Category Archives: Post LASIK, PRK, and RK Problems

Dr. Irwin Azman sucessfuly treats Post LASIK, PRK, and RK Problems.

LASIK eye surgery should be taken off the market, former FDA adviser says

CBS NEWS November 2019

LASIK eye surgery should be taken off market, former FDA adviser says

LASIK eye surgery has been popular for more than 20 years, with an estimated 20 million Americans undergoing the procedure to correct nearsightedness and improve distance vision. But some patients say the surgery has ruined their eyesight. The quick, minimally-invasive surgery uses a laser to cut a flap to reshape the cornea at the front of the eye. Now an expert who once backed LASIK is campaigning to get it off the market. Abraham Rutner said LASIK surgery damaged his vision and nearly ruined his life. “It’s a devastation that I can’t even explain,” Rutner told CBS News medical contributor Dr. Tara Narula. “Things would appear double. Around the lights were like having starbursts,” he added…. click here to continue the story.

Dr. Irwin Azman is one of the leading LASIK consultants with over 25 years of experience in the diagnosis and management of Post LASIK complications and side effects. Dr. Azman affirms that although patients may experience side effects due to pre-existing eye conditions, there are non-surgical treatments to help those with LASIK complications. Together with his team of technicians, as well as being aided by new technologies in instrumentation and new treatment methods, Dr. Azman is able to prescribe each patient with a solution to resolve their Post LASIK complications without further surgery.

According to Dr. Azman: “While LASIK surgery can be successful under optimum eye conditions, unfortunately many patients do experience side effects due to pre-existing conditions. However, there is hope. Utilizing our vast experience and expertise, as well as an array of new technologies, we are able to treat these side effects with non-surgical techniques.”

Thankfully we can help with Post LASIK Complications!

If you or a loved one are living with LASIK Complications then call us to learn about treatment options. 410-561-6071

Beloved Fox TV meteorologist Jessica Starr, 35, worked for WJBK Fox 2 in Michigan kills herself a month after telling fans she was struggling from LASIK eye surgery

Beloved Fox TV meteorologist and mother-of-two, 35, kills herself a month after telling fans she was struggling to recover from eye surgery

By JENNIFER SMITH FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

PUBLISHED: 09:57 EST, 13 December 2018 | UPDATED: 11:33 EST, 13 December 2018

A well-known Michigan meteorologist and mother-of-two has taken her own life.

Jessica Starr, 35, worked for WJBK Fox 2 since 2011. On Thursday morning, her colleagues cried as they announced her death on the air.

Starr, whose married name was Rose, had two young children. She leaves them behind along with her husband of eight years, Daniel.

In a statement issued on its website and read aloud by her colleagues on Thursday morning, Fox 2 said: ‘Last night we were informed of the heartbreaking news that our friend and colleague, meteorologist Jessica Starr took her life.

‘All of us here at FOX 2 are in deep shock and cannot believe that such a wonderful, bright and intelligent individual will no longer be with us.

‘Her family and friends will be in our thoughts and prayers in the coming days as we all deal with our grief.’

 Morning anchor Amy Andrews tweeted: ‘Our hearts are broken.’

Further details about her death have not yet been revealed.

Over the last month, Starr said she had been facing ‘challenging times’ since undergoing Lasik eye surgery.

She had the surgery in October and took four weeks off then returned to work for one day in November but it was too much of a struggle for her and she was back at home the next day.

In a video uploaded to her Facebook page on November 13, the day she went back to work, she was downcast as she asked viewers for their prayers and well wishes. Starr was struggling to recover from Lasik eye surgery. In her last post on her public Facebook page, she asked fans for their well wishes and said she was struggling to return to work.

‘If you have any tips I’d appreciate it, I’m trying to stay strong and get through this recovery.

‘Thanks again for all the wishes, I’m excited to be back I just want to get my vision back so I can keep you guys smiling,’ she said.

