Anyone had LASIK/PRK done recently?

[North Shore]

Care to discuss your experience, etc??? PM, please.

Thanks.

[Flybabe]

Check PM's

FB

[DFione1]

I had Lasik done last year. It was great. My vision was at -4.00 both eyes and after the procedure i'm seeing well better than 20/20. The procedure itself was less than 5 min in the operating room. It was painless and I was able to see right after the procedure. I even took the subway home, by myself, after. I didn't experience any night time problems either, though I did take the more advanced procedure using the laser beam with a smaller beam which could shape the eye better. Transport grounds you for 3-6 months and all you need is fill out their forms. I have no regrets.

[yycflyguy]

Still 3 months? I thought if all the paperwork was in order and you were given a clean bill of health it was down to a month.

[Driving Rain]

I had foldable intraocular done on both eyes. About $1500 per eye. Dirt looks good.
http://www.prk.com/cataracts/intraocula ... lants.html

[Full Ins]

Know it wasn't recently, but I had PRK done about 10 years ago. The best thing I've ever done... went from -6.50 to better than 20/20. Back then it was 12 months for a cat 1 medical, looks as if it is getting accepted... finally. Anyone know if the military still disqualifies you for having it done??

[Grantmac]

CF just authorized it this fall. You need to have 6 months of stable vision to qualify.

[YEGer]

I just had PRK Lazik on Jul 2. I have mixed feelings about the results. I can see 20/20, but now require reading glasses for any near vision requirements. I had the more expensive, ZYOPTIC lazik, which reduces the amount of cornea removal, by 20%, compared with ordinary Lazik. This allows much faster healing times, promises less likelyhood of night vision problems, such as Halo, starbursts.

I informed my Aviation MD, and I will have to wait 3 months to have my medical reinstated. This is a TC requirement.

A previous poster mentioned that there are forms to have your optomistrist complete, and submitted to TC. These forms are avail on the TC Aviation medical website. http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Cam/T ... refractive

I think TC should re-evaluate the time period, post surgery, that a pilot may not fly. The forms, and web page info on their website are dated 1999.

Good Luck with your decision

[ragbagflyer]

What do you think would happen if you didn't tell your aviation md and just carried on with business as usual?

[DFione1]

I'm not sure if it is the surgeon's duty to advise TC that you had the surgery. I know when I had my surgery done, on the form it asked if I was a pilot and I can't remember if it asked for my license # too.

[b1ngnx33]

I still don't trust lasik/prk.

I don't trust the opticians training.

I don't trust the "cheaper" options.

I'm just going to keep on waiting. I doubt much can be done for my rx. My eyes are very special.

I can't even get contacts.

Once I see that 10 million dollar insurance policy, PER EYE, THEN I will believe their "safety" garbage.

Safety garbage : Its safe, government approved, etc, etc.

I have a question : What was the contract you signed before you did this lasik?

Total abdication of responsibilty by the optician?

Did you give up all your rights to sue ?

Did you give up all your rights for damages ?

Did you give up all your rights to sue for long term damages ?

I'm pretty sure that lasik/prk contract is filled to the core with legal sh*t.

[Flybabe]

I'm not sure if it is the surgeon's duty to advise TC that you had the surgery.

When I had it done (can't speak for now), it wasn't. TC doesn't yank your medical, either. It's up to you to be honest (or not.. your choice). It was 3 months wait for me. And yes, there are a few tests that TC requires to be completed.

Regardless of how well you can see the next day, it's in your best interests to allow your eyes to heal. Your eyes, though - do what you want

If you lie - and don't tell them - there's a really really good chance it'll catch up with you at some point, IMO.

[yycflyguy]

Pretty obvious when you go to have your next medical and you are 20/20 uncorrected but for the past 15 years you couldn't even see which wall the chart was on! Doctors aint that stupid!

[Grantmac]

I still don't trust lasik/prk.

I don't trust the opticians training.

I don't trust the "cheaper" options.

I'm just going to keep on waiting. I doubt much can be done for my rx. My eyes are very special.

I can't even get contacts.

Once I see that 10 million dollar insurance policy, PER EYE, THEN I will believe their "safety" garbage.

Safety garbage : Its safe, government approved, etc, etc.

I have a question : What was the contract you signed before you did this lasik?

