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Scuba Forum / General / April 2006Corrective Vision Surgery -- Diving Contraindications?
I was searching the web last night for glasses that had the 155mm temple length that I need and got sidetracked by a link to information about the various types of corrective vision surgery -- RK, LASIK, PRK, etc... As sidetrack surfing usually goes, I got further off the track until I ended up on a military site that said that for some military specialties, corrective vision surgery was allowed and for others, it wasn't... In particular, I noticed that for the Navy / Marine Corp, aviators, divers, and special warfare operatives are not allowed to have any type of corrective vision surgery... So, what's the deal here? How many of ya'll out there have had some sort of corrective vision surgery? Are there any real risks (after healing is complete and your vision has stabilized) or is the military just being overly cautious? I've always been kind of hesitant to have something done to my eyes that can't be reversed, but each time I need to get a new pair of glasses and experience the lack of choices in my temple size, I sure do wish I didn't have to go through this trouble every few years... > I was searching the web last night for glasses that had the 155mm temple > length that I need and got sidetracked by a link to information about the [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > healing is complete and your vision has stabilized) or is the military just > being overly cautious? You are a pilot, yes? I dunno if I'd take the chance. In my case, I'm happy. Not ecstatic though. I ended up with an astigmatism in one eye, that I had not had before. My long vision is good. It even improved after another couple of years. My short vision went to hell within minutes. Let's not even start talking about how fricken frightening it is when you are laying there with your lids peeled back and that light sucking the life out of you through your pupil and the laser starts skimming across your eyeball and despite all the tranqs, you still want to jump out of the chair screaming "I CHANGED MY MIND!! I CHANGED MY MIND!!". But then you wake up the next morning and you can see the foot of the bed, the wall, the door, the birdies in the sky . . sigh. Yeah, I've no regrets, but then I'm not a pilot, so it only really bothers me when I'm trying to read street signs at night. > I've always been kind of hesitant to have something done to my eyes that > can't be reversed, but each time I need to get a new pair of glasses and > experience the lack of choices in my temple size, I sure do wish I didn't > have to go through this trouble every few years... I've got reading glasses in every room in the house and a few magnifiers around too. I do miss my short vision. Sigh. > You are a pilot, yes? I dunno if I'd take the chance. There are some pilots that have one form of the surgery or the other... In some cases, the commercial pilots have one eye set for near vision and the other for far vision... I was kind of interested in why the Navy doesn't allow it for their pilots though... And why they don't allow it for their divers either...Grace had the RK procedure a few years ago and she liked it... Still has to wear low powered prescription glasses at night while driving and gets a bit of a star refraction from oncoming headlights, but she says that it beats the wearing of contacts for all those years... Her prescription was high enough that she couldn't drive without glasses -- around -4.0 sphere, IIRC... Mine has alternated from around -1.5 to -2.5 over the years, so it's not that bad... I can still hit a deer at 100 yds without my glasses... Of course I might not be able to tell the difference between the deer and a person... <evil-grin> Back in college, I knew this one girl who was Army ROTC and wanted to be a pilot... She had the RK surgery and then they wouldn't let her be a pilot... http://www.avweb.com/news/aeromed/181889-1.html > I was searching the web last night for glasses that had the 155mm temple > length that I need and got sidetracked by a link to information about the [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > experience the lack of choices in my temple size, I sure do wish I didn't > have to go through this trouble every few years... Grummy, I had lasik surgery in 2000. BEST decision I ever made. My vision stabilized to around 20/20 (give or take a few points). I DO have to use reading glasses for the close up work but the doctor told me that ahead of time. I asked him about lasik and diving. At the time, he said NO diving for 3 months after surgery. After 3 months, then freshwater diving only. After 6 months he said I could dive saltwater. This was not a problem for me since the surgery was done in December. Have not had a problem since the surgery. Even though I need reading glasses for close work and the computer, I have no problem reading my gauges underwater. The ophtamologist is a diver himself.  