Lasik for far-sighted divers?

[Chad Carney]

Everytime I see a thread about Lasik or PRK, with everyone raving over their results, I wonder how many, if any, were hyperopic or far-sighted? Any good experiences out there?

I checked into lasik 5 years ago when I found out that my less-flexible aging lenses could no longer compensate my slight +1.25 hyperopic distance vision. I never knew I had it. The 7 world patent holding lasik specialist called it a cruel joke.

At the time he told me that he coud do the hyperopia correction, but it was much more complicated and expensive than the surgery for myopia. Instead of making the lense a little less round, by "taking a little off the top", he described "digging a mote all around the lense to make it rounder!"

Sure presbyopia hit me at 40 like most everybody, and I have no problem with using reading glasses or gauge readers in my mask, but I hate the hassles of salt spray, sweat and fogging up that come with wearing distance Rx glasses. (I can't wear contact lenses.)

Chad

 

[divindoc]

Hey Chad, sounds like you have a somewhat unusual problem. Most people that have had Lasix are near-sighted as well as presbyopic. Monovision correction worked great for me but may not apply for your case. Be sure you're talking to an opthalmologist that's done a fellowship or equivalent in refractive eye surgery.

Say Hi to your brother John for me, Brian Garby.

 

[Chad Carney]

Good to hear from you Brian, small world!

Know of any other places to ask about this?
It really isn't a diving problem, it bothers me more while boating, driving, running etc.

I want the best depth perception I can get, for spearfishing, so I have ruled out monovision. And I don't mind the readers above or below the water.

Chad

 

[Hank49]

Everytime I see a thread about Lasik or PRK, with everyone raving over their results, I wonder how many, if any, were hyperopic or far-sighted? Any good experiences out there?


Chad

I'd lost my far sight (distance vision) at 40 also. I had surgery done three years ago and the doctor here in Belize said he "rounded off" my astigmatism. HE told me that this type of surgery is only good to regain your far sight. It doesn't help for reading or seeing close up. Maybe it's different now (or in the US you have better tech too) but he was right. I still need reading glasses in poor light but it did improve my long distance vision. But, it's not near as good as when I was 25.

 

[laserdoc]

Chad,,, Tell me what city your in and I will try to find you a doc that is good. I have been in field service on lasers for 20 years. Currently working for Bausch & Lomb. Farsighted correction takes a little longer on the laser but not that much. You have to remember.....the doc cuts the flap and steps on the foot pedal. The laser does the rest by eye trackers and the computer.. anyway tell where you are and I will tell you who to see.
Dave

 

[divindoc]

Chad, you may want to try Dr. Updegraf in St.Pete - good rep, not sure if he does refractive surgery. The one I used in Sarasota is Dr.Lahners. My partner and I both used him and he is excellent. Another option, albeit more radical, would be lens replacement surgery. Success rate is only quoted as 75% as opposed to Lasik >90-95%. This technology will probably be more viable in the future, too early yet for my taste. As to depth perception at distance, it hasn't been an issue with monovision correction. I only notice it when doing fine suturing, for which I had some special glasses made which work great. Being able to ditch contacts after 20+ years, and having worn coke-bottle glasses since 4th grade, I think Lasik is amazing. It also saves a lot of time every day, not having to mess with contacts. In addition, there have been occasional case reports of amoebic infections of the cornea in contact wearers exposed to fresh water for prolonged periods of time - something else to consider, Brian.

 

[laserdoc]

Updegraf does do lasik and he is good.he has several lasers that he uses. Depending on what is needed.You may want to look at custom. The cornea is like the sea floor. Peaks and valleys. Custom uses a 1mm flying spot laser that basically hits all the peaks
and smooths them down....in layman terms... If you can find a Doc that uses a Wavelight laser from Germany this is the best laser on the market at this time. Look at paying about 2000 per eye for custom. All the lasers out there will all get good results in the end. 20/20 or 20/15. But with the wavelight you may not need an enhancement 6 months down the road. If you have a doc that tells you that your cornea is to thin then find someone with a Interlase laser. This one is used to cut the flap and uses a femtoe second laser to do this. No microkertome ( blade). The blade puts limits on who is a candidate and who is not. More docs are going totally bladeless. It will cost you more but it is worth it. I would think Upegraf would most likely have one. There are only 5 players in the lasik field. Alcon,Bausch&Lomb,Nidek,Visix and wavelight. Interlase is the only laser company that makes the laser for cutting the flap.
Good luck

 

[laserdoc]

Don't go with an IOL inplant yet . Still to new

 

[divindoc]

Laserdoc is on the money as far as using the Inter(?Intra)lase laser to cut the flap instead of a knife - laser much more precise, much smaller defect in cornea. I know Lahners uses this one, Imagine Updegraf does as well. If you see Updegraf mention my name, his Dad and mine were buddies for years in St.Pete.