LASIK - How 2 get medical after surgery?

[Skull-One]

I recently had LASIK surgery. My First Class medical requires corrective lenses. Do I need to go report this to the Flight Surgeon before I go back to flying or can I wait until my next medical due date?

 

[bailout]

Im going through this right now. Before I got it done, I called AOPA and FAA and both said, get it done, and when its time for your next medical, simply take the eye test, and if you pass, then nothing more needs to be done, the restriction will be removed from your medical. Well I just got my medical renewed, (5 months after LASIK), and the AME asked if I had my 8500-7 form. I said "HUH? He gave me the form to be filled out my eye doctor to be returned to him so he can send it in. Heres the kicker, on the form it states you only need to fill out this form if you dont pass the acuity test. And also the FAA recommends that you dont fly for 4-6 weeks after the procedure. Well I do pass that test, and not knowing the recommendation, I flew two days afterwards. I have a call into the FAA again today, but havent heard back yet. Ill let you know whats up.

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

what was your vision before you had it done? did you do the newest procedure?

 

[DorkProp]

From AOPA website:

"A status report or eye evaluation (FAA Form 8500-7) should be completed by your eye care specialist and presented to the aviation medical examiner at the time of your next scheduled FAA medical examination. This report must verify complete healing, stabilization of visual acuity, and lack of significant residual effects that often accompany these types of surgical procedures, including night glare, vision haziness, or eye discomfort. Complete healing is usually accomplished in four to six weeks, but up to twelve months may be necessary in some cases. At the time of your next scheduled medical application, your aviation medical examiner may issue the certificate if you are found to be otherwise qualified."



I sent the 8500-7 directly to the FAA after my LASIK four years ago and the FAA sent me a new medical with the corrective lenses restriction removed. I provided a copy to the AME at my next visit. I can't figure out if it's still required to send the form directly to the FAA or not, but doing so will probably get you a new medical with no restrictions. Note that this is not a new medical, just a copy of your current medical with the restriction removed.

 

[Cracker]

Hey Skull...how much did you pay for the surgery? if you don't mind me asking.

 

[Skull-One]

I was 20/200 I am now 20/15 and 20/10. Total cost was $3600 (I talked him down from $4500).

 

[JohnDoe]

quote:

"I was 20/200 I am now 20/15 and 20/10. Total cost was $3600 (I talked him down from $4500)."


There you go, thats what you want to do........haggle over money with the person who is going to be operating on your eyes.....make him feel he's loosing money on the procedure........lol.

 

[Future SNA]

....

The more important question when wondering what someone's vision was prior to receiving lasik is what was your corrective diopter prior to surgery? That's what's the deciding factor as to your ability to have a positive experience with eye surgery.

Why isn't anyone talking about PRK? Hell, it's waiverable, after much paperwork, for aviation duty in the military, well, the Navy and Air Force for sure. Very similar to lasik, more pain, longer time, usually 1 month or so, till you see 20/20, but still worth while.

If anyone as any questions with laser eye surgery, feel free to shoot me an email, and think I've learned enough to give some good information. Had PRK ~2 years ago, 20/10 both eyes.

 

[Bluto]

Um...maybe I'm missing the subtle humor here, but if you're serious...

"Why isn't anyone talking about PRK?"

Here is my answer:

"Very similar to lasik, more pain, longer time, usually 1 month or so, till you see 20/20..."

"...but still worth while." How so??????!

 

[d.fitz]

PRK is the only procedure approved by the military. So, if you are thinking air national guard....

I think it has to do with FDA certification...

 

[JJJ]

I think only the navy will accept PRK. No branch accepts LASIK.

 

[bailout]

OK, spoke with the FAA, they said the Form 8500-7 is mandatory, but they dont seem to be in a hurry to get it. My procedure was done 6 months ago, and they said basically, just send it in when you get some time.

 

[Skull-One]

Heck I was seeing 20/10 the next day! If you ask me, CUSTOM Lasik is a no-brainer. The integrity of the cornea is not compromised and night vision side effects are minimized if not eliminated altogether. PRK....not so sure about that. This procedure took me five minutes and I was done. No problems of any kind... The military will be stupid not to approve it.

My visual accuity correction prior to surgery was -5.85 and -5.75 with ASTIGMATISM. I now have no astigmatic vision and have depth perception for the first time in my life. It is amazing to realize what I wasn't seeing before...

I highly encourage it.

Haggling may not have been the wisest move in hindsight...

 

[Buss_Driver]

hindsight

Skull-One said:

Haggling may not have been the wisest move in hindsight...

Regardless of surgery, hindsight is ALWAYS 20/20!

 

[Skull-One]

HAHAHAHA!

*bada* *BING*

 

[Future SNA]

....

I think it's still worthwhile for several reasons.....
1.)It's waiverable by the military, Air Force included, if your hopes might possibly turn in this direction, it's the only option.
2.)5 minutes for lasik, ~10 minutes for PRK, and the new LASEK technique for PRK makes healing time faster, problems non-existant.

Essentially, what I'm saying is, if you have the ability/age/desire to even remotely think about joining the military, why one track yourself by getting lasik. Oh, I believe it's a perfectly fine procedure, I just don't see why you'd get it. I mean lets be honest, any young person, myself included, who's a pilot, at one time or another thought about military aviation. So yes, I was serious.