SignatureI have never met a liberal street cop. >> I was searching the web last night for glasses that had the 155mm temple >> length that I need and got sidetracked by a link to information about the [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > The ophtamologist is a diver himself. and the advances done since 2000 is amazing - I had mine down then too >>> I was searching the web last night for glasses that had the 155mm temple >>> length that I need and got sidetracked by a link to information about [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] >> > and the advances done since 2000 is amazing - I had mine down then too I know they have improved the lasik to cover more instances when it could be used. What other advances have they made with it? For anyone considering it, I would recommend going with a clinic that has been around for awhile in the area and not some "doc in the box" place that sprung up overnight and is offering the lasik procedure. SignatureI have never met a liberal street cop. >>>> I was searching the web last night for glasses that had the 155mm >>>> temple [quoted text clipped - 52 lines] > has been around for awhile in the area and not some "doc in the box" > place that sprung up overnight and is offering the lasik procedure. The lasers are much more accurate - I thin the doc I went to here no longer have to cut/remove the cornea or the peel it back with a laser - no more using the crazy scalpel to cut thru the cornea > I was searching the web last night for glasses that had the 155mm temple > length that I need and got sidetracked by a link to information about the [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > experience the lack of choices in my temple size, I sure do wish I didn't > have to go through this trouble every few years... I had the lasik - great no problems - except it correct my vivion so good I was required to use glasses to read. Diving meant that under low light conditions I could not read my gauges - placed one of the magnifying strips in the bottom of my left lens for reading gauges. I recommend it and would do it again >I was searching the web last night for glasses that had the 155mm temple > length that I need and got sidetracked by a link to information about the [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > experience the lack of choices in my temple size, I sure do wish I didn't > have to go through this trouble every few years... Blind as a bat in more ways than one. Get the fuckin procedure four eyes. 20 seconds for each eye and you have new vision. Big bad a.s like yourself gonna pee your pants over that? Let some hillbilly doctor give it a shot...................yewl bay jus fine. f.cking pussy. > I was searching the web last night for glasses that had the 155mm temple > length that I need and got sidetracked by a link to information about the [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > experience the lack of choices in my temple size, I sure do wish I didn't > have to go through this trouble every few years... Go to http://scuba-doc.com/ > I was searching the web last night for glasses that had the 155mm temple > length that I need and got sidetracked by a link to information about the [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > experience the lack of choices in my temple size, I sure do wish I didn't > have to go through this trouble every few years... Go to http://scuba-doc.com/ > I've always been kind of hesitant to have something done to my eyes that > can't be reversed, but each time I need to get a new pair of glasses and > experience the lack of choices in my temple size, I sure do wish I didn't > have to go through this trouble every few years... Why not just get temple implants? Maybe you'll start a new fad. > Why not just get temple implants? Maybe you'll start a new fad. Something like Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation? <grin> Nawh, I think I'll pass on that one... Or just wear the Pince-nez style glases and not have to worry about temple lengths... http://www.eyeglasseswarehouse.com/famoustr.html http://www.eyeglasseswarehouse.com/pince-nez.html Nawh, I don't think so... I like 'em attached a bit more to my head than that... I like the cable temples, but the choices in them are rather limited these days... > I like the cable temples, but the choices in them are rather limited > these days... Me too. I've also noticed how hard it is to get a pair. They're just the thing for boating and other outdoor sports where glasses are more likely to be dropped and damaged of lost. Lee > Me too. I've also noticed how hard it is to get a pair. They're just the > thing for boating and other outdoor sports where glasses are more likely to > be dropped and damaged of lost. Yeah, they tend to stay attached a bit better when one gets thrown overboard... <grin> I went into one of the eyeglasses stores at the mall yesterday... Out of probably a couple hundred pairs of glasses on display, there were only 3 that were with the cable temples... Of course, they didn't fit my head... Over the years, I've bought the Ray-Ban cable temple models and had them fitted with prescription lenses.. http://www.framesdirect.com/framesfp/RayBan-sfrbp/lb.html The straight temple models like the HGU4/P are nice for use with aviation headsets in that they slide on and off without needing to remove the headset... Cable temples defintely don't work that way... The HGU4/Ps are also very nice when wearing a full coverage motorcycle helmet, although normal (aka "skull") temples aren't that bad... Cable temples are not that great with full coverage helmets... They come off without too much trouble, but they're not as quick to put on once the helmet is on the head... I'm sure that leaving their glasses on might be an option for some people with certain types of glasses when putting on a full coverage helmet, but I haven't found that an option -- the glasses always get knocked off if I try it... >I was searching