Lasik Eye Surgery
LASIK is a surgical procedure intended to reduce a person’s dependency on glasses or contact lenses. LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. A knife, called a microkeratome, is used to cut a flap in the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back revealing the stroma, the middlesection of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced.
The surgery improves the vision in patients who have nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. LASIK surgery usually takes less than one minute per eye. Treatment involves reshaping the cornea - the protruding portion of surface of the eye - to improve vision.
Advantages of LASIK surgery
* The LASIK technique takes less than 30 minutes to perform and is very effective.
* The technical advancements incorporated in the LASIK technique eliminates the clinically significant risks leading to visual impairment after a refractive surgery.
* Most surveys show that 92-98% of people who undergo the surgery are satisfied with the results.
Disadvantages of LASIK surgery
* The LASIK surgery, done on the most sensitive part of the eye and is not reversible.
* Even after a LASIK surgery, a person may require reading glasses during midlife.
* The surgery is usually not covered by insurance policies.
* Additional surgery or ‘ enhancement’ may be required to enjoy the best possible result of a LASIK.
Best Candidate For LASIK
A large percentage of nearsighted, farsighted, and astigmatic patients are potential candidates for LASIK. Patients who are 18 years of age or older, have healthy eyes that are free from retinal problems, corneal scars, and any eye disease are suitable. Along with being medically suitable, the best candidates are people with a lifestyle or occupation in which they are dissatisfied with their contact lenses or glasses. By having an evaluation, examination, and consultation with you, the doctor will be able to determine if you are a good candidate.
After LASIK Surgery
* The moments after a major life-altering event are usually filled with joy, laughter, and camaraderie, but this usually doesn’t happen after surgery. LASIK surgery is no different than any other surgery, but its drawbacks may be a little different than others.
* The results of LASIK surgery are much akin to the results of being pestered by a pet day after day. Instead of the healing of bruises or incisions, LASIK surgery is accompanied by more burning and itching of an area that you are completely unable to scratch or cool. At this point, any touching of the eye could undo everything the surgery just repaired.
* Your vision will be blurry because of the watering and tearing up of your eye, but you cannot under any circumstances touch your eye. The eye may appear dry or bloodshot for several days, if this occurs you should consider taking time off of work. If you experience severe pain from LASIK surgery at any time you should contact your surgeon.
* Within 24-48 hours after your surgery you should have a post-operative exam to make sure everything is healing well. At regular intervals after the LASIK surgery up to six months you should continue seeing your doctor for checkups.
* At the first visit after LASIK surgery your doctor will remove the shield and make sure your eye is responding correctly to the surgery. You will not be able to use contact lenses for sometime to keep from further irritation and you may have to use drops or artificial tears to help with lubricating the eye.
Subhash
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/lasik-eye-surgery-85060.html
Lasik surgery?
If I have done lasik surgery on both eyes, is flying still a career for me?
Comment by arame — May 22, 2009 @ 8:51 pm
Yep, my eye doctor says that I can get it when I am older and still be a pilot.
So the answer is most definitely yes.
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Comment by The Jiggler — May 23, 2009 @ 1:53 am
You probably do not even need it. The regulations in many countries permit the use of contacts or glasses. The military usually does have tighter vision requirements. Check into the actual requirements for the flying you wish to do before taking the risks and expense of surgery.
US Civilian Vision Requirements:
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=37165cf9cfad5bf261aacb9fd804c5e9&rgn=div8&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.1.5.2.1.2&idno=14
Note where it says "with or without corrective lenses".
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Comment by Apollo — May 23, 2009 @ 1:55 am
Every country has its own rule.
Generally 6 months post surgery civil or commercial flying is permitted and a inital fitness medical can be cleared ( Class 1).
Basic idea is that you should not have any reminant opacity in your eyes.
References :
http://aeromedforum.bravehost.com/
Comment by Aero Doctor — May 23, 2009 @ 1:57 am
If you don't want to get lasik surgery, in the US, don't bother. It's not such a huge thing anymore. I wear contacts, and sometimes glasses and I still fly. You just have to get your eyesight checked so that if you need glasses or contacts you get them. Good luck!
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Comment by lauriewaurie567 — May 23, 2009 @ 1:59 am
Depends on what kind of flying, and what country you're in.
For military flying, maybe-maybe not. LASIK is not an acceptable form of surgical correction in some militaries. Commercially you should be fine.
HOWEVER: a not uncommon side effect of LASIK is weak night-vision or even nightblindness. Either of which might disqualify you.
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Comment by jim — May 23, 2009 @ 2:01 am
Lasik eye surgery is very safe nowadays. My cousin got her dental implants and Lasik surgery in India by a company called Indian Health Guru Consultants. The Price for dental and Lasik surgery is very less in India. She paid 25% of the price she was quoted in America.
Indian Health Guru Consultants is very famous in India They arrange Dental surgery, jaw surgery, Lasik eye surgery, Dental Implants etc for foreign patients in India. I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and magazines- about their patient stories.
They arrange financing for USA, Canadian, UK and other international patients who plan to have surgery abroad for low cost, as dental and eye surgery is not covered by insurance. They also have photos pasted of their International patients. You can checkout their website. There are huge cost savings. As a doctor I personally believe that surgery can be easily handled in India, as the quality of healthcare available In India is simply best in the world. The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.
http://www.indianhealthguru.com
Hope this helps.
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Comment by Margaret — May 23, 2009 @ 2:03 am