# 1204

Posted: 20/11/2009 15:05

I am horrified by the fact that some clinics make TV ads to convince people to undertake a surgical operation. Have you ever heard of rinoplasty or breast enlargement surgery advertised on tv? never.Unfortunately I fell for one of this clinic, expecially for the one that told me that I was suitable for Lasik, where some other told me that Lasek would have been better for me. I simply didn't want to feel the pain, disconfort and the slower recovery that Lasek gives. With Lasik instead I could also opt for the Intralase (for a much higher price) which is supposed to guarantee a better flap recovery and less risks related. I am actually deeplty concern of the all idea of them hiding from us some negative reports and the studies carried about lasik, that underline the real dangers of this procedure (see attached file). The consent list the usual side effect (halos glare dry eyes etc) but doesn't effectively communicate to us the real danger reported in the Lasik Report studies. I feel I was tricked by the optitians in this clinic and I think that all the eye surgery clinics hide the harm and the danger they are going to give to their clients. They are doctor  and they should have a ethical code of conduct,  because safeguarding health come above the greediness of making fast money. In my opinion they failed in that.On the visit the optitian told me: "you have large pupils, but because you choose the Custom Wavefront tecnology, then you will be fine" and I fell for. How can they give me evidences that I received the Wavefront?  Is there any legislation that give a limit (maximum diameter of pupils)  to the suitability for this surgery?Thanks for reading this letter, and I hope to receive some information, some support, or simply your point of view 

# 1203

Posted: 19/11/2009 14:14

Hello everyone, I have got Lasik more than 3 months ago, and I can say for sure it was the biggest mistake of my life. I did some research, unfortunately i didn't check this blog, but I kept on searching different clinic websites to try to understand better the Lasek and Lasik procedures. I also managed to read a very positive review about the clinic were I arranged my surgery, on a forum (at that time was the only one review): the anonimous writer describes in details how wonderful the eye surgery experience was, and how incredible the staff was; I decided to read the same review after my surgery and I realized that the review was defenetely written by one of them. I felt I've been foolished! Those people, after the surgery, they don't want to listen if your vision is permanently damaged with night starbusts, blurred vision poor indoor vision etc, but they insist instead (and trying to convince you) of the positive outcome: in my case they showed me they have cured my myopia; wow, fantastic! ...Their target is giving back the 20/20 (when it's happening) which it's only the "quantity" side of the surgery. But vision needs also a "quality" result, for god sake! Before the surgery, the clinic was all after me (=my money). I felt my eyes were like a product on sale in their supermarket: once I place them at the til, I pay, and I go, goodbye. On the day of my surgery there were other 15 people listed with that surgeon!!

Since then my life has changed, and in every moment of it, when I wake up in the morning until I go to bed and try to sleep few hours, I'm thinking about this horrible life experience and I am worried about my psycological state, how much I can cope with post lasik permanent damages and first of all I am worried about the future of my eyes. Days after my eye surgery I read some Lasik reports from american medical studies: they were so negative that I had to lie down in bed because I felt I was fainting...

# 1202

Posted: 05/11/2009 10:36

just wondering if anyone knows if after having surgery and "hase" appears, it can be rectified? I'm finding it really frustrating having one eye good and the other not as it puts me off balance as good

# 1201

Posted: 04/11/2009 18:19

As regard the long term risks patients should be aware that after eye laser surgery ophthalmologists will not be able to do a proper intraocular pressure exam (used to screen for sight threatening glaucoma) nor will they be able to find the correct lens for a cataract operation. what this means is that glaucoma could go undetected. there is also the possiblilty of having multiple surgeries when cataracts inevitably develop with age. this is known as "refractive surprise".  i had LASIK in a major Dublin hospital 8 months ago and it's been the worst decision of my life. there's a massive amount of information they don't want patients to know. It's all about short-term gain with these people.

# 1200

Posted: 30/10/2009 11:07

It was a clinic in Belfast that has since closed down - I believe due to the number of cheap clinics opening in Dublin.  At the time, there were very few clinics offering the surgery in Dublin.  To be honest, I'm not sure of the name as it was nearly 6 years ago.

# 1199

Posted: 28/10/2009 18:57

for scapegoat 

what clinic did you go to ??

