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  #1  
Old 05-03-2005, 10:12 AM
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Vision repair advice

Had my eyeglasses stolen off a restaurant counter yesterday at a restaurant (in the 3 seconds I was looking down to put away my prescription sunglasses)

Was dumbfounded. Haven't had ANYTHING stolen from me since I can remember. Here I teach condition orange when in public and I'm in f**kin'g white??

Anyway, am thinking of doing the Lasik (or whatever is the best/latest/greatest procedure these days) thing and just ditch being tied to glasses all the time.

Who's had this done (or maybe there's someone here that does this and can make suggestions), what's the best procedure available, advice, etc.?

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  #2  
Old 05-03-2005, 10:16 AM
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Only areal Clepto would steal someones eyeglasses.........bummer.

I too have thought about Lasic for years...but have always feared some of the complications that could occur.
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  #3  
Old 05-03-2005, 10:55 AM
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A few people in my family have gotten it done and had excellent results. I will get my eyes done eventually as well.

The trick is to find a good doctor you can trust, who has been doing it for awhile. This is the one time you do not just want to look for a good deal, you can make more money but you only get 2 eyes.
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  #4  
Old 05-03-2005, 10:58 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor
Only areal Clepto would steal someones eyeglasses.........bummer.

I too have thought about Lasic for years...but have always feared some of the complications that could occur.
Yeah, thought about that too, but my body's been shot, stabbed, run over (twice - months in traction/casts), most of the common bones broken (Mcycle racing) and pretty much pummeled, so whatever the complications (I'm sure going completely blind from the procedure is probably too remote to even be considered), it's probably not incurable or worse than other stuff I deal with everyday and being free from being tied to glasses is worth a LOT of risk to me.

Funny, we teach range classes and are there to set up at 6am (leave the house at 4:45), get the classes going at 8am (lead calisthenics and the range jog) then we're on our feet all day teaching and wrestling with students till 5pm (quite literally dodging bullets on occasion), then break down and debrief, get home at 9pm, write up the days issues, to bed by 12-1, then up by 4 again. The whining we hear from these pansy-ass kids these days is UNBELIEVABLE ("oh.., that's too hard", "oh.., I only got 12 hours sleep last night", "oh.., the football game went late so I couldn't clean my rifle...", "oh..., my back hurts.."), good thing is, this ain't the modern ARMY and we CAN cuss at people and send them home and DT them around the range for f**king up.

http://www.jcgservices.org/dehlta

I have never considered myself "tuff" (am a downright "pussy" actually, I just don't scream it out loud) when comparing myself to my dad, uncles, brother, etc. (WWII/Korea/VN Rangers, infantry), but compared to the crop that is being raised today, jeez....
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  #5  
Old 05-03-2005, 11:05 AM
R Leo's Avatar
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SWMBO had Lasik done in December. She's needed glasses since 3rd grade, loves being able to see in the shower and in the middle of the night and wouldn't go back for anything. However, in her case (and the Dr. warned about his) she still needs glasses since they corrected her vision from being nearsighted to being farsighted. IOW, nowadays to read, she must use readers.

In your case, I would be concerned that Lasiked eyes might wind up having the wrong focal distance for shooting. Make sure the Doc knows you are a shooter and discuss the issues involved with focussing on the front sight, distance to the front sight on various weapons etc...
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  #6  
Old 05-03-2005, 11:06 AM
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I'll venture a guess that the dirtbag who took your glasses was darned lucky you didn't catch him/her. I's also wonder if it was someone who knows you playing a practical "joke"

I wear contacts as I often need protective eyewear of some sort Easier to wear "off the shelf" protective eyewhere than have prescription (insert for scba, safey glasses, goggles, etc)

My eye doc where glasses and I asked hi about the laser surgery...his response? "I can get it done for free and I'm not doing it" That was several years ago but I still see him wearing glasses.....I might check it out again who knows...contact lenses don't seem to be too much of a burden....
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  #7  
Old 05-03-2005, 11:14 AM
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Well since its official Verizon is buying my company will wait to see if I still have a job. Think I am safe and if it increaces our workload in a manner that increaces my money in the way of overtime I may end up doing it....the newer forms of lasik , not the basic one hs a higher percentage of success....being fairly nearsighted with slight astigmatism I would likely have to go that route.

