LASIK Update

[chickdiver]

Hey guys- a lot of people asked me to let them know how my Lasik surgery went, so rather than sending individual Pm's, I thought I would just start a thread . I had the surgery at 1:30 this afternoon- it took all of 15 minutes. My vision is currently as good as it was with contacts. the surgery was painless, and, though I did have 20 seconds of discomfort- it wasnt becuase of pain. I found it a little nerve wracking when they cut the flap witht he microkeratome, as there is pressure placed ont he optic nerve that causes your vision to black out briefly (lie maybe 10 seconds). Came home and took a nap, and I currently dont even have discomfort (5.5 hours post op). I'll keep the updates coming for the next couple days!

 

[rmediver2002]

Did they talk about how long before you can dive again?

 

[Uncle Pug]

for the update... I will be interested to see how soon you can get back to diving. Hope it's soon.

 

[jiveturkey]

Does anyone have any updated info on the safety procedure? (sorry chickdiver) I'm considering it too but I'm concerned about the long-term effects/negatives.

 

[chickdiver]

The doc wants me to sit out 2 weeks. The risk is infection, however, after 7-10 days the corneal flap has readhered to the eye to the extent that a special instrument has to be used to raise it again.

 

[ianr33]

My wife had LASIK done a couple of years ago. It was amazing! She went from not being able to read an alarm clock that was further away than 6 inches to 20/20 in one eye ,slightly less in the other in a matter of a couple of weeks. No problems since,diving or otherwise.

 

[tinman]

chickdiver once bubbled...
The doc wants me to sit out 2 weeks. The risk is infection, however, after 7-10 days the corneal flap has readhered to the eye to the extent that a special instrument has to be used to raise it again.

...I seem to recall that there was an article some time ago that mentioned the US Navy was rejecting Diver candidates that had the procedure done. I believe the concern was mask squeeze leading to potential rupture risk of the flap seal. I suspect that was in the early days; however, I mention it for you as I get the impression you dive those deep dark places where the Men (and Women!) in Black dwell. Conservation dive profiles might be prudent as would getting a second opinion - most docs don't know squat about diving.

Hopefully some of the diving docs will chime in on the current thinking on this.

 

[rmediver2002]

The disqualifier is still in effect:

the policy reasoning as explained to me while at the dive school...

They do allow the process (and in fact the Navy purchased a machine for it) that reshapes the lens with our having to cut the outer surface of the eye. The top priority for the Navy was pilots and divers, they have since opened the procedure to more specialties.


The danger with Lasik (it was assumed) was that the outer tissue of the eye does not regenerate after it is cut. (the cut does not heal)

I know several divers that had it done outside the military so it would not be in their medical records. No problems I have heard of yet.

I think chickdiver hit it one the head with the statement

after 7-10 days the corneal flap has readhered to the eye to the extent that a special instrument has to be used to raise it again

The Navy is notoriously slow in modification of such policies but as with nearly everything in the military you can apply for a waiver to the standard.

Jeff

 

[Aquamaniac]

chickdiver once bubbled...
The doc wants me to sit out 2 weeks. The risk is infection, however, after 7-10 days the corneal flap has readhered to the eye to the extent that a special instrument has to be used to raise it again.

I bet I can get you in the water on Sunday

Glad it all went well, Glad its all over and done with.

Dave

 

[chickdiver]

OK- here's the skinny on the flap. I asked a LOT of questions, and almost decided on PRK (which is approved by the Navy for pilots and divers). However, the surgeon who did my LASIK is a specialist in corneal surgery. She does 1 day of LASIK procedures every 6 weeks- meaning that this "cosmetic" procedure is not the mainstay of her practice, real corneal surgeries (such as corneal transplants) are. The flap not only readheres, but in 3 months the incision has completely healed. After about 6 weeks, they actually have to recut the flap to do any follow up procedures. The only difference between PRK and LASIk is the flap. In PRK they brush off the epithelial layer of cells to expose the cornea for laser reshaping. , The recovery is longer and much more painful, and you are required to wear a bandage contact lens for some time afterwards. The risk of infection is also higher, as it takes a few weeks for the epithelium to grow back. LASIK cuts a flap through the epithelial layer to expose the cornea, the flapis hinged and laid back in place after the procedure. After 48 hours it is almost impossible to dislodge the flap. I know about 15 people who have had this procedure that also dive, none has had any problems.

Oh- day 2 update- I went out to dinner last night and watched a movie, I saw my surgeon first thing this AM, and my vision has already gone from 20/25 to 20/21, it will continue to improve overt he coming days. I am at the office, have no discomfort whatsoever- this stuff ROCKS!