Headaches and blurred vision after Lasik enhancement. What can I do?

Question

Hello, I had my initial Lasik surgery 5 yrs ago. I recently had a Lasik "Enhancement" done in June, 2014. My surgeon didn't explain to me that he would be cutting my cornea until I was on the table! I have been dealing with blurred vision, headaches, light sensitivity, developed astigmatism, and also my Left eye is more nearsighted now. I am just miserable. They also tell me that I have cataracts, but since I am only 51 will not correct them yet. It is so hard to function!

Ahad Mahootchi, MD · Answer

If you have significant cataracts, that might be a major contributor to your situation and no more corneal work.Only an exam could tell you what you the cause or causes of your problem are.Did you have the enhancement done to improve the near vision. That might be some of the issue as there is a trade in distance for near in that circumstance.

Mazin Yaldo, MD · Answer

LASIK enhancements are typically done by
lifting the old flap, even if the primary surgery was done years earlier.  Occasionally surgeons will cut a new
flap but this is rare.

Headaches, blurred vision and light
sensitivity can be due to dryness of the eyes, or swelling of the cornea, both
of which can occur with an enhancement. 
Your surgeon should carefully examine your corneas to see if you are
having any such troubles which could explain your symptoms.

If one of your eyes is more nearsighted
than it was prior to your enhancement (and your eyes were nearsighted prior to
the enhancement),  I will say this
is extremely uncommon, and can be due to your developing cataracts.  51 is young to develop cataracts but
sometimes early cataracts can run in families.  Diabetes, head or eye trauma, and corticosteroid use can
also cause early cataracts in patients. 
LASIK will NOT cause cataracts. 
Your development of cataracts is unfortunate and coincidental.  If your cataracts are causing a severe
myopic shift (increased nearsightedness), many surgeons will operate on them
even if “early.”  I would recommend
you seek a second opinion if you are not satisfied with your current doctor.

Hope this helps!

Martin L. Fox, MD · Answer

Without personally examining you the source of your symptoms is difficult to pinpoint. If your surgeon cut a new LASIK flap there might be healing issues that are reducing quality of vision. It is not unusual for patients to develop changes in vision years after LASIK. In these cases it is not so much the loss of the laser treatment that is at work but rather changes that have evolved in your eyes over time. Such changes can be addressed with LASIK revision surgery, however, in your case I am concerned that changes in your crystalline lens in the form of early cataract formation, may also be at work. If this is the case, your symptom would be best addressed with cataract surgery, irrespective of your age. Laser assisted cataract surgery has added a new level of safety and has allowed us to recommend lens based refractive surgery even in cases where cataract formation is at an early stage.

Headaches and blurred vision after Lasik enhancement. What can I do?

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