Total abdication of responsibilty by the optician?

Did you give up all your rights to sue ?

Did you give up all your rights for damages ?

Did you give up all your rights to sue for long term damages ?

I'm pretty sure that lasik/prk contract is filled to the core with legal sh*t.

It's elective surgery so your doing it entirely on your own liability. However, just like plastic surgery if there is a case of malpractice there is no way they can limit your ability to sue.

FYI, I'm not a lawyer but I ask a LOT of questions before I do things.

If you come out without the vision required to keep your job and you can trace it to the guy manning the laser (not an infection/post op problem) then you will conceivably sue for damages.
Cheers,
Grant

[daveg]

It's not worth the gamble of loosing my career over not wearing contacts or glasses. If they screw up, your job as a pilot is over. Way to many things to go wrong still IMHO.

[Flybabe]

Pretty obvious when you go to have your next medical and you are 20/20 uncorrected but for the past 15 years you couldn't even see which wall the chart was on! Doctors aint that stupid!

Actually.... you'd be surprised.

ANYWAYS - I've never spoken with someone that wasn't happy about the results. It's a hugely personal decision, regardless. If you aren't comfortable with it, then don't do it. You have to weigh your options.

I can't ever wear contacts again. I hope I don't ever need correction again. However, I know the eye is a dynamic organ and things happen. If my eyes get worse again for some reason, I'll wear glasses as required.

Although.. men don't make passes at girls that wear glasses, right??

[tellyourkidstogetarealjob]

My 23 year old son had Lasik 2 1/2 years ago. He's not in aviation.

He had no problems with haloing or night vision or other reported side effects. However, he has told me that his vision was as sharp as a tack when it was first done but now says it is getting worse. Not yet bad enough to require glasses to drive a car but very noticeable. Given his age normal aging doesn't account for it.

He has been meaning to go back and have his eyes checked but he's been procrastinating.

[YEGer]

For those, thinking about the surgery, without advising, your aviation medical doctor, think on.

From the Transport Canada civil aviation website... "Failure to inform TC/CAM about this surgical procedure could lead to Enforcement action should the circumstances come to light in the future. "Miraculous" improvements in visual acuity found at renewal medical examinations with your CAME will be vigorously pursued."

[North Shore]

Although.. men don't make passes at girls that wear glasses, right??

But safety pins and bassinets await the girl who fascinets!

[Grantmac]

Well I'm going in to get PRK done today. I'll keep ypu all updated on how it's going once the drugs wear off and I can stand to look at the screen.
Cheers,
Grant

[progman]

I had lasik over 6 years ago, and my vision is still 20/20 R, and 20/25 L, but both 20/20 eyes are 20/20 when tested together. I am very slowly working on my PPL, ( I travel way too much with work...) but when I renewed my medical, the nurse who checked my vision mentioned that I was the same as my last aviation medical, (5 years ago). She had both charts available and actually compared my results with my last visit.

As for the lasik, for the first couple of months, I saw halo's and my night vision was 'trying', but after awhile things cleared up and I no longer have any issues with my vision.

[Grantmac]

Well I got the surgery (PRK) done on Monday afternoon. Pretty damn uncomfortable for the first 2 days and I of-course couldn't see very well. Today not needing any painkillers and I got the "bandage" contacts off. I'm still not seeing well but I think I will probably be able to drive next week.
Expect to take at least a week off of life if your going to get this done. I'll upfate if anything odd happens.
Cheers,
Grant

[Flybabe]

Understandable with PRK. Lasik/Lasek doesn't remove the epithelium like PRK does. As that regenerates, your vision will clear up.

When I had mine done, I remember the waiting period was 6 months for PRK over the 3 months for Lasik but, again, I'm sure that has changed. I hated those bandage contacts, had them with Lasek for 3 days. Sure happy to get them taken out

[Grantmac]

Well I started seeing WAY better yesterday. Probably up to 20/40 or thereabouts yesterday. Easily using the computer (not 4" away like I'm 80). Still naturally putting all kinds of drops in my eyes and probably will be for at least a month. Only once I'm done the drops does the 3 month coutdown start.
I haven't had any significant haloing or any nightvision problems which is really great news as that can faltten your chances at a medical for a long time.

I'll keep you guys updated.
Grant