LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

Admin5

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I am just going a "vision center" to see if I qualify for LASIK. I am very active in diving and watersports as well as other outdoors activities. I am sick of my glasses.<br /><br />Here is my biggest concern: I also am a pilot and do NOT want to end up not being able to fly because of a 2% complication risk that came true. What are your's or your friends' experiences with this? Any suggestions? I think the following Graemlin is appropriate: :cool:
 

NathanY

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Mar 16, 2002
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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

My wife's cousin is an optometrist (sp?) and she says that Lasik is good, but your eyes will gradually go back to where they are. At $1000 per eye, my wife will continue to wear glasses.
 

gonfishn

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May 16, 2002
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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

My brother had it done a few years ago...no problems so far...for me its the only pair I got and unless its 100% safe I'm hanging with what I got....if it ain't broke don't fix it....
 

LadyFish

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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

Finally, something I know about.<br /><br />Admin5: I am in the business of preventing blindness and have my own opinions about lasik surgery. I can tell you my daughter had it when she was 25 by a well respected opthalmologist who got my approval and she is back to wearing her glasses. I vision screen over 4,000 people annually and have found that people who have had lasik in the past 6 months to a year generally are seeing 20/20 or better. After one year, most of them are back to the same visual acuity they were before surgery. On the other hand, people I screen who had PRK or RK surgery 10-15 years ago are STILL seeing 20/20.<br /><br />Personally, I would not opt for lasik. There are those who've had the surgery and great success and highly recommend it. But, I've seen catastrophic results too.<br /><br />The best advice I can give you is if you decide to have the surgery; DON'T GO CHEAP! THESE ARE YOUR EYES! Be sure to do your research on your surgeon, pending lawsuits, etc. Another important issue is the type of equipment used. Be sure to check online at the FDA website. They are currently tracking the "WaveFront" machine for success, its the latest and greatest supposedly. <br /><br />Hereis the link to the FDA approved lasers and other lasik information.<br /> FDA.GOV<br /><br />If you need additional information I'll see what I can do to help.
 

snapperbait

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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

I dunno, but I think I'll keep my glasses.... <br /><br />Admin5, I know what you mean about glasses and watersports.. They just don't mix at all.... <br /><br />I've come acustom to only wearing them when I drive and thats it.... Its like automatic... Get in the truck, seatbelt and glasses, and GO!... Hummm? Do they make perscription windshields? That'd be great!... :D <br /><br />Not that I have'nt thought about Lasik or the other proceedures they offer and the expense is'nt the issue, but something about messing with the only two eyeballs I have just gives me the creeps.... Not gonna do it...<br /><br />Admin5, I wish you good luck whichever way you choose to go, and if you do go for it, let us know how it works out... :cool:
 

LadyFish

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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

