Laser Eye Surgery and Jumping

[Yossarian 0]

All things going to plan i should be having both eyes corrected sometime in september. i havent had the proper examination/consultation yet but im well aware of the guidelines regarding sport etc, but skydiving (unsurprisingly) isnt mentioned. has anyone had any experience with laser surgery and subsequent jumping? it advises no strenuous activity for 2 weeks after the surgery with full recovery in 4-8 weeks, but would the potential stresses (goggles slipping off for example) mean that i should wait longer? would the pressure change involved in the climb to altitude and descent be a factor? i will of course talk this over fully with the experts when i have it done, but i was just wondering if anyone knew first hand, thanks

[NWFlyer 2]

I think this has been discussed before, with varying opinions.

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=search_results&search_forum=all&search_string=lasik&search_type=AND&search_fields=sb&search_time=&search_user_username=&sb=score&mh=50

peregrinerose is a skydiver and an eye doc - you might PM her for some more info as well.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[peregrinerose 0]

Clink the link already given. Seriously consider which of the laser procedures you are planning on having done. For skydiving, if it was me, I'd probably opt for PRK rather than LASIK, that way there is no flap involved and the possibility of dislodging a flap is eliminated. PM me with any questions that you may have.

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

[unformed 0]

lasek doesn't have flaps either, and if remember correctly, heals quicker and has better results than prk.

i have corrected vision and have been jumping no problem.

once my eyeball fell out though but it was held in my goggle when i landed so i just pushed it back in.

but if you click on that link this has been discussed extensively hundreds of times before.

This ad space for sale.

[peregrinerose 0]

LASEK is a variant of PRK. It does involve removal and replacement of the corneal epithelium, like LASIK, just a bit different. See http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/lasek.htm

There are so many different procedures now. People hear about LASIK and get set on having it, when there may be better options for their eyes. That's why the surgeons I refer to are not laser mills, but do a variety of refractive procedures, not just the fad of the day.

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

[phoenixlpr 0]

Choose PRK/LASEK and not LASIK.

It better to take 1 week of pain than a wound that never, ever heals 100%.

I was jumping about 2 weeks after a PRK without problem.

Ok. My eyes have to be recalibrated for landing again .

[Andy9o8 2]

Quote

once my eyeball fell out

Yeah, I hate it when that happens

[faulknerwn 38]

I had Lasik - drove 4 hours to a conference the next day. Took a month off but that was easy because it was winter and we had awful weather anyway :-)

I LOVE my Lasik. I went from blind as a bat (couldn't even read my alarm clock at night or the big E on the chart to 20/20 vision.) Don't rush back to jumping but I've known a bunch of skydivers with Lasik and they all loved it...

W

[Yossarian 0]

im having intra-lasik, the one where they use a laser to cut the flap rather than a blade, for the simple reason that i need better vision to get into the RN full time as i failed the eyesight test by the narrowest of margins (same with the 2nd opinion) the first time, hence me being a reserve officer in the meantime. it is a very unfortunate necessity that skydiving must come second to a career ive aimed my life at for as long as i can remember. i have no idea why the Navy, in its infinite wisdom, will only accept LASIK, im not an optician, and i learnt long ago never to question the mod

[matthewcline 0]

As I posted in the numerous other eye surgery threads,

I had Lasik (all laser) and was jumping (cleared buy the Doc) in 30 days. A week after returning to theair Iwas at a T-I/E course and then a month later in the desert.

I went from 20/450 L eye, 20/500 R eye to 20/15 in each eye.

Of course nearing 40 my wife is getting a kick out of my slowly starting to show the signs for needing reading glasses.

She did warn me though, she is a Licensed Dispensing Optician with 15 + years in the field.

To any one thinking about getting any of the proceedures. Don't rush into it and get the full and proper treatment with recovery. For us average folk we only have these two eyes, so lets be careful with em.

(yep I know I added no new info only confirmed what most have said

An Instructors first concern is student safety.
So, start being safe, first!!!

[bomb420 1]

I just had lasik (Intralasik type) and was jumping within 2 weeks. Within 3 weeks the doctor said I could rub my eyes if I wanted to. I'm extremely happy with the intralasik since it seems a lot more stable than the standard method to cut the flap. I was wearing contacts that where -4.00 with an astigmatism and now have 20/13 vision in both eyes! Non paid plug, just happy about it: the guys I went with where barnet dulaney perkins in phoneix (www.goodeyes.com)

HYPOXIC

[Yossarian 0]

my prescription is -1.75 and -2.5 so apparently im pretty much the perfect candidate, im having it done near guildford, i know they all claim to have the best safety record and success rates but independent research actually appears to confirm their claims. im just worried ill look round at the crucial moment and lose something vital... also dont like the idea of wearing those goggles in bed and having to stay away from smokey environments for 4 weeks (gonna have to give up my job in a pub), and the lack of jumping soon after, but im sure ill survive. cant imagine life without contacts

[peregrinerose 0]

I don't know how old you are, but keep in mind that when you are about 45 and older, you will love being a low myope like that... reading without any glasses or contacts. If you have any refractive surgery, you will need readers to read. Just something to keep in mind.

Call your regular eye doc and ask who they recommend for surgery. I see the best and worst of the local surgeons. Some I would trust with my own eyes, some I would not.

Some of the other posters talked about rubbing eyes 3 weeks after LASIK. Not really the best idea in the world. For full corneal strength post LASIK, it is possible for years to be required just because of the layer of cornea that is sliced and the lack of vascularization involved. PRK is more painful initially, but because it is more superficial on the cornea, takes much less time for full strength.

