Vision correction surgery - DON'T

**BillSWPA** · 10-07-11, 12:13

Stick with glasses or contact lenses - they are much safer than vision correction surgery.

My wife had Lasik more than 10 years ago. Yesterday, our 18 month old son accidently poked/scratched her eye. She had to go to the emergency room, where she was seen by a physician's assistant (why she was not seen by an MD and referred immediately to an eye specialist is a subject I will take up with the hospital very soon) who informed her that she had a hole in her cornea, told her to call her eye Dr. in the morning, and sent her home with antibiotic eye drops and pain medication.

This morning, she visited her optometrist, who informed her that the injury had become worse overnight, and by that time the cornea had been essentially torn off. He cleaned the wound, applied a contact lens bandage, and wants to see her tomorrow morning. Fortunately he expects full recovery, although nothing is 100% certain until it happens. She is visiting an opthamologist this afternoon just to be sure - we conly get one set of eyes.

She was informed by her optometrist that the Lasik surgery had weakened her cornea, and made it more susceptible to injury. In fact the injury might not have been as severe as it was but for the surgery.

When I met with an FBI recruiter in my last year of law school (1997), he informed me that anyone who had vision correction surgery would not be accepted as a special agent. Now I know why - even more than 10 years later, the eye is more susceptible to injury.

I have worn daily wear contact lenses for 28 years, through high school wrestling practices, traditional martial arts training, and now MMA training, with no issues. They are very tough to knock out of one's eye, although others do make credible claims of having lost them during training. Just keep a few spare pairs of disposable lenses in various places (car, work). If you prefer glasses, then get a pair with polycarbonate lenses and spring hinges, and unless/until they get knocked off in a fight, you will be wearing what amounts to partial safety glasses.

Whatever you do, DO NOT GET VISION CORRECTION SURGERY.

**Pork Chop** · 10-07-11, 12:24

I forwarded this to my wife. She's considered lasik for a while now?

Thanks for the info!!

**C45P312** · 10-07-11, 12:31

I would like to think when it comes to vision correction surgery, there is a huge difference on what is done now versus 10 years ago.

**rob_s** · 10-07-11, 12:40

I used to wear contacts, got sick of them, and now wear my glasses full time. There are definite trade-offs, and I have been considering Lasik for a while now. What always gets me is that even the people I talk to that are "100% happy" ultimately wind up conceding that there are some negatives. Increased sensitivity to light, halos at night, etc. and I just can't deal with that kind of thing.

**LOKNLOD** · 10-07-11, 13:20

I think you're overreacting and painting with a pretty broad brush. Don't get me wrong, I understand the reaction, and in the same circumstances might react the same way, but it's still a pretty sweeping generalization to make.

I agree wholeheartedly that we need to protect our vision, it's our most important sense. And there are definite risks and drawbacks to the various procedures.

I've been wanting LASIK all my life, but it turns out that I am too high of a prescription for those type procedures, so I'm looking into some of the (very much more expensive) alternatives. I am completely helpless without my glasses or contacts, I'm talking literally can't see past my nose clearly. It can be worth some tradeoffs, but everyone needs to understand them upfront before making decisions.

**ryan** · 10-07-11, 13:30

I had LASIK about a month and half ago. I have not noticed any increase in sensitivity to light or halos at night.

The ability to wake up at night not reaching for glasses or with contacts stuck to my eyes is priceless.

It was the best grand I have ever spent.

**uwe1** · 10-08-11, 02:52

Originally Posted by rob_s

I used to wear contacts, got sick of them, and now wear my glasses full time. There are definite trade-offs, and I have been considering Lasik for a while now. What always gets me is that even the people I talk to that are "100% happy" ultimately wind up conceding that there are some negatives. Increased sensitivity to light, halos at night, etc. and I just can't deal with that kind of thing.

Neither can I...

What was your issue with your contacts?

**alphableak83** · 10-08-11, 07:10

I am glad that your wife is expected to make a full recovery, but don't bash all laser eye surgery. They are not all equal. I had eye surgery, but it was PRK. It is accepted for flight, special operations and any other high risk units in the military. The difference is that it doesn't cut the flap of the cornea like LASIK. It does have a longer healing time but it is not fragile like LASIK is.

Before you get eye surgery done check out all the different types of surgery and what suits your needs(LASIK, LASEK, PRK). Also check the place that is doing it. Not all lasers are equal. There are different types and styles of lasers, some older and some newer.

Another thing to make sure to do is read the pamphlets. They will explain all of the risks/rewards and possible side effects. Everybody's eyes will react differently.

I do recommend PRK though. My vision is now 20/15, astigmatism free, and my eyes are not weakened due to the flap from LASIK.

**uwe1** · 10-08-11, 02:15

Originally Posted by C45P312

I would like to think when it comes to vision correction surgery, there is a huge difference on what is done now versus 10 years ago.

The basic procedure is the same. LASIK and PRK are still the standard two procedures and although there are variations of both, the concept remains the same.

The main differences (technology wise) are in the lasers and the software running them.

...And of course after 15+ years of doing the procedures, surgeons have gotten better at mitigating undesirable side effects.