Lasik Disasters<br />CBS News<br />2/5/01<br />by Thelma Gutierrez<br /><br />Hundreds of thousands of Americans are having it done every year -- Lasik surgery. But not every patient winds up with perfect vision.<br /><br />CBS 2 News' Special Assignment Reporter Thelma Gutierrez takes a closer look at how some Lasik procedures have ended up being disasters for people whose hopes of better eyesight faded forever.<br /><br />It is hailed as a miracle of modern eye care...surgery that takes your world from blurry to clear in just seconds.<br /><br />But for a growing number of people, Lasik isn't a miracle at all, but a nightmare of corrections, infections and even corneal transplants.<br /><br />Victims of botched Lasik procedures tell of the consequences<br /><br />"They burned a hole through my cornea," said Kathy Tedesco.<br /><br />Kathy worked for a computer software company. She had Lasik three years ago to help her see up close. Now she can barely see at all.<br /><br />"On my right eye, I have no close-up vision, my left eye is like I'm looking through wax paper."<br /><br />Kathy says that the problem is the ophthalmologist used the wrong laser technique on her eyes.<br /> <br />Phil Estersohn supervised a printing shop for 38 years; he thought Lasik would change his life.<br /> <br />"I couldn't see to drive at night because I'd have a kaleidoscope or glare. I couldn't see anything at all," Phil said.<br /><br />"Needless to say I lost my job."<br /><br />Phil's doctor had left the laser on too long and drilled a hole right through his cornea, Gutierrez reported.<br /> <br />Lasik was first approved by the FDA two years ago to correct nearsightedness. More than a million Americans have already had it done and most have had great results. But, now problem cases are starting to surface. As the problem cases grow, so do the number of clinics that deal specifically with Lasik complications.<br /> <br />"We're seeing more and more disasters," said Dr. Robert Maloney of the Maloney Vision Institute. Dr. Maloney says that he's treating 15 people a week who've had problems. "In fact we're booked up to a month in advance," he said. This is only one of several clinics treating patients who've experienced Lasik mishaps. "They're generally happening because the surgeons are trying to cut costs or because they're not experienced," said Dr. Maloney.<br /><br />Kathy turned to Dr. Maloney for help. She's had a total of five surgeries to correct her vision, including a corneal transplant in her left eye because of Lasik gone wrong.<br /><br />Dr. Maloney thinks Kathy will need a corneal transplant in her right eye as well.<br /> <br />He says that it's all the result of the doctor using the laser the wrong way on Kathy's eyes.<br /><br />"It was almost like taking a piece of sand paper to the surface of her eye. It's like trying to use a hammer to do the job of a screwdriver. It's the wrong tool to do the job, " Maloney said.<br /><br />"One patient accidentally had a hole drilled through his flap, drilled through his cornea, because the surgeon didn't turn the laser off in time."<br /><br />That patient is Phil who thought he had done his homework. "It destroyed two years of my life -- it really did," Phil said.<br /> <br />As for Kathy, she's only 38 years old and on disability, with still another corneal transplant to endure.<br /> <br />More...<br /><br />I just finished my term as board vice president at the local eye bank where we do corneal transplants. My viewpoint is more negative toward lasik because I tend to see the aftermath or things gone wrong. You will have to come to your own conclusion based on research. Personally, it scares the dookie outta me.
 

neumanns

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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

My wife is a nurse and at one time looked into it, she got many a opinion from some Doc's she worked with and ultimatly decided that the risk was worth the benifit. However we woved before getting the procedure done and have not went through with it.<br /><br />Ladyfish hit the nail on the head on the bottom of her first post, Do not price shop and do not go to someone just because they do umpteenhundreds of them. Most problems arise from these options. Do you reaserch on the facility and practitioner and if you do go thru with it remember this is not a gallon of milk several hundred miles may not be an inconvience.
 

JB

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Mar 25, 2001
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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

Hi, Admin5.<br /><br />One of my daughters had LASIK done on both eyes about 6 years ago. She has had no problems and no return of her previous vision imperfection.<br /><br />Because she is 46, she does wear reading glasses for close-up.<br /><br />I think the statistics are very good for success with a proven practitioner.<br /><br />On the other hand, I respect LadyFish's advice and would investigate PRK and RK as alternatives.<br /><br />Best of luck to you, amigo. :)
 

BR549

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Joined
Aug 18, 2002
Messages
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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

My sister had it done last year and seems pleased with it - only complaint she had was a slight problem with her night vision. So far she still has 20/20. For myself I will stick with the contacts and glasses until they get a better track record.
 

crab bait

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Feb 5, 2002
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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

a friend who had it done said... you don't get somethin' for nuthin'... <br /><br />if you get it to see to see far ,, it subtracts off your close vision,, an visa-versa..
 

Homerr

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Mar 4, 2002
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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

I'm an excellent candidate for lasik, but I won't do it. It's still too new, and I will not risk it.<br /><br />I know about the watersports vs. glasses. BIG pain in the ass.<br /><br />I'm looking into those prescription goggles/mask just for the sport. They are spendy, but nowhere near the price of surgery!<br /><br />Let other people be the test rats for lasik...<br /><br />Just my opinon....<br /><br />H.
 
D

DJ

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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

Ladyfish,<br /><br />What's PRK and RK?
 

sony2001

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Mar 17, 2001
Messages
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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

If your myopic and middle aged then you are not getting ahead. When your 45 years plus you won't have the reading problem that 20/20 folks will have. If you get zapped you will need reading glasses at 45. When I reached 30 years my glasses were 4 diopters thick. I started a program to wein my eyes of glasses. At least .25Ds less every new eye exam. Exams were taken when I'm rested and in the morning. Twenty five years later and I need glasses of 1.50 and 1.75 diopters for distance and none for reading. I may suggest Laser for removing stigmatism only.(blurriness) I wear my glasses in the pool, they're plastic. :cool:
 

poolshark38759

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Feb 3, 2003
Messages
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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

i had it done seven months ago...i was a -9 and now a -1.....would i do it over yes!!!! did i come out perfect nno..i going to have an enhancement done as soon as i get a chance....the lady that did mine has had it done to her so i figured she trusted/believed in it enuff for her to feel safe and good about...my eye doc actually recommended me to have it done...he said he would let her do it to any of his family..
 

