Question:

I was wondering if anyone knows if LASIK eye surgery can possibly help relieve chronic headaches and migraines that are accompanied by intense eye discomfort, sometimes STARTED by eye irritation? I wear contact lenses and get many many headaches due to eye irritation. I avoid makeup and just go around not looking as good as "made up" people but on special occasions (for example, my wedding) have to suffer through makeup. Mascara gets in my eyes and gives me a headache, even waterproof. A piece of lint can get in my eye and I will have a bad headache…Some days, often, I just put IN my contact lenses and immediately start to get a headache. When I wear my glasses instead, I defintiely get a headache- glasses have always given me a headache. I have had my prescription checked over and over, I see an eye doctor every 6 months. I feel that if I had LASIK and eliminated the need for any lenses it will help immensely. Unfortunately I have astigmatism, and when I go in to have it priced it totals up to $4000+. I don’t think my medical insurance will approve it to be covered. However- does anyone know if LASIK could help heaaches that are caused by eye irritation, by eliminating the need for lenses?

Response:

Jill,     I would suggest you look up LASIK complications on the net.  I’ve read some site’s that have interesting things to say about the long term potential of LASIK.  If you really feel your contacts might be a source of the trouble, I strongly recommend you switch to glasses for 6 to 8 months to find out for sure. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was wondering if anyone knows if LASIK eye surgery can possibly help relieve chronic headaches and migraines that are accompanied by intense eye discomfort, sometimes STARTED by eye irritation? I wear contact lenses and get many many headaches due to eye irritation. I avoid makeup and just go around not looking as good as "made up" people but on special occasions (for example, my wedding) have to suffer through makeup. Mascara gets in my eyes and gives me a headache, even waterproof. A piece of lint can get in my eye and I will have a bad headache…Some days, often, I just put IN my contact lenses and immediately start to get a headache. When I wear my glasses instead, I defintiely get a headache- glasses have always given me a headache. I have had my prescription checked over and over, I see an eye doctor every 6 months. I feel that if I had LASIK and eliminated the need for any lenses it will help immensely. Unfortunately I have astigmatism, and when I go in to have it priced it totals up to $4000+. I don’t think my medical insurance will approve it to be covered. However- does anyone know if LASIK could help heaaches that are caused by eye irritation, by eliminating the need for lenses?

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was wondering if anyone knows if LASIK eye surgery can possibly help relieve chronic headaches and migraines that are accompanied by intense eye discomfort, sometimes STARTED by eye irritation? I wear contact lenses and get many many headaches due to eye irritation. I avoid makeup and just go around not looking as good as "made up" people but on special occasions (for example, my wedding) have to suffer through makeup. Mascara gets in my eyes and gives me a headache, even waterproof. A piece of lint can get in my eye and I will have a bad headache…Some days, often, I just put IN my contact lenses and immediately start to get a headache. When I wear my glasses instead, I defintiely get a headache- glasses have always given me a headache. I have had my prescription checked over and over, I see an eye doctor every 6 months. I feel that if I had LASIK and eliminated the need for any lenses it will help immensely. Unfortunately I have astigmatism, and when I go in to have it priced it totals up to $4000+. I don’t think my medical insurance will approve it to be covered. However- does anyone know if LASIK could help heaaches that are caused by eye irritation, by eliminating the need for lenses?

Lasik is somewhat controversial. There have been mixed reviews, see sci.med.vision. Are your glasses hurting your nose or ears?

Response:

Jill I had LASIK almost 5 years ago..and am extremely happy with the results!! Did it help my headaches?? NO…BUT I also had problems with contacts/glasses really bothering me,,so having to use them only a fraction of the time HAS made my life much much easier… I had "mono" vision correction..one eye corrected for distance,,the other for reading..sounds crazy..but your "brain" sorts out the images and you ONLY see at the distance that is appropriate..that is..unless you CLOSE one eye..than you can tell which distance you are seeing at…for driving and movies I have a pair of glasses that increases the vision in the READING eye…that gives me 20/20 vision.. Yep…it also costs over $4000..and no..we had no insurance…but for me it was worth it…. If you do decide to have LASIK…please find yourself the VERY best eye surgeon in your area..not some fly by night who advertises very low prices..in this case you DO get what you pay for..and you can’t take chances with your vision.. I went to a doc that had trained with the guy who "invented" LASIK..and at the time this surgeon had done 20,000 surgeries..so I was pretty confident in him… good luck with whatever you choose…I personally do NOT miss the days of contacts,,dust in the eye..etc etc… hawki hawki

Response:

"Jeremy Williams" wrote Are your glasses hurting your nose or ears?

No, I can’t figure out why glasses increase my headaches..I have had my prescription checked and rechecked…my glasses are the same as my contacts…they are very lightweight and don’t press any trigger points….I can’t figure it out, it beats me. I wish I could find something out….I’m out of ideas but I do know that anytime I get any eye irritation OR eye-related trigger such as bright light, glare, being in the sin without shades etc…=headache. Pretty much daily. I wake up ok and almost daily now my headache starts when I put my lenses on (contacts or glasses). If I get a speck of dust in my eye, headache. Bright sun, headache. If I wear eye makeup and it smears a bit, headache…If I cry and my eyes get red, headache…jeez, my tombstone should read when I die "For everything, there was a headache"!

Response:

Hawki, ALL LASIK surgeons in my area "have trained with the best", "have performed over 30,000 surgeries", and are "teaching fellows who train others", "trusted by athletes, doctors, and race car drivers" etc etc yadda yadda yadda….how can I tell a good surgeon?? I swear there are like 3-4 doctors advertising on the radio like that around here now. They all have free consultations as well. My husband is suspicious of all of them, merely because they advertise on the radio! He says they "pay" for their references, like advertising. I guess, when I can afford it, I’ll have to figure out a way to pick the best.

