Wow! That's a lot of replies - and no one responded to the list. Too bad, I would have liked to read them, being somewhat interested (but wary) in the procedure myself. I know 3 divers who have had it, but 2 are the warm water wimpy types, and the 3rd not much better. All are extremely happy (read WERE extremely blind - coke bottle types), but one did have a scary procedure - apparently not enough anesthesia on one eye. Does not give a warm fuzzy feeling. The others - one went to Canada some 3-4 years ago cause it wasn't available here then, the others were just in the last couple months, so not fully healed. I'm told that the eye still changes a bit for several months after before finally settling into its corrected state. Good luck, and I hope you'll post your results, as well as any insightful responses you received already. Martha ---------- From: Nanci LeVake[SMTP:nlevake@pi*.co*] Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 1999 5:14 PM To: freeattic@co*.ci*.uf*.ed*; cavers@cavers.com Subject: Laser Eye Poll Hi, Here is what I learned about divers' experiences with laser eye surgery. The surgery I was specifically asking about is a procedure called LASIK, where a small flap is cut form the cornea, the eye is lasered into the right shape to see 20/20, and the flap is returned to cover the site, thus protecting it and causing the patient less discomfort. No one reported any dive-related or deco-related problems. Two people warned me about the doc from Texas who climbed Everest and went blind, but I don't _think_ I have to worry about that.... (Didn't he have RK, anyway? I tried to find it in the book, but couldn't...) I did meet one person who was extremely unhappy with the results, who would give anything not to have done it, who directed me to a website concerning problems after the surgery. http://www.surgicaleyes.com I feel anyone contemplating the surgery should take a look at this. These complications were either not mentioned or severely down-played when I went to the informational meeting and during my pre-surgical counseling. I very much doubt, after reading about these people's experiences, that I will be comfortable having the surgery, even though so many have told me of their wonderful results..... Had LASIK or PRK, happy with result: 4 Dive Buddy/friend/wife had, happy: 7 Had RK, happy: 1 Physician, had LASIK: 1 Physician, won't have LASIK: 1 Had LASIK, ok results with a couple small problems: 1 Friend had LASIK, questionable results: 2 Had LASIK, horrible results: 1 Don't know, be careful: 5 Like contacts: 2 Interested, send info: 4 So that's what I know. I curious as to why the Surgical Eyes site didn't come up when I was doing a web search on the subject. All I could find were glowing reviews from the different surgical centers around the country. Thanks to everyone who told me about their/their friends' experiences. Nanci *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* http://www.pipeline.com/~nlevake/
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