Has anyone had Laser Eye Surgery? thoughts and advice would be appreciated as i have a consultation tomorrow. Thanks All

[SNOWWHITESHELLY]

[janiceray]

Sorry don't know you will have to ask at the Consultation.

Good luck

[IMillar]

I did consider eye surgery to correct short sightedness few years ago. They did a very thorough examination and detailed history concluding that they would not recomend surgery in my case. That things might not heal as well, the increased risk of infection and the fact that they cannot guarantee that I wouldn't need glasses ( I am very shortsighted). I just wear conntact lenses now and have no problems with them. I was happy that the hospital were straight with me even though I was paying for the ops.

[MrsScully]

My husband had it done a few years ago and he would highly recommend it. I would say however from a lupus point of view it possibly is not a great idea. There is a lot of healing involved, which could be difficult because of a potentially low white blood cell count because of steroids and immunosuppressants. Also, since he's had it done it has caused his eyes to become very dry, he has to use drops a lot. Us lupies can suffer from sjorgens and I think laser eye surgery could perhaps exacerbate that. But if the consultant you see is good and responsible, he or she will probably mention these things to you. Good luck!

[NeeNaw]

My daughter and other friends have had this done ..... and my thoughts when I saw the process of all the drops later that I knew if I ever had to have this surgery it would definitely put me into a flare. That is only my opinion.

[SNOWWHITESHELLY]

Thanks everyone for your responses. Off shortly to see what the Optician says! Many Thanks x

[fruitloop]

Hi I was considering it myself ... my consultant wasn't overly keen and mentioned the dry eye problem. He also said to look into it more and not have it done in a shopping mall! I have decided to put the idea out of my head. Not worth the risk .... anyhow how bad can my eyesight be? I can see the moon ....

[Lyndsy3]

Hi i really wanted it doing soI went for a consultation and they said there shouldn't be any problems due to me having lupus but that because i was taking hydroxychloroquine i wasn't able to have it done.

[Ca2jarman]

What does this have to do with Lupus?

[sebitha]

I had my eyesight corrected before my SLE diagnosis. Although I had Lupus at the time. So, I wasn't on Prednisolone or Plaquenil as I am now. I had 3 corrections. asigmatisim, short sightedness and the long sightness that ageing brings.

I went to Moorfields in London as I wanted and experienced surgeon. My eyes were dryer for longer after surgery, this cleared up. Currently my dry eyes are part of my come and go Lupus symptoms.

My astigmatisism was completly cured. My distance vision has changed, which is a little dissapointing, I may need glasses again. My long sightedness has also changed, my surgeon said this could happen, apparently it plateau's at some stage.

I am glad I did it, my vision was troublesome because the speed between my close and distance vision was slow, it added to my frustration about my overall slowness and inhibited me especialy as I was teaching and I couldn't scan my classroom and quickley know that all my pupils were engaged.

Good luck, I'd be interested to know what you choose to do

[SNOWWHITESHELLY]

Thank you Sebitha, interesting to hear your experience. Sorry to other readers if i didnt explain i have SLE and Raynuads. I am currently in remission thanks to a cocktail of drugs which have taken my fab consultant 5 years to perfect! My Laser consultation yesterday went well and my eyes are healthy. Just waiting for approval from my hospital consultant that i am well enough to take the plunge. Will let you know the outcome when i have had the procedure done (fingers crossed) next week!!

[sebitha]

You are welcome, the procedure is quick and painless, and I could see better than I had ever seen with my glasses within minutes!

I look forward to hearing how it goes.

[lupiedeb]

I enquired about laser surgery and was told I couldn't have it because of the lupus, I even asked someone in a london practice and was told the same answer No, Due to if I remember correctly either because I was taking plaquenil or azathioprine, can't remember. Hope you get the go ahead, let us all know how you get on

[anne59]

I enquired about this 2 years ago when hubby had his done.Turned down point blank because of Lupus and didn't even get to what medication I was on !

[SNOWWHITESHELLY in reply to anne59]

Hi All, had passed my consultation with flying colours a week ago but was sadly refused surgery yesterday at Optical Express after speaking to a very honest and knowledgable surgeon who refused point blank to carry out surgery on me.

My cocktail of steroids, immunosuppressants and in particular azathioprine were going to possibly cause problems with the healing process etc etc. Bitterly disappointed but alittle angry the initial staff who carried out the consultation didnt know these drugs are a definate no-no even after i expressed a concern myself.

The surgeon told me to never believe anyone who told me otherwise it was NOT safe to have this done. Just feeling sad LUPUS has ruined a little bit of pleasure in my life again-do you know what i mean?! however, i am thankful i had a honest surgeon and have saved myself a lot of money!!

Keep well everyone

x

[sebitha]

Shelly

Sorry to hear you won't be having your eyes repaired? Yes I understand the sadness Lupus brings in regard to quality of life. For me, the idea of not relaxing in the sun isn't even computing yet!

At least you have had good information in the end, and you never know what the future holds, things change, drugs change. I hope you treat yourself with the money you had allocated.

Seb