[darlindeb25]

Yesterday at work, we were discussing lasik surgery. The optician was saying that when they slice the lens of the eye and peel it back, the nerves are cut and NEVER heal, saying nerves can't heal. I told him that nerves absolutely can heal and he gave me a look like, "Don't ever cross my opinion because you know not what you speak of!" So, after the glare at me, he says, "Well, nerves can't heal, especially nerves that are cut, they do not reconnect."

I was just researching lasik surgery to see what I could find and everything I read says just what I told him, nerves do heal. It says that many patients will experience dry eye soon after surgery because the nerve hasn't healed yet and isn't triggering the tears to work properly.

I was very disappointed in this opinion and began to doubt what I thought I knew. Yet, my mind kept wandering back to everything I have learned in this forum about nerve regeneration and such. Thank you all so much for the education I do get from each and everyone of you!

[dahlek]

Because eye nerves are 'autonomic'? You wouldn't likely 'feel' them.... Humm
Having gone thru cataract surgeries for both eyes? Those post-op eye drops make sense? As the sensory nerves that trigger eye tears and such wouldn't work post-surgery. Nerves can't signal the right responses if damaged...DUH
I guess, I'd rebut to the surgeon? Why do you eventually start-then-stop the 'artifical tears'?
BTW, I didn't have 'Lasic'? I had real knife and implant surgery, but for one eye I had laser later to remove some scar tissues... Did anti-biotic drops then as well.
The other problematic issue could be? HOW many nerves were disturbed and/or destroyed?
Either 'manual' or laser surgeries do pose a potential for a heap of 'nerve' damages. As there are a HEAP of nerves around the eyes.
How well, and fast they can grow? Well, Mrs D has proposed lots of research based approaches to help things along. Take into consideration that we are all different, and thus no one particular course of treatment is set in concrete.
!!'s - j

[mrsD]

http://www.ionchannels.org/showabstr...?pmid=15106930

And another reason to use fish oil ! (DHA is in fish oil).

http://www.news-medical.net/news/201...lar-aging.aspx

Here is an interesting article about krill oil and dry eye.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Krill-Oil-...Eye&id=5624152

[Brian]

Hi Deb, I have had lazer eye surgery done to correct vision a few years ago, after the stuff that the eye surgeon give me started to wear off, it got pretty painfull on the way home only because one of the staff neglected to give me pain meds when leaving the surgery, i did get some the next day but if nerves didn't heal wouldn't the eye be still painfull ?



Brian

[daniella]

Hi well I have eye problems and pain that some who have had problems with lasik have. The pain I experience with my eyes I really caution you about lasik. Though for many it is safe some have horrible side effects that don't go away. Think of your nerve pain you in your eyes plus so dry you can't open them in the morning. The eyes can have me in crying pain. I don't know about the actual healing. I will say I have seen 10 eye specialists through my condition and many seemed to know little about nerves. One asked me what RSD was. I don't know about the healing of eye nerves though
Fish oil and flax was suggested by the doctors like Mrs D said to help with the dryness. Can't say I feel a difference but can't hurt I guess.
Sorry to sound negative just concerned.

[darlindeb25]

Daniella, I am not having lasik, not even remotely thinking about it. I work for an optometrist, we had a patient being evaluated for lasik, that's how the discussion started. My poorest vision is presbyiopia, meaning I can't read without glasses. Lasik only corrects distance vision...so no worries.

The portion of the discussion I wasn't agreeing with was the optician saying nerves NEVER heal. I know they can..he's stubborn though, and probably will never admit I know what I am talking about!