Personally I would love to be able to see more than 10" infront of me clearly...Contacts are not an option due to the work inviroment with lots of air movement.
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  #8  
Old 05-03-2005, 11:34 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by R Leo
SWMBO had Lasik done in December. She's needed glasses since 3rd grade, loves being able to see in the shower and in the middle of the night and wouldn't go back for anything. However, in her case (and the Dr. warned about his) she still needs glasses since they corrected her vision from being nearsighted to being farsighted. IOW, nowadays to read, she must use readers.

In your case, I would be concerned that Lasiked eyes might wind up having the wrong focal distance for shooting. Make sure the Doc knows you are a shooter and discuss the issues involved with focussing on the front sight, distance to the front sight on various weapons etc...

Yes, this was a concern, but since I ALWAYS wear eye protection when shooting, teaching, etc., wearing prescription glasses THEN wouldn't be a problem. I could have them customized for FS focus and not worry about not seeing anything else at other times with those glasses on.
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  #9  
Old 05-03-2005, 11:35 AM
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My spouse had lasic done quite a few years ago. I can't even remember exactly when - it was at least five years, maybe more.

The upside - she can see. She was very myopic, to the point she had trouble getting eyeglass prescriptions filled, could only choose certain frames, and had to special order contact lenses at outrageous prices. It took two surgeries on each eye - the first got her 'close' - about 20/40 vision. The second put each eye right on 20/20. She consistently remarks it's one of the best decisions she had made.

There are a few downsides and risks. Plenty of folks at my office have had the procedure done. Common side effect is dry eyes, some people have to use artificial tears. Halos at night are somewhat common. At the time my spouse had it done, they had difficulty on folks with a lot of astigmatism (sp?). I think the newer machines/procedures are better able to handle that condition now. And as mentioned, you may still need reading glasses once the magic age of 40ish is attained and presbyopia kicks in. And over time your vision will drift a bit - that perfect 20/20 is a temporary thing.

I've chosen not to have the procedure done. I'm myopic, but only -3.00 diopters worth. Simple, inexpensive contact lenses give me very good vision, so I don't see even the slight risk of surgery as worth incurring.

I bet there's a ton of discussion about this scattered around the Internet. Do some reading and form your own opinion.

My $.02,

- JimY
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  #10  
Old 05-03-2005, 11:45 AM
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Lasik

I had my Lasik done in May 2003. Overall, I have been pleased but it's not perfect.

My eyes were horrible...nearsighted big time. I wore a 7.5 diopter contact lens in my left eye and a 5.75 in the right. I started wearing glasses when I was in the first grade.

My Lasik was done at InView here in Atlanta.

Due to my age and desire to avoid reading glasses, I opted to do monovision.
My dominant left eye was corrected for distance and my right eye for reading.

90% of all activities I can do with no glasses. I did have sunglasses and clear glasses made which correct my right eye for distance. This makes driving more comfortable although I can drive without glasses if I have to.

After the surgery I was amazed. For 4 months after surgery my vision seemed to improve but then it degraded somewhat after a year. Now it seems to have stabilized.

I do have halos at night around bright lights. This is especially true in my left eye because it required the most correction. Wearing glasses at night to correct my right eye to 20/20 minimizes the halos.

As was said earlier, this is not an area to go cheap. Get the best doctor you can find. I had one clinic refuse to do Lasik on my left eye due to the amount of correction needed. Dr. Keith Thompson at InView felt comfortable doing the procedure and that's where I ultimately went.

I'm glad I did it.
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  #11  
Old 05-03-2005, 05:06 PM
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I looked into this several times over the years. They still have to physically peel back your cornea to rework the shape of your eye with the excimer laser. This is what stops me. If it was all cool laser I would do it.