Response:

I agree wholeheartedly with Hawki.  I’m contemplating it right now.  Having moved from a larger city to a much smaller city I was worried about finding someone.  I just asked a bunch of people at work and found someone who had great success and knew of someone who was reputable about 45 minutes from my area.  I’m checking it out right now. Good luck. Michelle

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "Hawki63"  wrote i you might want to check around…who do the DOCTORS in your area go to??? that is a hint!!! Good idea! I am sure some of my doctors have had LASIK…..I’ll definitely ask who they saw…. Jill

Response:

.my vision at worst has been 20/40 in left, 20/30 in right but is usually 20/20- 20/30 or so

Jill…with your "good" numbers,,uhhhhmm I am not so sure I would bother with LASIK…expense and all…. hawki hawki

Response:

"Hawki63"  wrote i you might want to check around…who do the DOCTORS in your area go to??? that is a hint!!!

ironically..after MY success,,a boatload of the docs I worked with went to the same surgeon!!!  all were very pleased..both with the man,,and of course,,the results… I only have ONE caveat to having LASIK…and that is to consider your AGE…ie..we "all" need reading correction usually starting around the age of 40 or so… If you have "conventional " correction,,and both eyes are corrected for distance,,then..guess what..you may well need glasses a lot later in life… With "monovision"…one eye "undercorrected" so to speak,,I can read without glasses,,, LASIK cannot be "undone"…… good luck.. hawki hawki

Response:

"Hawki63"  wrote i you might want to check around…who do the DOCTORS in your area go to??? that is a hint!!!

Good idea! I am sure some of my doctors have had LASIK…..I’ll definitely ask who they saw…. Jill

Response:

"Hawki63" wrote ZW…I think I beat you!!! 20/900 in the worst eye…20/700 in the other…also astigmatism is the worst…

Wow! I was actually worried about not being a candidate because of my astigmatism…my vision at worst has been 20/40 in left, 20/30 in right but is usually 20/20- 20/30 or so (right/left). but, my astigmatism is pretty bad as far as the shape of my eyes. I also had eye muscle surgery as a child.

Response:

extreme high-end of the vision range for them to even attempt it.  My vision was 20/600 in one eye and 20/800 in the other.  I also had and astigmatism in the worse eye.  I w

ZW…I think I beat you!!! 20/900 in the worst eye…20/700 in the other…also astigmatism is the worst… ain’t it grand??? my fave is being able to see the clock in the middle of the night!!! hawki hawki

Response:

ALL LASIK surgeons in my area "have trained with the best", "have performed

what is their definition of "the best?" is what I would want to know… granted my surgery was over 5 years ago,,so there were NOT that many "experienced" ones around…today’s market is glutted with "experts" so to speak.. yep..my guy DID try in South America with "the guru"..and yep..I did have proof of such.. you might want to check around…who do the DOCTORS in your area go to??? that is a hint!!! also…DO check their rep by verifying where they went to school…how long they have been in practice..and ask for verification of how many procedures they have done…if they won’t give you this info..I would run… I swear there are like 3-4 doctors advertising on the radio like that around here now. They all have free

I would avoid these types…your husband is right in being suspicious…doctors with excellent reputations do NOT do this… He says they "pay" for their references, like advertising.

well…not sure of  that..but DO use your own reference checking..again..ask your medical friends..nurses,,etc WHO they do or would go to…. I guess, when I can afford it, I’ll have to figure out a way to pick the best.

good luck to you.. hawki hawki

Response:

Jill, Why not use a personal reference? I got my ophthalmologist through the personal reference of a businessman I know. I got my (excellent) neurologist because my PCP trusts his medical group. I would not suspect them *merely* because they advertise on the radio, but I wouldn’t trust them just because of it either. Ask your doctor. Or someone you know who’s had the surgery. Jay – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hawki, ALL LASIK surgeons in my area "have trained with the best", "have performed over 30,000 surgeries", and are "teaching fellows who train others", "trusted by athletes, doctors, and race car drivers" etc etc yadda yadda yadda….how can I tell a good surgeon?? I swear there are like 3-4 doctors advertising on the radio like that around here now. They all have free consultations as well. My husband is suspicious of all of them, merely because they advertise on the radio! He says they "pay" for their references, like advertising. I guess, when I can afford it, I’ll have to figure out a way to pick the best.

Response:

I’ve had Lasik surgery because my vision was so bad that it was uncorrectable with contacts or glasses.  (I could get better vision, but not even close to 20/20 anymore.) Shortly after the Lasik surgery it was 20/40 which was great….however because my headaches affect my eyes so significantly it has deteriorated to the point that I again will need glasses.  My opthomologist says that this is *extremely* rare….most people’s vision actually IMPROVES with time after surgery. He says that many migraneurs have improvements in frequency and duration after the surgery. I did not, but then I never seem to be in the majority.  I also had a severe astigmatism and must say that you need to be SURE to go to a GOOD eye surgeon.  The extra $1000 or so is worth it to have confidence that you will not have permanent damage. (I had to pay my own; it was about $5K -that was 2 years ago. It was worth it to me because my glasses were getting so expensive that I was paying about $400 every year for a new pair -the lenses alone were $300….also I was rapidly approaching the state of becoming legally blind).  I am satisfied however in that people with severely impaired vision often get haloing and starbursting effects.  I did not.  I had complete confidence in my surgeon.  The technique is supposedly improved even since then however so your chances of risk are less than mine were (how much, I couldn’t tell you).  If you are getting it because of extremely poor vision with hopes that it also may improve the migraines like I did (every year I needed new glasses and I’m in my mid 40s when it’s supposed to be stabilized), I’d recommend it.  If your vision is otherwise not so bad, I’d say to talk with a number of very qualified surgeons… Ask questions……how many procedures do they do annually?  What kind of success rate can be expected for those with severly impaired vision /astigmatism?  Where did they receive their training.  Also get to your appointment EARLY and hang out in the waiting room so you can talk with others who have had it done and ask them questions. Hope this is helpful.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Jill,     I would suggest you look up LASIK complications on the net.  I’ve read some site’s that have interesting things to say about the long term potential of LASIK.  If you really feel your contacts might be a source of the trouble, I strongly recommend you switch to glasses for 6 to 8 months to find out for sure. I was wondering if anyone knows if LASIK eye surgery can possibly help relieve chronic headaches and migraines that are accompanied by intense eye discomfort, sometimes STARTED by eye irritation? I wear contact lenses and get many many headaches due to eye irritation. I avoid makeup and just go around not looking as good as "made up" people but on special occasions (for example, my wedding) have to suffer through makeup. Mascara gets in my eyes and gives me a headache, even waterproof. A piece of lint can get in my eye and I will have a bad headache…Some days, often, I just put IN my contact lenses and immediately start to get a headache. When I wear my glasses instead, I defintiely get a headache- glasses have always given me a headache. I have had my prescription checked over and over, I see an eye doctor every 6 months. I feel that if I had LASIK and eliminated the need for any lenses it will help immensely. Unfortunately I have astigmatism, and when I go in to have it priced it totals up to $4000+. I don’t think my medical insurance will approve it to be covered. However- does anyone know if LASIK could help heaaches that are caused by eye irritation, by eliminating the need for lenses?