The following day, she posted that she had not yet been ready to go back to work.

‘Yesterday was a struggle for me. I really wanted to come back but I need more time to recover.

‘Please keep me in your thoughts during this challenging time. Will keep you updated,’ she said.

It was her final post.

Starr had two degrees, one in broadcast meteorology and one in geography and communications.

She regularly shared photographs of her happy family life on her public Facebook page.

Before working for Fox 2, she worked for Fox 45, WKAG 3 and WLNS.

Hers is the second laser-eye-related surgery in a month. In November, Canadian Paul Fitzpatrick, 56, took his own life after blaming the procedure for giving him 20 years of intolerable pain in his eyes.

Hope For Post-LASIK Complications

Is There Hope For Post-LASIK Complications?

LASIK has saved millions of people with refractive eye problems around the word. The objective of this procedure is to restore to good vision and never be bothered with wearing contact lenses or eyeglasses. Regrettably, not all people who have undergone this procedure are free from the complications of LASIK.

The reported complications include blurry vision, dry eye, double vision, glare, halos and more. Initially, some of these side effects are experienced during the first few days, or even weeks after the surgery. However, as the months and years progress many are left with these life long side effects.

What Happens Next?

Prolong dry eye disease, blurry vision, double vision and the rest of the complications after LASIK can cause stress and depression. Although, according to reports, only one percent experience serious complications from the procedure, other reports indicate mild-moderate post LASIK complications to be as high as 40%.

If you have experienced the severe or moderate complications of post-LASIK surgery, the good news is, there is hope for you.

Post LASIK Eye Doctor

Seeking another eye doctor to treat the complications of the post eye restoration procedure is a common practice among patients suffering from the complications of the surgery. The fear of having to experience another blow from their previous eye doctor is dreadful, which is why patients are on the go to have their eyes check from one doctor to the another.

There is nothing wrong with this scenario – doctor shopping; second opinions are necessary. Seeing more than one doctor is draining, financially and physically, going to and fro to their respective clinics and be subjected to a series of eye tests again. What is wise and practical is to nail down one reputable eye doctor who specializes in the clinical pathway to treat the complications of the post-LASIK complications.

How to Find These Eye Doctor(s)

A cutting-edge practice that has the experience, knowledge, expertise, and passion defines an expert eye doctor. Global Contact Lens Specialists has affiliated trained doctors for the treatment and management of Post LASIK complications throughout the country:

Baltimore, Maryland | Denver, Colorado | Seattle, Washington | Miami, Florida | Charlotte, North Carolina | Chicago, Illinois | Dallas, Texas | Youngstown, Ohio | Phoenix, Arizona | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Boston, Massachusetts | New York, New York | Salt Lake City, Utah

Complications After LASIK Surgery

What To Do After Lasik Surgery?

LASIK eye surgery is a procedure to correct refractive errors. This method has become very popular across the globe, making it very accessible to all with a refractive eye problem. LASIK allows the eye to be free from contact lenses and eyeglasses for a very long time. In fact, millions of people in the US have undergone this procedure to correct their vision. However, there are also side effects or complications of this procedure that you need to know.

After LASIK

The common side effects of LASIK surgery include, haze, seeing halos around the eye, dry eyes and fluctuating vision. These side effects are expected to last for a few weeks, and in some cases for more than four month. However, some common side effects can trigger a more serious problem.

The complications of this procedure are a game changer. One might suffer from moderate to severe visual aberrations. Apart from the physical stress,  one has to address the emotional and psychological anxiety caused by the postoperative outcome.

What People Are Commonly Doing

Unfortunately, patients having suffered the complications of the eye procedure would seek another eye doctor to treat their condition.  Eyesight restoration after the LASIK surgery is not for every eye doctor to treat. It takes expert knowledge and skills to restore the damaged cornea caused by LASIK. Often patients will go back  for a LASIK touch-up or enhancement, but unfortunately this can increase the complications.

