John Sample

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LVC - Part 6 (7 Months)

I guess its about time I gave an update on my PRK experience. This will probably be the last update I put up here about it.

Its been a little more than 7 months since the surgery, and at this point I can't remember what life was like before I got zapped.
As far as the starbursts, they are pretty much gone, definitely nothing like the first several months.
The only time I notice anything is if I'm watching a movie with white text on a black background. I see a slight blur around the entire screen.

I wish I had more to report, but thats about it. No news is good news in this case.

One last thing:
I get emails from people who have had the surgery just a few months earlier panicking because things are still blurry.
The only thing I can say is relax. You are doing fine. You will be seeing crazy for a while longer. Give it six months and you will probably forget you even had the surgery.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 6:29 PM

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# re: LVC - Part 6 (7 Months)

I am a Clinical Director for a large laser center in La Jolla, CA. I found your comments excellent. Having had PRK myself over 2 years ago, your experience was very similar to mine and most of the patients we treat. We are doing more and more PRK these days, due to exceptional outcomes. We are also utilizing new techniques to manage the postop discomfort, which have been working well.

Considering all of the misinformation on the internet, I appreciate your accurate description of your experience.

Enjoy your vision.

Michael A. Kling, O.D.

10/3/2005 7:36 PM | Dr. Michael Kling

# re: LVC - Part 6 (7 Months)

JOHN
I HAVE JUST BEEN READING ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS FROM YOUR SURGERY. I HAVE SPENT THE MORNING LOOKING FOR FEEDBACK SUCH AS YOURS AND WAS RELIEVED TO SEE YOUR ACCOUNT.
I AM POSTOP DAY 9 FROM ADVANCED SURFACE ABLATION WHICH IS I GUESS THE SAME AS EPI-LASIK. I HAVE BEEN PRETTY DEPRESSED ABOUT THE HAZINESS THAT I HAVE. I STILL DO NOT HAVE CLEAR VISION AND I CANT SEE CLEARLY ACROSS THE STREET OR EXPRESSIONS ON PEOPLE'S FACES UNTIL THEY ARE VERY CLOSE TO ME.
EVEN THOUGH THIS MAY BE A NORMAL TYPE PROGRESSION, I WAS STILL UNPREPARED FOR THE DURATION. I CANNOT YET DRIVE MYSELF AND FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE RETURNING TO WORK FEARING THE OVERHEAD LIGHTING WILL BOTHER ME.
I AM STILL ALARMED THAT IT WILL PROBABLY BE A FEW MORE MONTHS UNTIL I CAN SEE WELL AND I HOPE BETTER PROGRESSION IS IN STORE FOR ME.
I WOULD STILL HAVE THE PROCEDURE DONE BECAUSE I FEEL IT WILL BE ALL WORTH IT IN THE LONG RUN. I HAD AN EXCELLENT SURGEON I FEEL.
THANKYOU AGAIN FOR YOUR HONEST ACCOUNT OF YOUR SURGERY.
11/12/2005 11:49 AM | LHPHILLY

# re: LVC - Part 6 (7 Months)

Really appreciate the candid documentation. I'm having PRK surgery in 2 days, and I was hoping to hear the experiences of someone who'd been through it. Thanks for the humor, too!
7/11/2006 5:42 PM | Kate

# re: LVC - Part 6 (7 Months)

I had PRK back in 1995.

Before PRK, I was -10 in both eyes.

Long story short, I had 20/20 for a few months..then regression set in for both eyes. I ended up having my right eye done twice. The doc recommended not doing the left eye again due to corneal thinness.

My right eye regressed again.

Today, I am -4 in my left and -1.5 in my right. Not exactly what I expected, but I am grateful for the vision I do have.

Had I waited, I might have had more luck with Lasik. One could only wonder what techniques are on the horizon now.

Good luck to you all.

Rick
7/12/2006 2:20 PM | Rick

# re: PRK 3 months ago

Has anyone ever had PRK for astimatism?? All the posts I have read were about normal prescriptions, however, my prescription had NO visual correction -- only astigmatism. My eyes were 3.75 and very difficult to correct with eyeglasses so I decided on surgery. I have 3 other co-workers who were able previously to wear contacts (I never could due to the level of astigmatism). All 3 are perfect 1 month after surgery. I still have the up and down letters, nor can I see at a distance which was correctable with my glasses. Now every time I go to the doctor, he insists I CAN see. I tell him I cannot see anything further than 10 feet, and he makes cutsey comments like if I didn't have bad eyes we would have never met. It is exasperating to say the least. He is very happy with his surgery, but I am not. I probably will need an enhancement (UGH!) but I cannot get the doctors to even admit I still have visual difficulties. It is frustrating to say the least. I didn't know if anyone knew if the enhancement would also cost the same as the original procedure. If there are no guarantees, I don't know if I could afford the 2nd time. By the way, I was guaranteed by this doctor that I would be perfect but I am truly unhappy & TOTALLY depressed over this entire situation. Why me?????
7/27/2006 11:12 PM | Lora