# 1198

Posted: 27/10/2009 16:18

My previous message was chopped in half and does not reflect all of what I wished to say, however I'm not going to rewrite it now!

# 1197

Posted: 27/10/2009 13:28

D1m0n,

Just saw your post today - I've been away for a few weeks.  When I said that people need to make an informed decision I meant exactly that.  I had considered getting laser eye surgery of some variety for over 15 years before I finally had Lasik.  I had followed the progress in the surgery and equipment and read all of the information I could access - including all of the risks and possible poor outcomes.  I researched clinics and their reputations and also checked out what suitability testing each clinic did.  The clinic I went to did far more testing than the high profile private hospitals which did the surgery in Ireland at the time.  I checked what test results were considered "suitable" and checked my own results to ensure I was well within the most conservative range - not just borderline.  They also had more follow up appointments than other clinics.

# 1196

Posted: 27/10/2009 00:03

Again I would urge patients to go to google books from the google homepage. Type in LASIK and read the complications sections online via the search mechanism. You can search for all references to "dry eye" for example. These books are written by doctors so you can take it they are reliable.

# 1195

Posted: 21/10/2009 18:19

I would be the first to admit I was wrong to get involved with this laser business. If only for the simple reason that there had been other people left with debilitating complications before I arrived at the damn clinic. Therefore I was adding money to a business that has the potential to wreck eyes. Misinformed patients do this for cosmetic (not a valid reason for any surgery), for convenience (not really valid either) and for safety (again glasses and contacts are safer). What I can't figure out is that having seen the disaster cases with their own two (unlasered) eyes how these refractive surgeons can continue doing it. There are certain things I would do like back up a colleague etc. However what I do know for a fact if I was an ophthalmologist seeing that there are poor outcomes from laser I would not blithely carry on doing it. I am more sensitive to patients' hurt than that. I would find other areas of ophthalmology to earn money from and I would advise people against having the surgery rather than trying to promote it.

# 1194

Posted: 10/10/2009 18:33

RE: "I have ever made but it is not for everyone and anyone considering it should make an informed decision and decide if the inevitable risks are worth it for them."

You can do all research in a world but the bottom line is:  it is not up to you to predict how the sergery will end up.

All the knowlege in a word would not help you with an eye sergent who actually performs the sergery.

People like you are often saying " make an informed decision", what you mean by that scapegoat ?

For the last 10 years I hold myself back and pfefer contacts because the risk is still there, and this is only my "informed decision" so far.

# 1193

Posted: 21/09/2009 16:20

djn are you still having problems? my problems with dry eyes, floaters and poor night vision are still causing me huge distress. is there anything that can be done for us?

# 1192

Posted: 24/08/2009 16:59

does anyone what happens to people like me who have a bad outcome. i guess we are just a statistic that no one can help. is it right that in a civlised society these surgeons are creating casualties? my quality of life is very poor with these very serious complications and my surgeon does not care because i signed that consent form. so after telling me i was a suitable candidate now it's all my fault that it's gone wrong according to her. 

# 1191

Posted: 24/08/2009 13:10

I had LASIK and a blade was used to cut the flap.

I had it done in Belfast in an excellent clinic which has since closed, I believe due to the amount of "cheap" clinics opening.

# 1190

Posted: 22/08/2009 01:44

I really am hoping for a miracle. These complications are having a huge negative impact on my quality of life. I implore anyone to go about their normal activities with dry eyes, floaters and poor night vision without going insane.

# 1189

Posted: 21/08/2009 18:34

Scapegoat which procedure did you have LASIK or LASEK?-was a blade used to cut the flap?

# 1188

Posted: 21/08/2009 16:09

In every medical procedure there are two sides the negative and the positive side. It's because medicine is a continuing research, a life time discovery. Anyway back to the topic, eye laser surgery is one of the most effective method to correct eye problems, many people it has like 80% of chances to treat eye problems and the rest remains a mystery that's the negative side which often people viewed as untreated. But in the real world of medicine it's a puzzle that needs to be solved.

# 1187

Posted: 21/08/2009 15:50

Folks, We all need to remember that laser eye surgery is cosmetic and voluntary but it is surgery and as such carries risks.

