Post: #26

Hmm interesting to ponder. I definitely think reading for long periods of time and staring at computer screen can affect your eyes over a period of years. I don't think many young guys on the forum are thinking about getting PRK so the older fellows will not have to worry much about any potential stabilization issues. I'll ask my surgeon more about this next time I see him.

Post: #27

OP, small correction:

The reason they make you not wear contacts prior to the visit is to increase the oxygen content of the eye prior to surgery. More oxygen means it will heal faster!

Post: #28

(01-15-2016 11:16 PM)MiscBrah Wrote:  ^^Filbert This thread is a PRK datasheet, not a LASIK datasheet.

MisBrah,
I understand it's a prk datasheet, but the only difference in the procedures is the flap creation. and prk carries all the rest of complications, including regress, dry eye, etc.
and an additional one - haze.
Guys should know all the pitfalls. It's your eyes, you know, your only set of eyes.
And there is no plan b, if something goes wrong.

Post: #29

Great write up.

Post: #30

So here is my experience - I had intralase done about 15 years ago. Intralase is a form of LASIK where they use lasers to cut the flap, not a blade. The biggest risk with LASIK is the blade not cutting the flap correctly. With Intralase they lasers basically cut the flap so there is a much much lower risk of an issue w/the flap not being correctly cut. It costs a little more but not that much, and its certainly worth it. I went from blind as a bat to 20/20 in 15 minutes and have stayed perfect ever since. Best thing I ever did and worth 10 times what I paid for it. If you are looking at having it done I'd recommend looking at Intralase. Its been many years since my surgery so I dont know how much technology has changed.

Post: #31

How much does PRK cost per eye in Australia? I currently wear glasses but hope to get it done at some stage.

Post: #32

(01-17-2016 07:17 AM)fokker Wrote:  How much does PRK cost per eye in Australia? I currently wear glasses but hope to get it done at some stage.

In Australia, it's $2,400 - $3,100 per eye.

But it's beyond my comprehension, why anyone would have it done, if one read one of the following testimonials (from this link: http://www.lasikcomplications.com/PRK-complications.htm ):

I got PRK surgery when I was in the Air Force and I regret it. It's been 5 years and my eyes constantly hurt and are super dry. When I wake up and my eyes open, it feels like I opened them in chlorine water. I think they are getting worse some days I cannot touch the lid of my left eye. What is worse is still need glasses so all that pain and difficult post-op pain was for nothing. Prior to my surgery, I spoke to a fellow airman who had warned me but I thought it must have been a unique situation and didn't listen to her, so I know I’m not the only one. Now I’m constantly using eyedrops and taking eye vitamins to see if that helps and it does but only so much. The drops help with the dryness, but not the pain. When a group of us were getting the surgery that day, I remember being in a room and being handed a bunch of papers, liability forms I’m sure, and not being explained anything; that day I remember asking if we had to option to getting lasik and I was told no very rudely. I was not at any point explained of the possibility life long effects of PRK.

Post: #33

(01-18-2016 03:58 AM)Filbert Wrote:  In Australia, it's $2,400 - $3,100 per eye.

But it's beyond my comprehension, why anyone would have it done, if one read one of the following testimonials (from this link: http://www.lasikcomplications.com/PRK-complications.htm ):

I got PRK surgery when I was in the Air Force and I regret it. It's been 5 years and my eyes constantly hurt and are super dry. When I wake up and my eyes open, it feels like I opened them in chlorine water. I think they are getting worse some days I cannot touch the lid of my left eye. What is worse is still need glasses so all that pain and difficult post-op pain was for nothing. Prior to my surgery, I spoke to a fellow airman who had warned me but I thought it must have been a unique situation and didn't listen to her, so I know I’m not the only one. Now I’m constantly using eyedrops and taking eye vitamins to see if that helps and it does but only so much. The drops help with the dryness, but not the pain. When a group of us were getting the surgery that day, I remember being in a room and being handed a bunch of papers, liability forms I’m sure, and not being explained anything; that day I remember asking if we had to option to getting lasik and I was told no very rudely. I was not at any point explained of the possibility life long effects of PRK.

Are you saying you likely wouldn't have had these side effects had you gotten LASIK instead? I've been more inclined to get LASIK over PRK because of the quicker healing time. I went to an eye center here in Canada (first place in North America to offer laser eye surgery) for a consultation and I qualify for the procedure. $3600 CAD both eyes.

Post: #34

(01-18-2016 03:58 AM)Filbert Wrote:  In Australia, it's $2,400 - $3,100 per eye.