Age is another consideration, correction is better before 40.

If you live long enough you will likely need cataract surgery and you get a new corrected lens then anyway.

My concern is with my licenses, that ride will end with a failed physical.
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  #12  
Old 05-03-2005, 10:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TomJ
Anyway, am thinking of doing the Lasik (or whatever is the best/latest/greatest procedure these days) thing and just ditch being tied to glasses all the time.

Who's had this done (or maybe there's someone here that does this and can make suggestions), what's the best procedure available, advice, etc.?
I had LASIK performed 6-7 years ago, and I am satisfied. I had one adventure, an imperfect flap (1 in 10,000 occurrence) which recovered fine. Ah, but I have not "ditched" glasses entirely...

Pre-op -6.75 and -4.00 astigmatism each eye, now daylight corrected 20/20 left eye, 20/30 right eye. A bit of un-intended monovision, a light pair of corrective lenses for night vision. (So, I'm not quite free from glasses...)

Sometimes I need $1.00 'readers' at about +1.25 - +1.50 to help with the fine print, but that is something attributable to age, not LASIK....

Do an exhaustive internet search (Google, etc.) on Lasik, case histories, outcomes, risks, etc. You will get more information than on a Mercedes Forum, not that this is a bad place...

I took the risk, and came out on the positive end.

Best Regards,
Jim
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  #13  
Old 05-04-2005, 12:46 AM
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These guys were one of the first.......


http://www.lasereye.com/notouch.html
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  #14  
Old 05-04-2005, 08:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CMuc
These guys were one of the first.......


http://www.lasereye.com/notouch.html
Quote:
Definition:

'no touch™' laser vision correction refers to the method developed at London Place Eye Centre of removing the epithelium (outer skin of the cornea) with the laser. This is combined with a customized computer formula (nomogram) used for sculpting the surface. There is no manual manipulation of the cornea with instruments.

Using the laser to remove the epithelium is less traumatic than the other methods such as LASIK. It produces a very smooth surface for lasering the required correction. There is more rapid regrowth of the epithelium following 'no touch™' treatment. This method is used at London Place Eye centre with:

*

The Visx'™ Star S4 with 3D AcvtiveTrak and Variable Spot Scanning using a multi-pass, multi-zone technique. Acquired in late 2002, this sixth generation of laser reinforces London Place's dedication to providing the absolute most advanced in Excimer Laser technology.
Thanks, this is the technology that I think may make the difference for me. When this procedure is available locally at attractive price I may very well go in for it.
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  #15  
Old 05-04-2005, 08:33 AM
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http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/showthread.php?t=482

google turned up this forum. No telling what is truth and what is marketing.

Quote:
Broadly speaking, there are two approaches to modern laser eye surgery: (1) LASIK, which cuts a thick flap of tissue and carries certain unique short-term and long-term risks but which has remained popular with doctors and patients due to its convenience factors (less pain, faster visual recovery), and (2) surface ablation, where they don't cut a flap, they just remove the epithelium and apply the laser immediately underneath. These have the advantages that they escape many of the most serious complications associated with LASIK, but carry the disadvantages of slightly more pain, longer recovery, and potential for haze, so the methods are always being refined to try to make them better for patients. NoTouch is one of FOUR methods in this category. So if you are trying to avoid incisions, NoTouch is definitely not your only choice and it also does not have nearly as long a track record as some of the others.

The main distinction between the four surface ablation methods lies in how the epithelium is removed:
1) In PRK (the original surgery, developed in the 1980's), it is removed manually (i.e. scraped off);
2) In LASEK, it is softened with an alcohol solution and lifted;
3) In Transepithelial PRK (also called NoTouch) it is ablated (vaporised) with an excimer laser; and
4) In Epi-LASIK a living sheet of epithelium is lifted with a separator and replaced after surgery.

I was just catching up on my medical journals this weekend and read an interesting article comparing methods 1, 2, and 3. They actually found no statistically significant difference in the amount of pain or the visual results.

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