Post-SMILE Surgery Experience and Insights
As someone who underwent ReLEx SMILE surgery six months ago, I am writing to share my experience and offer insights for those considering this procedure. My left eye's vision has remained clear, but my right eye's vision has been less than satisfactory, causing me significant distress and discomfort.
Initial Issues with ReLEx SMILE Surgery
After undergoing the ReLEx SMILE surgery, my right eye's vision has been particularly troubling. I have experienced a persistent issue where my vision is obscured, making it difficult to see both near and far objects. My surgeon mentioned micro edemas as a possible cause, but I believe there might be other underlying factors at play.
Visual Symptoms and Evidence
Upon examining my right eye, I noticed that the vision improves when I gently press the right side of my eyelid. This suggests that there might be a physical obstruction or condition affecting the vision in my right eye. Additionally, my right eye can see far objects slightly better at night than during the day, which raises further concerns about the post-operative results.
Post-Surgery Complications
My surgeon has suggested that I might be a victim of the surgery machine or the operator. Another possibility is anatomical reasons, but my vision was good 10 years ago, indicating a potential issue with my post-operative condition. While I am using eye lubricant drops, the frequent discomfort and headaches I experience in my right eye make it difficult to perform daily activities.
Given the complications, I am seriously considering visiting another ophthalmologist to assess the situation further. The recent evaluation by another oculist revealed that my right eye is 5 years older than my left in terms of hypermetropia. Post-surgery, the hypermetropia has become more pronounced, requiring me to use glasses for distance vision, which I find uncomfortable compared to my glasses for near vision. If I had known about this potential issue before, I might have chosen a different surgical method, such as No Touch Laser.
Pre- and Post-Op Experiences
My pre-op refractive status was -3.00/-0.75 for the right eye and -3.75/-1.00 for the left eye, both corrected to 20/15. At 5 weeks and 2 days, the right eye had increased to -1.25/-0.75, while the left eye remained at -0.25. Post-surgery, at 2 months and 3 weeks, the right eye had improved to -0.25/-0.25, with the left eye at 0.25/-0.25. Currently, at 9 weeks and 4 days, my vision is clear and stable, but the right eye takes longer to heal and only became clear at the beginning of the second month post-op.
Day 0 to Day 3 Initial Experiences
On the day of the pre-op, I had -3.00 in my right eye and -3.25 in my left eye, corrected with glasses to 20/15 in both eyes. Post-surgery, on day 1, I woke up feeling that my right eye was working great, but my left eye was blurry with a trailing effect on lights. I couldn't read the phone with either eye open, leading to significant disappointment. The trail caused by my left eye was distracting and could potentially affect my career as an astronaut or pilot, as well as my ability to drive at night.
On days 2 and 3, my right eye showed a better recovery, with a clear vision of 20/20, while my left eye remained blurry. At night, my right eye could see far objects better than my left eye, further emphasizing the need for further evaluation and possible intervention.
Conclusion and Advice
Based on my experience, it is essential for individuals considering ReLEx SMILE surgery to have a thorough understanding of the potential risks and post-operative outcomes. It is crucial to follow up regularly with your ophthalmologist and discuss any concerns early on. Alternative procedures, such as No Touch Laser, might be worth considering if you are hesitant about post-surgical complications.