the web last night for glasses that had the 155mm temple >length that I need and got sidetracked by a link to information about the [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >healing is complete and your vision has stabilized) or is the military just >being overly cautious? Well, there's always some risk. But I suspect they are going more on the paranoid mode. >I've always been kind of hesitant to have something done to my eyes that >can't be reversed, but each time I need to get a new pair of glasses and >experience the lack of choices in my temple size, I sure do wish I didn't >have to go through this trouble every few years... My perscription hasn't changed in about 4 years now. I agree with you that eye surgery gives me the willies. Which is bad news. I've been diagnosed with cataracts. Not very severe, probably need surgery in about 10 years or so. The good news is that they should be able to correct my myopia by then with the new lenses. Not that I don't shudder. Signaturedillon I didn't climb to the top of the food chain to become a vegetartian. > My perscription hasn't changed in about 4 years now. I agree with you > that eye surgery gives me the willies. Which is bad news. I've been > diagnosed with cataracts. Not very severe, probably need surgery in > about 10 years or so. The good news is that they should be able to > correct my myopia by then with the new lenses. Not that I don't > shudder. Well, once you start going blind from cataracts, the potential of going blind from the corrective vision surgery isn't as big of a deal, I guess... <sick-grin> > > ... I > >noticed that for the Navy / Marine Corp, aviators, divers, and special [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Well, there's always some risk. But I suspect they are going more on > the paranoid mode. The earlier surgury techniques had some pretty significant and common side-effects. Between the emphasis made on night operations ("own the night") and the magnitude of the investment made in specialty military training, it was simply a prudent move to not risk taxpayer's dollars. > >I've always been kind of hesitant to have something done to my eyes that > >can't be reversed, but each time I need to get a new pair of glasses and > >experience the lack of choices in my temple size, I sure do wish I didn't > >have to go through this trouble every few years... > > My perscription hasn't changed in about 4 years now. It probably has changed, but you may not have necessarily noticed yet. Specifically, I'm referring to Presbyopia: the age-related 'hardening' of the lens that results in reduced focusing range and bifocals. Its initial onset is typically age ~45 (mid-40's). The simple bottom line is that we could all go have perfect Lasik done this afternoon, but for most of us, by the time we turn 50, we're going to be needing reading glasses anyway, and those of us that have limited choices in temple sizes will still have that problem. So it is at best a temporary fix, whose duration depends on your current age. This really won't be going away any time soon...at least with the lens that Mother Nature provided us. -hh >> > ... I >> >noticed that for the Navy / Marine Corp, aviators, divers, and special [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > >It probably has changed, but you may not have necessarily noticed yet. Nope, doc says it hasn't changed. >Specifically, I'm referring to Presbyopia: the age-related 'hardening' >of the lens that results in reduced focusing range and bifocals. Its >initial onset is typically age ~45 (mid-40's). 49. I've been wearing 1.5 progressives for 4 years now. >The simple bottom line is that we could all go have perfect Lasik done >this afternoon, but for most of us, by the time we turn 50, we're going [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >really won't be going away any time soon...at least with the lens that >Mother Nature provided us. Can't argue with any of that. >-hh Signaturedillon I didn't climb to the top of the food chain to become a vegetartian. >>The simple bottom line is that we could all go have perfect Lasik done >>this afternoon, but for most of us, by the time we turn 50, we're going [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > >>-hh While I agree that lasik can't fix age, before I had to have contacts to find my glasses. Now I am 20-20 in one eye and 20-30 in the other, done intentionally to improve close up vision. I can most things except very fine print with no glasses, but do use 1.5 OTC readers for the fine stuff and when eyes are tired. Would do it again if required. Doc says he would not know I had had lasick if I had not told him. May not be for everyone, but sure worked for me! Dan > I was searching the web last night for glasses that had the 155mm temple > length that I need and got sidetracked by a link to information about the [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > warfare operatives are not allowed to have any type of corrective vision > surgery... Hmm... That doesn't match what I've heard, I'm just not sure where I heard it. There's an outfit in La Jolla that plays a documentary/advertisement on one of the local cable channels. I think it was their claim that they've been operating on Navy Seals for years. > Hmm... That doesn't match what I've heard, I'm just not sure where I > heard it. There's an outfit in La Jolla that plays a > documentary/advertisement on one of the local cable channels. I think > it was their claim that