Lasik or PRK?

[FlyGirlla 0]

Hey everyone, I've made the decision to go get my eye fixed! But I was wondering from fellow skydivers what they got (Lasik or PRK) I have heard pro's and con's with both. I'm meeting my surgeon on Feb. 27th and would like some input on what would be better with skydiving.

[cbjetboy 0]

I had Lasik over 10 years ago. Best money I ever spent. Can't vouch for anyone else's eyes though. Blue skies and sharp eyes!!!

Chad B Hall
Woo hoo!
My goal is to make every jump a fun and safe one. Blue skies!
Some of my videos...

[MikeBIBOM 0]

For most of the last 14 years, the military has only accepted PRK surgery for aviators because of concerns about the "flap" caused by the Lasik procedure not holding up to the G forces involved in flying. Some ten years after making this decision, it was discovered that the scar tissue that grew on the incision site in Lasik was actually stronger than normal eye tissue. (I don't think they've revised their standards yet, but at the very least they're re-looking them.)

So PRK pros: They don't actually cut your eyeball open, they just burn off microscopic layers of the cornea.

PRK Cons: They burn layers of skin off of your eyeball, leaving it thinner than it was before.

Lasik Cons: They cut open your eyeball around your iris in order to do the procedure.

Lasik Pros: They put that layer back, it grows scar tissue, the skin around your iris is stronger than it was and they didn't burn anything off of your cornea.

Aside from that, I think they're pretty much the same, with the same risks, side-effects, success and failure rates.

But I am not an expert/doctor/etc.

[FlyingRhenquest 1]

I had custom lasik done few years back (2004-ish IIRC) and it was the best 4 grand I ever spent. I do always wear goggles on my skydives though.

Depending on what's going with your eyes, one or the other might have more benefits. If you go with Lasik, make sure your guy knows what he's doing. At a minimum, you want to make sure he measures your pupils in the dark, and I'd hunt around for a guy with an eyeball tracking laser. I've spoken to several people whose vision in dark environments is worse than it was before they had surgery because their pupils are wider than the area affected by the surgery.

I drove myself to the exam the next day after a couple of decades of having to wear glasses and being nearly blind. My vision was a bit hazy for a couple months after the procedure, and I saw halos around lights at night for an additional 4 or 5 months. I'll probably need reading glasses in a couple years (Entering my mid 40's) but it seems this is unavoidable no matter what you do (I'd have needed bifocals if I hadn't had the lasik.)

If I'd been skydiving when I did this, I think I would have taken several months off heal. My eyes were sensitive to touch for three or four months after the surgery.

I'm trying to teach myself how to set things on fire with my mind. Hey... is it hot in here?

[kcjen24 0]

Had LASIK about 9-ish years ago. I'll agree with the others... BEST money I ever spent. Had been wearing glasses and/or contacts since the 2nd grade. UGH.

Do your research/homework on doctors.

Good luck!

[mattjw916 2]

I had Lasik performed a couple years ago. Best money I ever spent.

My procedure was a bit more expensive than what most people typically spend though but no halos, could see perfectly the same day, extremely short recovery period, and my quality of life is like a million times better than with contacts or glasses.

http://www.dishler.com/

NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

[firemedic 7]

I would echo what just about everyone said. Had Lasik done 15 years ago. It was the best 4 grand I ever spent. I have to use reading glasses but I'm told its normal when you get older and I'm 56.

[FlyGirlla 0]

Thank you everyone for your input
On a side note, about how long did you wait to jump again after getting it done?

[Speer 0]

Quote

MikeBIBOM

For most of the last 14 years, the military has only accepted PRK surgery for aviators because of concerns about the "flap" caused by the Lasik procedure not holding up to the G forces involved in flying. Some ten years after making this decision, it was discovered that the scar tissue that grew on the incision site in Lasik was actually stronger than normal eye tissue. (I don't think they've revised their standards yet, but at the very least they're re-looking them.)

Do you have a reference for said study showing the "flap" is actually stronger? Eye surgeons have consistently said over the years that it was not difficult to dislodge the flap long after surgery in order to do "touch-ups" if required...

***So PRK pros: They don't actually cut your eyeball open, they just burn off microscopic layers of the cornea.

PRK Cons: They burn layers of skin off of your eyeball, leaving it thinner than it was before.

Actually, the layer grows back within 3 days... and another "Pro" is that the surgery leaves a much thicker cornea without compromise, which allows greater chance for future work if needed. The PRK procedure for that reason can be performed on individuals with corneas deemed too thin for LASIK.