marty_scher

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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

Admin5<br /><br />Every surgical procedure has risks and botch-ups can happen. There are plenty of Lasik-horror-story news bytes and web sites out there, but probably not many devoted to people who like it and have benefited from it. <br /><br />Besides, I have heard that the doctor now just pretty much stands there, while the machine does everything automatically.<br /><br />Everyone I have ever talked to, that has had it done think it is great. Some could not wait to go back if a little more correction was needed.<br /><br />I'm thinking of having it done and agree with the other's to get information from several well know practices and not shop by price alone<br /><br />It's funny though, about the talk of having to wear reading glasses after the Lasik. Hell, I am already wearing glasses :eek: <br /><br />Good luck with whatever you decide.
 

Admin5

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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

Wow! Thanks for the responses! You all spent some real time in responding. Here is my belated report on my visit. The place I went to seemed pretty nice. They did an initial exam and said I was a great candidate for both the thickness of the thingy :) they need to mess with as well as vision and astigmatism.<br /><br />The doc said they have a brand new technology that they will start doing in Aug. The procedure is called "CustomVue IntraLASIK" where they use a laser to create the corneal flap instead of a blade. Any of you ever hear of this? They said the cost is a whopping $1900 per eye so I am not worried about this being a discount place. Ladyfish, what do you know about this form of LASIK? They are practically guaranteeing perfect vision if I get it.
 

dutch135

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Jun 23, 2002
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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

Admin,<br />I had the PRK laser procedure about 4 years ago. My doc said I wasn't a candidate for the lasik, because my vision wasn't really all that bad, (although i thought it was). It takes some recovery time, but i can't say enough about the results. I am active, play hockey, waterski, snowski, snowmobile, all which involve foggy or wet glasses if they are worn, and that's history now. It took about a year for the night time vision to improve, but now it is normal.<br />I think the better the vision is, the less they need to laser off,, and the better the recovery. <br /><br />Good luck!<br /> :cool:
 

Gold Bear

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Sep 26, 2001
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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

Admin5 <br /><br />I had RK done to both eyes in 1983. My right eye improved from 20/300 to 20/45. My left eye improved from 20/200 to 20/20.<br /><br />I am 49 years old and both eyes are still the same. I do wear progressive lenses (for reading).<br /><br />I never had any problems with my night vision. Right after the surgery I could see well after a days time.<br /><br />Do your research before you make such an important (and expensive decision). <br /><br />Are eyeglasses a problem for you? If my vision was not so bad that my lenses were thick, I'm not sure if I would take a chance on any eye surgery. With that said, I am very happy with the results..long lasting results that I have enjoyed.<br /><br />Best Regards,<br /><br />Gold Bear ;)
 

LadyFish

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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

My medical advisor just started using the machine you mentioned last month. The healing of the corneal flap should be quicker and more accurate by using a laser rather than a cut, less chance for corneal tear later.<br /><br />I'll do some research on his experience with it and talk to a few patients this week and let you know.
 

jdkzrt

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May 26, 2003
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Re: LASIK? Will I go blind or see triple vision?

1. RK (radial keratotomy) was really the first vision correction that became available to the public (actually developed in Russia). Many people have benefited from it for many years, but it carries BY FAR AND AWAY the greatest risk of permanent damage to the eye.<br /> 2. Lasik surgery and the need for reading glasses are not related the way people above are discussing this topic. The normal regression with age of reading vision is caused by the eye's gradual inability to focus down to reading distances. All of the surgeries discussed above are for correcting the imperfect curve of the lense.<br /> 3. I don't believe, that "most of the people I see are back to he same visual acuity after one year as they were before the surgery", for one second. How many people would be paying big bucks for this surgery, then having it last for only a year? This would be bigger news than the actual screw ups that happen with this surgery. Many people having lasik surgery require corrections that are HUGE (you know, the unfortunate people who's glasses look like the bottom of coke bottles). Corrections this large may require a little bit of adjustment.<br />JMO, and I would get the surgery in a minute, but it requires not wearing contact lenses for a month :(
 
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