Expert Eye Doctor

What separates an eye doctor to another eye doctor is their expertise in the field. Second opinions, in this case, are necessary to put an end to one’s vision problem. The main goal here is to seek a treatment that can restore the eyes to its fullest.

There is hope for people with post LASIK complications. There are expert eye doctors who have the experience, invested in acquiring the most modern equipment, continue to advance their knowledge and skills to help those who are not completely free from post LASIK vision problems.

Where To Find The Experts

Hopping from one doctor to the other does not offer a guarantee of a complete treatment. What is vital here is for one to connect with a dependable eye doctor, that is known in the eye industry. A doctor who can help manage and treat the complications of post-LASIK successfully. The post LASIK management and treatment is often a non-surgical intervention with the use of (specialty) contact lenses, scleral lenses, PVR PROSE, EyePrint Pro, and other options. (soft lenses, RGP lenses, hybrids, scleral hybrids)

LASIK surgery is a modern way to correct the eye vision caused by a refractive error, and there are post-surgery complications that some people have suffered. Fortunately, these complications are treatable by doctors who specialize in the restoration of post refractive surgery.

For more information visit LASIKFailures.com

PROSE Lenses – Pellucid Marginal Degeneration (PMD)

Pellucid Marginal Degeneration:

Pellucid Marginal Degeneration is a sub-category of Keratoconus. Pellucid corneas involve a larger distorted geographic area usually extending from the inferior corneal margins up to the center of the cornea. It is not unusual for 50% or more of the corneal surface to be involved. Because so much of the cornea can be affected, fitting this type of cornea can be challenging. The problem we face as eye care practitioners is fitting the steep areas if the cornea without adversely affecting the flatter areas.

PVR PROSE Lenses | GPVR PROSE Treatment:

PVR PROSE- Precision Vision Rehabilitation  Prosthetic Replacement of the Ocular Surface Ecosystem

Our PVR PROSE Treatment is a process that uses a prosthetic device, like a scleral lens, to replace the ocular surface to provide functional vision to complex corneal conditions. Utilizing our knowledge, experience, and technology, like the Vistante- Optical Coherence Tomography OCT, we are able to customize a prosthetic PROSE lens, with the precise measurements down to the micron. With an exact fit, there is proper movement, comfort, and perfect vision.

PROSE Lenses are large-diameter gas permeable contact lenses specially designed to vault the entire corneal surface and rest on the “white” of the eye (sclera). In doing so, PROSE scleral lenses functionally replace the irregular cornea with a perfectly smooth optical surface to correct vision problems caused by, keratoconus, Lasik failures, post-surgical complications, and other corneal irregularities.

Because PROSE Lenses / scleral lenses are designed to vault the corneal surface and rest on the less sensitive surface of the sclera, these lenses often are more comfortable for a person with corneal irregularities caused by keratoconus and other corneal irregularities A special liquid fills the space between the back surface of the lens and the front surface of the cornea. This liquid acts as a buffer and protects the compromised corneal tissue. Scleral lenses are designed to fit with little or no lens movement during blinks, making them more stable on the eye, compared with traditional corneal gas permeable lenses. These lenses are almost always very comfortable and the vision provided by them is extremely good. The great majority of patients are able to wear their scleral lenses almost all of their waking hours without problems.

Dr. Irwin Azman, Keratoconus Specialists in Maryland, prescribes PVR PROSE Lenses for a variety of hard-to-fit eyes, including patients with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Radial Keratotomy and Lasik Complications and Lasik failures, keratoconus, Corneal Ectasia, Post-Surgical Vision Loss, and Pellucid Marginal Degeneration.

Dr. Irwin Azman specializes in keratoconus, LASIK failures and other corneal irregularities neither avoids nor declines the challenge of prescribing the most difficult cases.

PVR PROSE Lenses for Post LASIK Side Effects

PVR PROSE Lenses are helpful in a lot of post LASIK complications and side effects including corneal ectasia, irregular astigmatism, dry eyes, etc.

