Best thing I ever did for myself...

Pico and ME · 02-02-2010, 05:53 PM

...should have done it long ago. Isn't that what you keep hearing from people who had the eye surgery? I know I did...anyone I ever talked to just raved about it.

Unfortunately, I am the big exception. Mine didn't turn out well at all. First of all, the flap on my right eye turned over and I had to go back the next day to get it fixed and they put a contact in as a bandage to keep the flap in place. Secondly, its day four and I still can’t see out of either eye very well. My left eye is actually healing very nicely (not much swelling) and the eye doctor’s visit yesterday verified that I’m seeing 20/25 out of it...but that is only very far distant vision. If I look out the window of my house I can see across the street pretty darn good (things are still not all that clear, but that is a result of the swelling that is still there). However, I can’t see anything clearly nearer up...or mid range. Reading glasses help for very close up, but that is all. My right eye is totally shot, however I am noticing that I can see a little better very close up with it. That’s a problem in itself because it looks like they corrected for monovision when I specifically said I did not want it. However, could just be me fretting...it’s really hard to say what this eye is going to end up doing yet. Any way, as a result, I am incapacitated, because I can’t see well enough to do much of anything. I have notified work that I don’t really know yet when I will be able to make it in.

Funny thing, the eye doctor declared me safe to drive yesterday. I looked at him like he was crazy. I’m certainly not going to try it. My right eye is my dominant eye and not being able to see out it really totally fucks everything up.

Anyway, thanks for listening and does anyone have any stories that that they could share that might relate to my experience?

Clodfobble · 02-02-2010, 06:02 PM

Damn, that sucks, Pico. Sorry to hear you haven't been healing well. Maybe the right eye just needs more time, since it was re-injured after the surgery?

skysidhe · 02-02-2010, 06:16 PM

I am glad it is over and I have every confidence that your eye will heal quickly and you will be one of those other people that will be raving about it!

The eye is very delicate. I scratched my eye with a thorn gardening once and it took a good week to feel better with antibiotic drops. That was a tiny nick and insignificant. Surgery is major so give your eyes some major slack.

Pico and ME · 02-02-2010, 06:17 PM

Thanks Clod and Sky, that's what Im hoping too. That first day, though, was really tough and scary. I really really miss my glasses right now. BTW, my vision before the surgery was something like 20/1000, so even if I still have to wear glasses after this, it will still be better than what I had.

lumberjim · 02-02-2010, 06:29 PM

Eye hope it works out for you!

Nirvana · 02-02-2010, 07:16 PM

The same thing happened to my SIL Pico and she is now fine and sees well. I think you just have to give it more time to heal.

glatt · 02-02-2010, 07:25 PM

At least you can see well enough to be on the Cellar!

jinx · 02-02-2010, 07:27 PM

Ouch! Sorry you're suffering.
Do you smoke? That can hinder healing...

SamIam · 02-02-2010, 10:46 PM

Sorry you're having problems, Pico. As others have said, it takes time for the eye to heal. I was once exposed to fumes from a solvent while wearing my contacts. The fumes caused one lens to melt on my eye! It hurt like hell and my eye was messed up for a week. Ultimately, the eye healed just fine and I got my 20/400 vision back.

Pico and ME · 02-06-2010, 02:53 PM

Alrighty then....things have improved a bit, here and there, with my vision. A few days ago I could see very far but not mid range or close with my left eye and I could only see very close with my right eye. Now the difference between the two is just starting to edge away and both eyes are working together a bit better so that I can see with a little less distortion. However I still can’t see anything with any real clarity. I'm allowed to drive, but it is no fun...I would have a very tough time trying to navigate my way around a strange place. Also, I can see my computer screen better without reading glasses, but only blearily, and I have to sit with my face pretty close to the monitor – like 10 inches away. Reading glasses sometimes help, but only if I take out the right lens...but still it strains my eyes mightily.

I will try to go back to work next week (they have me scheduled Thursday), but if my vision hasn't improved much more by then, I'm going to need glasses. Before the operation, I did ask what my options were if I still couldn't see well enough afterwards and the doctor did say that they would get me into glasses in a hurry. I’m not sure if that meant they would cover the cost, but I am going to find that out. It seems only fair, since they did get four grand out me.

lumberjim · 02-06-2010, 09:56 PM

christ. any chance that your eyes will heal, and your vision will be better?

monster · 02-06-2010, 10:01 PM

sounds horrific, I'm sorry

Pico and ME · 02-07-2010, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberjim

christ. any chance that your eyes will heal, and your vision will be better?

Its hard to say exactly where my vision will end up, but there is a 3 to 6 month window for improvement. And I keep seeing a little better in little ways each day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

sounds horrific, I'm sorry

Yeah, thanks Monster. Its depressing right now because I really miss being able to see clearly, but once I get glasses, all will be better. There is a bright side - my vision will not be half as bad (or even three quarters!) as it was prior to surgery. I will be able to walk around without glasses if I had to...I wouldn't even think of doing that before. So, next time I go to the beach (or water ski!!!), I will actually be able to enjoy myself!

@Jinx: I don't smoke, Thank God...I quit in 2000. I'm a pretty good healer, because I eat right and am fairly active.

