!!!Warning!!!

Chockstock

Chockstock

The Stars and Stripes Forever
10-Year Member
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Feb 1, 2009
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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/01/31/health/main327664.shtml

I've been considering getting LASIK if I joined the Army (I've always hated the idea of joining with peepers - not to mention how uncomfortable they are). But this article is giving me second thoughts. I know its almost 10 years old, but I cant help but wonder if the contents of it are true. LASIK doesn't have 100% satisfaction from its customers for sure, and it is kind of scary to read about the possible long term effects. This might be an interesting read for those considering LASIK. Whether its true or not, I would hate to see anyone on the forums or anyone else have eye problems in the future or even have immediate problems as some do with LASIK.

But DAMN. It sucks. Now I cant get LASIK anymore because Im too scared!! I absolutely HATE how my eyes are bad and its not even my fault (its genetic).


Here is the story for those of you too lazy to click on the link :rolleyes:

Long-Term Effects of LASIK Remain a Mystery

(CBS) An Eye on America investigation into LASIK eye surgery shows there are risks both during the operation and beyond.

For the patient, it holds the promise of normal sight without glasses. But as CBS's John Blackstone reports, the fact that little is known about the long-term effects should also be considered.

For millions, LASIK surgery has delivered improved eyesight without glasses or contact lenses. The surgeon cuts a tiny flap on the surface of the eye, and then a few bursts of a laser reshape the cornea. But even those who perform the surgery, like Dr. Richard Abbott in San Francisco, admit the long-term effects remain unknown. "Truly, we cannot guarantee to anybody what will happen in 5, 10, or 15 years," says Abbott, who works at the University of California-San Francisco Medical Center. Although thousands of patients now have laser surgery every week, there is little medical research underway. That worries eye surgeon Dr. William Jory. "The public will point their fingers at us in a few years time and say, 'Doctor, why didn't you warn me?'" says Jory. Still, Abbott remains enthusiastic: "I think this technology is really terrific." Jory, however, has stopped using lasers in his practice in London. "We abandoned [the] laser about 4 years ago and we advise our patients against it," says Jory. After treating 37 patients with the laser, Jory discovered more than half had seriously diminished night vision. Many patients complain of seeing halos and starbursts at night. Now the US Food and Drug Administration lists night-vision problems as one of the possible complications of LASIK surgery. The warning is part of a sobering assessment of LASIK surgery on the FDA Web site. Some patients, the FDA says, "may no longer be able to drive at night." The site warns, "results may not be lasting." The FDA also cautions that improved vision after LASIK may be temporary, particularly for those who need reading glasses. "Nobody guarantees that you won't need spectacles after this surgery: You probably will," says attorney Aaron Levine. The problem, says Levine, is that patients are not always carefully screened. "People who never should have this surgery are getting it done," says Levine. Abbott says patients also need to have realistic expectations regarding their vision after surgery. "It may be excellent during the day. It may not be so excellent at night," says Abbott. He remains cautious about LASIK, particularly when it comes to his own eyes. "I haven't had this surgery. Nobody can guarantee me perfect vision," says Abbottt. In fact, many who perform LASIK surgery have not had it done themselves. Like the doctors, patients should have a full understanding of the risks as well as the benefits.
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Sensationalized topic for an article that has only little to do with today's refractive surgery.

A few points:
1)Refractive surgery has come quite a long way over the last decade. There are now various iterations of LASIK which include wave-front, femtosecond lasers, custom-guided, etc which have produced a reduction in the number of post-operative complications

2)Vision Guarantees - you are remiss to think that anyone can guarantee you anything when it comes to outcomes in medicine. There are too many variables and too much variation to anatomy to have this. Do most people improve their vision to 20/20 or better, yes. Do some need repeat operations, yes. Do some people forever continue to need glasses, yes.

3)Halo's and Starbursts at night - can still happen, not as often, but are still known possible 'complications' of the surgery.

4)Reading Glasses - LASIK is not meant to correct those who need reading glasses. Most people need reading glasses later in life because the ability to "accomodate" (the action needed to read close in) becomes less as you age. (Remember when you were young and could read a paper that was basically held to your nose??? Try it now and notice that you actually need to hold it a few inches away now, this is the beginning of this loss) Those who are near-sighted actually need reading glasses less than those with normal vision due to the optics of the eye. If you now take that eye and make it "normal" through surgery you are going to need reading glasses basically at the same rate as those with "normal" eyes from birth.

5)"People who never should have this surgery are getting it done" - true. Refractive surgery is a pure cash cow. There are many reputable refractive surgery centers and there are a handful that are a bit more lax. Go visit multiple places/surgeons/doctors before deciding on the right place for you.

6)Overall Risk assessment: overall LASIK in today's world is a safe procedure. There are potentials for complications such as difficulty at night and the need for repeat procedures. The higher your prescription the more likely you are to have some of the complications. Discuss all of these with your potential surgeon and if you don't like the answers stick with glasses. They don't hurt you, they work, and you don't introduce the risk of surgery. If you are willing to take the risk the probable outcome is a good one.

(BTW, I know plenty of doctors and optometrists who have had this procedure done. I also know a ton of pilots and navigators who have had it done)
 
I had a pretty good conversation with the interviewing officer for my AFROTC scholarship and the regional director of admissions (they both happen to be in the same building), and it has taken a huge weight off my shoulders to find out that I can gain a pilot slot in AFROTC, and get LASIK (or PRK - one was preferred over the other for some reason - I'm going to look that one up again to be sure) after done by the Air Force.

I'm currently correctable to 20/20, but my vision is actually around 20/200, which...is bad...

Hopefully by the time I (and many of us) get this done, the process will be even safer than it is now.
 
Air Force perfers LASIK
Navy perfers PRK (looking into LASIK don't know if its been approved yet)

But as for getting it early, be careful because at least for the Navy if you get PRK or LASIK on your own, regardless of what your vision is, you are NPQ'ed for aviation.
 
Kero said:
Navy perfers PRK (looking into LASIK don't know if its been approved yet)
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LASIK for Navy is currently in the infancy stages, they are allowing it, but only if performed at NMC San Diego or NMC Portsmouth and only under very strict guidelines.

But as for getting it early, be careful because at least for the Navy if you get PRK or LASIK on your own, regardless of what your vision is, you are NPQ'ed for aviation.
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Absolutely 100% accurate. If you want to be a pilot/nfo in the Navy don't even think about getting surgery prior to entry.
 
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