PVR PROSE Lenses don’t come in contact with the cornea of the eye, therefore they’re helpful in patients having sensitive or irregular cornea, where soft and conventional contact lenses can’t be used.

There is a film of tear between the PVR PROSE Lens and the cornea, which provides a cushion as well as helps in uniform refraction while the light rays pass through the lens, cornea and the gap in between.

PVR PROSE Lens for post Lasik ectasia

PVR PROSE Lenses and dry eyes

PVR PROSE Lenses and nearsightedness or farsightedness

PVR PROSE Lenses and irregular astigmatism

PVR PROSE Lenses can be helpful in patients suffering with irregular astigmatism after the LASIK procedure.

If you’re having any complications after LASIK procedure consult our specialist to discuss the post Lasik side effects in your case and the best possible treatment options for you.

Post Lasik Ectasia

Post Lasik ectasia of the cornea is one of the most severe complications of Lasik (Laser in situ Keratomileusis).

The Lasik procedure permanently weakens and thins out the cornea, resulting in progressive changes in the cornea such as steepening or bulging, called ectasia. Corneal ectasia results in the visual deterioration.

Keratoconus vs Ectasia

Keratoconus and post Lasik ectasia (keratectasia) are histologically two different processes. Keratoconus is a corneal disorder that isn’t related to surgery and affects both eyes. It begins usually in late teenage years or around puberty. Keratectasia is a result of corneal manipulation during surgery, like Lasik. If the patient didn’t have keratoconus before surgery and didn’t have any family history of the disease, then the post Lasik weakening of the cornea is probably keratectasia (ectasia).

Risk factors of Post Lasik Ectasia

Most common risk factors of post Lasik Ectasia in order of significance are:

  • Abnormal preoperative topography
  • Low residual stromal bed (RSB) thickness
  • Young age
  • Low perioperative corneal thickness
  • High myopia

Post Lasik Ectasia

Treatment of Post Lasik Ectasia

Treatment options for post Lasik ectasia include:

Contact lenses

Contact lenses are helpful in the rehabilitation of vision in patients with post Lasik ectasia. The types of contact lenses best for the patient can be variable as per the exact symptoms and case along with patient’s personal preference. Some of the options include:

  • Rigid gas permeable contact lenses (RGP)
  • Scleral contact lenses
  • Soft contact lenses (custom wavefront guided)
  • Hybrid contact lenses
  • Tandem soft contact lenses

Preferably scleral lenses and rigid gas permeable contact lenses are chosen for the patients. However if they are intolerant to the rigid gas permeable lenses they can be advised the tandem soft contact lenses, hybrid contact lenses and the scleral contact lenses as the next options.

Intracorneal ring segments

Intracorneal ring segments (ICRS) are used in post Lasik ectasia patients having thin cornea that can’t tolerate the contact lens. The size, symmetry, location and number of segments to use are dependent on the individual case and surgeon’s decision.

Corneal collagen cross-linking

The anterior thin layer of cornea is weakened during the flap creation. Most of the cross linking effect occurs in that almost 200 microns of anterior layer of cornea. Cross linking has been claimed to stop the progress of ectasia therefore corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) can be used to stop post Lasik ectasia from getting worse.

Combination therapies

Some patients might need and benefit from the combination therapies including intracorneal ring segments or corneal crosslinking or any other combined therapy.

Penetrating keratoplasty

Penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) is used as the last resort in patients with post Lasik estasia.

Global Complex Eye Care was specifically designed, equipped, and staffed to provide patients with nothing but the finest in professional eye care. As Post LASIK specialists, we have successfully treated patients with Post Lasik Ectasia, Keratoconus, LASIK Dry Eye and other side effects, Pellucid Marginal Degeneration, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, and other irregular corneas. Optometrists and Ophthalmologists from all over Maryland and surrounding states refer patients to Dr. Irwin Azman.