# re: LVC - Part 6 (7 Months)

I had PRK 3 weeks ago. I work using a computer every day and was frustrated to find out AFTER the surgery that it would take weeks or months to fully see. It was a struggle working. I had to increase the resolution on my computer at work to make the letters larger. Finally at the beginning of my third week I was able to change the resolution back to normal but I stil have double vision sometimes. My vision is not 100% but I feel better about it after reading blogs like this where I can compare my experience with. I know now for sure that my recovery is normal. I having a little trouble driving at night due to halos, glare and starbursts but hopefully this will go away after a few months.
8/14/2006 12:09 AM | Rene

# re: LVC - Part 6 (7 Months)

Just had PRK 14 days ago. Was really frustrated at the immediate results. When the doctor said that it would take 3-6 months for my eyes to completey adjust, I never figured that it meant I would not be able to read or watch tv or work on the computer. Thanks for your information. It is more reassuring. Right now, I would not have had the surgery - hope my opinion changes.
8/18/2006 1:52 PM | Laurie

# re: LVC - Part 6 (7 Months)

I think I figured that the apparent common denominator of who sees well and who does not depends on the prescription prior to the surgery. I was never able to wear contacts and thus, I feel my problems stem from the fact that I probably was never going to be 100%. The doctor just tells me to wait. It will be 6 months in Oct. I have friends who had either flap or PRK and who WERE able to wear contacts prior, and they are perfect. They also went to a different doc :( Haven't been back to the dr because I'm too upset with him at this point. I just wonder if I am jeopardizing anything if it comes down to needing an enhancement. Oh my gosh, could you imagine going thru PRK TWICE!!! YIKES!!! When should I start to think enhancement? At my 2nd month check up I was told by one of the staff that a guy who had the surgery same day as me was already going for the enhancement. Seemed too early to go to me.
8/18/2006 9:43 PM | Lora

# re: LVC - Part 6 (7 Months)

That doesn't sound fun Lora.

Is there another doctor around you could go see?
8/19/2006 7:23 AM | John Sample

# re: LVC - Part 6 (7 Months)

I'm sure I could go where the other gals went, but then I assume it's going to be as expensive as a whole new procedure to get the enhancement. I wish someone with a high astigmatism could tell me what the expected outcome is.
8/19/2006 8:24 PM | Lora

# re: LVC - Part 6 (7 Months)

Great stuff! Good to hear everything turned out perfectly. 20/15 is amazing, isn't it?
8/22/2006 3:37 PM | Laser Vision Correction

# re: LVC - Part 6 (7 Months)

Who's 20/15?? Apparently someone who did NOT have astigmatisms. Naturally someone who probably never has anything bad happen ended up with perfect eyes. What else is new.
8/23/2006 9:34 PM | Lora

# re: LVC - Part 6 (7 Months)

I had PRK 3 years ago. I am currently thinking of an enhancement. I have been wearing glasses for the past 2 years now. My vision is 100 times better than what it was before the procedure. My problem is with the starbursts and halos at night. They are horrible. Vehicles are completely covered by the starburst. My doctor told me there is a new procedure called CustomVue that should improve or completely correct the starburst . Has anyone experienced this procedure? Is it worth the pain and frustration?
8/29/2006 10:21 AM | Jennifer

# re: LVC - Part 6 (7 Months)

If I remember correctly, CustomVue took off a lot more of the eye surface.
I could be wrong though.
8/29/2006 11:48 AM | John Sample

# re: LVC - Part 6 (7 Months)

help me, i had epilasik with custom and i still can't see. everyday is the same thing. i see halos, starbursts and im not able to see expresions on people's faces. im paniking. Im a college student and this is driving me crazy
9/9/2006 10:34 PM | puerto rico

# re: LVC - Part 6 (7 Months)

I had PRK done in the Right eye only 7 days ago, 09/22/06. The bandage contact was removed 3 days ago 09/19/06 and my vision went to crap to say the least. To define: I currently have double vision along the vertical axis- if I look at a red traffic light I see an almost exact image of the red light directly underneath the main image. This of course skews any hope to have great vision in a week for me. I was thinking about calling the Dr. and getting a one week check up just to be sure everything is OK. At the contact removal on 9/19 they assured me all was well and I was healing fine. I will say this, after reading these posts I can can assure myself that it will just have to take time. I find this interesting/ frustrating/ hopeful to say the least and am glad I only had one eye done as of yet. I stilll can use the computer and work- I also can drive durning day time with out any issues. I do get slight headaches due to the mismatch however, but not enough to take any pain meds.
9/22/2006 7:18 AM | Todd

# re: LVC - Part 6 (7 Months)

I am planning of undergoing PRK surgery in a week's time. I really learn a lot from the experiences you shared. My concern is that undergoing PRK may interfere with my work which mostly involves the use of computers and reading documents. The blurriness and halos really concerns me as I am going to start on my new job in one month time in another country. Would it be okay to undergo PRK now or wait until I have fully settled in my new job? Will the pain and blurriness be tolerable in one month's time?
2/26/2007 9:55 PM | Anna

# re: LVC - Part 6 (7 Months)

Thats a tough one.
You coud be ok in a month, but I've only got my experience to go by.
I went back to work pretty fast, but I have a quick commute in an area I know well. I was also able to shift my schedule so I didn't have ot drive when it was dark.
The pain will be totally gone in a month, don't worry about that. During the first few months your eyes will just get tired at some point during the day and you'll want to stop looking at a monitor.
2/27/2007 7:35 AM | John Sample

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