Eye Surgery Vs. Contact Lenses Vs. Eye Glasses & Inserts

[arffnick]

I wear glasses & have inserts in my mask. I don't really care for having to keep up with my glasses on emergencies, the way my glasses get fogged up during the winter, & the way my inserts dig into my nose (My department uses Scott 2.2 "Fifty's" with the standard Scott insert).

I tried contact lenses & liked them very much, but had trouble with my eyes drying out during my 24's. Took them out at night, but back to the glasses & inserts after removing the lenses.

I have spoke to my eye doc & she advised that due to the possibility of being struck in the head at work, surgery would be a big liability.

Any one out there get the surgery, what are your thoughts & experiences.............



[ 11-28-2001: Message edited by: arffnick ]

[rojaig]

HI

I am also interested in a response - I want to apply for a career position in Regina, SK and their requirement for application is 20/30 uncorrected vision - surgery seems to be the only way out except for a challange to the requirement - not yet prepared to do that

any input would be welcome
Thanks
Robby

[10-75k]

Arffnick,

Point of information: I to wear contacts but my shifts are only 12's. I was informed by my chief that the NFPA is putting out a standard saying you cannot wear contacts on the fire grounds. I find this UNACCEPTABLE!!! I rely on my contacts alot. At night I have to wear my glasses. I feel the NFPA is shooting alot of us (firefighters) in the foot by doing this. This could be taken as some type of discrimnation (those of us who are visually challenged would understand). I can't wait until my union gets a hold of this.

I think there was an article in FIREHOUSE not to long ago that delt with this subject and I think the author found no problems wearing contacts on the fire grounds. I wish I could find that article. If anyone knows of this article let me know.

[ 11-28-2001: Message edited by: 10-75k ]

[RES14CUE]

I had the surgery in June. My vision was only 20-80 before but everything was blurry past 5-10 feet. I also have a minor astigmatism. The morning after the surgery, I was seeing 20-20. I am now seeing 20-15. My do who is the chief opthamologist for the Redskins said I could ride fire trucks after two weeks of healing. This is the best money I ever spent. I would definitely recomend it.

[fireman_387]

I had my surgery in March, also was told no SCBA for two weeks. I was 20/100+(as my surgeon put it) now I see 20/20. My eye Dr said I wasn't supposed to have that good of a result. The only problem I have had is in the allergy area, my eyes get really dry and I am still using the lubricating drops that you have to use in the beginning. Shortly before the surgery I was given a half of a valium (to knock off the edge) I wish I had taken a whole one. It is a little un-nerving at first, sounds like a dremel tool cutting the cornea. All in all, I would do it again !! Really neat to read the small print on the scroll on a TV screen from across the room.

[enginecappy]

Lasik Eye Surgery is definately the way to go...my surgeon has performed the procedure on several firefighters and police officers and he placed no limitations on me. After two weeks of healing, I was good to go. What was a basically blind man (20-400 if you can imagine it) can now see 20/15 in my left eye, 20/20 in my right. Definately the best $$$ I've ever spent, and believe me, after 25 years of coke bottle glasses, it's a quality of life change. This is the group that performed my surgery....

TLC Eye Centers

Good Luck!

[DocLaw]

I was 20-200. I am now 20-15. I had LASIK in February, and wish I had done it years ago. No real ill-effects since then.
The procedure is simple and fast, the set-up long (hurry up and wait), and recovery - instantaneous! You walk out from the procedure. You will need to be away from serious work (i.e. smoke or dust-filled environments) for about a month for the surgery to take, so some sort of desk job may have to be arranged.
Check and see, as some places doing the surgery have no-cost consultation exams to see if they can operate on you.

The Glasses-less Doc is out now.

[DaSharkie]

I looked into the surgery a while ago but I keep having one nagging thought that stops me from coughing up the money to get it. No one can tell what sort of health or visual effects will occur ten, twenty or fifty years from now. I have been blind as a bat since teh third grade and have worn contacts for 13 years and never ahd a problem with them. I also am at risk for retinal detachment if struck in the head. For the past 3 years I have worn contacts at all incidents where I was working. Occasionally the lenses will dry out, usually only when I wear my SCOTT pak for a very long time. There are newer lenses that allow your eyes to become better oxygenated and produce less drying and you may want to look into them. The big thing is that it is still a surgical procedure and it must be taken very seriously. The best advice I could say is to check with a lot of physicians and eye doctors and see what their take is on it and then talk to a surgeon who performs it. Very few of the surgeons, I think, would shy you away from the procedure. They have bills to pay too you know.