Response:

You guys encourage me.  I know mine are bad, don’t know the numbers.  So maybe there is hope I won’t be so blind forever Michelle

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – extreme high-end of the vision range for them to even attempt it.  My vision was 20/600 in one eye and 20/800 in the other.  I also had and astigmatism in the worse eye.  I w ZW…I think I beat you!!! 20/900 in the worst eye…20/700 in the other…also astigmatism is the worst… ain’t it grand??? my fave is being able to see the clock in the middle of the night!!! hawki hawki

Response:

Question:

Larry, Mind if I ask you a question?   I’ve always wondered about once a person has Lasik eye surgery and no longer needs corrective lenses for driving, how you go about getting the dept. of motor vehicles to remove that mark on your drivers license that says you have to wear the corrective lenses.  Do you just do a new eye exam for them or do you take a letter from your opthamologis?   What???  Very curious to know! Thanks! Donna G

Response:

Hi Larry, I wonder though had you not had the cataracts, would they have risked it?  Which laser did they use on you?  I’m glad it worked out for you. I wonder too, if I would have lasik not and develop the cataracts down the road, I’ve been on Prednisone 12 years, would it create more problems? Phyllis – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anybody in the group had LASIK surgery (laser vision correction)? Oh my, I didn’t check with folks here before I had LASIX last October to remove the cataracts in each eye and correct the astigmatism in them as well.  End results?  I have to wear reading glasses. I don’t have to wear them when I’m using the computer as I’ve set the font to Times New Roman, 12 point, and the monitor overall at 1280 X 1024 resolution.  The astigmatism correction has gone from 20/800 left eye (legally blind) and 20/200 in the right eye.  Both corrected by the LASIK surgery down to 20/40.  I can now drive without wearing corrective lenses.  Was never able to do that before as I’ve had the astigmatism, and glasses, since 4th grade. Feels great to be able to wear regular sunglasses that I can buy in any drugstore.  I’ve had no problems since then with either eye.  None, Zip, Zilch, Nada, Zero.  FWIW I had RA/PA/OA, Type II Diabetes, plus some other medical problems.  Both my PCM and the Ophthalmologist said the cataracts were most likely caused by the Diabetes. I took Plaquinil about 11 years ago but as it did nothing for my RA my RD had me drop it and we went to oral gold.   That worked as a decent DMARD from May 1992 until Sept. 1997, when it just quit working. Since then we’ve tried everything and I have great hopes for the Kineret, which I get to go back to the first of next month. If you trust your Ophthalmologist I’d go with the surgery as long as you can afford it.  Probably the best result from mine is that I now see colors as they really are.  That was the first thing that grabbed me.  My Gosh! Look at that sky, so blue, and the grass so green!  Susan’s blue eyes are even more beautiful than I’ve always thought they were.  Blue with little flecks of gold in them. Good luck and be well, Larry

Response:

One other question Larry if you don’t mind?  Did you have dry eyes before the surgery?  I understand you have to use drops for a couple of months after surgery.   I’ve already got puntum plugs in lower lids and I don’t have to use drops as often as I use to at one time.  I use them now maybe once a week if that much.  After reading your post, I might follow thru with this second consult I have scheduled in a couple weeks.  This Dr. is the one who I would want to do the surgery, but only if he thinks I would be a good candidate. Phyllis – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Larry, I wonder though had you not had the cataracts, would they have risked it?  Which laser did they use on you?  I’m glad it worked out for you. I wonder too, if I would have lasik not and develop the cataracts down the road, I’ve been on Prednisone 12 years, would it create more problems? Phyllis Has anybody in the group had LASIK surgery (laser vision correction)? Oh my, I didn’t check with folks here before I had LASIX last October to remove the cataracts in each eye and correct the astigmatism in them as well.  End results?  I have to wear reading glasses. I don’t have to wear them when I’m using the computer as I’ve set the font to Times New Roman, 12 point, and the monitor overall at 1280 X 1024 resolution.  The astigmatism correction has gone from 20/800 left eye (legally blind) and 20/200 in the right eye.  Both corrected by the LASIK surgery down to 20/40.  I can now drive without wearing corrective lenses.  Was never able to do that before as I’ve had the astigmatism, and glasses, since 4th grade. Feels great to be able to wear regular sunglasses that I can buy in any drugstore.  I’ve had no problems since then with either eye.  None, Zip, Zilch, Nada, Zero.  FWIW I had RA/PA/OA, Type II Diabetes, plus some other medical problems.  Both my PCM and the Ophthalmologist said the cataracts were most likely caused by the Diabetes. I took Plaquinil about 11 years ago but as it did nothing for my RA my RD had me drop it and we went to oral gold.   That worked as a decent DMARD from May 1992 until Sept. 1997, when it just quit working. Since then we’ve tried everything and I have great hopes for the Kineret, which I get to go back to the first of next month. If you trust your Ophthalmologist I’d go with the surgery as long as you can afford it.  Probably the best result from mine is that I now see colors as they really are.  That was the first thing that grabbed me.  My Gosh! Look at that sky, so blue, and the grass so green!  Susan’s blue eyes are even more beautiful than I’ve always thought they were.  Blue with little flecks of gold in them. Good luck and be well, Larry

Response:

Has anybody in the group had LASIK surgery (laser vision correction)?