Quote

Lasik Cons: They cut open your eyeball around your iris in order to do the procedure.

Lasik Pros: They put that layer back, it grows scar tissue, the skin around your iris is stronger than it was and they didn't burn anything off of your cornea.

Not saying this info is wrong, but I would definitely get an EXPERTs opinion on this as the healed flap issue is a very important one.

Quote

Aside from that, I think they're pretty much the same, with the same risks, side-effects, success and failure rates.

But I am not an expert/doctor/etc.

Overall correction of vision is similar by most accounts, but the type of side effects differs according to what the experts say...

To the OP;

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE what I or anyone else says here as truth! This is way too important an issue. Yes, take what we say and use it as you said you would; to form the basis of questions for your Eye Care Professional!

Everyone pushes LASIK in the clinics, and it is a GOOD choice in most circumstances. Just don't go with the flow! Ask pointed questions, and don't let them try to smooth over your concerns. Skydiving and other "high speed" activities place unusual conditions on the eye that almost no other patients they have to deal with will face.

I had PRK based on MY investigation, and I do not regret it. As was mentioned, PRK has by and large been the ONLY procedure approved for Aircrew and Spec Ops personnel in the US Military, so eye care clinics near facilities with said personnel are more comfortable with PRK... AIUI, many facilities will ONLY do LASIK, so make sure that is not the reason if your provider pushes you toward it.

YMMV
Regards,

Russ

Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

[Speer 0]

With regard to how soon...

With PRK, all the significant healing is done within a few short days. There are vision concerns that take longer to present themselves, but the healing and ability for the eye to be protected from infection and incidental injury is VERY short with PRK. With LASIK, those concerns are extended considerably.

I went back to high speed activities very shortly thereafter. That was many years ago, so I can't remember exactly, but I'm speaking days, not weeks.

PRK is more uncomfortable for a couple days by all report, but once healed, you are good to go. Unless things have changed significantly, I would definitely choose PRK again, so at least I thought it wasn't that bad.

As with the all of the opinions here, mine are next to worthless, but this is another great question for your Eye Surgeon. If you give him / her all the info about your activities, they will be able to equip YOU to make an appropriate decision.

Best wishes, and Blue Skies,

Russ

Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

[FastRodriguez 0]

Are looking to correct myopia or hypermetropia? Is there any astigmatism?. Why do you want to do surgery?

It really doesnt matter though. I would advice you to suck it up and deal with glasses or contact lenses.

Complications are a lot more frequent than your Ophtalmologist will tell you, and once your eye is messed up, little can be done to fix it.

I did my opht. rotation with a very nice lady who wore glasses. When we discussed the surgical procedures she said she would never do it herself or allow anyone she cared about to have eye surgery done. She could have it done free anytime she wanted to and she decided not to do it.

"I don´t stop when I am tired. I stop when I am done"

[HUPRA 0]

The advantages over LASIK over PRK/LASEK (LASEK being the modern version of PRK) is that is is almost instantaneous, whereas PRK/LASEK involves a few days of stumbling around with blurred eyesight and a bit of discomfort as your eyes repair. The flip side is that LASEK is supposed to be more robust than LASIK.

I had LASEK done a few years ago and subsequently passed a military aircrew medical, however they would not accept people who had undergone the LASIK procedure.

If you are involved in any physical activity esp. contact sports I would suggest LASEK/PRK over LASIK.

Also- its worth paying for the extras they offer.

[ianyapxw 0]

You might also want to look into Implantable Contact Lens. They, well, implant a contact lens. Apparently the lens can be removed/replaced in the future, say if you have a longsightedness problem.

[airtwardo 6]

firemedic

I would echo what just about everyone said. Had Lasik done 15 years ago. It was the best 4 grand I ever spent. I have to use reading glasses but I'm told its normal when you get older and I'm 56.

Pretty confusing - what all these 'current' acronyms stand for!

I use to wear contacts but always had problems, skydiving and motorcycling required 100% windproof goggles which would then have drops of sweat roll into my peepers. I worked in a factory that did chemical milling, walk in a room with acid vapors & the contacts would cloud and were junk...SO

...I had 'RK' done 25+ years ago, 4 cuts with a Ruby tipped scalpel on each eye.

The Doc that did it - taught it - very good guy that 'quietly' did Naval Aviators & Astronauts...back then it wasn't Kosher & accepted.

Interestingly enough - the Doc asked as many questions as I did in regard to the 'whys' and 'are you REALLY REALLY sure?'

It was the BEST $5.00 I ever spent! (great insurance!)

