LASIK and Wind Sports

[chanrider]

Did a search on Kiteforum and found (of course) several threads including the obligitory "heated debate" KF seems so good at generating.

Anyone had this surgery locally and willing to share results?

My eyes are both very nearsighted (-7.5) so my eye doc (who I think is sorta pimpin for the surgeons ) thought I might as well give it a shot.

Funny thing is my contacts correct to 20/20 and are comfortable, but kind of pain in butt of course especially for water kiting.

The potential but "rare" downsides to surgery appear considerable (poor nite vision, halos, and worse... sometimes totally unfixable!), but most people seem to be very happy with the results. Never ever thought I would let someone cut my eyes open willingly, but the technology and marketing have made me surrender

I am scheduled to have this done this Friday, so take it easy on any real graphic horror stories, but then again it's not too late to bail!

[WildBill]

I hear your anxiety. I had Lasik on my astigmatic eyes about 8 years ago and all went great! It would suck to be that less than 1% that really gets messed up though. I was going to do one eye at a time just to be safe but it was too much hassle especially living in Rochester at the time and having it done in the cities.

I had hard contacts, had to clean them every night. It was a real pain when the got out of place or full of smoke too. I waterskied with contacts a lot and it wasn't much of a problem there. No kiting back then. All that is behind me now and I'm loving it. One eye was like 15/15 and the other 30/30 initially but the good eye healed worse and the bad eye better so I didn't do a 2nd cut.

Good luck!!!

[Windandwater]

PRK is safer, especially if you are doing water sports.

It takes longer to heal but a safer approach. It is regaining favor because it is safer and should eliminate chance of halos.

Also, consider mono vision.

I had PRK, one of first 100, about a dozen years ago.

Still working great.

[stevenP]

My glasses were coke bottle thick. So I always wore hard contacts. One of the best decisions was to have lasik surgery about 7 years ago. The improved freedom for an active lifestyle is incredible and if you have it, you will be amazed at the vast difference in your life. Little things like being able to read the clock by the bed. Bigger things like not having to mess with contacts when swimming, windsurfing or camping.

I still believe this even though I guess that my night vision is possibly now worse (though can't be sure) and I had some haloing for a while. The procedures are better now.

Do your research. Make an informed decision.

[Jimmychunga]

Both eyes done two years ago. I was blind without my glasses or contacts. I am in every sport imaginable and hated having to deal with them. I couldn't see the big 'E' at the office. [Don't know why the don't change the letter. I could always tell them what it was without being able to see it]

Had both eyes done up in Maple Grove. It was amazing! Nothing better than to wake up in the middle of the night and be able to see the clock. Unfortunately, with that said, I'll be heading up to Maple Grove this Thursday to have them redone. Postponed the procedure twice so I could get more kiting in before the season was over.

Developed some abnormalities on my eyes which cause light distortion in low light conditions. Enough to bug me to consider redoing. Easily could have lived with it but I like camping and seeing the stars.

They'll be doing PRK on one eye at a time. Healing takes longer but don't have enough cornea left to have Lasik done again. Yes... the dreaded 1%

I'm NOT looking forward to having this redone. Would I still have it done knowing what I know now? Definitely!

Hope this doesn't scare you away. I just started kiting in January and watched a few kite crash videos online. Just have to keep the fingers crossed that you aren't that 1%...

[SCOTT RIDOUT]

I had it done two years ago at Maple Grove also and it's been the best thing I have ever done for myself, better than 20/20 and still holding for two years now. I would reccomend Dr.Whiting in Maple Groves Lasik Plus facility. I was afraid at first too but am so glad I didi it, go for it man you will love it, nothing better than ditching the glasses once and for all!!! I can actually see the shore now and am able to judge the distance to drop the kite for someone to catch it, Kite on brother!!!!!

[chanrider]

Thanks for the feedback all. I also read recently the newer PRK/LASEK procedures may have fewer long term complication risks than LASIK, however my high correction means PRK is not an option (they have to hack away too much eye meat!).

I have heard from others Dr. Whiting and Lasik Plus is good locally. My doc is sending me to Laser Vision Center in Edina where Dr. Davis is scheduled to do the cutting.

Yes, I have done more research than looking on KF and such… but water kiting is so unique it’s good to get a perspective from people actually doing it. The risk of losing contacts or prescription sunglasses is greater for kiting versus windsurfing I think and getting safely back to shore unable to see clearly beyond a few feet could be really sketchy, again more so with a kite than a WS rig.

I wear SeaSpecs under a helmet while kiting which offers some protection for the eyes, but still have lost contact lenses with this set up. Obviously, I am counting on this also helping to protect the LASIK flap from getting dislodged in the future (that sounds so unpleasant).

KF had some decent discussions about bacteria and such present in salt and fresh water and the problems that can cause with contacts. One thing I am sort of counting on is after the LASIK flap is healed the lil critters won’t be able to sneak under there. I have had a couple of serious eye irritations in the past from junk in the water getting under the contact lens and doing a number on my eye.