they've been operating on Navy Seals for years. Maybe the page was out of date... It's not the first time a website didn't have the latest info on it... According to the following URL, "PRK or Lasik surgery waivers are granted case by case by BUMED"... That's at least a bit better than the link I saw previously... http://www.seal.navy.mil/swcc/req_vision.asp > I think it was their claim that they've been operating on Navy Seals for years. Maybe it was the "secret unit" SEALS found in diveshops everywhere. >> I think it was their claim that they've been operating on Navy Seals for years. > > Maybe it was the "secret unit" SEALS found in diveshops everywhere. Yeah. Or the harbor seals down at the Children's Pool. Not true. Some special operators can have PRK and have. Trust me. My prescription was ~-7 and 'stig was ~-3. Needed bifocals and was ready for trifocals. A real challenge. I had LASIK done (painless), but the flaps didn't heal right and doc did PTK on me. 5 days of hell. Now no reading glasses needed. 20-15 in right eye and 20-40 in left. Doc might redo the left eye in a few months. I'll be late 40s then. Everybody's different, but I dig the lifestyle change. Get to wear my wife's Oakley and Ray Bans that she don't like anymore. Going diving to Coz next month and will be pulling out prescription lenses! I'd do it again, HUA? SignatureRapid Rick "Just drive, baby" >I was searching the web last night for glasses that had the 155mm temple > length that I need and got sidetracked by a link to information about the [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > experience the lack of choices in my temple size, I sure do wish I didn't > have to go through this trouble every few years... > Everybody's different, but I dig the lifestyle change. Get to wear my > wife's Oakley and Ray Bans that she don't like anymore. Going diving to Coz > next month and will be pulling out prescription lenses! I'd do it again, > HUA? I went and had my eyes checked for a new prescription yesterday... Turns out that they've actually gotten better than I remember them being at one time, but it appears that the current prescription is the same as it was around 5 years ago when I last have my eyes checked... One eye's at -1.50 and the other is at -0.75... I seem to remember the first glasses I had way back when I was in Junior High School being -1.50 for both eyes... I think that I remember one prescription being -1.75 at some point over the years... As much as I hate searching for new frames, I suspect I'll stay with 'em for awhile... I'm probably going to be changing from the 'progressive' type lense to seperate glasses for the various distance ranges... I've found that I don't like the 'progressive' type lenses, especially while on a computer... They force me to look out the bottom portion of my lenses and if the monitor is at desk height, I sometimes get headaches and cramps in the neck muscles from contantly having to lean my head backwards to look out the bottom portion of the lenses... I was over at the optometrist's shop yesterday and he was having a problem utilizing mail merge to print out subsets of his mailing list labels... I helped him and he was appreciative enough to offer me two pairs frames & lenses (clear distance and computer) and a 3rd pair of lenses for my existing frames (distance sunglass tinted)... Of all the frames he had, only 2 of them fit my head in anything other than the very large lense styles -- I wanted a bit shorter lenses this time... >>Everybody's different, but I dig the lifestyle change. Get to wear my >>wife's Oakley and Ray Bans that she don't like anymore. Going diving to [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > other than the very large lense styles -- I wanted a bit shorter lenses this > time... If yer gonna have to buy glasses, check out WWW.Zennioptical.com. Cheapest glasses that I have found. A decent pair of single vision glasses (frames and lenses) for about $40. Takes about 2 weeks for delivery. Signature“Striving for mediocrity” ____________________________________________________________________________ "A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." - Proverbs 22:3 > If yer gonna have to buy glasses, check out WWW.Zennioptical.com. > Cheapest glasses that I have found. A decent pair of single vision > glasses (frames and lenses) for about $40. > > Takes about 2 weeks for delivery. Yeah, I stumbled across their website while trying find some frames that would fit me... They're pretty good about listing the actual frame width... Some of the sites only list the lense width, height, and bridge width... That's not enough to determine the total frame width... I would have probably gone with them for 2 or 3 pairs if the optometrist hadn't offered me the free ones... Can't beat that price... Back in the old days a few months ago when I was wearing glasses, I had a pair that had the prescription with the bifocal as the entire lens. No distance prescription--just like a pair of reading glasses, but with my blind-a.s prescription laid in also. Loved em. SignatureRapid Rick "Just dive, baby" "Grumman-581" I've found that > I don't like the 'progressive' type lenses, especially while on a > computer... They force me to look out the bottom portion of my lenses and > if > the monitor is at desk height, I sometimes get headaches and cramps in the > neck muscles from contantly having to lean my head backwards to look out > the |
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