT It said in the rules that we are supposed to reference our quotes. I'm pretty sure the one about the candle is from Confucius. That is basically the way I am thinking now about my eyes.

This time last week, I was severely depressed about my eye situation. Today, I was at a seminar where the light was dim and I had trouble seeing the screen the presenter was using. My contacts kept blurring and I had to keep touching them to try and get them to refocus however briefly. I began to feel the depression creeping in again.

Instead of getting overly depressed, I began to think about things I could see fairly clearly like the waterglass sitting in front of me. I thought about how wonderful it was to be able to see anything at all. I also told myself that I could post on this site after I got off of work. That made me feel better as well.

I am coming to accept the fact that my vision problems will be something I will be dealing with for the rest of my life. It seems to me that there are two parts of my vision issue. One is the scientific/medical part. After reading posts on this site, it is clear to me that I have not taken enough responsibility for my own visual health because I don't know half of the words people are using or what they are talking about exactly. The other part of my vision issue is finding positive ways to cope with not being 20/happy. I believe these two issues are intertwined. For example, learning more about the medical aspects of my situation and learning knew treatment options will help me cope better. In turn, learning to cope better will help me find the energy and motivation to pursue more research about the medical options.

I hope to use this blog to share about my progress on both of these issues.

Tonight I am supposed to go to yoga. I skipped it last week because I hate how dimly lit the yoga room is. But I'm going tonight. I want to live my life rather than use my eyes as an excuse to curl up in a little self-pitying ball and hide from the world. I'm sure there will be days when I do withdraw and cry. But today, I'm putting myself out there. Even posting is putting myself out there. I feel nervous every time I post here. But whatever happens, at least I'm making an effort. I'm not gonna lay down and die. I want to encourage others to keep trying as well. ]]> Dobby http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=33 http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=32 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:20:14 GMT I have an LED clock that with my left eye sometimes I can read from about 15 feet away and other times I can only read from 3 feet away. The right eye also varies, but not quite as much. Lighting conditions seem to be irrelevant. The only pattern is that it is usually worse towards the... I have an LED clock that with my left eye sometimes I can read from about 15 feet away and other times I can only read from 3 feet away. The right eye also varies, but not quite as much. Lighting conditions seem to be irrelevant. The only pattern is that it is usually worse towards the evening, but it can change quickly with no apparent reason.

My corneal thickness is above the allegedly safe 300 microns in both corneas. My blood sugar is normal. I've mentioned this fluctuation in doctors visits before. All it gets is a yawn. So I don't really have an answer as to what causes it. This is the first time I've ever tried to quantify it myself. I'm a bit surprised at the level of instability. ]]> OculusCaedere http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=32 http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=31 Sat, 07 Jun 2008 04:24:51 GMT About 3 weeks after Lasik. Vision much, much better. Able to read clearly boards, signs and numbers. Was worried, earlier I couldn't focus properly. Over time, vision apparently improved.

Very little dry eyes feeling now. Using a vial a day eye drops now, about 2.5 to 3 hours between drops. No problem opening eyes in the morning. Still sleeping with eye shields taped on and dare not rub my eye lids yet. Still very careful with eye and face cleansing and hair shampooing.

Sometimes aware some floaters. But not that much to be annoyed. Hope they will go away or not become worse.

Generally eyes feeling more comfortable now. ]]> mrshm http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=31 http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=30 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:02:30 GMT Earlier I posted that the dissatisfaction rate for LASIK is 5% according to industry accepted figures. Perhaps I jumped the gun. The 5% figure is being touted by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS). The study itself is apparently unpublished. However, according to a... Earlier I posted that the dissatisfaction rate for LASIK is 5% according to industry accepted figures. Perhaps I jumped the gun. The 5% figure is being touted by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS). The study itself is apparently unpublished. However, according to a promotional report by ASCRS it's a meta analysis of 19 peer-reviewed studies that includes 2199 patients (http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/library...ccess-rate.htm). I don't have any information on how those patients were sampled making it difficult to assess representativeness.

Here's a nationwide survey of 9,495 people with 428 who responded "yes" to having undergone LASIK surgery. The survey indicates 16.6% of people who have had LASIK are dissatisfied (http://www.ophthalmologyweb.com/News...2&headerid=105). I wasn't aware of this second study at the time. ]]> OculusCaedere http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=30 http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=28 Tue, 27 May 2008 06:37:22 GMT Yesterday at noon while driving, I had a strange sensation. My monovision view works. I mean I could see clear and good both eyes but there was a weird feeling to my short distance eye. Not pain but that eye felt different ... like a slight pressure? The good vision did not last long. Today,... Yesterday at noon while driving, I had a strange sensation. My monovision view works. I mean I could see clear and good both eyes but there was a weird feeling to my short distance eye. Not pain but that eye felt different ... like a slight pressure? The good vision did not last long.

