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jclimb1
Trad climber
Moab, UT
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Topic Author's Original Post - Feb 15, 2012 - 06:21pm PT
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I'm scheduled to have PRK eye surgery this Monday (President's Day) and I'm getting cold feet.
I've been super psyced on the idea of not having to deal w/ glasses but I've been reading horror stories on the internet and I'm kind of freaking out and thinking about canceling the surgery.
I've been reading some older posts on the forum. Anyone have and thoughts on their lasik/prk experience?
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jstan
climber
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Feb 15, 2012 - 06:26pm PT
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Search "lasik and climbing".
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BASE1361
climber
Yosemite Valley National Park
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Feb 15, 2012 - 06:36pm PT
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I had Lasix surgery.
The altitude myth is just that.... a myth. Initially they made hundreds of tiny cuts into the lens to make corrections and yes when someone went to alt. there was blurry vision experienced. They haven't done that style of surgery for ages. It's all a laser cut around the lens to make a flap
Are you having the lens cut with a blade or laser?
I had mine done with a laser and it is quite an experience regardless of how it is cut. One is a cleaner cut then the other. They gave me some Ativan prior to relax me.
And are you having the distance corrected (near/far sighted) and astigmatism?
I had both. Figure since there removing the lens flap might as well get it all done with one stop.
It's an extra $$$ to ablate the tissue to correct an astigmatism but worth the cost.
Initially I had experienced an hyphema due to the suction cup that grabs your eyeball to pull on it in order to make the incision. The burning lasted a few days, eye drops were needed for about 3 months. First week back at work was manageable and ABX drops are needed for I think 7-10 days and up to 14 if your in the health care industry.
The Halo's go away after a month.
I went with Lasix Plus. Free exams for 6 months (you need to follow up for 6 months for the warranty) and if ANY corrections are needed in your lifetime it's free.
I had sh#t for vision..... now it's 20/20-20/15.
And I went to a few places. If you do not feel comfortable with the answers your getting cancel the surgery. Go with the place that is not only professional but willing to stop and take the time to answer all concerns.
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Norton
Social climber
the Wastelands
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Feb 15, 2012 - 06:48pm PT
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Way back in 1997 or so I paid $4000 for both eyes.
Wore glasses since I was five years old, then contacts, got so sick of it all.
My right eye is perfect 20/20 for distance and my left is perfect for reading.
It took about 30 days or so for my brain to not think about which eye was being used.
I would do it again in a heartbeat, and it is so much cheaper now!
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BASE1361
climber
Yosemite Valley National Park
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Feb 15, 2012 - 06:59pm PT
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I paid about 1400/eye.
My insurance paid 15% to knock it to that $$. And there are companies (CareCredit) that you can make payments 0% for 2 years. Costs me 128/mo for 24 months. Worth it 100%. Not only in the pain in the ass with glasses, but I don't have to drive at night with rx sunglasses :)
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Zoo
climber
Fremont, CA
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Feb 15, 2012 - 07:12pm PT
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Did both eyes 5 or so years ago. According to Dr, due to eye shape, had 1 done Lasik, the other PRK. Both eyes have been 20/20 or better since. Some of the best money I have ever spent. The lasik eye was good almost immediately. PRK takes longer to heal (about 30 days). So glad that I haven't had to think about my vision on a daily basis like I used to.
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Friedo
Trad climber
South Lake Tahoe
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Feb 15, 2012 - 07:16pm PT
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This has been a great thread, as I am also looking onto Lasik in the near future! Thanks for all the info, y'all!
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crusher
climber
Santa Monica, CA
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Feb 15, 2012 - 07:42pm PT
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Are you sure you need PRK vs. Lasik? Lasik is cleaner (in terms of the laser use vs. knife) and the Lasik Wavefront technology seems to be super accurate these days in getting the topography of each eye read correctly.
I've not done this yet but need to - am blind as a bat. I've talked to my dr. umpteen times about it. Go to a conservative Dr. for sure - don't do both eyes at once. There are many other things to consider - your age, for one, if you have an astigmatism, are at all far-sighted (i.e. need reading glasses). If you're young still (younger than 40 probably) you might want to wait - your eyes can still change - mine have and I'm in the second half of the 40's. So I've waited. Also if you can help it don't go to a bargain basement place.
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jclimb1
Trad climber
Moab, UT
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 15, 2012 - 08:40pm PT
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Thanks for the replies so far. A bit more info I guess....
I'm scheduled for custom wavefront, vision about -6.00 & -5.75, myopic (nearsighted), astigmatisms in both eyes, about $1800 per eye, Hoopes Vision in SLC, choosing PRK over Intralase lasik in order to avoid the whole flap thing and any future complications (and less likely to cause ectasia), I've gone to two different surgeons and had the thorough exams at both and both told me I am a good candidate - no dry eyes, no thin corneas, good cornea width, etc.
Also, I read locker's thread and his problems from 2009 and the "Lasik and Climbing" thread. Both have interesting info; thought I'd start a new, current thread.
Quote, "Are you sure you need PRK vs. Lasik? Lasik is cleaner (in terms of the laser use vs. knife)"
I might have misunderstood the above post, but PRK does not use a knife or laser to cut the flap. There is no flap w/ PRK. Lasik has a much shorter recovery time, but many people believe PRK to ultimately be a safer choice. And custom wavefront lasers are used in PRK, as well.
edited to change my vision from "farsighted" to "nearsighted"
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PeteC
climber
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Feb 15, 2012 - 11:37pm PT
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Lasik was one of the best things I ever did, in 1998.
