Double vision after PRK (really soon after, though)

I'd posted an inquiry in alt.lasik-eyes, realising only afterward that I
should have asked here as well for a possibly larger answer base (though I
did get a really good answer in a.l-e).

I'm currently six days post-op PRK, the bandages came off yesterday, but I
have rather severe ghosting in both eyes (left eye has other problems,
supposedly the healing was slowed when the bandage on it fell off twice).
I've been researching the condition of ghosting after PRK, and I've found
responses giving varying times for the condition, ranging from weeks to
"permanent". A response on a.l-e indicated that ghosting is normal as the
epithelium regenerates and reshapes itself calmed most of my fears. I'm
now just trying to find out if there's any warning signs that the
condition is more than just temporary -- such as the severity of 'normal'
post-PRK ghosting and whether it's constant or if it should only be
present in certain light conditions (as it is, I get it at all times in
all lights, though it's most severe when it comes to red, yellow or green
lights).

I know that I'm most likely worrying too much, but it is something that
I'm going to have to deal with for at least a few weeks, and the more
information that I can find on what I'm experiencing the better I will
feel about it.

 

(Keenan Clay Wilkie) wrote in

Yes, and we all tend to frequent the same newsgroups.

Now you are two more days out and things should be getting better. But, in
answer to your question, results this early after PRK are generally not
predictive. Although I used to check my PRK patients after one week, I
know of doctors who didn't bother until the second week. In any event,
healing just has to take its course at this point, and very little can be
done now other than to treat an infection or inflammation.

The interesting thing would be if the ghosting will be eliminated with a
refraction when you visit your optometrist. Another diagnostic test would
be to instill a thick eyedrop such as celluvisc, or Refresh Plus to see if
the ghosting goes away momentarily. This would indicate the presence of an
irregularity on the cornea. I know it's difficult not to panic, but don't
panic yet.

DrG