wearing glasses on the ice?

Arthriticbutterflystyle · Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 3:49 am Post subject:

When I went in they took a thing that basically looked like a torture device but you couldn't feel it at all...anyways, after that they took something that looked like an Oral-B power toothbrush and took the top layer of the cornea off. Don't worry, you don't feel a thing because they give you these super awesome numbing drops. After that they use the laser and in 1:15 seconds I was done. They dropped in two hard contacts and sent me on my way. I slept for 3 days straight and 2 days after that I had perfect vision and I was entirely healed up....better than perfect. 20/15 for 2 years. Not to mention they gave me a weeks supply of those numbing drops which was awesome...even when I didn't need them.

Definitely not something to be worried about and like I said, the payoff is definitely worth it to never have to deal with contacts or glasses ever again.

canadian_man_44 · Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 9:43 am Post subject:

Here's a video of the process. In this one, as in all the others I've seen, they cut the outside layer and flip it back so they can do the laser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4kDC4sZ5Jg
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Arthriticbutterflystyle · Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 1:28 pm Post subject:

canadian_man_44 · Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 2:11 pm Post subject:

By definition, Lasik is laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.

Lasik is Laser Eye surgery.

The two types of laser eye surgery used today are Lasik and PRK. True, lasic is the one in the video. False that it takes longer to recover from and is more dangerous. Why do I say this? They both use the exact same laser. The only difference is the way they remove the outer layer of the eye. In lasik they cut it with a very safe tool and lay the flap back in after surgery....it heals quicker. In PRK they scrape the outside layer away. Which one would you rather have done to your eye???? Scraping or cutting???? I'd personally go with the cutting.

More info here: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/LASIK/what.htm

Here's some more info as well.

LASIK:
2-step procedure with creation of corneal "flap" of tissue with laser applied to underlying tissue.

Pros: Very rapid visual recovery, little or no pain, great results.

Cons: More corneal tissue is required. Patients with thin corneas may not be candidates. More risk associated with potential "flap" complications (they are rare, but happen)

PRK:
Epithelium is removed and laser treatment is applied to front surface of cornea. Also can be known as "surface treatment".

Pros: Less corneal tissue is required so patients with thin corneas or possible underlying subclinical corneal disease may have this instead of LASIK. Since there is no "flap", there is no possibility of a flap complication. Little discomfort, great results.

Cons: Longer visual recovery than LASIK and more discomfort. New advances in bandage contact lens technology have greatly reduced the discomfort issue and most patients report slight scratchy or burning sensation after surgery, but nothing serious enough to impair their ability to do normal every day activities

Flap complications don't happen often at all with Lasik and if you have thin corneal tissue then you probably should go for PRK. Other then that though, I would definitely lean more towards the Lasik side of things.
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Arthriticbutterflystyle · Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 6:06 pm Post subject:

puckstopper135 · Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 6:08 pm Post subject:

I think I'd sh*t myself if I got laser eye surgery. That just looks too freaky for my liking.

Arthriticbutterflystyle · Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 6:12 pm Post subject:

Yeah but in the end, the procedure took less than the amount of time it takes me to eat a candy bar and I've had...let's see...4 years(ish) of 20/20 vision from having 20/450 vision. Total all the time for prep/surgery/recovery then divide it over the total time for enjoyment and it's worth every single penny of it. And that's before factoring in costs of contacts/glasses.

In all reality more time was spent prepping us then was spent in the procedure/recovery. We had to attend 36 hours of training on PRK and Lasik so we knew exactly what was going on. That was military required though Laughing

canadian_man_44 · Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 12:38 am Post subject:

I did a lot of research a few years ago on both Lasik and PRK. During that time I also talked to my optometrist about both methods. According to him, the major con of PRK is longer visual recovery and more discomfort.
The flap thing with Lasik isn't a problem if the person who gets it done isn't stupid enough to go digging at their eyes for a few days.
Anyway, I've got a few friends as well as my Grandfather who got the Lasik done. One of them was playing nets for us 3 days after the surgery with better then 20/20 vision.

I guess the bottom line is, whichever one you feel like getting is the one you should get. Do your research first if this is the route you're going to take for your eyes though. Either way, it's 3-5 days for recovery and if you come out with perfect vision after then it's well worth it.
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Arthriticbutterflystyle · Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 1:08 am Post subject:

Now it's almost identical between them. It really comes down to whichever one you're more comfortable with. Like I've said multiple times though, it's the best decision I've ever made. Worth it 100%

WOOT! Hawks score!

puckstopper135 · Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 1:10 am Post subject:

I would actually consider it... if the idea didn't scare me completely away.