I'm just a bit older than you...I too now need 'readers'. The Doc said I would at about 40, he missed it by a couple years but close!

Last week I 'passed' my driving eye exam - no correction. The person giving it didn't believe it and looked hard for contacts on my eyes! lol

But...to the OP - lot's of success stories here, and I'd imagine that overall the odds are pretty good you would be one too, but as someone above said...give it LOTS of thought. It's not a guarantee, and it IS your only set of eyes.

I have a good friend that lost an airline career & had to quit skydiving...can only drive during the day, and quite honestly shouldn't even be doing that - don't know which he had - something with the laser - but it did not go well. That decision changed his life for the worse - forever.

Just saying - investigate everything, be informed & aware before even starting to weight the pros & cons.

I'm glad I did it, I have a good friend is reminded every second of every day that he shouldn't have...my sister, who has eyes like mine, thought it wasn't worth the gamble.

Ya pays yer money & takes yer chances.

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[SpeakLife92 0]

FlyGirlla

Hey everyone, I've made the decision to go get my eye fixed! But I was wondering from fellow skydivers what they got (Lasik or PRK) I have heard pro's and con's with both. I'm meeting my surgeon on Feb. 27th and would like some input on what would be better with skydiving.

Dont neglect Visian icl !!!! It is a implantable contact lens that stays in your eye forever. It is completely reversible (the "contact lens" can be removed later on in life if need be) Almost zero side effects like Lasik or PRK. No night halos or dry eye.

[fanya 3]

PRK done 1.5 years ago, best 3k ever spent.

Very slightly more dry eyes than before but I've always had dry eyes.

I personally went with PRK after poking around the internet and reading the horror stories associated with a dislocated flap from LASIK

As far as jumping, I jumped off an antenna three weeks after and I swear my night vision was better on that jump than the previous ones. I was working full time doing tandems by week four.

My prescription was -4 and -4.5 (contact prescription) with a large astigmatism. I'm now 20/25 in my right eye and 20/20 in my left.

[CornishChris 5]

Quote

bit of discomfort

I had LASEK about 5 years ago - I couldn't get LASIK due to issues with my eyes. I was in quite a lot of pain for about a week. I think taken in isolation the pain wasn't that bad - itchy eyes basically - but it was relentless and I couldn't sleep and it built up to the point when I just wanted to curl up and die.

That said I would do it again in a heartbeat as I now have better than 2020 vision. The only downside is that, personally, my night vision is not as good as it was before but not awful, just lots of starring (if that makes sense...).

One of my biggest fears before the surgery was losing both lenses in freefall as I just don't know how I would have landed safely! I did the same research when I had it done too - there may even be a thread somewhere...

CJP

Gods don't kill people. People with Gods kill people

[DrDom 0]

LASIK has come a long way.
The "flap" they make with LASIK has a lot of benefits including less pain than PRK.

Risks are very low if you don't go to some discount center pumping out 10/day.

Go to a boutique that relies on customer reviews. Those docs will do 2-3 per day max and make sure they are never rushed.

I'm a physician and my wife a nurse, and she had 20/100 vision; we opted on LASIK after I talked to about 10 of my optomitry and ophthalmology colleagues about it.

I advise LASIK if your eye can tolerate it (has to do with the depth of anteriour chamber) , PRK if you can not, implanted contacts are an option but... I have to admit not many eye specialists are on board since the advent of LASIK.

Information provided free, and you get what you paid for. Mileage may vary.

You are not the contents of your wallet.

[FlyingRhenquest 1]

DrDom

LASIK has come a long way.
The "flap" they make with LASIK has a lot of benefits including less pain than PRK.

Risks are very low if you don't go to some discount center pumping out 10/day.

Go to a boutique that relies on customer reviews. Those docs will do 2-3 per day max and make sure they are never rushed.

I'm a physician and my wife a nurse, and she had 20/100 vision; we opted on LASIK after I talked to about 10 of my optomitry and ophthalmology colleagues about it.

I advise LASIK if your eye can tolerate it (has to do with the depth of anteriour chamber) , PRK if you can not, implanted contacts are an option but... I have to admit not many eye specialists are on board since the advent of LASIK.

Information provided free, and you get what you paid for. Mileage may vary.

Yeah, funnily enough skydiving and getting elective eye surgery seem to have some things in common. One is you don't want to go to Bob's Discount (Skydiving gear/Lasik/AFF Training) (Buy one canopy/eye/jump, get one free!) Some things it's really not a good idea to shop around on that much!