But it's beyond my comprehension, why anyone would have it done, if one read one of the following testimonials (from this link: http://www.lasikcomplications.com/PRK-complications.htm ):

I got PRK surgery when I was in the Air Force and I regret it. It's been 5 years and my eyes constantly hurt and are super dry. When I wake up and my eyes open, it feels like I opened them in chlorine water. I think they are getting worse some days I cannot touch the lid of my left eye. What is worse is still need glasses so all that pain and difficult post-op pain was for nothing. Prior to my surgery, I spoke to a fellow airman who had warned me but I thought it must have been a unique situation and didn't listen to her, so I know I’m not the only one. Now I’m constantly using eyedrops and taking eye vitamins to see if that helps and it does but only so much. The drops help with the dryness, but not the pain. When a group of us were getting the surgery that day, I remember being in a room and being handed a bunch of papers, liability forms I’m sure, and not being explained anything; that day I remember asking if we had to option to getting lasik and I was told no very rudely. I was not at any point explained of the possibility life long effects of PRK.

I don't know if this is you Filbert or someone from that site. Whoever it is, I have extremely limited sympathy for them. They went ahead with a surgical procedure knowing nothing about it at all. Any intelligent man would at the very least google what they were going to have done so they would know the risks. PRK and LASIK both require significant pre surgery and post surgery care. This brief paragraph doesn't mention much information at all and is simply scare mongering.

(01-18-2016 07:38 PM)Laurifer Wrote:  Are you saying you likely wouldn't have had these side effects had you gotten LASIK instead? I've been more inclined to get LASIK over PRK because of the quicker healing time. I went to an eye center here in Canada (first place in North America to offer laser eye surgery) for a consultation and I qualify for the procedure. $3600 CAD both eyes.

Quicker recovery comes at the cost of a flap that never fully heals and can be reopened at any time in the future.

Post: #35

(01-18-2016 07:57 PM)MiscBrah Wrote:  Quicker recovery comes at the cost of a flap that never fully heals and can be reopened at any time in the future.

Yes but it would require significant trauma for it to reopen wouldn't it? Like a direct impact to the eye at just the right angle. In which case i'd probably need some serious medical attention to address that anyway, let alone for the flap reopening. There are MMA fighters that have had LASIK.

Post: #36

(01-18-2016 09:10 PM)Laurifer Wrote:  

(01-18-2016 07:57 PM)MiscBrah Wrote:  Quicker recovery comes at the cost of a flap that never fully heals and can be reopened at any time in the future.

Yes but it would require significant trauma for it to reopen wouldn't it? Like a direct impact to the eye at just the right angle. In which case i'd probably need some serious medical attention to address that anyway, let alone for the flap reopening. There are MMA fighters that have had LASIK.

Its tough to say what would cause it to reopen. There are lots of scenarios in which it could happen. There are MMA fighters that have had LASIK but I definitely know for fighters in particular, PRK is preferred. I would do some research into cases of the flap reopening if I were you. It sounds like you know the risks and benefits so I'm sure you'll be fine either way you go. Do keep in mind though that the recovery for PRK is not that bad and I thought it was going to be worse than it was for me. Good luck.

Post: #37

(01-18-2016 07:57 PM)MiscBrah Wrote:  [quote='Filbert' pid='1195193' dateline='1453107520']
In Australia, it's $2,400 - $3,100 per eye.


I don't know if this is you Filbert or someone from that site.

It is certainly not me, as I wouldn't risk it. Maybe that site is scare mongering, but it scared me.
I just wonder how anyone in right mind would go ahead with the procedure after reading such a site.
As they say, better safe than sorry.

Post: #38

(01-18-2016 10:43 PM)MiscBrah Wrote:  

(01-18-2016 09:10 PM)Laurifer Wrote:  [quote='MiscBrah' pid='1195655' dateline='1453165060']
Quicker recovery comes at the cost of a flap that never fully heals and can be reopened at any time in the future.

There are lots of scenarios in which it could happen.

One of the senarios I read about is when you get into a car accident and the airbag hitting your face rip opens the flaps on both eyes. Such cases were documented.

Post: #39

UPDATE

Just had my nine month post surgery checkup. Vision is still 20/15.

Quick note about ICLs. I asked my doctor what he thought of Visian ICLs (Implantable Collamer Lenses) and he said that while they do provide permanent UV protection and other benefits, he would ultimately not recommend it. He said that they greatly increase the chances of developing cataracts and while that can be fixed, that in turn increases your chances of retinal detachments. ICLs may be useful in unique situations but my advice is still to get PRK over the other options *if* you are determined to be a suitable candidate.

I am very happy I did this surgery. It was probably the best $4000 I've ever spent.

Post: #40

(05-18-2016 04:12 PM)MiscBrah Wrote:  UPDATE

Just had my nine month post surgery checkup. Vision is still 20/15.


I am very happy I did this surgery. It was probably the best $4000 I've ever spent.

How is your night vision? Is it comfortable driving at night?
The reason I've been always skeptical about prk/lasik is that the night vision seems to be fecked in many patients after these procedures.

Post: #41

Night vision is actually better than before I had the surgery. I've always had halos at night and still do but they have been significantly reduced. Driving at night is fine.

Post: #42

Are you still a heavy eye drop user?

Post: #43

No, I generally only use artificial tears once sometimes twice a day now.