Oh my, I didn’t check with folks here before I had LASIX last October to remove the cataracts in each eye and correct the astigmatism in them as well.  End results?  I have to wear reading glasses. I don’t have to wear them when I’m using the computer as I’ve set the font to Times New Roman, 12 point, and the monitor overall at 1280 X 1024 resolution.  The astigmatism correction has gone from 20/800 left eye (legally blind) and 20/200 in the right eye.  Both corrected by the LASIK surgery down to 20/40.  I can now drive without wearing corrective lenses.  Was never able to do that before as I’ve had the astigmatism, and glasses, since 4th grade. Feels great to be able to wear regular sunglasses that I can buy in any drugstore.  I’ve had no problems since then with either eye.  None, Zip, Zilch, Nada, Zero.  FWIW I had RA/PA/OA, Type II Diabetes, plus some other medical problems.  Both my PCM and the Ophthalmologist said the cataracts were most likely caused by the Diabetes. I took Plaquinil about 11 years ago but as it did nothing for my RA my RD had me drop it and we went to oral gold.   That worked as a decent DMARD from May 1992 until Sept. 1997, when it just quit working. Since then we’ve tried everything and I have great hopes for the Kineret, which I get to go back to the first of next month. If you trust your Ophthalmologist I’d go with the surgery as long as you can afford it.  Probably the best result from mine is that I now see colors as they really are.  That was the first thing that grabbed me.  My Gosh! Look at that sky, so blue, and the grass so green!  Susan’s blue eyes are even more beautiful than I’ve always thought they were.  Blue with little flecks of gold in them. Good luck and be well, Larry

Response:

Cool!! Something to look forward too, lol! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Phyllis, My eye doctor said don’t do it (even though I was not thinking of it anyhow) but he did give me one positive message – I think.  He said with all the prednisone over all the years I will almost be sure to get cataracts earlier than anyone else.  The surgery would correct my eyes and would automatically be covered by medical.  Cool eh?  A benefit. A positive side effect???? Kelly Thanks for the all the feeback.  I don’t think I will risk LASIK after all.  I would if I didn’t have RA.  Except for my RA, I learned I woould be a perfect candidate.  My research has just not been very positive in regards to LASIK and auto immune diseases.  I’ll just be thankful for what I do have.  I’ve been very fortunate in that although I’m on the most advanced drugs, I don’t have too much damage for having battled this disease for 15 years.  I’ve been on Prednisone for over 12 years and luckily have never had eye problems or any adverse side effects. The same with Plaquenil.  I was able to get off Plaquenil 3 years ago after Enbrel.  Unlike a lot of other folks, I’ve been mostly fortunate and have responded pretty well to most all the meds. I just don’t think I should push my luck.  Thanks to one and all for your comments, Phyllis Texas Really good point about the cataracts.  I developed one in my left eye after 9 months on Pred.  The cataract surgery was a breeze.  Never touched the stuff again. Lyn jmo, but I’d be hesitant.  If you’re on Prednisone there’s a good chance you’ll develope cataracts. I’m only on 5 mg daily but I started developing cataracts after just a 3 or 4 years. Barbara Joy Did you have any problems?  Was your Dr. skeptical?  I just had a consult.  The guy did not feel I was a candidate, because I’m on Enbrel, 5mg. Prednisone and Oruvail (nsaid).  This told him although I’m controlled thru drugs I have severe case of RA.  I was going to cancel a second consult I had scheduled, but this second Dr.’s nurse told me he HAS done people with RA w/o problems.  So far I’m leaning against it.  I haven’t really had any positive feedback. wrote in alt.support.arthritis: OTOH, my son and his wife had it a few years ago and apparently have had no problems (it was made possible through their employer). I had it several years ago and my MS did not affect whether I would have it or not. — Joan Beware Tommy the Troll who is now asking for handouts on the internet. —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—– —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Phyllis, My eye doctor said don’t do it (even though I was not thinking of it anyhow) but he did give me one positive message – I think.  He said with all the prednisone over all the years I will almost be sure to get cataracts earlier than anyone else.  The surgery would correct my eyes and would automatically be covered by medical.  Cool eh?  A benefit. A positive side effect???? Kelly

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for the all the feeback.  I don’t think I will risk LASIK after all.  I would if I didn’t have RA.  Except for my RA, I learned I woould be a perfect candidate.  My research has just not been very positive in regards to LASIK and auto immune diseases.  I’ll just be thankful for what I do have.  I’ve been very fortunate in that although I’m on the most advanced drugs, I don’t have too much damage for having battled this disease for 15 years.  I’ve been on Prednisone for over 12 years and luckily have never had eye problems or any adverse side effects. The same with Plaquenil.  I was able to get off Plaquenil 3 years ago after Enbrel.  Unlike a lot of other folks, I’ve been mostly fortunate and have responded pretty well to most all the meds. I just don’t think I should push my luck.  Thanks to one and all for your comments, Phyllis Texas Really good point about the cataracts.  I developed one in my left eye after 9 months on Pred.  The cataract surgery was a breeze.  Never touched the stuff again. Lyn jmo, but I’d be hesitant.  If you’re on Prednisone there’s a good chance you’ll develope cataracts. I’m only on 5 mg daily but I started developing cataracts after just a 3 or 4 years. Barbara Joy Did you have any problems?  Was your Dr. skeptical?  I just had a consult.  The guy did not feel I was a candidate, because I’m on Enbrel, 5mg. Prednisone and Oruvail (nsaid).  This told him although I’m controlled thru drugs I have severe case of RA.  I was going to cancel a second consult I had scheduled, but this second Dr.’s nurse told me he HAS done people with RA w/o problems.  So far I’m leaning against it.  I haven’t really had any positive feedback.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – wrote in alt.support.arthritis: OTOH, my son and his wife had it a few years ago and apparently have had no problems (it was made possible through their employer). I had it several years ago and my MS did not affect whether I would have it or not. — Joan Beware Tommy the Troll who is now asking for handouts on the internet. —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—– —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

jmo, but I’d be hesitant.  If you’re on Prednisone there’s a good chance you’ll develope cataracts. I’m only on 5 mg daily but I started developing cataracts after just a 3 or 4 years. Barbara Joy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Did you have any problems?  Was your Dr. skeptical?  I just had a consult.  The guy did not feel I was a candidate, because I’m on Enbrel, 5mg. Prednisone and Oruvail (nsaid).  This told him although I’m controlled thru drugs I have severe case of RA.  I was going to cancel a second consult I had scheduled, but this second Dr.’s nurse told me he HAS done people with RA w/o problems.  So far I’m leaning against it.  I haven’t really had any positive feedback. wrote in alt.support.arthritis: OTOH, my son and his wife had it a few years ago and apparently have had no problems (it was made possible through their employer). I had it several years ago and my MS did not affect whether I would have it or not. — Joan Beware Tommy the Troll who is now asking for handouts on the internet.

