http://et.tv.yahoo.com/ce...lasikintv/



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.

Watch ET for more with Kathy!

FIRSSSSST

ok and thats sad