For more information please call, (240) 782-2020
to schedule your complimentary telephone consultation.

 

Scleral lenses related to post Lasik side effects

Scleral contact lenses are specialized lenses that are made of a high oxygen permeable material and are larger in diameter as compared to conventional lenses.

Scleral contact lenses aren’t a contact lens in strict sense, as they don’t have any contact with the cornea of an eye. The lens rests on the sclera of the eye and doesn’t move with the movement of the eyeball.

Scleral lenses for post Lasik complications

Scleral contact lenses are helpful in a lot of post Lasik complications and side effects including corneal ectasia, irregular astigmatism, dry eyes, etc.

Scleral contact lenses don’t come in contact with the cornea of the eye, therefore they’re helpful in patients having sensitive or irregular cornea, where soft and conventional contact lenses can’t be used.

There is a film of tear between the scleral contact lens and the cornea, which provides a cushion as well as helps in uniform refraction while the light rays pass through the lens, cornea and the gap in between.

scleral-contact-lenses-lasik

Scleral contact lens for post Lasik ectasia

Corneal damage in post Lasik patients can lead to corneal ectasia. Conventional and soft lenses that rest on the cornea are useless in this condition as they sit on the cornea and cannot maintain their contour as they adjust with the corneal surface.

Scleral contact lenses rest on the sclera and have no contact with the cornea directly; therefore their shape isn’t affected by cornea irregularities and ectasia, providing unaffected refraction of light from the lens surface.

Scleral contact lenses and dry eyes

As scleral contact lenses don’t come in contact with the cornea of the eye, they are useful in patients who can’t tolerate the contact lenses otherwise due to the dry eyes.

Scleral contact lenses and nearsightedness or farsightedness

Patients left with refractive errors or having an over correction can use scleral contact lenses to correct the myopia or hyperopia in their eyes.

Scleral contact lenses and irregular astigmatism

Scleral contact lenses can be helpful in patients suffering with irregular astigmatism after the Lasik procedure.

If you’re having any complications after Lasik procedure consult a specialist to discuss the post Lasik side effects in your case and the best possible treatment options for you.

A LASIK Enhancement may NOT be the best option

LASIK is a laser eye surgery performed to fix the refractive errors of the eye. Lasik is used to correct:

  • Myopia (nearsightedness)
  • Hyperopia (farsightedness)
  • Astigmatism

People undergoing the Lasik procedure expect not to use contact lenses or eyeglasses again in their lives. Although there is good success rate of Lasik and other refractive eye surgeries (PRK), there are some cases where the results may not be the ones expected.

post lasik

Lasik failures and complications do occur frequently but are commonly minor to mild side effects. However when severe Lasik side effects occur they may include partial or complete loss of vision ,along with refractive errors and visual disturbances.

A Lasik enhancement may NOT be the best option

Most patients experiencing post Lasik complications may not be candidates for Lasik enhancements altogether. While those who do opt for enhancement surgery might not be choosing the best option available. Repeated Lasik procedure can result in more damage to the cornea.

Important considerations for Lasik enhancements

Lasik enhancement procedure depends on three basic factors:

  • Timing: Lasik enhancement can only be done after the vision stabilizes after the Lasik procedure, that means around 2-3 months
  • Repeat pre-Lasik evaluation: If someone had Lasik before doesn’t mean that the eyes are still good candidate for repeat Lasik. A detailed pre-Lasik evaluation has to be done again including carefully checking the thickness of cornea.
  • Type of procedures: the type of first surgery and the remaining thickness of cornea below the flap help in deciding the type of procedure to be performed.

When Lasik enhancement isn’t possible?

There are several situations in which Lasik enhancement isn’t recommended including:

  • When remaining cornea is very thin
  • Post Lasik ectesia
  • Keratoconus

Options for post Lasik complications

The best option for post Lasik complication can vary from case to case therefore always consult a specialist to discuss and figure out the best option in your case.

