Entertainer Kathy Griffin's LASIK Nightmare

[Sandy - LASIKdisaster.com - LASIKmemorial.com]

Kathy Griffin Exclusive: Why She May Be Losing Her Eyesight

May 11, 2005
Funny woman KATHY GRIFFIN is not laughing. She is afraid she may be
losing the sight in her right eye due to a rare condition called
epithelial ingrowth, which she developed after her third LASIK surgery.

During the process of LASIK, a flap is cut in the cornea, folded back
and then replaced. It is possible that some of the outermost layer of
cells from the cornea (the epithelium) may get under the flap. The
epithelial cells start growing under the LASIK flap, causing
discoloration and vision that is out of focus. This is a rare but
treatable condition and, according to DR. STEPHEN SLADE, one of the
foremost experts in refractive surgical techniques, the condition
occurs in less than 1% of LASIK patients who are predisposed to the
condition -- it is a healing disorder, and can happen regardless of the
doctor's surgery.

At her home in Los Angeles, with a cloudy spot visible in her right
eye, an emotional Griffin told ET's MARK STEINES, "There is only one
reason I'm coming to you guys and that's honestly to get the word out
as a cautionary tale. I'm not getting anything out of this. I'm not
getting any money. I'm not suing anybody; I'm not doing it for
publicity; I'm only trying to tell my story, my opinions, my
experience."

After Kathy's third LASIK surgery in 2003, her doctor discovered
epithelial ingrowth, opened the flap in her eye once more and,
according to Kathy, "[scraped] off the cells." Shortly there after, the
cells returned.

"I lost it," she told Mark. "I lost it. I was sitting in his office
crying, thinking I'm going to lose my vision in my right eye."

Fortunately for Kathy, the conclusion of her vision nightmare may be
just around the corner. "I hope that maybe I can get my vision back, or
maybe arrest it so it doesn't get any worse," Kathy confided in ET,
adding with genuine fear about her future, "I really don't know."

After approaching several new doctors, Kathy decided to go with
industry leader DR. KERRY ASSIL to perform a procedure to treat the
condition, which may offer her hope and a cure. "The biggest challenge
is to help her overcome the fear of having treatment rather than
neglecting it," Assil told ET.

[Glenn - USAEyes.org]

I have no doubt that Ms. Griffin is upset at having epithelial
ingrowth, but her reported prognosis is so dire as to wonder what on
earth she is going on about.

Epithelial ingrowth is possibly one of the most benign complications a
person can have after LASIK or IntraLASIK. For more details, visit
http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/subjects/ingrowth.htm

Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
USAEyes.org

"Consider and Choose With Confidence"

Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org

http://www.USAEyes.org
http://www.ComplicatedEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

[serebel]

This must have made sandy jump for joy. If Griffin had a hangnail,
Sandy would've blamed it on lasik.

SErebel

[c]

I can understand her concern. If the epithelial ingrowth is located
where it obstructs central vision, it can be visually debilitating. You
literally cannot see through it. I had epithelial ingrowth after my
LASIK that obstructed my central vision. My epithelial ingrowth was
dead center. It was miserable to have no central vision in my right
eye. I had a flap lift, scraping and flushing to rid my eye of the
ingrowth. I completely understand her fear at the prospect of having
that procedure done a second time. It was very painful.

[johnm...@yahoo.com]

Glenn - USAEyes. org wrote:
> I have no doubt that Ms. Griffin is upset at having epithelial
> ingrowth, but her reported prognosis is so dire as to wonder what on
> earth she is going on about.
>
> Epithelial ingrowth is possibly one of the most benign complications
a
> person can have after LASIK or IntraLASIK. For more details, visit
> http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/subjects/ingrowth.htm

Benign?

Mr. "I am not a doctor" here obviously has never heard of a flap melt
resulting from epithelial ingrowth.

Naturally, he is under a self-imposed professional obligation to defend
his CRSQA-certified doctor (Robert Maloney in this case - see
www.kathygriffin.net) and discredit the patient.

[serebel]

C,

After treatment, how did it turn out? You see, Sandy here would have
one believe that this is incurable.

SErebel

[Glenn - USAEyes.org]

It would appear that this poster did not bother to read the article
cited in my previous post.

[serebel]

John doe's little rant here doesn't ring true unless you leave ingrowth
untreated. Also, Glenn, in no way tried to discredit the patient.

SErebel

[c]

serebel wrote:

I don't see where Sandy said that. However, my flap lift, scraping and
flushing got rid of the ingrowth. My first point is that if the
ingrowth is in the central vision, it's scary because you can't see. My
second point is that the procedure to get rid of it is mighty painful,
at least it was for me. I wouldn't want to have to do it again.

[serebel]

Of course it's scary when you can't see because of ingrowth that
affects your central vision. My point is that it's treatable(ingrowth).

Did the treatment restore your central vision?

SErebel

[c]

serebel wrote:

My central vision in that eye, since you asked, is still not good due to
striae. Can't have everything. The ingrowth is gone and that did greatly
improve my vision. The procedure to remove ingrowth was successful for
me.

[Sandy - LASIKdisaster.com - LASIKmemorial.com]

A couple of years ago, I heard from another patient that Dr. Assil
actually trained Dr. Maloney, so I'm sure Kathy has made a good
decision in placing her trust in him. I can really sympathize with
what she is going through right now.

[Ragnar]

You can sympathise with Osama Bin Laden and Martha Stewart too.

On 12 May 2005 22:39:24 -0700, "Sandy - LASIKdisaster.com -