I had it done because I hated wearing glasses and not being able to do "normal" things such as go for a swim or even see when entering a warm room until my glasses had cleared. I could not get out of bed without my glasses and I couldn't wear contacts. I am 100% happy with my outcome, but I was fully aware of the risks and had read about every problem outcome I could find including all the websites referred to in this discussion. Having done the research, I felt that the risks were minor once proper precautions were taken. I made sure that I was a suitable candidate - I checked the clinics test results myself and didn't just take their word for it. I followed pre and post op instructions to the letter which included pre-op hygiene instructions. I only opened my eyes for the first 20 or so hours to put the drops in, which I did at exactly the times I was told to - I have heard people talking about watching TV the evening of the op whereas I was told that I should completely rest my eyes until the next day. I used copious amounts of the lubrications drops when I needed to and wore the goggles at night for the full 2 weeks after surgery.

Having said this, I advised a friend AGAINST having lasik or lasek. She wore contact lenses and was one of the fortunate people who could put them in at 7 a.m. and go out until the early hours and not be bothered by them. If I had been in the same position as her, I would have felt no need for the surgery. 5 years on it was one of the best decisions I have ever made but it is not for everyone and anyone considering it should make an informed decision and decide if the inevitable risks are worth it for them.

# 1186

Posted: 21/08/2009 13:43

There is some fascinating/eye-opening information available in medical textbooks online. google have kindly scanned in these books. for example how many people are aware that it takes 12 months before an individual starts blinking normally after LASIK? my surgeon had the cheek to try and tell me my problems were due to the fact that i just wasn't a good blinker. what utter nonsense. the truth is the corneal surface is desensitised after LASIK which is why only when the nerves grow back signals are sent to the brain to tell you to blink. it's a reflex action driven by the nerves in the cornea. just another example of how refractive surgeons cannot be trusted. if a surgeon tells you that you are not blinking enough you know they are lying to you. i've heard of other patients who were told this by their doctors. in a healthy eye you would never need to remind yourself to blink.

i would urge all laser surgeons out there to please tell your patients all the facts. don't wait for them to ask questions that they would never think of. tell them everything PLEASE. don't act like used car salesmen when you're dealing with human eyes. there is a huge difference.

# 1185

Posted: 21/08/2009 09:56

At the end of the day its up to every individual to decide whether or not to go ahead with this treatment. I myself was warned profusely against it by a friend who had the treatment and almost 3yrs later is still experiencing difficulties etc...with the outcome - had i listened to them, i might not have put myself through 6 weeks initially of thinking i would never see properly again and then a year later having to sit in that same chair and have ptk done to correct a corneal erosion and enhancement surgery in one eye........

BUT every individual knows the risks, its your eyes for gods sakes, of course there are risks and if people are willing to go ahead with the surgery then thats the chance they have to take, no surgeon can guarantee 100% that you will be ok afterwards and have great vision with no complications.

I knew the risks but i still went ahead, thinking "it wont be me" - however I was very wrong..................

Some people this surgery works great form and others it simply doesnt and they are left with problems for ever afterwards, so even though after everything i have went through and now my vision is perfect and i can see everything near and far, i would never mess with my eyes again and would definately not have this surgery!

# 1184

Posted: 21/08/2009 00:20

The question that arises is who's more responsible for what has happened to my eyes? It has to be the surgeon. They can see first hand the damage they are doing. What kind of a world are we living in where doctors are putting financial gain ahead of patient safety? If safety was the priority they'd politely turn everyone away. A safer alternative exists in glasses and contacts. By the way the argument that laser is safer than contacts is complete cr*p. That's only if you wear them all the time and don't look after them. If you apply common sense then glasses and contacts are way safer and effective than this ridiculous laser surgery. I find it bizarre when I hear people say that their surgery went well and then when you dig a bit deeper they tell you their night vision isn't great. how can this be a success? I am honest about it. dry eyes is a b*tch. poor night vision is a b*tch. massive floaters are a b*tch if you get them. there is so much denial about laser surgery from patients and doctors. when are the surgeons going to cop on to themselves. they should use their education for the greater good of society rather than risk harming people now and in the future when even more complications could come to light. I'm no optician. I've just read the facts. There are medical textbooks to read freely online regarding LASIK. It's horrific what surgeons don't tell their patients. 

