Climbing Mountains After LASIK

For those of us who love mountain climbing LASIKvision correction can be a scary topic. So what about all the rumors of problems related to mountain climbing and vision correction? There was a bit of a problem with a few climbers when it came to RK vision correction and mountain climbing. RK vision correction is a procedure that was primarily performed in the 1980’s and 1990’s.  RK vision correction involved tiny incisions in the outer lens of the eye (cornea). The extenuating circumstances? They didn’t inform their doctor they would be climbing (Mt. Everest) nor did they inform the guide they had a procedure- a couple of “no-no’s” in the realm of climbing. The problem with RK incisions is that high elevation can cause pressure on the eye and the RK incisions would flex causes the vision to become blurry.

So what height is great to climb after you have vision correction procedures? To be honest whether your at 18,000ft on the Mexican Volcanoes, or at 29,000ft to the top of Mt. Everest you should have minimal effects from modern vision correction procedures, such as LASIK, PRK or Insertable Contact Lenses. The approximate time to wait is generally 2 weeks. But be sure to talk it over with your eye care professional.

The Most Common Procedures:
  • Custom Wavefront LASIK
  • No Cut LASEK
  • PRK
  • Visian ICL
The Most Common Complications:
  • Dry eyes
  • Vision Fluctuation During Healing Period

Even if you are still questioning the idea of mountain climbing after LASIK a quick conversation with your eye care professional can help put the aftercare in perspective. Remember that it takes at least two weeks of recovery time in most cases before you should climb. See your eye care professional to be sure. Ensure that this is something you are interested in doing should be top priority. Making sure that you will be able to do the things you love with your new vision comes next.

So whether you are interested in climbing the 22,500 ft of the Aconcogua or you want to make it only half the way to the top of the Mexican Volcanoes check out what vision correction procedure will best suit you and your situation.

For more information regarding LASIK visit: http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/

Effects of High Altitudes After LASIK?

For those who love the wilderness ensuring our eyes are at 100% is top priority. The worry of vision correction can be a scary thought. There are many procedures that have benefited us in the past and even more in the present. So how do we know which ones are safe, and what effects it will have after-wards?

In the past RK or Radial Keratoplasty was a wide spread treatment much like today’s LASIK procedure. This was a concern for Mountain climbers because of the scare on Mt. Everest. Since then procedures have changed and now LASIK has become a more advanced and successful procedure in the world of vision correction. Continual climbing or reaching high altitudes over 16,000ft can cause mild symptoms like dry eyes. But most climbers have no significant changes.

LASIK

The LASIK procedure has more accurate lasers, and provide a better clarity to the patients vision. In the past the RK procedure used tiny incisions to reshape the eye and improve the vision, it’s accuracy was dependent more on the doctor holding the surgical instrument. The problem with RK and altitude is that the incisions seem to almost flex at high altitudes cause the vision to change. Research over the past 2 decades has allowed us to use better more capable lasers, as in custom wavefront LASIK. Other LASIK procedures are All Laser LASIK, and PRK.

Benefits of LASIK in High Altitudes:

 LASIK improves clarity
 Quick recovery after LASIK procedures
 Can return to climbing in as little as 2 weeks after procedure
 Less risk of fluctuation to the cornea after LASIK versus RK
 Little pain

If you are worried about whether or not you can return to climbing after LASIK, that shouldn’t be an issue. LASIK will give you a clearer view of the world around you in the air or on the ground. Remember improving your quality of vision will improve your quality of life.

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD is a renowned eye surgeon specializing in LASIK treatment and other procedures.

For more information on Dr. Brian’s LASIK procedure visit http://www.allaboutvision.com/lasik-surgeons/los-angeles-boxer-wachler.htm

The 9 most important topics you need to know about LASIK are covered in the LASIK CONSUMER REPORT. Because of it’s “straight-talk”, informative approach, the REPORT is one of the most trusted consumer publications on LASIK: http://lasikconsumerreport.com/lcr.html

To learn more on Altitude & LASIK visit: http://www.basecampmd.com/expguide/snowblind.shtml

Should You Consider LASIK Vision Correction

The most common reasons for blurry vision are nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. All three of these problems can be easily fixed with LASIK.

While contacts and glasses can sometimes do the trick, they sometimes get in the way of activities and require upkeep that many would like to avoid.

