LASIK? - Page 25 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

08-05-2004, 09:46 PM

On Tue, 03 Aug 2004 20:27:32 -0500, Byron L. Reed wrote:

> On Tue, 03 Aug 2004 17:58:27 -0400, Luigi de Guzman
> <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>
>>I'm something like -5.50/ -6.00, and astigmatic (both eyes, different
>>axes!) There are *no* prescription inserts that would serve me, to my
>>knowledge. Wraparound style shades are not even remote possibilities.
>
> Your situation sounds very similar to mine, only my numbers are in the
> high -9s. This means you probably have had a prism correction in your
> lenses since your were old enough to walk, too.
>
> Aside from the Lasik question, make sure your doc checks carefully for
> Lattice Degeneration, which is common in folks who are highly myopic
> and astigmatic. You may save yourself the pleasure of having your
> retinas detach.
>
> Mine detached about 8 or 9 years ago. The surgery to fix them went
> well, but the doctor's number one concern is that nothing is done to
> pressure the eyes. For this reason, he expressly forbid me from ever
> even considering Lasik. The pressure from the beam could be enough to
> cause another detachment.

It's not the beam that causes the pressure; it's the pressure from
the action of the microkeratome that cuts the flap in your cornea.
That can be as much as 60mmHg, IIRC.

> One bit of good news though is that I'm getting cataracts at an early
> age. Why good news? There is a new product out called accommodative
> implants. When they suck out your old natural lens, they replace it
> with a synthetic lens that is designed to move like a natural lens --
> plus they build your vision correction right into it. The downside is
> that it costs about $18K/pair, can only be done in pairs, and
> insurance won't touch it.

The cost will come down over time. If you can hold out for just a
few years, I imagine the cost will drop dramatically in just that
amount of time.

--
Chris BeHanna
Software Engineer (Remove "allspammersmustdie" before responding.)
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
I was raised by a pack of wild corn dogs.