Patient Inquires About Replacing Contacts
Phillip S. writes:
I have been wearing contacts for about 12 years. I recently went to get an eye exam and new prescription. I was told that I should reduce the amount of time I wear contacts because there is a lack of oxygen going to my eyes. I cannot see without glasses and do not feel comfortable with regular glasses.
I don’t want to go blind or experience worse vision as a result of this surgery. I want the safest procedure with the least possible chance of error or side affects.
At my recent eye exam, it was brought to my attention that my eyelids are low especially my left eye, which has an astigmatism. I was told that this can be resolved through surgery, but know nothing about what is involved in correcting this issue or how it affects my ability to have laser surgery.
Dr. Chynn Replies:
Yes, it’s common that hardworking professionals abuse their eyes and use their contacts for more than 12 hours per day, which is NOT recommended and bad for your eyes, as your eyes don’t get enough O2 so abnormal blood vessels grow into your cornea to try to supply your eye with O2–this is a reason to get LASEK by me, as these abnormal blood vessels will go away afterwards!
There is 0% chance of having a major complication in our OR, because i stopped cutting flaps 5 years ago, so my flap complication rate is now 0, so if you want the safest procedure, you need one without any cutting of any flap, which is the only type of procedure I do these day.
Probably after we laser off your astigmatism your lid droop will improve; this is what happened after iIlasered one of my childhood friend’s brothers, Mike D., whose contact info we can give you (with his permission) when you come in, in case you want to ask him about this, since it seems like you share similar conditions–almost all our patients are happy to do this, because they want others to share their great experience.
Please call for your free consult appointment–see you soon!
Emil William Chynn, MD FACS MBA
