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So, quick question: Have any of you had LASIK surgery, and, if so, what type of surgery did you have (LASIK, LASEK, or PRK)? I initially thought I should undergo the PRK surgery, so the pressure change from diving wouldn't interfere with the healed corneal flap, but my ophthalmologist said that normal LASIK should be fine. Thanks, and Happy New Year!
I had PRK about two years ago and I have not had any problems. A divemaster friend of mine just had LASIK and he waited about 3 months before diving, he had no problems either. I think if you give your eyes the proper amount of time to heal correctly there is no issue at all.
I had lazik a few years ago. Was diving again after the statutory out of the water time - I forget how long. No more contact lenses = joy.
Had Lasik in 2002, was diving 10 days post op. No problems- highly recommended. Went for an eye exam just a few weeks ago, and was told by my Dr. " Your corneal flap has healed so well that if I hadn't done the Lasik procedure on you I almost wouldn't know it had been done."
I had lasik in 2003.It is great. Just do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had my LASIK last year, I chose the SBK procedure and my only regret is waiting so long to do it. The doctor recommended two weeks out of the water. I have been to Hendley's Castle and Lower Orange since my surgery and had no issues.
Great, thanks so much for sharing your experiences! I just booked my surgery- can't wait to stop losing contacts mid-dive!
The only hobby that I'm aware of the is not friendly to LASIK is astronomy.
i had lasek & waited whatever the time was & things have been fine. the only (non-dive-related) very minor side effect i've had is once in a while when i wake up, my eyes are dry. i close them & roll them around a bit & that moistens them up fine.
And aviation :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Wizard
Had LASIK in 2004. Had a monovision correction (dominant eye for distance, nondominant eye for near-vision). Recommended by my surgeon as I was needing "readers" to read. No problems since, can read fine print no problem. Only have to wear readers to read extremely fine print in dim light, and wear corrective lenses to drive long distances at night only - like coming home from a cave trip. No sweat reading gages underwater. A couple caveats - be sure your vision is stable and not changing. You look like a "spring chicken" so you probably don't need the gomer correction I did. Lasik saves me an incredible amount of time daily in eliminating the hassle of contacts.
Nothing lost however if you decide to wait, as the technology for this procedure seems to improve on a yearly basis. I forgot to add - it's the best thing I ever did concerning my vision!
I had it done in 2007 by a German doctor in Dubai; corrected near-sightedness and astigmatism. Best money I have ever spent and I've not had any problems with it, diving or otherwise.
Forrest- I don't see any bars to LASIK from the FAA other than an assessment. My medical has lapsed so couldn't say for sure what issues would arise with regard to flight status.
Lasik about 15 years ago ... all good.
The FAA posted a warning a few years ago about possible night vision problems. Something about small peripheral light flashes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wendy Thurman
I had Halos around colored lights and Starbursts around white lights for a few years after mine in 2000. They went away. Astronomy isn't affected, nor microscopy.Quote:
Originally Posted by FW
You can pass a flight physical after LASIK. One of my good friends had it and has passed his physical without any problems - damn well better have as I fly with him in his V-tail Bonanza (aka "The Doctor Killer"(!).Quote:
Originally Posted by FW
http://www.allaboutvision.com/condit...potsfloats.htmQuote:
Originally Posted by FW
Forest I hope this helps you understand more about light flashes.. I think Lasik it the way to go....I am looking into myself.
FAA is OK with LASIK, I think, but if your a military aviator, it's a permanently grounding condition. Or at least it was in 02 when I retired.
Military is still doing PRK for most aviators.
Everyone I know that had a telescope and then did the procedure quit astronomy Mark. They lost their ability to pick out faint nebulas and galaxies. One guy had a CPC1100 and after LASIK couldn't make out anything dimmer than Mag 10. My eyes are horrible and drive me nuts but I'm so used to poor vision I can do two things as good or better than anyone else, find faint objects such as the time I got 4 galaxies in Stephan's quintet with an 11 inch scope, and see in the dark. I can walk around just fine in an area with Mag 6.5 skies. My wife had LASIK and she can hardly see to walk with a half moon.
Tried the mono vision thing with contacts for a few days, bad move. Did not have ANY depth perception at night and had my first and only migrane that lasted 4 days. The Doc said I need to give it some more time. I told him to give me some Loratabs and I'd give it another go. LOL
I wound up with a straight power contact in my right eye and a multi focal in the left. The multi focals would not stay settled down and moved constantly in the right eye. I can at least read a little without readers now. Everyone is diferent I suppose.
Very shortly after the procedure I was seeing 20/20 distance and 20/10 close-up. Here we are 11 years later and I'm still 20/20 distance but need readers for close-up. I finally went for prescription readers and found out that LASIK almost completely corrected the astigmatism. My night vision is great, I see stars that I never saw with my glasses. Even those that are not caused by smacking my head on stuff.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wizard
Thanks so much! I just wanted to make sure that no one had any major issues with it. It'll be great to stop losing contacts while diving!
Dear prov3125,
I was a diver for many years and have my cavern certification. All of my low-light activities came to a crashing halt because of LASIK. No more night diving, no more cavern diving, no driving a car at night -- any activity where the light is dim is nearly impossible for me. My vision is a train wreck and cannot be corrected with glasses or soft contact lenses. I see smeared images, massive starbursts, halos, and multiple images. The only thing that helps is hard contact lenses which are very uncomfortable. I can only tolerate them for short periods of time. The only time my vision is semi-normal is with glasses in very bright light.
In addition to debilitating night vision problems, LASIK left me with chronic, painful, burning dry eyes. I can't tolerate wind, ceiling fans, or any moving air. I must wear moisture chamber goggles or wrap around glasses to block the air -- even to dry my hair. My eyes dry out so badly at night that I get up at least 2 or 3 times each night to instill eye drops. First thing in the morning I have to rinse my eyes with sterile saline to clear the stringy goop that builds up on my eyes. Nearly everything I do is made difficult by having had LASIK. I don't want your pity. The only reason I tell you my story is to warn you that LASIK is not as safe as it appears in the advertisements.
The man who was most responsible at the FDA for approving LASIK, Morris Waxler PhD, is now trying to have it banned.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzgOZlDF58c
In 2009, Consumer Reports published a survey of LASIK patients which found a high incidence of problems and dissatisfaction with the surgery.
http://www.lasikcomplications.com/consumerreports.htm
I have a network of friends on the Internet who also have terrible complications from LASIK. One of my friends put up an online petition at the following link. It's been signed by nearly 600 people. The comments are very alarming.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/sup...asik-approval/
Also, 126 people signed a letter to the FDA asking for a public health advisory. I strongly recommend that you read it:
http://lasikadvisory.com/
For me, the most disturbing part is knowing of 5 people who committed suicide due to permanent complications from LASIK. You can find a good deal of information on the Internet by doing a Google search on lasik complications.
You owe it to yourself to do your homework. Don't just listen to the doctor who has a financial incentive in your decision to have LASIK, or only to patients who are happy with their outcome -- listen to the ones who aren't happy, too.
The Consumer Reports survey found that 24 percent of "not highly satisfied" respondents said they regretted not learning more from people who had laser eye surgery before them.
Best regards,
BE