Take care and stay safe.

[POC1813]

I am interested in the surgery also. I went to my eye doctor 2 days ago, and he said that he used to not advise ANYONE to get the surgery, but now they do it a different way, using a laser to slice and reshape the lens. He said I could have 98% of my vision restored. I am currently 20/400 in my right eye, and 20/800 in my left, with a serious astigmatism in both. I HAVE to wear my glasses to see anything, even to read. One of the girls in his office has had this new surgery and said it was wonderful to be able to see without aids....Just FYI

[enginecappy]

I failed to mention in my earlier post regarding the procedure regarding pain discomfort, so forth. THERE IS NONE! Trust me, you'll go through more trouble at the dentist. It is absolutely painless, and the recovery is really fast. I was 20/25 the day following, and after a month, saw my vision improve even more. I did devour some sick and personal leave time, but I was back to work in less than a month. When you can't roll over and see the clock at night, your vision is pretty bad, which mine was.

[FFsSignfOthr]

I had lasik surgery two years ago and was thrilled to death to not need glasses anymore. Five people in my office went about the same time and we are all 20/20 or close to it. My best friend is 20/15 after a return touchup visit.

But... I am STILL having problems with dryness which has caused some serious problems for me. Since the surgery, I often wake up with irritated eyes. Then 9 months ago, after spending a lot of time staring at a computer screen (which dries your eyes because you don't blink often enough), I happened to quickly glance away and blink at the same time. I felt a sharp pain in my left eye as though something had hit me in the eye. I couldn't even open my eye to check it in the mirror - it was very painful and the tears just poured out. I ended up going for emergency eye surgery to repair a torn cornea.

The eye doc thinks I may have a genetically weak eye surface that is being aggravated by the dryness that most people experience after the surgery. Eye drops don't last long enough to get me through the night. I now use "Sodium Chloride Hypertonicity Opthamalic Ointment" (cream) as a precaution whenever I feel discomfort in the morning. I also try to drink a big glass of water before bed, which seems to make quite a difference, especially after having alcohol or a salty meal.

I am still glad that I did the surgery, but I do worry that this problem will only get worse with age. I had the best surgeon in the state, who also trains everyone else, but each patient is different. The surgery itself was totally painless. We even stopped for lunch on the way home. I was wearing funky goggles and couldn't even see the menu. By the time I got home it felt like I had something in my eyes, but when I peeked under the goggles I could see clearly! I was back to work the next day, but had to wear the goggles to bed each night to keep from rubbing my eyes in my sleep.

Just think about the possible risks before you do it.
Good luck.

[TailboardJockey]

I've heard that some laser eye surgery patients have had trouble with their night vision, seeing halos around lights at night, etc. Have any of you that have had the procedure experienced this?

I'm interested in having LASIK done, eventually, but I can't for a few years because I'm in the Air National Guard part-time. They haven't approved of LASIK yet.

[enginecappy]

Tailboard...I did experience some "halo-ing" for about a month after the surgery...in fact the first time I drove, about three days after the procedure, it was quite an adventure. However, the halos are gone and my night vision is fine.

[firenresq77]

I too have been contemplating having the surgery, but have been leary. I know last time I checked into it, the cost was around $2000 and I don't exactly have that kind of money laying around....

I'm curious, what is the reason for being off for risk of getting hit in the head?

[Firebraun]

Had Lasik in Sept. on a Friday morning and was back on the job Monday morning. Doc said it would be fine, and it was. I had 20/400 vision before, and like Phildabox had worn "coke bottles" all my life. My problem was an astigmatism, and they're a bit more difficult to correct than standard near or far-sightedness, so I ended up with 20/40 after the surgery.

Honestly, it's good enough. In fact, it's all you need to get a drivers license in any state with no corrective lens restriction! I didn't have any problems with the dry eyes or "haloing," although I understand they aren't uncommon side effects. In fact, I didn't have any problems at all. Above all, it's sure nice to not need glasses anymore!

The most important thing in my eye (pun intended) is to do the research and get a GOOD and EXPERIENCED doctor. After all, they're your only eyes. Don't go for one of those "$499.00 an eye" specials at a chop-shop clinic simply based on the price. Don't have the money? Save up. it's not worth the chance.

Pick a doc who's got his act together and pay what it costs. I had both eyes done for $2,500.00 from a Doc who's been doing Lasik (and the old fashioned RK before that) for over 10 years and it was worth every penny!

FB