Is LASIK the Right Choice for You?

Even though the LASIK procedure has been around a few decades surely some of you are still wondering how this procedure can help my vision. Although we  often settle for what we get with our glasses and contact lenses a new view into what is LASIK may change your mind. There are probably many questions you want to ask in regards to LASIK hopefully this will help you with a few.

What is LASIK?

LASIK also known as In-situ Keratomileusis is a vision correction procedure that uses a laser to reshape your cornea and decrease your need for contacts/glasses. LASIK can help correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. These conditions often cause the patient to need glasses or contact lenses, which requires a lot of maintenance. The everyday maintenance and reduction in lack of overall vision can cause some to look for other options. LASIK can give the patient a view of the world less dependent on the use of contacts or glasses.

How do I Know if I am a Good Candidate?

Often people ask the question “Who can get LASIK Surgery?” The truth is there are tests that need to be done to determine if you are a candidate. There are some people to which this procedure is not an option. Determining if you are a candidate would require a few tests.  These tests include:

  • Cornea Mapping, knows as Corneal Topographical: this procedure will help determine if there are any irregularities that would exclude you from being a candidate
  • Pupil size: this test is important to ensure that your pupil size is not too large. Large pupils can cause reduced night vision and visual halos/glare making driving difficult at night.
  • Cornea Thickness, knows as Pachymetry: ensuring your cornea has sufficient thickness for LASIK is important. Individuals whose corneas are thin can develop a vision threatening condition if they undergo LASIK. 
  • Prescription know as manifest refraction: determines the strength of your prescription and if this can be programmed into the laser.  If you prescription is too high, you will not get the desired results since the laser can only correct to a certain point. 

These tests will give a better overview of your eyes.

Those with conditions caused by a thinning of the cornea, too high of a prescription and or large pupil size will be told and the eye care professionals will explain other options.

What will the Procedure be Like?

This procedure is performed usually in a procedure room at your doctor’s office. The procedure takes about 7-10 minutes per eye. The doctor will use drops to numb your eyes. Currently many are using wavefront guided procedures to be sure that you are getting the best quality vision. Wavefront guided procedures can help correct other imperfections that caused declined quality of vision. Talk to your eye care professional about more on this common procedure.

Remember LASIK vision correction surgery is there to improve your overall vision. It is important you know all the facts before agreeing to this type of procedure. If you have questions be sure to ask your eye care professional.

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

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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