—–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Phyllis, After consultation with the doctor that says he will do the surgery on people with RA, you may want to ask him to give you some peoples names that you could talk to that have had it done with RA.  Also ask him just how many surgeries he has done on people with RA.  If he won’t give out that information, ask him if he could have those people call you, if he still won’t do that, then I would be very hesitant to go through with it!  Good luck with what ever you decide!!!

Response:

Really good point about the cataracts.  I developed one in my left eye after 9 months on Pred.  The cataract surgery was a breeze.  Never touched the stuff again. Lyn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – jmo, but I’d be hesitant.  If you’re on Prednisone there’s a good chance you’ll develope cataracts. I’m only on 5 mg daily but I started developing cataracts after just a 3 or 4 years. Barbara Joy Did you have any problems?  Was your Dr. skeptical?  I just had a consult.  The guy did not feel I was a candidate, because I’m on Enbrel, 5mg. Prednisone and Oruvail (nsaid).  This told him although I’m controlled thru drugs I have severe case of RA.  I was going to cancel a second consult I had scheduled, but this second Dr.’s nurse told me he HAS done people with RA w/o problems.  So far I’m leaning against it.  I haven’t really had any positive feedback. wrote in alt.support.arthritis: OTOH, my son and his wife had it a few years ago and apparently have had no problems (it was made possible through their employer). I had it several years ago and my MS did not affect whether I would have it or not. — Joan Beware Tommy the Troll who is now asking for handouts on the internet. —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

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Response:

Thanks for the all the feeback.  I don’t think I will risk LASIK after all.  I would if I didn’t have RA.  Except for my RA, I learned I woould be a perfect candidate.  My research has just not been very positive in regards to LASIK and auto immune diseases.  I’ll just be thankful for what I do have.  I’ve been very fortunate in that although I’m on the most advanced drugs, I don’t have too much damage for having battled this disease for 15 years.  I’ve been on Prednisone for over 12 years and luckily have never had eye problems or any adverse side effects. The same with Plaquenil.  I was able to get off Plaquenil 3 years ago after Enbrel.  Unlike a lot of other folks, I’ve been mostly fortunate and have responded pretty well to most all the meds. I just don’t think I should push my luck.  Thanks to one and all for your comments, Phyllis Texas – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Really good point about the cataracts.  I developed one in my left eye after 9 months on Pred.  The cataract surgery was a breeze.  Never touched the stuff again. Lyn jmo, but I’d be hesitant.  If you’re on Prednisone there’s a good chance you’ll develope cataracts. I’m only on 5 mg daily but I started developing cataracts after just a 3 or 4 years. Barbara Joy Did you have any problems?  Was your Dr. skeptical?  I just had a consult.  The guy did not feel I was a candidate, because I’m on Enbrel, 5mg. Prednisone and Oruvail (nsaid).  This told him although I’m controlled thru drugs I have severe case of RA.  I was going to cancel a second consult I had scheduled, but this second Dr.’s nurse told me he HAS done people with RA w/o problems.  So far I’m leaning against it.  I haven’t really had any positive feedback. wrote in alt.support.arthritis: OTOH, my son and his wife had it a few years ago and apparently have had no problems (it was made possible through their employer). I had it several years ago and my MS did not affect whether I would have it or not. — Joan Beware Tommy the Troll who is now asking for handouts on the internet. —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—– —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

It seems to me I heard somewhere that Phyllis wrote in article Has anybody in the group had LASIK surgery (laser vision correction)? My opthamolgist told me several years ago I automatically would not qualify as a candidate, because I had an autoimmune disease.  I called another Dr. in my area today to see if that was the case with him and the nurse said RA was not considered something that would disqualify me; however if I was on Plaquenil, he would not want to do it.  I called a third Dr. and his nurse said he’s done several people with RA, but questioned if I had MS.  When I told her I don’t have MS she told me to come in for a consulatation to see if I’d be a good candidate that RA would not be a problem.  I was curious to know if other people with RA has had this procedure done.  I’m still researching and have not made up my mind.

My optometrist strongly warns against it.  She has two main reasons; first, many doctors get kickbacks from the laser people for sending them business and, second, nobody knows what the long term results will be and eye problems are apt to be irreversible. One of the top pro golfers (can’t remember which one just now) had laser surgery not too long ago and has had four surgeries trying to correct the problems that followed, according to the commentators during a recent tournament. OTOH, my son and his wife had it a few years ago and apparently have had no problems (it was made possible through their employer). — Don

Response:

alt.support.arthritis: OTOH, my son and his wife had it a few years ago and apparently have had no problems (it was made possible through their employer).

I had it several years ago and my MS did not affect whether I would have it or not. — Joan Beware Tommy the Troll who is now asking for handouts on the internet.

Response:

Did you have any problems?  Was your Dr. skeptical?  I just had a consult.  The guy did not feel I was a candidate, because I’m on Enbrel, 5mg. Prednisone and Oruvail (nsaid).  This told him although I’m controlled thru drugs I have severe case of RA.  I was going to cancel a second consult I had scheduled, but this second Dr.’s nurse told me he HAS done people with RA w/o problems.  So far I’m leaning against it.  I haven’t really had any positive feedback. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – alt.support.arthritis: OTOH, my son and his wife had it a few years ago and apparently have had no problems (it was made possible through their employer). I had it several years ago and my MS did not affect whether I would have it or not. — Joan Beware Tommy the Troll who is now asking for handouts on the internet.

Response:

