Lasik

[carebear]

Okay this is sort of diving related...
When I went to Coz last May a guy told me he wasn't diving because he just had LASIK and his doc told him to wait 6 months before diving. I want to have my eyes done but don't want to waste the summer not diving!!!! Has anyone else had Lasik and knows of this???

 

[Padipro]

I had LASIK done a few years ago, the best $1000 I ever spent, and my Doc told me the exact same thing, 6 months with no diving. I hated to go that long without getting wet but I figured it was my eyes we were talking about and without them most of what I dive for would be gone. I checked with DAN and here's what they say...

Q: How long should I wait before going back into the water after Lasik surgery and what other effects might there be?

A: The Lasik laser procedure is performed many thousands of times each year. Risks are reported to be minimal and improvement in vision is said to be considerable. The physician performing the procedure will provide you with recommendations for activity following Lasik surgery. In general, it's suggested that you can return to all of your normal activities without disrupting the healing process in two weeks. However there is no specific data on when it's safe to return to diving, nor has there been any research on the effects of a mask squeeze and the negative pressure it can create on an eye that has had this procedure.
Considering the lack of specific data, in uncomplcated cases, a conservative recommendation would be to wait an extra two weeks to allow the eye extra healing time.

You might want to do a search on the board on this topic as it's been brought up before.

 

[reynoldss2]

I had lasik surgery a couple of years ago. And that is one thing the doctor made sure you understood. There are certain activities that you must put aside temporarily. I agree though, Lasik suregery is worth every cent you pay for it.

 

[randyjoy]

My eye Doc, also a diver, said 10 days after I had my Lasik. He said that it is an infection issue, not anything to do with pressure.

Went diving after about two weeks and my eyes didn't explode or fall out or anything.

 

[plsdiver4377]

I had mine done before I became a diver so I can't speak about myself. A friend of mine however had his done about a year ago and he was/still is a diver. The same surgeon who did mine did his. The surgeon told him the same as stated above (add an extra couple of weeks) to avoid any infection risk (although the chances of infection are minimal at best). We went diving 4 weeks to the day after his surgery and his eyes didn't fall out or explode (and no infections). :cheeky:

Go ahead and get it done you won't regret it.

 

[gj62]

From personal experience, when you have lasik your eyes become more sensitive to pressure. For over a year if I slept on my side, the eye that was pushing into the pillow would be blurry for some time in the morning. This did not occur before the surgery. My opthamologist said that this has been reported in lasik patience and will reduce in time. It's been 3 years and I rarely have that side effect now.

I waited almost 5 months and did not notice any side effects from diving, though I would still wake up blurry sometimes due to sleeping position.

 

[chickdiver]

Doc told me 4 weeks, I spoke with a hyperbarics guy I know who said 10 days. I opted for the 10 days. No problems at all. Also, I didn't have the pressure issues mentioned by the poster above.

 

[Parker]

My docs said I needed to stay out of the water for 30 days. Day 31 I was in the water. As an aside - after your surgery be sure to use the medicines/drops as prescribed! And remember, you get what you pay for..........

 

[chrpai]

I had Lasik in early Oct of 2000 before I was a diver. However at that time I knew I was going on a trip in late November where I would dive. The Doctor said I should be cleared to dive after 30 days. I had a 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year follow up appointment schedule. At the 1 month appt he said the flap and healed to the point that I could dive.

I suppose on a case by case basis 6 months may be correct, but I was never avised of that for all people.