Lasik and diving

[Scuba-Jay]

Well went in and had my first lense implant done today. I had been looking forward to this for a long time, as diving with contacts causes so many problems. Are there other members out there who had Lasik or implants done, and has it improved your underwater experiences? Id like to hear about it....

Scuba-Jay

 

[Cheekymonkey]

I'd be curious to hear, I have certainly considered them.

 

[REII]

I had lasik done last Nov. I hated to wear contacts, so my dive experiences have improved greatly. I highly recommend it if you can. Easy procedure, just expensive.

TOM

 

[Footslogger]

Had LASIK in June 2001. Didn't dive again (not for that reason) until early 2002. By then I had become accustomed to the lack of glasses/contacts so I can only tell you that the freedom from worrying about contacts floating away was marvelous.

Course now that I have perfect distance vision I fell victim to the whole "reading glass" phenomenon. Still better only having little diopters in my mask than futzing with contacts.

 

[dlndavid]

I haven't dived since the operation

 

[markfm]

I got Lasik about 5 years ago -- didn't dive before because my vision was so horrendous, I'd have been blind if a contact came out.
Definitely good stuff

 

[marusso]

I got it done like three weeks ago and love it. Diving without contact lenses to worry about is awesome!!

 

[Jeff Toorish]

I had LASIK years ago, long before I started diving.

It improved just about everything; my experience was fantastic.

Mine did not involve implants, however. I'm not sure what impact that would have on diving or any other activity.

Did you mention that you are a diver to the doctor during the consultation? Also, it might be worth making a quick call to DAN just to get their take on things.

For me, I am very happy I had LASIK.

Jeff

 

[SteveFass]

Jay,
I wore pretty thick glasses, age 9-40; had the surgery 12 months ago (minus a few days).

Six weeks after the surgery I did a dive shop trip to Bonaire and had the best time of my life. Riding in the back of the pickup truck and not worrying about my glasses flying off. Able to gear up and find the water. Getting out of the water into the dive boat, taking off my mask, and able to see. Before the surgery I used a diopter adjusted mask, but now I can see more clearly under water and since there isn't much to hear underwater, seeing is pretty important to your enjoyment.

If you've worn glasses for a while you know all the little inconveniencies that add up to a royal pain in the xss. Water spray on the glasses, always afraid you're going to lose or break them (easy on a dive boat), figuring out where to put them on a shore dive, fogging up at the wrong time. Putting them down and unable to find them because you can't see.

It made a huge difference in my non-diving life, but a much bigger difference as a diver. I encourage everone I know to get the procedure almost to the point of being obnoxious about it. It's hard to believe that a 30 second procedure can make one a happier person, but it's true.

My only advise Jay is to do what the doctor says; do all your drops religiously. And if you are doing any boat dives in the next six months, be sure to put your mask on before you enter the water (for eye protection from the impact). Enjoy the new you.

Steve

 

[Em_Dee]

Congratulations!

I had lasik done about 5 yrs ago. I had wanted it for years, but when I knew I wanted to learn scuba; that was the final "go" for me get the surgery.

I couldn't stand the thought of dealing with contacts, possibly buying a prescription mask, etc. I can't imagine diving without the lasik and have not encountered any problems. Lasik proved to be most liberating, no more lens worries of any kind!

The most important thing for you to do now is to follow the post-op instructions carefully. It wouldn't hurt to mention to your doctor that you dive, just in case.

You are going to love it!!!!