Yep, they told me I couldn’t go with the little bitty cute frames too. I stuck with same frames I had been wearing, not too big, not too small.  She asked if I wanted a larger bi-focal area and since these were the first progressive pair I said lets go small.  I figured I would only need it for really small print, big mistake.  I can’t read a newspaper, magazine or book with these glasses.  Now, I take my glasses off and read absolutely everything about 2 inches from my eyes.  Even before progressives I could read! I see fine for everything else thru these progressives.  On a side note, I have looked for my old lenses I had before and can’t find them anywhere.  I can’t imagine I threw them away, but they’re no where to be found.  I just may have to break down and get another pair after another examination…   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well your eyes do change. My changed three times one year. ugh  The other thing that is VERY important is to get someone to spend a long time working to get exactly the right spot for you to see through your glasses. I went from bifocals that I could never wear to these progressives but the lady that fit me took a long time. They are perfect. When I get them filled now, I tell them to put them exactly in the same place. I have since been told that the reading portion is a bit high and was I sure. Yep, I am sure. So it may take some time. Also, if you have bought those cute little frames, they don’t have room for progressives well. There is just not enough room. My sunglasses are smaller than the everyday pair. [Was going to give you a link to AI with me in my glasses but haven't been able to connect to them all day??] I had trifocal progressives in the sunglasses but had them removed when I had the lenses change the last time. Now they are bifocals with distance and reading — not good for going downstairs for me. lol But they were just too small for more. I think I know way too much about glasses considering I fought wearing them for years and don’t work in the optical industry. BTW, I wear glasses by Silhouette which are light weight plastic without those pokey little eye bridge things that just kill me. Turns out that the bridge of my nose is tiny and the has been the only frame I have every felt like it was part of me instead of this awful heavy foreign object that made me feel like I needed to chuck it across the room. You need to see an ophthalmologist instead of an optometrist unless the latter isn’t selling his own glasses. That way you can be sure that if the lens strength changes, the guy doesn’t have an ulterior motive. Duckie I just can’t read with them.  I can’t figure if they’re not sitting on my face correctly and I can’t clearly see thru the bifocal section or simply the wrong prescripton.  All I know is when I have to read really small print, the glasses come off or I grab my magnifying glass. I never had to do this before progressive.  Before shelling our $250 for new lenses I thought I’d look into Lasek.  I’ve gone in for an eye examination before and was told the prescription I had been wearing for years were wrong.  Needless to say, never returned to the Dr. who had prescribed that particular prescription.  I’m wondering now if it’s a common thing… Phyllis Texas

Response:

I just can’t read with them.  I can’t figure if they’re not sitting on my face correctly and I can’t clearly see thru the bifocal section or simply the wrong prescripton.  All I know is when I have to read really small print, the glasses come off or I grab my magnifying glass. I never had to do this before progressive.  Before shelling our $250 for new lenses I thought I’d look into Lasek.  I’ve gone in for an eye examination before and was told the prescription I had been wearing for years were wrong.  Needless to say, never returned to the Dr. who had prescribed that particular prescription.  I’m wondering now if it’s a common thing… Phyllis Texas – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you are in progressives, why don’t you have a reading lens at the bottom of them. I have far, middle and reading distances in my progressives. [Tri-focals with no lines] Duckie I wonder too if that would be the case with RA.  The surgery triggering a flare.  I’m normally pretty controlled w/Enbrel.  I told the eye doctors off that I already have dry eyes and have punctum plugs which work pretty well for me.  Would this cause a problem?  The nurse said, that doesn’t make a different, because a lot of patients have to get the plugs afterwards.  Supposedly dry eyes is something that happens after surgery and it takes up to 3 to 6 months for that to subside. I’d have to use drops everyday for awhile. As I said, I’m still in the researach phase.  I wear progressive glasses now and have to take them off to read anything and my eye sight is already very bad.  I’m thinking even if I do this surgery and still wear a light prescription or reading glasses, it would be so much better than it is now.  Thanks for the feedback, Phyllis Texas

Response:

Well your eyes do change. My changed three times one year. ugh  The other thing that is VERY important is to get someone to spend a long time working to get exactly the right spot for you to see through your glasses. I went from bifocals that I could never wear to these progressives but the lady that fit me took a long time. They are perfect. When I get them filled now, I tell them to put them exactly in the same place. I have since been told that the reading portion is a bit high and was I sure. Yep, I am sure. So it may take some time. Also, if you have bought those cute little frames, they don’t have room for progressives well. There is just not enough room. My sunglasses are smaller than the everyday pair. [Was going to give you a link to AI with me in my glasses but haven't been able to connect to them all day??] I had trifocal progressives in the sunglasses but had them removed when I had the lenses change the last time. Now they are bifocals with distance and reading — not good for going downstairs for me. lol But they were just too small for more. I think I know way too much about glasses considering I fought wearing them for years and don’t work in the optical industry. BTW, I wear glasses by Silhouette which are light weight plastic without those pokey little eye bridge things that just kill me. Turns out that the bridge of my nose is tiny and the has been the only frame I have every felt like it was part of me instead of this awful heavy foreign object that made me feel like I needed to chuck it across the room. You need to see an ophthalmologist instead of an optometrist unless the latter isn’t selling his own glasses. That way you can be sure that if the lens strength changes, the guy doesn’t have an ulterior motive. Duckie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just can’t read with them.  I can’t figure if they’re not sitting on my face correctly and I can’t clearly see thru the bifocal section or simply the wrong prescripton.  All I know is when I have to read really small print, the glasses come off or I grab my magnifying glass. I never had to do this before progressive.  Before shelling our $250 for new lenses I thought I’d look into Lasek.  I’ve gone in for an eye examination before and was told the prescription I had been wearing for years were wrong.  Needless to say, never returned to the Dr. who had prescribed that particular prescription.  I’m wondering now if it’s a common thing… Phyllis Texas

Response:

If you are in progressives, why don’t you have a reading lens at the bottom of them. I have far, middle and reading distances in my progressives. [Tri-focals with no lines] Duckie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I wonder too if that would be the case with RA.  The surgery triggering a flare.  I’m normally pretty controlled w/Enbrel.  I told the eye doctors off that I already have dry eyes and have punctum plugs which work pretty well for me.  Would this cause a problem?  The nurse said, that doesn’t make a different, because a lot of patients have to get the plugs afterwards.  Supposedly dry eyes is something that happens after surgery and it takes up to 3 to 6 months for that to subside. I’d have to use drops everyday for awhile. As I said, I’m still in the researach phase.  I wear progressive glasses now and have to take them off to read anything and my eye sight is already very bad.  I’m thinking even if I do this surgery and still wear a light prescription or reading glasses, it would be so much better than it is now.  Thanks for the feedback, Phyllis Texas

Response:

MS and surgery don’t mix….any surgery can cause a flare up of the MS and the optic nerve its a prime target without surgery on the eye.  Also, when the optic nerve is affected, it distorts your perception of what you are seeing.  That’s not something correctable. — Cyberhugs, DianeW It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. –Antoine de Saint Exup

Question:

        This is really sick.  Can you imagine the number of people that will want to take what their favorite football player is endorsing…you can bet your sweet bippie that the football players are in it for the money. I guess those salary caps have them hungry for more.         http://www.adage.com/news.cms?newsId=37388           God Bless America.   "If you’re gonna walk on thin ice, you may as well dance." (Jessie Winchester).