For other patients who simply do not want to have to wear glasses or use contact, they may resort to LASIK as well.

LASIK is an eye treatment that is used to correct an individual’s vision. A laser is used to reshape the outer cornea.

Before your procedure, you are going to need to be evaluated by your doctor to see if you are a good candidate.

The good news is this procedure only takes about 20 minutes.

First, numbing drops will be placed in your eyes, and a eyelid holder will be placed in between your eyelids to hold your eyes open. Your doctor will then use a special instrument to make a tiny flap in your cornea. The cornea flap will then folded back so the laser can reshape the inner cornea to improve your vision.  It is like the laser is sculpturing the prescription onto the inner cornea. During the procedure, you will be comfortable and mostly only be aware of flashings lights on the microscope.  You may experience burning sensations after the procedure but it will subside within a few hours. Overall most patients say the procedure was easier than a visit to the dentist.

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD is a renowned eye surgeon specializing in LASIK treatment and other procedures.

For more information on Dr. Brian’s LASIK procedure visit http://www.allaboutvision.com/lasik-surgeons/los-angeles-boxer-wachler.htm

 

Do You Need An Alternative to Traditional LASIK?

If you have been rejected for the LASIK procedure in the past there may be an alternative treatment for you today.

The No Cut LASEK procedure is not new but is less well known compared to LASIK, but it yields great results.

The No Cut LASEK procedure allows those with larger pupils, or thinner corneas to have the procedure unlike with traditional LASIK. The No Cut LASEK procedure can also repair damage caused by previous procedures.

Below are 3 benefits of the No Cut LASEK treatment:

No Cutting – Unlike other procedures the LASEK procedure doesn’t require any cutting therefore there is less risk.

Less invasive than LASIK – no flap creation required, helps reduce the risk of halos and provides option for thin corneas to have treatment.

Short procedure time- The LASEK procedure is much easier and requires less procedure time. Generally between 5-10 minutes per eye.

With the No Cut LASEK procedure it allows others who didn’t have the alternative new options. The No Cut LASEK procedure also helps Astigmatism, Nearsightedness, and Farsightedness. The benefits of having this procedure far outweigh the risks of other procedures when they have larger pupils or thin conreas and it allows many more people to get the treatment they desire.

Advancements in treatments for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism are on the rise. Alternatives for better quality of vision are a possibility for most of the population.

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD is a renowned eye surgeon specializing in LASIK treatment and other procedures.

For more information on Dr. Brian’s LASIK procedure visit http://www.allaboutvision.com/lasik-surgeons/los-angeles-boxer-wachler.htm

Climbing Mountains After LASIK

For those of us who love mountain climbing, vision correction can be a scary topic. So what about all the rumors of problems related to Mountain climbing and vision correction? There was a bit of a problem with a few climbers when it came to RK vision correction and mountain climbing. The extenuating circumstances; they didn’t inform their doctor they would be climbing (Mt. Everest) nor did they inform the guide they had a procedure- a couple of “no-no’s” in the realm of climbing.  RK is the one vision correction procedure that can be impacted by high altitude.

So what height is too great to climb after you have LASIK vision correction procedures? To be honest whether you’re at 18,000ft on the MexicanVolcanoes, or at 29,000ft to the top of Mt. Everest you should have minimal effects from your LASIK vision correction procedure. The approximate time to wait for climbing after LASIK is generally 2 weeks. But be sure to talk it over with your eye care professional.

The Most Common Procedures:

 Custom Wavefront LASIK
 Epi-On LASIK
 PRK

The Most Common Complications:

 Dry eyes
 Lack of Oxygen to the Cornea
 Fluctuation of Vision

Even if you are still questioning the idea of mountain climbing after LASIK a quick conversation with your eye care professional can help put the aftercare in perspective. Remember that it takes at least two weeks of recovery time in most cases before you should climb. See your eye care professional to be sure. Something you are interested in doing should be top priority. Making sure that you will be able to do the things you love with your new vision comes next.

So whether you are interested in climbing the 22,500 ft of the Aconcogua or you want to make it only half the way to the top of the Mexican Volcanoes check out what vision correction procedure will best suit you and your situation.

For more information regarding LASIK visit: http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/faq/lasik.htm

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