Lasik Info Needed

[FoxyWhiskey]

I just had my eyes examined last week and a bit worried: my eyes are no longer correctable to 20/20 or better with contact lenses, but my glasses are.

The doctor suggested Lasik and I'm interested in it, but obviously vary wary of any procedure that could potentially screw up my vision should it go wrong. One of the CA's I fly with said not to do it because his buddy got it done and it ruined his night vision...!!! Honestly, I'm just looking for answers from anyone who has experience with this.

My questions are:

1. Any other pilots on here have lasik (or other corrective eye surgery) done successfully? If so, where & cost?

2. If done successfully: how long was recovery, any problems?

Thanks!

-FW

 

[BenderGonzales]

Had it done in 1998 with a company called "The Laser Company" in indianapolis. Worked like a charm. 20/200 before, 20/20 afterwards. No after effects whatsoever.

Was back at work 48 hours later.

 

[Say Again Over]

After doing some research I went to Bangkok where they use the most advanced laser, the place where I went does a thorough evaluation and gives you your particular options, I chose for myself what's called "mono vision" because I had a problem with near and far vision. The procedure itself used a mechanical slicer, a tube is pressed firmly over your eye and a blade cuts a flap, the flap is opened by the doctor and the laser zaps your eye a couple seconds, the flap is then returned to it's previous position where it adheres on it's own, no sutcher required. Both of my eyes were corrected at the same time, total time, 20 minutes, post surgery includes eye drops for a week and a post operative check up, I flew five days after surgery with no problems, vision doesn't really stabilize for three to four weeks. My results were better than expected, no night vision or any other problems, couldn't be happier.

 

[AV80R]

Overall I’ve heard great things but your captain is right, sometimes there are complications.

A very good friend of mine had her surgery about 3 years ago, on one eye she’s now almost 20/20 however on the right eye, she’s had 2 touch up surgeries already and it’s still only 20/40 and in dark conditions it’s even less (20/60).

She’s all right and she still has a 1st class medical but she’s a little disappointed because she wanted to skip wearing contact lenses and ended up wearing glasses instead. She sees better uncorrected now, a lot better, used to be 20/300 and 20/400 - now it’s almost 20/20 and 20/40. Well, she still needs to correct her vision when she drives or flies (especially at night) however since the surgery her eyes are much more dry so now she must wear glasses instead of contact lenses, and she really hates that.

She’s the one who talked me out of doing my surgery!

If you decided to do it, use the wavelength lasik and not the basic lasik – it’s much more precise and give better results. Good luck to you.

Also, not sure what your background is and if you might look into airline jobs outside the US in the future (ie, JALways, Cathay Pacific, etc.) If so, do NOT have ANY eye surgeries performed on your eyes; the vast majority of airlines outside the US will not hire you if you’ve ever had an eye surgery performed.

 

[Say Again Over]

Yes, surgery is surgery, not to be taken lightly, don't make your decision based on someone you knows someone who...actually do yourself a favor and do some research, you will find that statistics are in your favor, and also, no one has ever lost their vision do to a botched procedure, go to the best available, not the cheapest.

 

[AV80R]

you will find that statistics are in your favor

You’re absolutely right. I heard some 98-99% of people who’ve had lasik have a vision of 20/40 or better for the first 5 years after the surgery. Those are some pretty impressive statistics actually.

also, no one has ever lost their vision do to a botched procedure

There’ve been plenty of cases where people got severe problems with their vision after lasik. Percentage wise very few numbers indeed however to say no one has lost his/her vision due to the surgery is simply not true.

Moreover, In our case (pilots) we also have to worry about our livelihoods – no 1st class medical – no job!

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/LASIK/risks.htm

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/30560_laser09.shtml

http://eye.taragana.net/archive/banker-gets-7-million-in-lasik-suit/

http://visionsurgeryrehab.evecommunity.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6541031211/m/7416052945

http://www.lasikdisaster.com

Btw, I do think lasik is the future and that the procedure only gets better and better. Maybe there are some even better procedures just around the corner?

Personaly, I am not willing to risk my profession quite yet just to skip wearing contact lenses. Maybe in the future?

I am still waiting for this super duper procedure that can be reversed just in case I turn out to be one of the "one-in-a-million" complications…

Either way, good luck to you…

 

[Say Again Over]

I stand corrected, what i meant to say is that no one has lost an eye. Anytime you elect to do surgery for something that is not absolutely necessary you are taking a chance, if you are waiting for a time when there is no risk, it just ain't going to happen.

 

[Capt10Matt]

Anyone know if it's unrealistic to have Lasik and shoot for 20/20 vision if you're already at 20/40?

 

[DrewBlows]

I had the wavelength procedure done at TLC: Laser Eye Center. The first year of checkups are included in the price and there is a lifetime guarantee if you get an eye exam every year. I paid $3500, none of which was covered by my medical insurance. I still consider it the best money I've ever spent, even though I had to go into debt for a while and drive a POS car for a long time, but that's a different story.

I had an evaluation by my ophthalmologist and TLC and asked a lot of questions. I talked to my AME to find out long it would take to go back to work.

What I found out was that I was a good candidate and I would miss a minimal amount of work. I don't remember exactly, but I think I was back to work in about a week. Initially my vision was very good but my night vision was a little off, bright lights had a "halo" around them, and my right eye was a little worse than 20/20. I took time off based on the "self removal" rule, and took an FAA form, that my ophthalmologist filled, to my next physical. I was able to pass a first class medical about three months after surgery. My vision became better and better as time passed, after six months I'd say it was 95% and after a year it was 100%.

Do your homework and don't cheap out. If you are a candidate it's a great option to get rid of contacts and glasses. It took me a long time to get used to seeing my alarm clock without reaching for my glasses. It was worth every penny.

 

[Say Again Over]

Anyone know if it's unrealistic to have Lasik and shoot for 20/20 vision if you're already at 20/40?

My distance vision was 20/40 prior to my surgery, now 20/20, to get a definitive answer you will have to let the doc look at you.