I'm a doctor and muddled through the testimonials and the statistics but the thing that convinced me was that all the ophthalmologists and their wives were getting it.
For high velocity sports like biking and skiing it's great, as well as third world travel where contact lens hygiene is poor, and of course altitude .
Thumbs up from me.
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Raafie
Big Wall climber
Portland, OR
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Feb 15, 2012 - 11:41pm PT
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Lasik is awesome, and 100% worth it.
The worst that I have to put up with is some sensitivity to cold wind---my eyes tear-up pretty easily. A bit odd to be walking down the sidewalk going to lunch on a nice sunny day, and having to dab a tear just because it's a little chilly.
Edit: I did lasik wavefront, with the cut flap. Of course it's weird when they do it. But no complications, and 7-8 years later I'm still 20-20 or better.
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elcap-pics
Big Wall climber
Crestline CA
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Feb 15, 2012 - 11:49pm PT
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I had it done in 2001 and after 11 years my eyes are not sharp anymore. But I am older now (67) and they say your vision gets worse once you pass 60. It is however a lot better than before I had it done.
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matisse
climber
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Feb 16, 2012 - 12:08am PT
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The SO had PRK. great outcome about 5 years ago. The great thing about PRK is that there are no worries about dislodging a flap, which can happen even 10 years after LASIK, and no reported issues related to altitude changing refraction which has been reported to be an issue originally with RK and more recently with LASIK.
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Feb 16, 2012 - 12:13am PT
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...the thing that convinced me was that all the ophthalmologists and their wives were getting it.
Well, I have a story about that. My daughter just had a laser procedure for a hole in her retina. (So not for eyesight correction.) The doc who did it has done many thousands of laser procedures and is the senior instructor in such procedures at a major academic hospital.
As the procedure was about to start, my daughter joked, ``so, can I get rid of my glasses after you do this?'' The surgeon chuckled, pointed to his own face, and said, "We do a lot of those procedures, but you'll notice that I'm wearing glasses."
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Danholio
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Feb 16, 2012 - 12:21am PT
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I had lasik in Dec 2009 and given a choice, would do it again in a heartbeat. I am a doctor and waited for quite a bit of long term safety data to emerge before deciding to go for it.
I had mildly dry eyes for 12 months post-surgery which was well managed with eye drops.
Post-lasix, I have 20/20 vision in both eyes (formerly ~20/50). For climbing, it's been fantastic to not have to mess around with contact lenses, saline, etc. In the past, I had problems with contacts drying in the mountain air. Also the hassle/discomfort of waking up with contacts and having to manage them with filthy climber hands. Now, I just wake up and climb on.
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Wayno
Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
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Feb 16, 2012 - 12:22am PT
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I remember Locker having some problems that he talked about here. I'm not sure if it was Lasik or something else.
Edit- Well, speak of devil...
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stevep
Boulder climber
Salt Lake, UT
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Feb 16, 2012 - 12:33am PT
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Well, I had vision about the same as yours, except nearsighted and minus the astigmatism (i.e. blind as a bat). Had LASIK and Interlase done at Hoopes 5 years ago. The Interlase was my only option because of thin corneas.
Best money I've ever spent. Results have been perfect. Could read license plates on cars on the way home. Vision better than 20/20 and stable. No side effects.
No question I'd do it again, and no hesitation in recommending Hoopes.
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jclimb1
Trad climber
Moab, UT
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 16, 2012 - 12:55am PT
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Man, this is tricky business. Just like you guys, everyone I talk to says, "Awesome, best thing I ever did", and I get all psyched. Then I read about people who are fuked because of lasik. And not just people who had it done in Tijuana 10 years ago. People who had it done 6 months or 1 year ago in university clinics and who will never again drive or read books or live without rx eye drops......shitty.
99 out of 100 will probably be great, but it would really, really suck to be that 1
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Danholio
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Feb 16, 2012 - 01:27am PT
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jclimb - if you're still uncertain, i would just be honest with your doc, have a conversation and if you're still not feeling up for it, then cancel. remember this is elective surgery. if you cancel the surgery, similar to bailing on a big wall, it'll be there for you again when you're ready.
that said, everything in life carries risk. just like in climbing, it's about understanding and mitigating the risks to the best of your ability while achieving your goals as safely as possible. horror stories abound for even the safest medical procedures and climbing routes - but at some point, you just have to go for it and trust the numbers.
take care and good luck!
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kc
Trad climber
the cats
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Feb 16, 2012 - 02:09am PT
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I had a great result. Had Lasik over 10 years ago by a board certified opthamologist. Went from 20/400 to 20/10; things have finally relaxed to about 20/15+ in each eye. Best money I've ever spent. Not having to think about my eyesight on a daily basis is a huge benefit. I wore glasses since 5th grade, contacts for 20 years from high school on. I did have the procedure done before they were correcting one eye for reading. Now that I'm 50, I've got a slight reduction in my reading vision. If I were to do Lasik now, I'd probably get the adjustment for reading and myopia.
I'd say the only difference I noticed right away after the procedure was that I felt like I got more 'stuff' in my eyes. I think my contacts gave me a little bit of a barrier effect, so when they were gone, I felt like I had more dust or dirt or something in my eyes. That difference went away in a few months. I didn't have any changes between contacts and Lasik in terms of night vision. It wasn't that great before the procedure, but it definitely did not get worse after. Maybe even improved a little.
So--one vote for Lasik from me! Oh, and I can't even imagine camping with glasses/contacts anymore. SO nice to be able to get out of bed/bag in the middle of the night and be able to see where I'm going!
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