By the way LASEK is making a comeback. Why? Because the surgeons are only copping on to the damage they've done with LASIK. If a safer alternative to LASEK comes out then that too will be the next big thing. It's all experimental and sadly I'm just another guinea pig.

# 1183

Posted: 20/08/2009 17:21

I agree with djn. If you are have a poor outcome you can't help but ask why the surgeon would do this in the first place. I thought the same thing-that it would not happen to me. It is not good enough that there are victims. The procedure is therefore unsafe. By the way even though djn's sister is happy now there is no guarantee of the long term safety or effectiveness. I was a fool also but I no longer blame myself so much.

At one post op checkup I pleaded with my surgeon to resolve these problems but she simply told me there was nothing she could do and shepherded me out the door. She then went straight to the waiting room where I heard her call out the name of her next customer. I felt like going into the waiting room and screaming at everyone to get the hell out of here. How can they continue doing LASIK when LASEK is obviously safer? However I wouldn't recommend any eye surgery as I'm sure LASEK carries serious risks too.

# 1182

Posted: 20/08/2009 09:06

I would just like to echo what dryeyevictim has said below. I had laser eye surgery in January. I was told I was a good candidate and Lasik was recommended for the best chance of success. The risk of complications was put at happening to c. 3% of patients and I foolishly thought "It won't be me", not thinking what would happen if it was me. I now have near 20/20 vision, but only in bright daylight. In medium to low light conditions my vision is blurry, I see starbursts around light sources (day and night), I have dry eyes and my eyes get tired very easily. In addition to this are floaters (which they don't even see fit to warn you about), every time I'm outdoors my field of vision is filled with cobweb-like floaters which definitely weren't there before surgery. Going to the pub, cinema, restaurants, negotiating an airport or any other night-time/low-light activity has been turned into an endurance test. I took a stupid risk with my eyes and am likely to pay for that decision for the rest of my life, I would feel slightly better if I could make other people think harder about the risks they are taking with their eyes. I am stuck in a nightmare.

I thought I was putting the hassle and expense of glasses behind me for good and instead the only way I have any chance of recovering good vision is expensive speciality contact lenses which I'll probably have to travel to the US to get. In addition is the constant regret, depression and reduced quality of life that has followed my decision. The links below will give you a better idea of what can happen when Lasik goes wrong (wish I'd seen them before):

http://www.lasik-flap.com/forum/

http://www.lasikdisaster.com/

http://www.lasikcomplications.com/

http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/index.php

http://www.lasikcomplications.com/simulations.htm

And just before anyone accuses me of being alarmist (or an optician with too much time on his hands), I know laser eye surgery can and does have good results for a lot of people (my sister included). I'm just trying to let people know the other side of the story.

# 1181

Posted: 12/08/2009 21:25

It is important patients are aware that all the risks on the consent form apply to them. Patients should research each individual risk very carefully and ask themselves would they be able to cope if any of these risks applied to them. For example could you cope with the most common risk of all, permanently dry eyes? If you are told you are a good candidate this does not mitigate the risks. I was told I was a good candidate and I am still experiencing dry eyes, severe floaters and poor night vision a full six months after my surgery. To say the last six months have been a nightmare would be an understatement.

# 1180

Posted: 07/08/2009 16:45

Hi All,

I am an optometrist and I used to work for a chain of laser clinics in the UK. As regards which is safer: LASIK or LASEK, they both have serious risks associated with them. For LASIK the risk is that if the cornea is too weakened after surgery, it could start to bulge forward in what is known as ectasia. This could eventually require a corneal graft (replacement donor cornea). For LASEK the risk is of permanent visually debilitating scarring on the cornea.

These risks are however very small. Patients used to ask me if I would have it done and I explained that I could not give a definitive answer because I do not wear glasses myself and so I can't imagine what a bind that must be. However I got free treatment for my best friend and my sister in law and I would not have done this if I really felt there was a serious risk of them loosing vision.

