Helen asks…
Anyone out there had Lasik surgery & happy with results??
I am well aware of risks/benefits/side effects, so I don't need any info on it, just opinions. Thanks!!
admin answers:
I just had it done on friday (2 days ago), i went back in for my day after exam about 18 hours after surgery, and my vision was already 20/15. I would definitely recommend it. I was very nervous at first, but it's been better than expected thus far. The only "complaint", is that my eyes were sore for about the first hour to 2 hours and it made it difficult for me to take a nap as they recommended. If i had to do it again, i would have taken some nyquil as soon as it was over so i would have slept.
Steven asks…
Any cure for LASIK damage?
If someone gets LASIK eye surgery and they're are unfortunately part of that 1% that gets side effects such as blurred vision or blindness.. is there any way to cure that at all? Or is LASIK a serious risk people are taking that could just cause our eyes to be worse than before the operation?
admin answers:
My corneal specialist has seen a couple of the unfortunate 1% LASIK failures since I've been with the practice. He has performed corneal transplants on patients who have had severe flap damage. He did see one last week who had been referred to him because of epithelial ingrowth; he is treating that and that patient has a good prognosis for a full recovery.
Most of the postop complications that are referred are due to infections. Of those people with infections, in our practice about 30% of them were NOT compliant with their postop drop regimen of Pred Forte and antibiotics, got water in their eyes before the recommended 1-2 weeks postop and ended up with acanthomoeba infections.
My data collection has shown that in the past 10 years, my corneal specialist has seen 6 people total for problems like corneal ectasia, laser induced astigmatism, one case of undiagnosed glaucoma, and one case where the patient had an undiagnosed connective tissue disease...the last two are definite contraindications, and the corneal ectasia was due to the original surgeon not leaving enough cornea.
I pull together research and data for my ophthalmologists and in looking things up, flap problems do not make up that much of postop complications...about 7% of the patients referred to my corneal specialist. Keep in mind...this is just ONE practice in one area...and we are mostly a referral clinic.
There are always going to be risks with ANY surgery, whether it be LASIK/PRK, appendectomy, tonsils out, ear tubes in. It all has to do with the experience of the surgeon, how well maintained their equipment is, and following postop instructions to minimize those risks.
The link below has a lot of information, including contraindications (who should NOT have LASIK/PRK), complications, treatments of complications, and prognosis outcomes.
Thomas asks…
I'm considering lasik surgery. What do I need to know?
I'm turning 18 in April. I've worn glasses since I was 6; I got contacts around 12 or 13.
My contacts are currently at -6.5 and -7, though I feel that I may need a stronger perscription.
It's really annoying to have to worry about glasses and contacts, and I'm seriously considering Lasik surgery in the near future. I haven't done too much research on the subject yet because I've just come to the decision that I want to have this procedure done. I have an appointment to see an eye doctor (for a general check up and new glasses) in a few weeks and I plan on asking him about Lasik surgery, but here are some questions that I would like to have answered before I see him:
Am I at the right age to get the surgery? Or should I wait a few years?
Do many insurance companies cover such procedures?
What are the risks?
What are my chances of having the procedure and it not improving my eyesight?
Are there any other side effects from the procedure?
What exactly do they do during the procedure?
If there's any other information you think is necessary to add, that would be great.
Thank you!
admin answers:
Specs:
*You have to be at least 18
*You have to have an either barely or no change in your eyesight for at least 1 year
Risks:
*There's a 5-10% chance that there will be a problem in the procedure
Chances:
*Very Slim
Side Effects:
*Pain in the eyes
*Blood in eyes
*Dry eyes
*Redness
*Etc
Procedure:
1. They "Freeze" the eye
2. Cut a thin flap of eye flesh halfway off with a weird device
3. At random times, rewet the eye
4. Get laser
5. "Carve" eye to the correct shape
6. Fold back the eye flap
7. Rewet eye
8. Cover eyes with patches and weird bug-eye looking glass "containers"
Here's a video from a Discovery Channel "How It's Made" show :D:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V4I2xzwGd4
Close-Up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4kDC4sZ5Jg&feature=related
Laura asks…
Any information on Lasik?
What do you think about lasik surgery? Is it safe and worth doing it already or are we still risk from night blind vision and all other side effects.
admin answers:
Hi,
I underwent Lasik vision correction in Feb 2005. Prior to my surgery, my vision was so bad I couldn't even read the big "E" on the chart, and couldn't read my alarm clock when it was less than a foot from my face in the morning.
I'm not going to lie, the first week sucked. I had to wear goofy sunglasses all the time, even when I slept, my vision was kind of blurry, and I had to put eye drops in every 30 min or so. I experienced haloing for about 3-6 months. However, after that, I haven't looked back. I was told prior to surgery I'd likely still need glasses, but 2 years later, I'm still loving my 20/20 vision.
As with any procedure, there are risks. A Lasik MD would be in the best position to tell you if you are at increased risk for the procedure. Your best bet is to make an appointment for a consultation (mine was free) to see what your options are. Also, I would go with a more expensive procedure (they're newer and have fewer risks). It's your eyes, it's worth the extra money.
Paul asks…
Ahhh help, very important issue!!!?
My dream in life is to become a fighter pilot. I am physically fit, am one of the top in my class, and have numerous leadership roles at my school. I am also in civil air patrol. The problem is i wear contacts and from what i heard pilots who wear contacts won't get accepted...So my last resort is LASIK when i get older. My questions are
a. Is LASIK necessary and are there pilots that wear contacts.
b. What are the risks with LASIK and also possible permanent/temporary side effects?
c. what is the minimum age to be able to get LASIK.
d. If i get LASIK, will that reduce my chances of getting a pilot slot. (Considering that i can see perfectly in the day, night, etc.)
Thank you for your time..
admin answers:
I recommend checking the actual vision requirements of the branch you intend to join before you take on the costs and risks of surgery. It is a common misconception that you cannot wear glasses to meet vision requirements.
Check out US Air Force vision requirements:
"Distant vision: Uncorrected 20/70, but corrected to 20/20
Near vision: Uncorrected 20/30, but corrected to 20/20"
"Corrective eye surgery could be a disqualifier"
http://www.afrotc.com/admissions/medicalReq.php
Also see:
http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/genjoin/a/pilotvision.htm
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