Vision correction surgery - DON'T

[ZX672]

If you are going to blame anyone, I would blame your surgeon who performed the initial procedure. I had PRK done to my eyes when I was a firefighter over ten years ago and I still see great. However, my doctor clearly explained the pros and cons of each procedure (LASIK/PRK). You doctor should have measured the thickness of your wife's cornea as well. This would have let her know if she was a good candidate for the LASIK surgery. With LASIK, creating that "flap" is an incision of the epithelial layer of the eye. In most people this does not 100 percent heal. This should have been clearly explained. I hope the best for your wife and a speedy recovery.

[Preliator]

you can still serve in any of the armed forces, the FBI, the Navy DELTASEALS or as a greeter at home depot with LASIK or PRK -

OP, sorry if this hurts; but you over reacted.

LASIK and PRK are both extremely safe procedures that pruduce excellent results - yes you hve to guard your eyes a little more after the surgery than before.

My last deployment to Iraq was mid to late 2004. I started the deployment with contacts, I had to put them in or take em out every couple of days, they got dust in them very easlily, and tore or dried out from time to time. eventually the dust just got to bad and I switched to my glasses. Now I didn't have to worry about the sand and dust so much, but trying to wear good eye pro over my glasses kinda sucked, and the limited field of 20/20 vision was not ideal. I also had to guard against losing my glasses or finding them in the morning when I woke up in the middle of a gunfight (different story)

Soon after I got back I got LASIK done - it was the best thing I have ever spent money on, other than maybe my wife's engagement ring. I have not had any serious issues with halos, light sensitivity or dry eyes. Since then I have not had to worry about dust or trying to find proper eye pro. I have my full field of vision and no contacts to put in or out. I have been through two very physical police academies and have not had a single issue.

Again, sorry to the OP, but I will loudly proclaim from the rooftops that LASIK the best thing since sliced bread - as long as you get it done by a good DR, most of the folks here dont buy crap rifles, dont buy crap LASIK.

[Preliator]

Navy doesn't allow Lasik, only PRK. Nature of the surgery (cutting the flap vs essentially shaving the eye) being the reason. Take that for what its worth.

They allow you have LASIK done, but they wont pay for it. A buddy of mine is an F-15 pilot up here and he had LASIK done, I also have a former co-worker who is now a SEAL who had LASIK done about the same time that I did. Never heard a word of complaint from either.

[Javelin]

It.is a little scary. You need to find a highly rated doctor to do it.

[rero360]

My experience was similar to Preliator, wearing contacts and glasses overseas sucked, '06-'07 for me. When I got home I found the best surgeon in the state (luckily he was close by) and had PRK done. He actually would have refused to do LASIK on me because he said there was about a 2% chance of complications due to the thinness of a part of my eye.

Total cost was $4,700 that I paid out of pocket, could have had the Army do it but I would rather have the best do it than get it for free from Uncle Sam.

The recovery time did suck, but now I have almost no issues, I still get some sensitivity to light but nothing that my Oakleys can't fix. I went from 20/400 to 20/15, with my eyesight being 20/20 now 4 years later.

[Shoulderthinggoesup]

Glad to hear your wife should be OK. It sounds like you have a clearer understanding of the situation.

To add to the discussion, It seems that Intralase flaps are as mechanically sound as the PRK versions of the surgery these days.



http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...Ud8mSg&cad=rja


Apparently the military now has approved iLASIK as well.

[Watrdawg]

I had LASIK done in 98. The Dr. was one of the best in the country. He's retired now that is why I said WAS on of the best. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I had almost 20/500 vision and afterwards I was 20/15 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left. Has been that way ever since. Never had any halo effect or senstivity to light. The only issue was dryness and that went away after about a year. I'm 47 now and am starting to have to wear reading glasses later on in the day as my eyes tire. That is considered normal as aging occurs. My distance vision is still as it was after the surgery.When I had the surgery done they did both eyes at the same time. There was no pain during or afterwards. I'd do it again in a heart beat!

[joffe]

Thanks for this thread, and thanks you guys for all the responses. I had considered surgical correction a 'no-brainer' before, but this is something I will have to reconsider.

Perhaps I should just buy Revision corrective safety glasses.. some of them look quite normal.

[Moose-Knuckle]

I wear glasses and contacts, alternate between the two. One of my concerns is there may come a time where one may have limited access to or availability of resupply. So needless to say Lasik is something I have looked at hard as it would negate the cost/use of contacts and glasses. However, our eyes are always changing. As we grow older so do our eyes and our vision. Lasik or not, we will all need some sort of corrective lenses if we live long enough.

I see a retina specialist and an optometrist annually. My optometrist currently does not recommend corrective eye surgery for me, when I asked she went into all the research that she has done for herself on the matter as her and her husband both wear corrective lenses and they are both optometrists.

The top lasik doctors in the country are located here in DFW and they are always tied up in law suites. This as they say is a clue. I'll pass for now.

[B Cart]

I had contacts and glasses for years before I got LASIK. I have lasik almost 10 years ago now, and it has been nothing but awesome! I haven't ever experienced a sensitivity to light or any halo effects at all in the 10 years since. I still have 20/20 vision, and I couldn't be happier with it!

FWIW, I think the OP is way over reacting to say "NEVER GET LASIK". To each his own I guess, but I couldn't be happier with mine, and I've never had any of these negative reactions people are talking about. I've even been poked in the eye hard probably 2-3 times since I got lasik, and it's never caused any problems.