Response:

   This is really sick.  Can you imagine the number of people that will want to take what their favorite football player is endorsing…you can bet your sweet bippie that the football players are in it for the money. I guess those salary caps have them hungry for more.    http://www.adage.com/news.cms?newsId=37388

There is a NY Giant who does a commercial for Lasik eye surgery, and has been doing so for over a year. He did have the surgery.

Response:

Question:

Look at alt.lasik-eyes for more opinions and pointers to information than you could possibly want.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone experienced the results of LASIK surgery? True and host opinion. If yes, from where? — FLY-BY PP-ASEL NH =======

Response:

Haven’t had it done because I have heard that it can reduce night vision. I don’t know the ferquency of this occurance or how really bad it can be but it was enough to put me off. Even if you get your eye glass restriction lifted if it really does affect night vision I don’t want it. Peter Has anyone experienced the results of LASIK surgery? True and host opinion. If yes, from where?

Not LASIK, but the PRK, which is a laser technique a bit older. No problems, no change in night vision. Actually, if anything, it got better since I had problems with glare from carlights when I was wearing contacts. After PRK, this glare problem was gone. This was done in 1992 in Berlin, Germany, by the guy who invented PRK (Dr. Seiler). He is now at the university medical center in Zurich, Switzerland (http://www.unispital.ch/e/standorte/stao-auge.html). He advised me of the possibility of night vision problems, so it apparently can and did happen. But it worked out fine for me. -Joe

Response:

I had the surgery in September, 1995.  Given the choice, I would still pick PRK over LASIK.

Why? — Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Warrior N33431

Response:

PRK only removes about 3% of the corneal thickness, and does not involve slicing the cornea and pealing it back like LASIK does.  It only affects the epithelium, which grows back after the procedure.  PRK can also be peformed numerous times if necessary (although I have heard that LASIK can too). I guess I can stomach the PRK procedure, but LASIK grosses me out! I believe that both procedures correct astygmatism.  PRK fixed mine… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I had the surgery in September, 1995.  Given the choice, I would still pick PRK over LASIK. Why? — Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Warrior N33431

Response:

It was LASIK I was refering to not PRK. I understand that LASIK has a good track record but it is a long way from perfect. I can’t quote you the stats right now but if I find the info I’ll let you know. Peter – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Haven’t had it done because I have heard that it can reduce night vision. I don’t know the ferquency of this occurance or how really bad it can be but it was enough to put me off. Even if you get your eye glass restriction lifted if it really does affect night vision I don’t want it. Peter Has anyone experienced the results of LASIK surgery? True and host opinion. If yes, from where? Not LASIK, but the PRK, which is a laser technique a bit older. No problems, no change in night vision. Actually, if anything, it got better since I had problems with glare from carlights when I was wearing contacts. After PRK, this glare problem was gone. This was done in 1992 in Berlin, Germany, by the guy who invented PRK (Dr. Seiler). He is now at the university medical center in Zurich, Switzerland (http://www.unispital.ch/e/standorte/stao-auge.html). He advised me of the possibility of night vision problems, so it apparently can and did happen. But it worked out fine for me. -Joe

Response:

I had LASIK more than three years ago and the results are 20/20 (-6 prescription before LASIK) with no side effects.  I have perfect night vision too.  Dr. Tooma in Newport Beach performed the procedure. My brother had it done the same day (original -8) and he is also still 20/20. I highly recommend it.  Still amazing when I think about the difference.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone experienced the results of LASIK surgery? True and host opinion. If yes, from where? — FLY-BY PP-ASEL NH =======

Response:

Has anyone experienced the results of LASIK surgery? True and host opinion. If yes, from where? — FLY-BY PP-ASEL NH =======

Response:

About a year ago (last September) I had the Lasik surgery.  I am very pleased with it.  My eyes wer approx. 20/400, now they are at 20/15.  I got my medical about 2 months after the surgery and the Examiner took off my glasses restriction. Jerry

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone experienced the results of LASIK surgery? True and host opinion. If yes, from where? — FLY-BY PP-ASEL NH =======

Response:

Haven’t had it done because I have heard that it can reduce night vision. I don’t know the ferquency of this occurance or how really bad it can be but it was enough to put me off. Even if you get your eye glass restriction lifted if it really does affect night vision I don’t want it. Peter – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone experienced the results of LASIK surgery? True and host opinion. If yes, from where? — FLY-BY PP-ASEL NH =======

Response:

Has anyone experienced the results of LASIK surgery? True and host opinion. If yes, from where?

I know quite a few people who have had this surgery.  None are pilots, however. I personally would never consider having the surgery.  Especially as a pilot, but probably even if I weren’t.  I take very good care of my contacts and watch the health of my eyes carefully.  Thus, in my case, I feel I would have a higher risk of vision problems with LASIK than without, especially when it comes to irreversible problems. However, a number of my friends who had the surgery are terrible with their contacts.  They don’t clean them often enough, they don’t use lens wetting drops when they need to, and they generally just take poor care of their eyes.  For people like that, I think that LASIK is actually a good choice, at least when done by a doctor with a good track record.  For them, the contact lenses are just a liability, and the LASIK surgery is relatively low risk solution to that. Pete

Response:

I am a pilot, and I had Photo-Refractive Keratotomy (PRK), not LASIK. My vision used to be 20/450 uncorrected, now it is 20/15. I have no problems with night vision. I had the surgery in September, 1995.  Given the choice, I would still pick PRK over LASIK. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone experienced the results of LASIK surgery? True and host opinion. If yes, from where? — FLY-BY PP-ASEL NH =======

Response:

I am wondering if any pilots reading this have had LASIK eye surgery and can comment on the experience and results, especially as regards maintaining FAA flight medical.  Thanks. -David

Response:

Check out the thread "Eye Laser Surgery" posted yesterday here on RAP.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am wondering if any pilots reading this have had LASIK eye surgery and can comment on the experience and results, especially as regards maintaining FAA flight medical.  Thanks. -David

Response:

I had it about 4 years ago and have had NO problems what-so-ever! I passed my private last month and vision was one thing that I didn’t have to worry about. I would say, just make sure you see someone who has done the surgery several times. Of course the price also is reflected in that. The office I went to here in San Diego had 3 options: Option A) Surgeon with over 2000 operations, cost… huge! Option B) Surgeon with just around 1000 operations, cost… manageable. Option C) Sugreon with around 200 operations, cost… really affordable. I went with Option B and was completely satisfied! It was painless with mild inconvenience for the rest of the day. I woke up the next day and was amazed at contact free vision.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am wondering if any pilots reading this have had LASIK eye surgery and can comment on the experience and results, especially as regards maintaining FAA flight medical.  Thanks. -David

Response:

I am wondering if any pilots reading this have had LASIK eye surgery and can comment on the experience and results

Ever get the feeling that some people just aren’t paying attention?

