Ellie asked:

Hi Dave,
I got iLasik performed 4 weeks ago. Since then I got 3 exams and they show I still got -2 and -1,75 ( was -4,75 both eyes before the op) I also got very high pressure in the eyes – like 34-40…The doctor said it’s normal – comes from the eye drops and will go away, got new drops now, but still can not see clear, still got miopia that I can not watch TV or drive…is this normal?
I was told with Lasik the sight is improved right after the surgery, I still can see as far as my nose…What is next?
Thanks.

Ellie, No not common at all in LASIK surgery, but it is possible. Under-correction of that degree is rare but it is feasible that it could happen. The high pressure afterwards could have led to some increased swelling in the cornea which would change the vision significantly. The pressure rise occasionally happens with steroid drops, and rapidly goes back to normal once stopped.

As for what is next? You should wait around 12 weeks to let the eyes and corneas settle and ensure all swelling has resolved. You may find the myopia decreases more. If not, then the flaps can be easily lifted and eyes re-treated around 3 months post. Keep in contact with your clinic and let time pass to see how it settles. It’s still pretty early at 4 weeks.

It’s normal for some patients to need an enhancement to finish off the result. Our own clinic rate is less than 1% for myopia, and it can vary between clinics – but we ALL perform enhancement procedures.

Certainly must be disappointing as most patients see 20/20 or better the following day, and yours is a pretty big under-correction. Hang on though and I am confident that your end result should be good. Keep me informed of the outcome please.

Regards, Dave

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Most people start to need reading glasses after the age of 45 and previously were not eligible for laser eye treatment. All that has changed with advances in technology. FOCUS Laser Vision has been very active in this increasingly popular area of laser eye correction.