ask me about eyes

[Rootabager]

If my contacts have UV protection. How bad is it to wear them in a tanning bed with no goggles. I do keep my eyes shut though.

[Yads]

I've been recently diagnosed with kariteconis(sp). Any chance that they'll come up with some surgery that doesn't involve retina transplant in the next little while? I'm really scared of this disease as contact lenses really freak me out.

[slim]

[ QUOTE ]
I've been recently diagnosed with kariteconis(sp). Any chance that they'll come up with some surgery that doesn't involve retina transplant in the next little while? I'm really scared of this disease as contact lenses really freak me out.

[/ QUOTE ]


How old are you? If you are older like >30 or 40 then the chances of it progressing to the point of needing a corneal transplant is very low. If you are in your teens, then the risk is much higher. I don't know of any other treatments other than a corneal transplant if you become intolerant to hard contacts due to keratoconus.

[Wires]

Hey slim,

I'm 35 years old now and have been wearing glasses since the 5th grade. I'm just now considering laser eye surgery. I've been wearing glasses for so long now that they don't really faze me. However the thought of being able to see without wearing them is also appealing.

My main apprehension has nothing to do with fear of potential side effects and everything to do with expectation. I don't want to go through the procedure if I'm going to have to wear glasses for distance again in a few years (I accept that I will need glasses for reading).
My eyes are not that bad but just bad enough that I don't function well without glasses - -2.5 and -2.75 with a mild astygmatism - no significant history.

What would you say to a patient with my history and concerns?


BTW Thanks for taking the time to to do this "ask me" thread. It has been interesting and informative.

[slim]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey slim,

I'm 35 years old now and have been wearing glasses since the 5th grade. I'm just now considering laser eye surgery. I've been wearing glasses for so long now that they don't really faze me. However the thought of being able to see without wearing them is also appealing.

My main apprehension has nothing to do with fear of potential side effects and everything to do with expectation. I don't want to go through the procedure if I'm going to have to wear glasses for distance again in a few years (I accept that I will need glasses for reading).
My eyes are not that bad but just bad enough that I don't function well without glasses - -2.5 and -2.75 with a mild astygmatism - no significant history.

What would you say to a patient with my history and concerns?


BTW Thanks for taking the time to to do this "ask me" thread. It has been interesting and informative.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you are not worried about complications, I would say you are an ideal candidate. However the goal of laser eye surgery is to REDUCE the dependancy on glasses/contacts. So if you are going to be unhappy with a prescription of -0.50 in which case you might want to wear glasses for night driving only, then you need to really think about whether you really want the surgery.I can tell you that for your prescription, the chances of you seeing 20/20 after surgery without glasses is over 95%. Any residual prescription can always be re treated.

[Wires]

Thanks for the response, slim.

I see you are from Ontario as well - I'm in Toronto. I've started to research a few places and I see that what you have said in one of your earlier posts is very true. I've seen listings for what appears to be very inexpensive surgery. However when you go for your assessment it actually turns out to be much more expensive than advertised. It seems that very few people could meet the requirements necessary for the cheaper surgery.

With that being said would you recommend any specific facility in the GTA and what are your thoughts on insurance? Also is there anyone is the area that you would absolutely avoid? Finally, what should I reasonably expect to pay for the procedure. Money is not the issue but I do not want to be gouged.

Thanks again.

(if you don't mind I may PM you in the future for further insight on this process)

[slim]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the response, slim.

I see you are from Ontario as well - I'm in Toronto. I've started to research a few places and I see that what you have said in one of your earlier posts is very true. I've seen listings for what appears to be very inexpensive surgery. However when you go for your assessment it actually turns out to be much more expensive than advertised. It seems that very few people could meet the requirements necessary for the cheaper surgery.

With that being said would you recommend any specific facility in the GTA and what are your thoughts on insurance? Also is there anyone is the area that you would absolutely avoid? Finally, what should I reasonably expect to pay for the procedure. Money is not the issue but I do not want to be gouged.

Thanks again.

(if you don't mind I may PM you in the future for further insight on this process)

[/ QUOTE ]

There are only 3 centers on Toronto that offer LASIK with Intralase. Intralase is another laser that is used to make the flap before the second laser is used to laser away your presciption. Any other center you go to will use whats called a microkeratome to make the initial flap. A microkeratome is basically an automated scalpel (metal blade). There are many benefits to Intrlase over microkeratome however it is a much newer (about 2 yrs). The 3 centers are TLC,Herzig Eye Intitute and Bochner Eye Insitute.Ya you can pm me if you like.

[Nick-Zack]

I am 41 years old and have never seen any kind of eye doctor. My vision seems as "perfect" as it ever has. Is there any reason that I should be getting eye checkups?

[slim]

[ QUOTE ]
I am 41 years old and have never seen any kind of eye doctor. My vision seems as "perfect" as it ever has. Is there any reason that I should be getting eye checkups?

[/ QUOTE ]

I can tell you your near vision is not as good as it was even last year. You may not notice it when reading a book but the closer something is to your face the worse blurrier it gets compared to the previous year. But thats not serious anyways.....you'll need reading glasses within 5 years.

Other than that, you should get your eyes checked at least every 2 years to rule out eye disease which are often painless and insidious (glaucoma)

[Yads]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I've been recently diagnosed with kariteconis(sp). Any chance that they'll come up with some surgery that doesn't involve retina transplant in the next little while? I'm really scared of this disease as contact lenses really freak me out.

[/ QUOTE ]


How old are you? If you are older like >30 or 40 then the chances of it progressing to the point of needing a corneal transplant is very low. If you are in your teens, then the risk is much higher. I don't know of any other treatments other than a corneal transplant if you become intolerant to hard contacts due to keratoconus.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm 26.