I got LASIK for my wedding — now I’m living in hell with pain

Orchard told Jam Press that she immediately knew something had gone “very wrong” during her surgery. 

“My eyes were so sensitive to light that I spent many days sitting in a darkened room, and it hurt to look at the phone or computer screens for more than a minute or two,” she recalled.

“The pain felt like shards of glass slicing into my eyes, and I had a pins and needles sensation across my face, as well as burning and stinging.”

The slightest change in the atmosphere would send her wincing in agony.

“Even minor environmental triggers, such as wind or air condition, caused heightened levels of pain that felt unbearable,” said Orchard. 

“I was forced to wear large protective eyewear to minimize the impact,” she added. “I was often made fun of for wearing the eyewear in public settings, which became a source of anxiety and stress.” 

Orchard was ultimately diagnosed with bilateral post-laser corneal neuralgia — a condition that causes pain in the eyes and face due to nerve damage in the corneas. It’s one of the many risks of LASIK.

In fact, in 2019, a former Food and Drug Administration adviser argued that the surgery should be “banned” as a practice, owing to its many complications.

Orchard says she wasn’t informed of the dangers of the procedure and felt “gaslit” by her surgeon after receiving his grim prognosis.

“I was highly distressed when I was initially diagnosed, and I remember leaving the appointment with tears streaming down my face,” she said. “I was filled with fear upon discovering that the pain I had been enduring would persist as an ongoing issue, without the prospect of a cure.”

Her physical torment is compounded by the post traumatic stress disorder she’s suffered since the flubbed treatment, as well as the financial distress she now faces.

“The savings I had carefully accumulated for purchasing a home quickly dwindled as I faced mounting medical expenses,” lamented Orchard. 

“The medications I rely on to manage my condition have created an obstacle to starting a family, further impacting my hopes of becoming a parent,” she said, adding that she’s also developed a deep distrust of the healthcare system. 

Her countless woes notwithstanding, Orchard got married in the midst of her recovery process. But the belle’s big day wasn’t without torture. 

“Fortunately, we went ahead with our wedding day despite seriously contemplating its cancellation for a while,” she said. 

A team of physicians concocted a blend of pharmaceuticals that aided in her comfort during her holy matrimony.   

“To ensure I could manage the day, my pain specialist, [general practitioner] and ophthalmologist collaborated to develop a medication plan,” said Orchard. “I still experienced significant pain and needed some time to recover, but it was a beautiful day.” 

With the support of her husband, loved ones and a small army of doctors, Orchard is on the mend. And although her sight has improved since the surgery, she still has to wear her glasses.

Orchard is now urging folks online to take extreme precautions before gambling with their eye health. 

“Educate yourself on risks and complications, consider long-term implications,” she encouraged. “Don’t discard your glasses too soon, ensure your surgeon is equipped to handle complications, and seek a second opinion if needed.” 

And laser eye surgery patient wannabes on TikTok seem to be seeing things Orchard’s way.  

“Wow glad I saw this. I’ll keep my contacts and glasses. Thanks for sharing,” wrote a commenter. 

“My lasik left me with chronic dry eyes and after five years I needed glasses again. Was way too young when I got it [at 21],” another confessed. 

“I have had Lasik surgery done about 3.5 years ago and I get eye infections all the time now,” admitted a fellow patient. “I think because my eyes are always so dry.”