# 1179

Posted: 07/08/2009 13:12

Hi Helen

I found some useful stuff on a website for laser eye clinics, they seem to have a list of laser eye surgery cinincs in ireland.

http://www.lasereyesurgery.ie/

# 1178

Posted: 24/07/2009 20:41

Well I must agree with dryeyevictim in that lasik doesnt appear to be as safe as lasek...ive had both (first the lasik and wish I hadnt).  I do have 20/20 or better in my left eye now and in my right they tell me its 20/20 but I have a haze problem, i can still see well with it but its not as good as the left so alittle frustrating; they have given me various drops/gels etc but not holding out hope on it working (but guess i have no comeback and have signed my rights away so its just a good job my left eye is good!)

I did point out to the surgeon that i dont think they did wavefront on my right eye (not sure if thats the reason ?) 

As anyone else had this problem?

# 1177

Posted: 24/07/2009 13:13

The laser surgeons tell people that they are unusual or interesting making the patient feel like there is something wrong with them rather than the surgeon or surgery. Somewhere along the line the surgeons forgot they were deaing with humans rather than mice.

# 1176

Posted: 20/07/2009 22:33

No Jackson. it's just obvious that LASEK is much safer than LASIK since there is no flap. however LASIK was the one my surgeon suggested for me. there is no doubt that the cornea is significantly weaker and open to infection after LASIK. this doesn't apply with LASEK. in my opinion LASIK should be obselete by now.

# 1175

Posted: 20/07/2009 14:07

skenny,

my recovery time was three days, I was in no pain. optilase were very good and professional. i have been reading the posts from dryeyevictim. I feel sorry for you if this is true. but you have posted so repeatedly and frequently about the same thing, it makes me wonder. on other forums that i have been on some people (who we later discover are opticians) continuously exaggerate the risks to put people off laser eye surgery. is this a conflict of interest?

# 1174

Posted: 20/07/2009 13:54

Dry Eye Victim - i really really feel sorry for you - I can totally understand where you are coming from.  I had the surgery done a year ago last May in both eyes together.  I had the one where they soften the cornea and then move it back, i think this is EK as i wasnt suitable for IK because my eyes were already dry.  It took 6 weeks of not being able to see properly, very dry eyes where i was constantly spraying or putting drops into my eyes to relieve the discomfort.  Then suddenly after 6 weeks they sight was perfect.  Roll on not a  full year, in April this year after experiencing some horrific pain in my right eye during the night, this was accompanied by the cornea getting stuck to my eye and upon opening a tearing sensation with floods of water coming out - i went back to the clinic and discovered that I had corneal erosion syndrome.......  So not only had my sight deteriorated hugely in my right eye, i now had this syndrome that apparently only 1% or people get.  I had to have enhancement surgery done in my right eye and a procedure called PTK to fix the problem.

Thankfully this has worked and i have no bother with either eye now.  My surgeon did however put a little synthetic plug into my right tear duct to keep the tears pooling around my eye and not down the back of the duct into my throat - this I believe has made the world of difference and I have no dryness at all - maybe you should speak to your surgeon and get him to put these plugs in as they really do help.  I have had mine in since the op in April and my last app to see the surgeon is 1st September.

Even though my eyes are perfect now - had i known about the turmoil and problems that I would have been faced with, then I would not have it done, nor would I ever recommend anyone to get it done again.

I know its difficult, but hang in there, you will get there!  Cat

# 1173

Posted: 19/07/2009 22:01

I really am struggling with a host of LASIK complications. I had a great life working, playing sport and meeting friends. Since the operation everything has been an uphill struggle, in fact life has been hell after LASIK.

There's a mention of no guarantee of long term visual outcome on the consent form but no mention of long term risks. That's because this only became popular in mid to late 1990's so they are unknown.

To all the people across the world and indeed in Ireland I owe you an apology for not heeding your suffering. I just hope my suffering can prevent someone else's. I left my email in a previous post should anyone wish to contact me.

