[at-l] Winter and glasses

[icw39@ncfreedom.net (Clark Wright)]

I had LASIK done about 18 months ago [awesome results - I was worse than
20-400 and now am about 20-30 in both eyes!], and even back then it was
only about 1500/eye; today, in some cities, you can find an experienced
doc who will do it for less than 1000 per eye, and I think now some
major insurance companies will pay part of it in the form of a preferred
provider discount.  Some things to consider:

1)  Can you deal with the "Cloclwork Orange" like procedure?  It's not
bad for most people, but some just cannot deal with having people pull
eyelids open, stare at a little light, and remain perfectly still, etc.
2)  The most common complication is "light halos" - especially at
night.  I am 100% pleased with my results, but I can tell a slight
"halo' effect in night driving.  You should quiz your doc carefully on
the issue of pupil size, for this is what can cause the halo effect
(large pupils are bad).  The other important thing is that your vision
be fairly stable and not continuing to change a lot.  Today, they can
correct a broad range of near/far-sightedness and some astigmatism with
LASIK and laser PRK . . .
3)  There are good laser machines and great laser machines out there -
try to read up on the Internet and elsewhere as to the best models out
there and ask around re which docs have them - AND have experience on
them.  The doc I chose to use had performed a number of ops on other
doctors, so I thought that was a good sign . . .  Also, laser PRK is
still a good option for some people . . . do your own research, ask a
lot of questions, and feel free to visit several docs [many will do an
initial consult for free] until you get comfortable with YOUR decision!
4)  The biggest chance of real complications is not the laser surgery,
but the first cut into your corneal flap, which is done using a high
tech version of a can opener - this is where there is a [very] slight
chance of infection . . . 
5)  I've heard rumors that after LASIK surgery you might have problems
climbing Mt. Everest - seriously, there is some evidence that your eyes
don't perform as well at very high altitudes - does anyone else have
solid info on this issue?
6)  There is a new idea out there that sounds interesting to me; it is
called "corrective contacts," I think.  You are fitted with contacts
that intentionally are "too tight" or "too loose" for your cornea's
shape [depending on whether you are near vs far sighted]; you wear these
"training lenses" only at night, and they act to temporarily reshape
your cornea; after the doc gets you "tuned in," you supposedly can wear
these at night - sort of like a retainer after you've had braces - and
then engage in all your daily activities with 20-20 vision, no glasses,
no laser surgery, and no contacts!  Sounds pretty interesting to me, but
I don't much more than what I've said here . . .
7)  No matter what you do to get 20-20 vision squared away, most of us
start to need reading glasses or other, additional corrections, sometime
in our 40s-50s - oh, well, life is always full of change! :)

I wore contacts for 20+ years; they did me well, but there are REAL
risks of corneal infections, no matter how good the hygiene you practice
is!  The trail is a tough place for contacts, but it definitely can be
done - just don't forget that backup pair of glasses!

Hope this info is of use to some!

Clark Wright
[Thru-Thinker]

TJ Fort wrote:
> 
> WOW!  that's outrageous!  You can get the surgery for no more than 1500 an
> eye these days.  Look around.  I had the PRK (aka a razor blade) surgery
> done about 4 yrs ago.  It's the best 3500 I've ever spent in my life!
> 
> t.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: at-l-admin@mailman.backcountry.net
> [mailto:at-l-admin@mailman.backcountry.net]On Behalf Of Bruce W. Calkins
> Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2002 6:30 AM
> To: at-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [at-l] Winter and glasses
> 
> As to the Laser route, At $5,000.00 per eye out of my pocket it is just not
> yet available.  (Perhaps the prices are/would be better elsewhere?)
> 
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