No matter what you decide, consider your options, interview a few docs before going with who you feel most comfortable with, don't get hung up on one procedure over another before talking to a doc who evaluated your eyes, and seriously consider long term ramifications (still neading readers past 40).

Jen

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

[Yossarian 0]

Quote

I don't know how old you are, but keep in mind that when you are about 45 and older, you will love being a low myope like that... reading without any glasses or contacts. If you have any refractive surgery, you will need readers to read. Just something to keep in mind.

so really im just swapping having contacts when theyre most annoying (especially in my chosen proffession, try doing 4hrs on 4hrs off and having to take ur lenses out everytime you sleep, especially when u hit rough stuff) for having to wear them in later life (probably an over-simplification, sorry)

im 20 at the moment, will be 21 at the time of surgery. dont have a regular optician, just annual checks at the same branch of opticians. the Navy only allow Lasik, and normally i would be cautious about taking an option because i had no choice, but the past few opticians ive spoken to said i was the perfect candidate for intralasik. im yet to have the actual consultation so im saving all my questions about the procedure for then, just not sure what they'll say about skydiving, its probably not a question they come across alot and im worried theyll say something based simply on their limited understanding of what it involves.

would pressure change have an effect? (i mean the rapid change of freefall rather than the ascent)

[peregrinerose 0]

Make sure your prescription has been the same for at least 2 years before having surgery.... if it changes again after surgery, you're right back where you started, and there is a limited amount of tissue that can be safely removed from the cornea. Rxs can shift significantly through early 20s.

An older version of refractive surgery, RK, did have some issues with pressure changes (in mountain climbers), but I haven't seen any evidence of issues with LASIK.

One other thing to consider is orthokeratology. A contact lens specialist fits you with an RGP contact lens that you wear only while you sleep. This lens molds your cornea to correct for your prescription. You take it out in the morning, and see 20/20. You said your rx was -2.00ish, which is perfect for ortho-K. This way, if you prescription changes, the contact lens shape gets changed.

Another option is either one day or extended wear contacts. One day lenses you wear once and throw out. Extended wear can be worn up to 30 days at a time (though I always suggest taking them out at least once a week to give the eyes a break). There are some good ones out now.

Get an exam with a good eye doc and talk about all the options. Everyone is different, so what is best for you might not be the best option for someone else. It's nice that there are so many good refractive care options right now.

Jen

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

[peregrinerose 0]

I just checked the Navy Optometry web site. Are you sure that it is LASIK they allow and not PRK? Their refractive centers do offer most of the types of refractive surgery, and it looked like PRK was the one allowed for flight.

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

[Yossarian 0]

the RN dont allow any kind of surgery for aircrew, and unfortunately different lenses wouldnt be accepted, unaided sight has to be within certain limits i'm not in at the moment. my prescriptions been stable for over 3years now. thanks for all your help by the way

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

I don't know how old you are, but keep in mind that when you are about 45 and older, you will love being a low myope like that... reading without any glasses or contacts. If you have any refractive surgery, you will need readers to read. Just something to keep in mind.

an easy trade to make. Aside from dodging glasses for 15+ years, it's a lot easier to have prescription lenses to read than to jump or dive.

[peregrinerose 0]

Quote

an easy trade to make. Aside from dodging glasses for 15+ years, it's a lot easier to have prescription lenses to read than to jump or dive.

A lot of times they don't even need to be prescription... over the counter readers often work well.

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

[riddler 0]

I had Lasik done six years ago, and waited about six months before doing anything "extreme". I also had the IntraLase machine that cuts the flap without using a razor blade. I've taken my eyeballs on 400 skydives from heights over 20,000 feet ASL, and over 100 scuba dives to depths over 120 feet, climbed several 14,000 foot mountains, off-road biking, downhill skiing, and more. No problems. It's a great surgery and you won't regret it. Wear eye protection as much as possible, whether or not you have surgery. I wear protection when I sew and when I mow the lawn.

Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

[smiler 0]

I had both eyes Lasek-ed last November. Really didn't enjoy the actual experience, and very uncomfortable for a few days but then driving a week later, back to work etc. Really meant to not jump for longer than I managed - I was a full time instructor/rigger in the UK so figured I could not jump for a bit and just do rigging... then did one or two about 2-3 weeks after the surgery, then nothing for another month. Didn't swim either which was hard cos I normally go every day.

My experience was that they are over-cautious and you'll probably be fine to jump quite soon... but if you can avoid it for a bit then you might as well in the interests of being sensible. My vision is now perfect I think, need an eye test to get the professional opinion on that but I've got no complaints!

I see you're in the UK so if you ever see me on a dropzone (Nethers or the 8way Nationals probably best bets) then feel free to ask questions

Liz

www.wingin-it.co.uk
Wingin' It wingsuit school

[Yossarian 0]

cheers, might be at nethers to get a few in before i go in

[Yossarian 0]

just an update, going in for the surgery tomorrow, at the pre-op the surgeon said that its best to leave a month before jumping but thats only due to the risk of goggles slipping off and there are other issues, like dust kicked up by the props etc, otherwise he said after a month ill be pretty much able to do anything, after 6 months i could jump without goggles should i wish (not that i would). now starting to brick it!

[sparkie 0]

thumbs up then!

I had lasek done and it took a whopping 20 secs per eye. The laser calculates the position of the eye so many time per second that you dont have to worry about looking away at the wrong time.

Let us know how it went. It will be wierd seeing individual leeves on the trees w/o aid, instead of a green blur ;P

[Yossarian 0]

i can see!!!! no way im jumping for a month though, although the goggles i have to wear at night to stop me rubbing my eyes in my sleep would make awesome shaded jumping ones...