Mailing List Archive

Mailing List: techdiver

Message Display

Lasik involves using a microkeratome (a special-
ized knife) to cut the top of the cornea off,
and then the underlying bed is lasered with an
excimer laser.  The corneal flap is repositioned
and soon adheres to the underlying, treated
corneal bed.  As for diving after Lasik, most
surgeons recommend waiting one month (plus or
minus a couple weeks).  I can think of no reason
why a diver should not be able to resume diving
after successful completion of this surgery, and
that includes mixed-gas diving.  As to whether
the procedure violates DIR, I have no comment.
Lasik is better than radial keratotomy from a
diving perspective, because the cut is relative-
ly superficial and much less likely to be
affected by hydrostatic pressure changes, if at
all.  I no longer perform radial keratotomy, and
refer my refractive surgery patients to an
experienced colleague who performs Lasik.  The
bottom line is that diving and Lasik are highly
compatible.  Hope this helps.

Michael J. Black, M.D.


--== Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ ==--
Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
--
Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'.
Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.

Navigate by Author: [Previous] [Next] [Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject: [Previous] [Next] [Subject Search Index]

[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]

[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]