I did some research on the Internet and found out a lot about post LASIK complications. I have also participated in some of the forums at www.lasermyeye.com and www.asklasikdocs.com . I have communicated with some doctors and post LASIK patients who share almost similar problems with me. I felt relief when I knew that I am not the only one with these problems. I met a girl from Canada who developed tachyphylaxis and rebound mydriasis after using a drug called Alphagan-P (which contains brimonidine tartrate) for only five months. From what I understand, both Pilocarpine and Alphagan work very similarly although they are totally different kind of drugs. I certainly would not want to take the risk of finding out until the drug is really proven safe.

Going for another enhancement surgery will be too risky, the only alternative that I think would help me is by wearing Rigid Permeable Gas Contact Lens or RGP lens. I have visited quite a few optometrists but could not find a single person who can help me until I found out about Dr. Pritam Singh. I have consulted Dr. Pritam Singh sometime in May 2005, one of the few contact lens specialists in Malaysia. Unfortunately, he refused to make a pair of RGP lens for me because they are too expensive. One piece of RGP lens alone would costs RM2000.00. Even if he agrees, I certainly could not afford that. According to him, post myopic LASIK patients like me would need a special type of RGP lens that is called ‘Reverse Geometry’ lens due to the flat cornea. Besides, he does not have much experience in fitting post LASIK patients with this type of lenses. He has more experience in helping patients with keratoconus problem. RGP lens that is use to treat keratoconus patients is different from ‘reverse geometry’ lens. I have tried a pair of trial lens at the clinic (RGP) and it was very uncomfortable. I will still have to bear with it because this is the only way out.

I did some research again on the Internet and found out about Dr. Greg Gemoules (Dr.G) from Texas, USA. He is a contact lens specialist and has a great reputation in treating patients like us. I have contacted him via e-mail. He advised me not to go for another surgery and insisted that contact lens would be the better solution. He said that only doctors/optometrists who have the experience fitting orthokeratology contact lens could help me. Well, from what I know, orthokeratology contact lens can never be found in Malaysia and even if they exist, it will cost me a lot of money (Updated : I've finally found one orthokeratology lens fitter - Here) . One of the experts that Dr.Greg recommended is Dr. Mitsui from Japan. He is well known in fitting post-LASIK patients with refractive errors and also other complications. But going to Japan is almost impossible for me. Later, Ms. Rebecca Petris, the founder of www.lasermyeye.com has suggested two contact lens specialists from Singapore. They are Dr. Koh Liang Hwee and Dr. Stan Isaacs. They are my next hope. Again, wearing contact lens will probably lead me to more issues like spectacle blur, corneal abrasion, eye diseases etc. but what other choice do I have?

One of the members of www.lasermyeye.com , Lucy who is suffering from both LASIK and Cataract Surgery share with us about the risks of cataract surgery for post LASIK patients. I understand that it will be a problem for a surgeon to calculate our IOL after LASIK. Reference -http://www.pendletoneye.com/danger.htm . Therefore, I need a backup copy of all my medical record before and after the surgery. And for you guys out there, better keep a copy of your own medical record.

My question is, why am I having astigmatism again? Why is it getting worse? I did not have astigmatism after my surgery. Is it because the shape of my cornea has changed? Is it because of regression? Will it keep on changing? What should I do in the future? Nobody ever told me that this would happen!

I have tried a lot of other alternatives like wearing pin-hole glasses, eating supplements like bilberry, flaxseed oil, using several kinds of eyedrops etc. I am trying my best to protect my eyes, I do eye exercises (Bates Method), used LCD monitor screen for my computer and never read under poor lighting. As you can see, I have gone through a lot of troubles trying to get my eyes fixed, spending a lot of time and money. And I definitely could not afford a piece of 2000 ringgit RGP lens (1100 USD per pair of contact lens? That's hell a lot of money for me). What should I do? My eyes become tired very easily and hyper sensitive to light. The ghosting, starbursts, glare and halo have stopped me from night driving. I cannot enjoy movies like I used to, I cannot see the moon and stars like everyone else. I am only 24 this year and this is the time where young adults like us will go out and enjoy nightlife. For me, I dare not go out at night because I am very afraid of what I am seeing. If only I could turn back the time, the first thing I would do is to stop myself for doing LASIK. It is like a total nightmare whenever I wake up in the morning, seeing everything with shadow and ghosting effects. I do not mind wearing glasses again at all but the problem now is even glasses cannot help.

I am very depressed, annoyed, frustrated and sad. What I really want is to get back a normal vision. I would be grateful and happy if my LASIK centre is willing to be responsible and help me to get my vision back. But what would you do if you are in my situation? What should I do? Sue them? - 21st July 2005

Thank you for reading - to read my blog and check out what's happening to me now - Click here.