# 1172

Posted: 19/07/2009 15:17

Yeah I agree with some of the posts above that LASEK is safer. I really wish I had that done but it wasn't presented to me as an option until after I had one eye done. I think LASIK should be banned. The flap sucks to the eyeball but the collagen bonds are broken which is why the flap contributes little to the biomechanical stabiliy of the eye.Think about a car tyre. If you slice a thin layer of rubber off the surface and then try to glue it back on. It's never going to have the same structural integrity as an intact car tyre with the molecular bonds intact. Ever wondered is the flap not just dead tissue like a contact lens? It is until some nerves grow back into it after about six months to a year. So expect to have a sensation of dry pair of contact lenses on your eyes that you can never take out for along period. These are the infamous flaps. Of course if you have a flap that is dislodged it will never be living tissue. That's right a contact lens that is glued to your eye forever.

Don't forget the eyeball is a pressurised vessel. Hence if you were to remove too much cornea your eyeball would bulge outward. This is a sight threatening condition called ectasia.

The nerves are also severed in creating the flap which is why so many people suffer from dry eyes for months or years afterwards.

Of course ophthalmologists know all this stuff which is why very few have it done themselves.

# 1171

Posted: 19/07/2009 03:29

I've made a huge mistake doing this elective surgery but I'm writing here because I don't want anyone else to be deceived about the high level of risks involved with laser surgery. Please take this seriously. My eyes have aged about 20 years since this operation. The cornea is sliced like an onion and the tissue vaporised beneath it with the slice put back down after. Is this really healthy for our eyes even if our day vision is 20/20? From the research I've done since which is too late for me but may not be too late for you this procedure definitely damages healthy eyes. We're all going to look back one day and realise how dumb we were to not to understand that this could do damage. It's like how dumb were people not to understand that inhaling tobacco into the lungs might harm them? It should never have even taken a research paper to cop this.

The thing that bothers me the most is that I believe what I now know is almost on a level with what surgeons know about the procedure since I've read medical textbooks on it. I've also come across some decent ophthalmologists out there who can't believe this laser industry is letting loose on patients eyes. I am also embarassed as a mechanical engineer who should know for example that the eye is going to be structurally weakened after a procedure which destroys the collagen bonds in the cornea.

Yet the surgeons routinely carry it out knowing how unsafe it is. Yes after seeing the damage it is doing now and potentially in the future they are blithely carrying on doing it. They should be ashamed of themselves.

# 1170

Posted: 18/07/2009 16:54

hi jackson,I am booked in for surgery next week for surgery at Optilase. I had my pre-op today.Cant wait to get it done. What was your recovery time like?The surgeon told me the Ik recovery time is quicker than the ek.

# 1169

Posted: 17/07/2009 10:00

The consent form that i signed (www.optilase.com) mentions all the risks. To me, it is worth getting it done. the benefits far outweigh the advantages. just my opinion.

# 1168

Posted: 16/07/2009 17:04

On the LASIK consent form that I signed there is no mention of long term risks. I don't know about the LASEK consent form.

# 1167

Posted: 15/07/2009 13:46

I had Lasek done in the Mater Private 8 months ago. I now have 20:20 vision and am absolutely delighted with the results. I was told beforehand I was a higher risk for night time glare issues but decided to go ahead anyway and its been fine.

Dryeyevictim - it is on the consent forms that the long term risks are not proven.

# 1166

Posted: 15/07/2009 13:19

Hi All, I went for LASEK surgery last week and I must say it is much better than I thought it would be. It is still quite difficult to see out of the eye and because I only got one eye done it is difficult to focus at the moment. I am getting the other eye done next week so i hope it will be a lot better then.In terms of advice, I would recommend going to a few different places before you make your mind up. I went to 3 clinics in total before I finally decided on one clinic . I got different prescriptions from different clinics, and was told I was suitable for different types (IK and EK), which was initially confusing. Many clinics offer free consultations so there is no harm in spending the time to go to a few of them to make sure you are happy with the clinic you decide on.

Jack

# 1165

Posted: 14/07/2009 15:19

Listen let's be realistic. These surgeons create complications that they know can't be fixed hence the procedure should be banned.  I'm extremely concerned about every patient that has this done and not just myself. THE LONG TERM RISKS ARE UNKNOWN. Should this be written on the consent form? Most definitely.

By the way still suffering with severe floaters, sore dry eyes, poor night vision. Are these frequently reported complications? Yes according to wikipedia. Can we trust wikipedia for our information on LASIK? Yes we can due to the fact that statistics are referenced from journals of ophthalmology.