Allergies, dry eyes and large pupils
Hi
I'm looking for some advice as I'm not sure I have all the info I need yet to decide whether to go ahead with Laser Eye surgery.
I'm 29, short sighted (approx 1.25 in each eye). I currently have slight problems with night driving due to halos, etc. I also have allergies and
nearly every day will find my eyes are watering or mucusy (feels like something is in my eye!). Something I've learnt to live with but can make vision
quite blurry and irritating!
I've now been for 2 consultations to asses my suitability, one at Optical Express (1 yr ago) and one at Ultralase (last month)
During the consultations, I explained that i was worried my night vision would get worse and my eye symptoms may get worse. I was told the symptoms I
described sounded like dry eyes contrary to them watering, but I've never been told 'how' dry my eyes are (if this can be measured?)
At the OE consultation I was told I had large pupils and as such would need to opt for the Wavefront treatment, the standard treatment would not be
available to me. When discussing my eye symptoms, allergies, etc the optom said that most people have dry eyes after surgery but not to worry as it
would soon pass and I would be given drops to help.
This reassured me initially, but when looking at further information on the web (not scaremonger sites, official sites such as the FSA website),
nearly all of them say that large pupils, dry eyes and existing night vision problems are all issues which may contraindicate treatment. I wouldn't
mind if I had just one of these but I have 3 things that are listed!
I therefore decided against surgery until this year I thought about it again and went for my Ultralase consultation. This was a lot more thorough in
their tests, etc. I asked if Lasik vs Lasek would make any difference to the outcome if I already had dry eyes and was told "absolutely not, it just
affects the healing time" and was advised to take Lasik as I would need the drops for less time and this would be good for me as I have sensitive
skin. The optom even said that many patients who come in with sensitive allergic eyes have a reduction in symptoms after treatment. Really?
Since looking into this I've seen that for patients with exisiting dry eyes, LasEk is probably better and has lower risk of increasing symptoms.
I know I need to weight up the risks, etc. At the moment I don't wear glasses or contacts as I break my glasses to often and have been told contact's
arent a good idea if my eyes get irritated easily. Therefore being able to see properly would be fantastic! If I'm already having issues with dry
eyes, etc then I can live with the same symptoms (I don't treat it at present its just an irritation).. but I'm not sure I want it any worse!
What is difficult is the information available either seems very negative and points out all the bad things, or very positive (but I have to consider
this is being given from a company that will earn a few £k for doing the treatment!)
I really need something independant that will tell me exactly HOW dry my eyes are for example, how big my pupils are, etc and whether i'm 'just the
same as most other people' or 'higher risk' or 'I wouldnt if I were you'. But this information doesn't seem very forthcoming, even when asking about
this it's sort of dismissed at the consultation.
Thanks for any advice
Ben
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posted on 5-9-2010 at 04:58 PM