Well, I spose just like driving out to KI in the spring this is gonna be a calculated risk. Geronimo!

Jimmychunga, good luck with round 2, hope to SEE you on the water soon!

[Fred MPL]

As an avid motorcyclist, I would not consider surgery. My vision is terrible (read legally blind) without my contacts. With them I can see better than 20/15.

I feel that the risk of having surgery outweighs the benefit if you require absolute pinpoint precision. Riding at speeds of 140+ MPH in short stretches on familiar country roads or in the mountain valleys of Montana require seeing distances of up to a mile very clearly.

You may not require that clarity, however. Additionally, contacts or glasses may not work for you either.

I was always worried that my eyes would change and I would need additional surgeries.

Just something to think about.

Fred

[Windandwater]

Minnesota Eye Consultants get a lot of people referred to them to correct the mistakes of other eye surgeons. A second opinion from them would not be a bad idea. I am on the line DJ Mad Mike asking him to respond to your questions when he can. He also made the choice for PRK after thorough research.

Good luck with whatever your choose!

[djmadmike]

Are you having LASEK or LASIK as there is a HUGE difference. LASEK is very similar to PRK, as the structural integrity of the cornea is NOT compromised since there is not a flap cut. Most of the complications in LASIK in the literature are due to the flap.

If you are seeing Dr. Elizabeth Davis, she is top notch and one of the best in MN in my opinion. I have a good friend that works with her and has nothing but great stuff to say also. She did my eyes (PRK) there in Edina about 2 years ago this April and it has been awesome! I love it and would have it done again (it turned out fine).

Keep in mind that it is an OPTIONAL surgery and there is always some risk. If your vision is correctable (as in your case) it becomes more of a convience issue only. Trust me, I wore contacts/glasses since 2nd grade up until 2 years ago, so I know how big of a pain it can be.

Either way, do your own research. http://www.pubmed.org has tons of abstracts. Dr. Davis is great, so be sure to tell her that you kiteboard and are very active to get her opinion also.

One more thing is your employer may have a Health Care Savings account where you can put money in before tax for medical spending and laser surgery is eligible (was in the past); so that might save you some dough.

Take care and keep us updated!
Mike N

[chanrider]

I am scheduled to see Dr. Elizabeth Davis tomorrow morning. Very comforting to hear she is well regarded. I think she is actually a partner in Minnesota Eye Consultants and these appear to be the docs that do the surgeries through Laser Vision Center of Edina along with some others.

LASIK and not LASEK is what I am scheduled for. I will discuss LASEK with her, I don’t think I am a good candidate for this specific procedure though because I have a very high correction (-7.5).

One thing I need to discuss with her is due to my high correction I think I might be entering a higher risk category regardless of the type of procedure.

Anyway I will review all the options with her on Friday. One thing that I am little disappointed in is you typically just talk to technicians and such up until the day of the surgery. It would be nice to talk with the doctor earlier in the process, you can probably make this happen if you pursue it I suppose but I really didn’t.

Can’t thank everyone enough for taking the time to respond to this post… what a great community!

[Nancy]

I had lasik a couple years ago by Dr. Launer at .....I think it 's called Progressive Eye Care in the old Midway hospital bldg. At the time, he was the only one in MN with a computerized flap cutting machine. It allows them to cut a thinner flap, and eliminates human error during cutting.

A friend of mine put it well when she said it's the kind of thing you just want to shout from the rooftops! One of the best things I ever did. Why did I wait so long?? I have a slight nighttime halo/fuzziness around very bright lights, but I had that with contacts, too. My vision is phenomenal in low light conditions like ordering at a nice restaurant. It's really fun reading the menus for friends my age!! For the first 6 months I woke up in the morning, reached for my glasses, and broke out in a huge smile cuz I didn't need my glasses anymore!! What a great way to start the day. I still have moments where I push up on my nose, think I forgot to take off my glasses before hopping in the shower, etc. I do know a couple people, both physicians oddly enough, that had infections in their eyes afterwards. Both recovered fine.

I am a real wimp when it comes to any kind of procedure...just ask Steve! Lasik was a piece of cake! They give you Valium so you're happy, anyway. The zapping only takes less than a minute each eye so you don't even have time to faint! Couple things I wished I had known beforehand: you do smell your cornea burning (but the Valium just makes that kind of cool!) and I had some pain as soon as I stepped out the door into the dry bright-with-snow January day. This lasts just until your flaps heal, so it was magically gone in almost exactly 4 hours! I managed to take a nap in that time (you can't really do anything else) so it couldn't have been that bad. Just wished I'd had one Vicodin or something. Refer to wimp comment above! Most people don't have that but if you do know it won't last very long.

I would do it all over again if I had to. It is truly amazing. Good luck!!!!

