Author Topic: Eye Surgery  (Read 234 times)

Offline cav58d

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Eye Surgery
« on: May 03, 2006, 10:21:58 PM »
To be waivered into flight school I will need to get corrective eye surgery...The Army allows three types of surgery...PRK, LASEK, and LASIK.  Any other type of eye surgery will be considered void and disqualify me...

For anyone with first hand experience, or any general knowledge of these surgerys I would like to hear the pro's and con's of each...

thanks

cav
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Offline Maverick

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Eye Surgery
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2006, 10:34:52 PM »
I have had RK. It did leave the "starburst" effect for lights at night. I do not recomend it for that reason as the Army does do quite a bit of night flying.

Your best bet is to talk to a surgeon familiar with the procedures and get their input. Also talk to the AOPA folks and get their take on eye surgery and the FAA for civilian flying. They have a good bit of data on the subject.
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Offline cav58d

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Eye Surgery
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2006, 10:45:23 PM »
RK is a disqualifying surgery...PRK/LASEK/LASIK are the only ones I can have done...

Is this info on the aopa website?

Wish me luck trying 2 remember my password
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Offline LePaul

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Eye Surgery
« Reply #3 on: May 04, 2006, 10:07:09 AM »
Mietla just had one of those surgeries about a month ago, as I recall.  He posted on here for advice and post surgery info

Offline rabbidrabbit

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Eye Surgery
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2006, 10:21:44 AM »
get the most modern type you can get... take a look at the success rate for each and the newest ones are much better than the older ones if possible.

Offline mietla

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« Last Edit: May 04, 2006, 11:40:57 AM by mietla »

Offline mietla

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Eye Surgery
« Reply #6 on: May 04, 2006, 11:42:23 AM »
Quote
Well you guys have made a believer out of me. I've worn glass since 2nd grade and always wanted the procedure but been a bit fearful to be honest. I'm going to do it. I found a place in Charlotte that has the laser that tracks eye movement and can't be defeated mentioned above so I am going to give them a call.





that's what I did





LASIK combined with INTRALASE and WaveFront



* WaveFront scans each eye and programs the main laser for each eye individually

* INTRALASE uses laser to cut the flap. Eliminates the traditional flap cutting with the blade.

* LASIK corrects the vision according to the WaveFront scan.

WaveFront and INTRALASE are the newest techniques which supposedly make the whole thing much safer and more precise than traditional LASIC

The prodedure was performed with the VISX Star S4 system



Quote


Are there credentials I need to look for or a way to be certain I am getting good quality and not putting myself at risk?




Absolutely. Equipment is important, but the doctor is the key. Review all references in this thread, including the horror stories in links provided by Tarzan (thanks Tarzan). However hard to read before the surgery, you need to know everything. It is your eyes and the thing is not reversible.



Make sure that the doc is board certified and that his practice is established. Check everything about him. How many procedure has he performed? Check out his place. Go for the free evaluation and see how they treat you. Are you a sheep on a conveyer belt, or a patient.



In the end, the decision and as well the responsibility is ultimately yours.



Good luck.