In cases where the repeat Lasik procedure for enhancement isn’t suitable option, the best option is usually using contact lenses or eyeglasses, again based on what’s best in your individual case.

Contact lenses for post Lasik complications include:

Gas permeable contact lenses

Gas permeable contact lenses are rigid and maintain their shape on the eye, without resting on cornea and adjusting according to its shape like soft lenses do.

The space between the lens and the cornea is filled with tears that cover the irregular corneal surface. This helps in avoiding any blurring of vision due to corneal irregularity or other visual distortions.

Modified gas permeable contact lenses

Modified GP contact lenses with larger diameter, flat center or aspheric optics can be specially designed for the post Lasik complication patients as per their individual needs.

Scleral contact lenses

Scleral contact lenses cover the entire cornea and rest on the sclera of the eye. They are especially helpful in patients with post Lasik corneal aberrations and those having irregular astigmatism.

Scleral contact lenses also help in relieving dry eyes.

Hybrid contact lenses

Hybrid contact lenses help in aberration correction while being very comfortable. They’re equally effective as gas permeable contact lenses while being easier to adapt!

High-definition eyeglass lenses

Special eyewear, also called “free-form” lenses, can be used to correct minor errors of refraction effectively for patients who don’t want to wear contact lenses. They are especially helpful in patients without any significant corneal aberrations.

Global Complex Eye Care is specifically designed, equipped, and staffed to provide patients with nothing but the finest in professional eye care. As Post LASIK specialists, we have successfully treated patients with Keratoconus, RK, PRK, and LASIK failures and complications, cornea ectasia, Pellucid Marginal Degeneration, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, and other irregular corneas. Optometrists and Ophthalmologists from all over Maryland and surrounding states refer patients to Dr. Irwin Azman.
For more information please visit www.LasikFailures.com 

Dr. Oz Show Discusses Long-term Side Effects of LASIK

An episode of the Dr. Oz Show, which aired on October 3rd, 2013, featured an investigative report about the potential life-long side effects of LASIK eye surgery.

As a popular elective surgery, nearly 800,000 people get Lasik every year. FDA clinical data trial shows that every modern laser left 1 out of 5 patients seeing worse after LASIK. Side effects include seeing double, seeing halos or starbursts (especially at night), and dry eye pain.

Investigative reporter Elisabeth Leamy has been investigating the harmful side effects of LASIK for over two years. During her undercover consultations with doctors, she discovered that the side effects were minimalized and the procedure was treated like an easy, no-risk procedure.

Morris Waxler, the former FDA official responsible for getting LASIK surgery approved, is now working to get it banned. He says that the side effects of LASIK are actually injuries and that LASIK harms 20% of patients.

lasik problems

LASIK eye surgery works by cutting a flap of the top layer of the cornea and then using a laser to reshape the exposed cornea. Complications can occur when the flap of the cornea is cut too thick, too thin or too far into the cornea. However, even if this cut is perfect, when the flap is put back down it doesn’t necessarily heal perfectly. Years later it can become dislodged and trigger negative side effects. In addition, if there were underlying issues prior to the LASIK surgery that were not treated, LASIK surgery (and enhancement touch-ups) will most likely exacerbate the issues. Unfortunately many post LASIK patients now have life long side effects, ranging from the smallest amount to the most severe.

Dr. Irwin Azman provides treatment for people who underwent LASIK, PRK, and RK sugery but are now experiencing post-surgical side effects and complications.

According to Dr. Azman:

“While LASIK surgery can be successful under optimum eye conditions, unfortunately many patients do experience side effects due to pre-existing conditions. However, there is hope. Utilizing our vast experience and expertise, as well as an array of new technologies, we are able to treat these side effects with non-surgical techniques.”

For more information about treatments for Post LASIK side effects and complications visit www.lasikfailures.com or call (240) 782-2020.