[Eric Bro]

I also had Elizabeth Davis at Mn Eye Consultants do lasik to me this January. I have been very happy, with almost perfect results, she got me to within a squigin of 20-20 from really farsighted. In daylight I don't know the difference, everything is absolutely clear. At night I use glasses with only a quarter diopter correction to get me sharp. My kiteskiiing has been an absolute joy this winter, and I can't wait until I'm on the water.

There are some downsides, though minor compared to the absolute joy of not needing contacts. You must keep your eyes lubricated constantly, they recommend drops every hour for at least the first year afterward. You also should keep them protected from cold drying wind with googles (do it anyway) and you should wear sunglasses on the kiteboard (which half the people do anyway) to protect that flap when you faceplant. Some folks also complain about night halos but for me that has not been a problem.

I recommend it!!

[chanrider]

After meeting with the doc Friday, she suggested I wait because I had too many questions regarding whether the surgery was right for my eyes. All I can say about this particular surgeon and the center I chose is they are a class act all the way… very informative and supportive.

In addition to my concern about a having a high correction, my right eye (which has always been more troublesome than my left) was bothering me this week and it just did not feel well enough to undergo surgery. The high correction issue sounds like less of a problem with the techniques they are using nowadays which are more precise than ever.

Back in August I got an irritation in my right eye from lake water & dirty contacts while out of town and it was treated successfully by a local doc. Then in October I went to see my optometrist here who suggested several things including new silicone hydrogel lenses, a different solution and that I might be a candidate for surgery. The new lenses work great, absolutely the most comfortable and trouble free I have used in over 25 years.

As far as surgery is concerned either LASIK or PRK/Epi-LASEK sound like good options for water sports cuz once the eye heals (which only takes a few weeks) bacteria and other nasty stuff will not be able to get beneath the surface of the eye.

In hindsight I should have done more research immediately after my pre-op evaluation in November and then scheduled a follow up visit with the surgeon and center director prior to the surgery date. I blew this off until the last minute, not a good idea!

Anyway, the plan now is to go through the summer with the new lenses and revisit surgery in the fall. In the meantime I will be envying those of you not dealing corrective lenses, please don't splash water in my face!

[esteffen]

I am sorry I didn't post a reply to you sooner, but I haven't checked the forum in a week or so. I am one of the surgeons at St. Paul Eye Clinic. I specialize in glaucoma and general ophthalmology and do not perform LASIK, but 11 of my partners do. It is probably a good idea to wait if you have a lot of questions because it is a surgical procedure. There are a few things to consider about LASIK and surgeon that you choose.

First, it is a very good procedure and a very safe procedure, but it is not perfect. Although most people do well, some people do have complications. And, if you are over 40 and need readers or bifocals now, you will still likely need readers after.

Also, who will be doing your post op follow-up? If you have a complication who is going to see you first? Is it going to be the surgeon who did the procedure or the optometrist who refered you? I understand your concern about not being able to talk with the surgeon prior to the day of surgery. Many practices are set up in this mannner. My group prefers to see everyone throughout the entire process from meeting you before surgery to seeing you for all of your postop care, not only LASIK, but any other eye care needs you may have.

We also have information on our web site about LASIK and the various options that are available that may be easier to understand than trying to search the medical literature on pubmed.

http://www.stpauleye.com

If any one has any specific questions let me know. Some questions can't be answered without an exam, but I will answer the ones that I can.

Eric Steffen

[chanrider]

This has been an extremely helpful thread for me, thanks again to everyone who posted! I know I got some tremendously valuable info here and I hope other visually challenged folks on this site did too. I found a number of interesting lasik post-op stories during my research, just thought I would share one in particular that “caught my eye.”

A Most Intriguing LASIK Story:

An acquaintance of mine had LASIK performed a few months ago. The day after the surgery his eyes felt ok and he decided to go for a walk around the neighborhood. He had strolled a few blocks up the street from his house when suddenly a violent, rogue gust of wind caught him in the left eye just so and the corneal flap was lifted completely out of his eye and fell down onto the sidewalk.

In shock, he used his still functioning right eye to spot the flap, which he could barely make out on the sidewalk just ahead. But before he could reach down to pick up the lost flap a kid on a bike whizzed by and the flap was gone, apparently stuck to the bike tire! He yelled desperately at the kid to STOP, which thankfully he did only 15-20 feet down the sidewalk.

Unfortunately, there was a significant amount of goose poop on this particular stretch of sidewalk and the flap was not to be found on the bike tire, so it must have gotten mired in the goose poop! He started mucking around in the goose poop to find the flap when a neighbor appeared walking his golden retriever, and sure enough the dog promptly started to eat the goose poop!

It stops right there… a jovial piece of fiction written by a sick-minded eye doc somewhere! Anyone still wearing contacts (like me) can hopefully appreciate this tale also.