Lasik Followup - Cotton Fiber Underneath Corner of Flap - What does it mean for me?

Question

I had my three week post-op followup with my local optometrist. Everything had been fine up until today - my Dr. said that there is what looks like a small cotton fiber underneath the flap on the edge in my right eye. Not hanging out or just partial, completely underneath, the edge. I haven't noticed any changes in vision, except dryness is worse in the right eye.

What does that little fiber mean for me? Can it move around underneath the flap and cause problems, or am I just another kid stuck with pencil lead broke off in his eye, metaphorically speaking?

Answer 1

That doesn't happen very often, but it's not that serious..  It won't move around all that much if at all, but what they'll probably do is have to re-create the flap to get it out and put the flap down again, which is fine (Your eyes are the fastest healing parts of your body!) It will just take longer to heal.  Leaving it in there can cause an abrasion (scratched cornea) and you may have a scar (that you won't be able to actually see w/ the naked eye).  Your lasik surgeon should be able to do all this w/out any charges to you.  You'll be fine!

C.T.

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