Second you really need to gather information as you are here so when you go talk to some guys you're considering, you can have an informed conversation with them. At the time I had mine done, the guys I went with had the only eye-tracking laser in the state. They ran a lot of tests to verify that I'd even be a good candidate for it and checked the things my research told me they should be checking for. I discussed things with them a couple of times leading up to the surgery and they bent over backwards to make sure I was comfortable with the entire process.

You're trusting whoever you choose with your eyesight, they'd best be prepared to convince you they know what they're doing.

I'm trying to teach myself how to set things on fire with my mind. Hey... is it hot in here?

[FlyGirlla 0]

Everyone your input is great! I meet the surgeon this coming Thursday to finalize my decision and to ask my questions. As of currently, I'm leaning towards Lasik. But I will not make a permanent decision until I get to talk to my doctor on Thursday. I just wish whatever I pick was done already so I can see.

[D22369 0]

my lasik was done in 2000, I am now 48 and also need reading glasses for really fine print - but its a small price to pay for being able to see farther away than my arm reach as my vision was horribly near sighted before.

best money I ever spent on myself
Roy

They say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it.

[FlyingRhenquest 1]

D22369

my lasik was done in 2000, I am now 48 and also need reading glasses for really fine print - but its a small price to pay for being able to see farther away than my arm reach as my vision was horribly near sighted before.

best money I ever spent on myself
Roy

You would have needed reading glasses anyway. We all do. You would have needed bifocals had you not had lasik.

The lasik guys do offer the option to adjust one eye so that you have near vision with one eye and distance vision with the other. I don't particularly like that idea. I like being able to see in stereo.

I'm trying to teach myself how to set things on fire with my mind. Hey... is it hot in here?

[DrDom 0]

FlyingRhenquest

***my lasik was done in 2000, I am now 48 and also need reading glasses for really fine print - but its a small price to pay for being able to see farther away than my arm reach as my vision was horribly near sighted before.

best money I ever spent on myself
Roy

You would have needed reading glasses anyway. We all do. You would have needed bifocals had you not had lasik.

The lasik guys do offer the option to adjust one eye so that you have near vision with one eye and distance vision with the other. I don't particularly like that idea. I like being able to see in stereo.

EXACTLY! LASIK does nothing for reading glasses or the need for them.

presbyopia is the term for why we need reading glasses. Its because our eye loses the ability to focus on "near field" objects. Most of the theories feel that it is in relation to a stiffening (loss of elasticity and deformability) of the lend. This is why they say "the older I get the longer my arms need to be to read a menu". LASIK on the other hand is to treat myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism

light focusing is the issue in these last 3: Myopia (light focuses in front of the retina), hypermetropia or hyperopia is where it focuses too far behind the retina, and astigmatism is... well lets say its very complex but has to do with a defect in the curve of only one part of the eye leading to blurring only in part of the visual field.

So basically LASIK does nothing to the lens, only the cornea; so it can only correct corneal problems. The lens... well... that's still a much bigger problem to fix.

You are not the contents of your wallet.

[hokierower 0]

I got LASIK in August of '12. Best money I've ever spent. I went from 20/200 to 20/15 in both eyes, 20/10 combined.

I had the surgery at 8am, got home at 11am, put in my first round of eye drops, took a 3hr nap they "prescribed" woke up in NO pain and seeing 20/25. My vision got better over the next couple of weeks.

I didn't jump for about 6 weeks to give everything a chance to heal, but it's amazing.

[roachgr 0]

I had PRK done in 2006 and I don't regret it. I had it done through the military. one week after i got it i was at 20/20. 1 month later i was at 20/15 and i have stayed there ever since. I have also noticed my night vision is waaaay better. I remember a few months after my surgery thinking to myself i could see so much better at night.

I'll be the first to reiterate that if you do go the PRK route, you will be in pain IF you don't follow the care instructions. right after i got out of the laser room, they told me to take 2 percs and go to sleep. I was in no pain at the time and I thought i could handle it. Well I didnt feel anything the rest of the day and went to sleep. I woke up two hours later with the most pain I have ever been in. I dont know how to explain what it feels like for your eyes to be in that much pain but I wanted to rip my eyes out. So i took 2 percs and passed out after 30 minutes. woke up the next day like nothing happened. that was the only pain I had.

The only reason everyone's doctor keeps pushing LASIK is because its cheaper than PRK anywhere you go and therefore that's the one that everyone gets and so its the only one that the doctor has a lot of experience doing. Go find someone with equal experience and see what they say instead.

The pain was worth it.