Today, vision back to so-so (I guess this is what they meant by functional vision, able to function but not sharp/crisp).

Eyes still easily fatigued. ]]> mrshm http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=28 http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=27 Fri, 23 May 2008 07:41:43 GMT Went for 1 week post-op check-up this afternoon. This is not the surgeon who did the Lasik so she wasn't that helpful although she was nice and friendly. All she did was to check on the healing and my eye sight. Told me my eyes healing okay which is good. But she wasn't too sure when I asked her whether my long distance vision will improve further as my eyes healed more. As at today still hard to read road sign boards and car number plates. ]]> mrshm http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=27 http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=26 Thu, 22 May 2008 13:45:34 GMT Today is the 7th day since I had an uneventful VISX Custom Vue IntraLASIK on both eyes. I am on hourly Tears Naturale preservative free lubricant eye drops, 2-hourly anti-inflammatory Maxidex eye drops and 4-hourly antibiotic Vigamox eye drops. No need to wake up for drops if sleeping at... Today is the 7th day since I had an uneventful VISX Custom Vue IntraLASIK on both eyes. I am on hourly Tears Naturale preservative free lubricant eye drops, 2-hourly anti-inflammatory Maxidex eye drops and 4-hourly antibiotic Vigamox eye drops. No need to wake up for drops if sleeping at night.

Starting tomorrow, I have been instructed to reduce the drops usage to 3 times a day for Vigamox and Maxidex but to continue with Tears Naturale 1-2 hourly till the supply is finished.

I sleep with plastic eye shields taped on .. hahah I thought I looked like The Fly ... and I shall look like The Fly every night till 1 month.

At home during the day I wear the standard safety dark glasses supplied (even while I'm typing this). Out and at work, I wear my own dark sunglasses. Anyway, I'm avoiding being outside as much as possible and spend most of my time indoors at home and at work.

I still go about in the standard dark glasses at night at home. My eyes feel more comfortable and do not fatigued easily if I wear them.

As at tonight, my vision has improved much from the state it was on 1st day. Short distance up to 2 feet away is clear and comfortable even with my one eye monovision. However, long distance is still fuzzy wobbly. I can drive as at yesterday although car plate numbers and sign boards are not that sharp and clear. Distance judgement does not seem to be a problem with my one eye monovision.

Prolonged long distance vision is tiring on my monovision eye. The same applies to prolonged short distance vision, my long distance eye gets tired more than the other eye. When I feel that, I blinked or close my eyes for sometime, lie down and rest.

But I noted when I sat down for dinner tonight, both eyes did not feel tired and I can see everything on the table clearly and comfortably. I tried looking at objects longer distance than the food on the table and I felt my monovision eye getting tired. So, still have to adjust further and sometime to go.

I purposely avoided testing my eyes looking at street lights at night because on the 1st night, I looked and I had everything ... haloes, starbursts, hazes ... just weird.

Tonight I looked outside my window, no star bursts. Just haloes. I hope they will go off later. I am not too concerned about this I guess because I had haloes and star bursts before I did the Lasik procedure when I was wearing glasses. If they go, good for me. If they don't, I am back where I was. Naturally I am hoping for the best.

Before Lasik I have problems looking at my own nails, they look blurry (presbyopia?). Now I can see them quite well. But I cannot see clearly my brows yet when I stand infront of the mirror. I am worried about the state of my brows, it's been a week since I tweezed the strays! Maybe I should ask my other half to help? Haha.

Having a good shower is a hassle now. I have to use facial cotton dipped in warm water to clean the eyes area. Then cleanse face and again using moistened facial cotton pads to wipe off the cleanser. Previously I just stand under the shower.

I managed to avoid shampooing my hair the first 24 hours but after that I have been carefully shampooing my hair everyday. For a few days I used a little of No Tears Baby Shampoo only and rinse it off very carefully avoiding my eyes area and shutting them shut and groping for the towel immediately and drying my hair and face immediately and gently after that.

Yeah, quite a hassle .. starting yesterday I am brave enough to gently and slowly splash some water on my face, eyes shut of course and quickly drying my face after that. Feels fresher than just wiping with moistened facial cotton pads.

Tomorrow I am due to see the doctor for the 1-week post-op check-up. ]]> mrshm http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/blog.php?b=26