(Side Note)
I'm very appreciative for the Cellar...to be able to share this is really helpful! Thanks to all of you!

02-02-2010, 05:53 PM	#1
Pico and ME Are you knock-kneed? Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Middle Hoosierland Posts: 3,549	Best thing I ever did for myself... ...should have done it long ago. Isn't that what you keep hearing from people who had the eye surgery? I know I did...anyone I ever talked to just raved about it. Unfortunately, I am the big exception. Mine didn't turn out well at all. First of all, the flap on my right eye turned over and I had to go back the next day to get it fixed and they put a contact in as a bandage to keep the flap in place. Secondly, its day four and I still can’t see out of either eye very well. My left eye is actually healing very nicely (not much swelling) and the eye doctor’s visit yesterday verified that I’m seeing 20/25 out of it...but that is only very far distant vision. If I look out the window of my house I can see across the street pretty darn good (things are still not all that clear, but that is a result of the swelling that is still there). However, I can’t see anything clearly nearer up...or mid range. Reading glasses help for very close up, but that is all. My right eye is totally shot, however I am noticing that I can see a little better very close up with it. That’s a problem in itself because it looks like they corrected for monovision when I specifically said I did not want it. However, could just be me fretting...it’s really hard to say what this eye is going to end up doing yet. Any way, as a result, I am incapacitated, because I can’t see well enough to do much of anything. I have notified work that I don’t really know yet when I will be able to make it in. Funny thing, the eye doctor declared me safe to drive yesterday. I looked at him like he was crazy. I’m certainly not going to try it. My right eye is my dominant eye and not being able to see out it really totally fucks everything up. Anyway, thanks for listening and does anyone have any stories that that they could share that might relate to my experience? Last edited by Pico and ME; 02-02-2010 at 06:03 PM.

02-02-2010, 06:02 PM	#2
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	Damn, that sucks, Pico. Sorry to hear you haven't been healing well. Maybe the right eye just needs more time, since it was re-injured after the surgery? __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

02-02-2010, 06:29 PM	#5
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	Eye hope it works out for you! __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

02-02-2010, 07:16 PM	#6
Nirvana Back in 10 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3,684	The same thing happened to my SIL Pico and she is now fine and sees well. I think you just have to give it more time to heal. __________________ Speaking simply... do not confuse this with having a simple mind.

02-02-2010, 07:27 PM	#8
jinx Come on, cat. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: general vicinity of Philadelphia area Posts: 7,013	Ouch! Sorry you're suffering. Do you smoke? That can hinder healing... __________________ Crying won't help you, praying won't do you no good.

02-02-2010, 06:16 PM	#3
skysidhe ~~Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.~~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,828	I am glad it is over and I have every confidence that your eye will heal quickly and you will be one of those other people that will be raving about it! The eye is very delicate. I scratched my eye with a thorn gardening once and it took a good week to feel better with antibiotic drops. That was a tiny nick and insignificant. Surgery is major so give your eyes some major slack.

02-02-2010, 06:17 PM	#4
Pico and ME Are you knock-kneed? Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Middle Hoosierland Posts: 3,549	Thanks Clod and Sky, that's what Im hoping too. That first day, though, was really tough and scary. I really really miss my glasses right now. BTW, my vision before the surgery was something like 20/1000, so even if I still have to wear glasses after this, it will still be better than what I had.

02-02-2010, 07:25 PM	#7
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	At least you can see well enough to be on the Cellar!

02-02-2010, 10:46 PM	#9
SamIam Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Not here Posts: 2,655	Sorry you're having problems, Pico. As others have said, it takes time for the eye to heal. I was once exposed to fumes from a solvent while wearing my contacts. The fumes caused one lens to melt on my eye! It hurt like hell and my eye was messed up for a week. Ultimately, the eye healed just fine and I got my 20/400 vision back.

02-06-2010, 02:53 PM	#10
Pico and ME Are you knock-kneed? Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Middle Hoosierland Posts: 3,549	Alrighty then....things have improved a bit, here and there, with my vision. A few days ago I could see very far but not mid range or close with my left eye and I could only see very close with my right eye. Now the difference between the two is just starting to edge away and both eyes are working together a bit better so that I can see with a little less distortion. However I still can’t see anything with any real clarity. I'm allowed to drive, but it is no fun...I would have a very tough time trying to navigate my way around a strange place. Also, I can see my computer screen better without reading glasses, but only blearily, and I have to sit with my face pretty close to the monitor – like 10 inches away. Reading glasses sometimes help, but only if I take out the right lens...but still it strains my eyes mightily. I will try to go back to work next week (they have me scheduled Thursday), but if my vision hasn't improved much more by then, I'm going to need glasses. Before the operation, I did ask what my options were if I still couldn't see well enough afterwards and the doctor did say that they would get me into glasses in a hurry. I’m not sure if that meant they would cover the cost, but I am going to find that out. It seems only fair, since they did get four grand out me.

02-06-2010, 09:56 PM	#11
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	christ. any chance that your eyes will heal, and your vision will be better? __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

02-06-2010, 10:01 PM	#12
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	sounds horrific, I'm sorry __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

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