After hearing great things about laser eye sugery I decided to rid myself of my glasses. I had it done on Wednesday and I now I can't see 20ft away. I can barely read the time on my VCR. They said to give it time and I gave it all weekend, nothing. It's lucky I have a big screen TV, but even thats fuzzy. I've had 20/20 vision all my life with glasses and this is pretty scary. Has anyone else had or heard of the same problem? Also be warned this isn't a sure thing!!

Chip, I'm so sorry to hear what you're going through. You're darn right that this is scary!! My daughter and son-in-law have both had the lasic (sp?) surgery with absolutely perfect unbelievable results. I pray that your eyes will be OK soon!! Do you have faith in your doctor?? Please keep us posted here!

Chip...I've had lasik surgery on both eyes - with good results almost immediately. What is your doctor telling you?

Sometimes you have to go back for another treatment, but what you're experiencing does not sound normal. If you're not happy with what they are telling you, I'd get a second opinion.

Good luck!

Chip - I've heard of some fuzzy vision for a few days but that's the worst I'd ever heard! What does your doctor say now that time has passed? Is there another doctor who could take a look? Let us know how it goes - you're in my thoughts and prayers.

They are going to see me at 11. I did see them last Friday and they did say the could get me back to 20/20 with glasses so hopefully there is no permanent damage. I am going to tell them that this is the worst situation that a lot of people have heard of. Thanks for the line and the support, wish me luck.

Chip,

I had very bad results with LASIK. I now wear reading glasses on one eye to see distance. I had swelling and it caused an overcorrection. I went to the head of UCLA's Laser Refractive Center for my surgery.

There is a website called SurgiEyes.com. It is run by the MD that screwed up my eyes, but, there is a lot of good information on it. Email me off line and I can call you with more info.

Chip, I know a few people who didn't adjust to Lasik for upwards of 15 days. Some other people I know needed a second follow-up procedure but then got to 20/20 without glasses/contacts. Unfortunately, a few other friends also were never able to get a good correction and had to go to glasses. It was frustrating for them because they wore contacts before but now have to wear glasses to be at 20/20. It really does vary by person. Did they do a very careful examination to make sure that you were a viable candidate? They're supposed to do that, rather than just rubberstamp a patient's request for Lasik.

http://www.surgicaleyes.com/.
Correction on the Website for info re complications in LASIK. Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler did my surgery when he was at UCLA.

Surgicaleyes.com is an outstanding resource. When I was trying to help get INTACS off the ground back in 1999 to 2001, we relied on that resource quite a bit.

I had superior results, but I know of a few who had botched jobs. The good news is: Even with pretty serious botch ups, almost all cases I have heard of have been fully correctable withOUT glasses. It justs takes perseverence. Do not give up and get a second opinion.

The only issue which does occur is that, if you are young, and you get corrected for long range, you may need glasses for reading more quickly. I had monovision done and am going on 3 years with great results.

My mother in law went blind with cataract surgery on her second eye. You never know.

Lawrence, I really did my homework while reserching these doc's. You can have this done on the cheap at the U of Az. But I chose the firm that was the most recomended. I was told that there could be problems but I was a very good candidate. I told me that chances were 1 in 1000's that someting would go wrong.

I've heard that it takes two weeks but there hasn't been bit of change all weekend. In fact it's getting worse. So I'm demanding glasses. Being couped up in the house not being able to see is driving me batty.

I had Lazik surgery on both eyes, about 3 years ago. Of course I was checked out as to 'suitability'. The process was perfected at the Rand Institute in Ft.Lauderdale, FL. near my home.
I wore the first pair of contact lenses ever made. They were the shape of the eyeball and took about 15 minutes to insert and take out after a 3 hr. wearing period. The have made some changes since !!!!
My daughter and son-in-law had both eyes done at the same time with no ptoblems whatsoever.
I really feel bad for you Chip, but think positive as always.

Chip that is very upsetting. I hope everything will turn out fine. Ken has been considering this surgery and for a fleeting moment I did also. However, I can see fine with contacts and dont want to take the chance I will have to wear glasses so I think I am going to pass particularly after your story. Most cases the results are excellent so hang in there I bet you will come right in the end.

Chip,

When I had mine done a few years ago I had trouble reading for about a week or two. The problem was with close work only. Like the others have described, my distance vision was good almost immediately. The good news, though, is that almost everyone I know ended up with good results, although some did need a second procedure to get there. Hang in there and please let us know how you made out when you get back from the doctor.

Kathy

Well after an afternoon at they doc's they gave me temporary glasses and now I can see again. In fact very well. I am going back in a week to see if my eyes have changed as they are supposed to. They seemed to understand my extreme frustration and assure me that in the long run I'll be seeing 20/20. Another laser attempt me be necessary down the road. Hey I'm just happy to be able to see again. One thing is for sure once you start this you can't go back. I think I'll call that number that Kathy gave me to get more information.

I have to say that in times of trouble this board is the place to come. I appreciate everyone's concern.

Chip

Glad to hear you can see well again. We're hoping you will get the expected benefit and be able to see very well without corrective lenses of any sort. Keep us posted and we'll keep you in our prayers. As Ngaire says, it's very upsetting. All the best, Anne

Chip,

I hope your eye surgery problems are soon a thing of the past. Hopefully, a little more time will resolve this. Take care!

Chip: So happy to hear you are on road to recovery but very scary in meantime - Joanna

Hi Chip,

Yes, do call the doctor I referred you to. Maybe when we have the Californa gathering (you said you were coming in), you might want to make a visit to see him.

If you can see well with glasses, I would ask how far off your original prescription is from the temporary glasses you have? Why did your correction be off enough for glasses and are you having a reaction? If you are undercorrected, then a touch up might be normal. But if you are overcorrected, it's a whole other story.

Chip, I have never heard a story like yours, just good ones from my brother and a great friend in my personal experience. Now the good friend borrows my reading glasses at dinner when he didn't before. That is a minor annoyance, and what you have been through is much more. Hope the healing process brings you better results. Keep us posted!

I'm still nearsighted. Actually Olivia's friend got what I was hoping for. I was supposed to see far and ware reading glasses. I seemed to of ended up with the opposite. At least I can see with glasses. Better than I could before the sugery. Which I'm thankful for.

Oh, Chip, that is good. Better undercorrected. Almost everyone needs reading glasses afterwards, unless you get "monovision" where they fix one eye so it's undercorrected and you can read with one and see far with the otherone.

You might just need an "enhancement" - that's normal for many

I had lasik too and had to go back in for one eye - luckily they can peel the flap back with no problem for up to 6 months, I think...
now eyes work great.

Maybe I am just too conservative.....when it comes to Lasik, I figure, you only get two (eyes)...my contacts are not uncomfortable, my vision is only -2, and I plan to live with the contacts and glasses.

Chip, I spoke with my daughter tonight about your situation. Although her surgery went perfect the first and only time, she too told me that she's known people that had to go in for a 2nd procedure. She asked me to reasure you that it will all turn out well in the long run and what a wonderful differnce it will make. (she wore thick glasses since the 3rd grade until she had the lasic surgery at age 22). We're all with you!

chip - so sorry to hear about your Lasik difficulties. I also have heard of cases that took quite a while to "take" so hang in there!

Masaki