Response:

I had it about 4 years ago and have had NO problems what-so-ever! I passed my private last month and vision was one thing that I didn’t have to worry about. I would say, just make sure you see someone who has done the surgery several times. Of course the price also is reflected in that. The office I went to here in San Diego had 3 options: Option A) Surgeon with over 2000 operations, cost… huge! Option B) Surgeon with just around 1000 operations, cost… manageable. Option C) Sugreon with around 200 operations, cost… really affordable.

You could have gone with the surgeon holding the "Lasik For Dummies" book in his left hand for a mere $100  :-) Steve

Response:

Yep.  Your eyesight is not something you want to scrimp on. jerry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I had it about 4 years ago and have had NO problems what-so-ever! I passed my private last month and vision was one thing that I didn’t have to worry about. I would say, just make sure you see someone who has done the surgery several times. Of course the price also is reflected in that. The office I went to here in San Diego had 3 options: Option A) Surgeon with over 2000 operations, cost… huge! Option B) Surgeon with just around 1000 operations, cost… manageable. Option C) Sugreon with around 200 operations, cost… really affordable. You could have gone with the surgeon holding the "Lasik For Dummies" book in his left hand for a mere $100  :-) Steve

Response:

Question:

**I HAVE HAD ADVERSE RESULTS FROM THE LASIK SURGERY I HAD 4 YEARS AGO, **AND UPON LEARNING THAT THERE ARE COUNTLESS OTHERS LIKE ME, WOULD LIKE **TO LOBBY CONGRESS.  I FEEL THE FDA SHOULD ALSO FEEL THE BRUNT OF THIS, **AS THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALLOWING "EXPERIMENTAL" SURGERY.  I WILL **IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS BE POSTING A PETITION TO SIGN ON MY **WEBSITE-WWW.LASIKSUCKS4U.COM.. I’m met several people who have terrible lasik results … I’ll point them toward your website.

I work with someone who has recently (six months ago) had Lasik eye surgery with excellent results. She had no pain or discomfort. She heard about the surgery from at least four other people that had had the same surgery at the same clinic. Could it be that the problems with Lasik could be linked to the individual clinics that carry out the work and not the surgery itself?

Response:

I HAVE HAD ADVERSE RESULTS FROM THE LASIK SURGERY I HAD 4 YEARS AGO, AND UPON LEARNING THAT THERE ARE COUNTLESS OTHERS LIKE ME, WOULD LIKE TO LOBBY CONGRESS.  I FEEL THE FDA SHOULD ALSO FEEL THE BRUNT OF THIS, AS THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALLOWING "EXPERIMENTAL" SURGERY.  I WILL IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS BE POSTING A PETITION TO SIGN ON MY WEBSITE-WWW.LASIKSUCKS4U.COM..

Response:

**I HAVE HAD ADVERSE RESULTS FROM THE LASIK SURGERY I HAD 4 YEARS AGO, **AND UPON LEARNING THAT THERE ARE COUNTLESS OTHERS LIKE ME, WOULD LIKE **TO LOBBY CONGRESS.  I FEEL THE FDA SHOULD ALSO FEEL THE BRUNT OF THIS, **AS THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALLOWING "EXPERIMENTAL" SURGERY.  I WILL **IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS BE POSTING A PETITION TO SIGN ON MY **WEBSITE-WWW.LASIKSUCKS4U.COM.. I’m met several people who have terrible lasik results … I’ll point them toward your website.

Response:

Question:

To get a First Class Medical, your uncorrected vision needs to be 20/100 or better.  It needs to correct to 20/20.  My vision was 20/200 in one eye and around 20/300 in the other, thus beyond the 20/100 uncorrected limits for a class I medical.

Even when there was a minimum uncorrected vision requirement, it was possible to get a SODA on the basis of an optical evaluation (and for vision far worse than 20/300).

Response:

Believe it or not, it sounds like a familiar number.  I enjoyed the Warrior alot!  Great little bird.

Yep, we love our little bird.  She takes us everywhere we want to go, economically and reasonably fast. Now if only she had an extra 100 horsepower, and retractable gear, and dual GNS-530s, and… — Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Warrior N33431

Response:

Now if only she had an extra 100 horsepower, and retractable gear, and dual GNS-530s, and…

up, drooling…   Enrique A. Troconis http://www.kitepilot.com/ http://www.kitepilot.com/viking

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Believe it or not, it sounds like a familiar number.  I enjoyed the Warrior alot!  Great little bird. Yep, we love our little bird.  She takes us everywhere we want to go, economically and reasonably fast. Now if only she had an extra 100 horsepower, and retractable gear, and dual GNS-530s, and… — Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Warrior N33431

Response:

You mean the old Piper Warrior and Arrow are still around?  Geezzzz!

Heck, my wife and I probably own the plane you trained in! Nothing much has changed, except avionics and the FAA. — Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA 1975 Warrior N33431

Response:

Believe it or not, it sounds like a familiar number.  I enjoyed the Warrior alot!  Great little bird.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You mean the old Piper Warrior and Arrow are still around?  Geezzzz! Heck, my wife and I probably own the plane you trained in! Nothing much has changed, except avionics and the FAA. — Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA 1975 Warrior N33431

Response:

O wow!  Things do change, don’t they?  Yes, my vision is fully correctable to 20/20.  Uncorrected vision is way out of whack.  Thanks!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – To get a First Class Medical, your uncorrected vision needs to be 20/100 or better.  It needs to correct to 20/20.  My vision was 20/200 in one eye and around 20/300 in the other, thus beyond the 20/100 uncorrected limits for a class I medical.  A successful Lasik surgery corrects it to 20/40 or better with most patients getting the desired 20/20.  The FAA requires your doctor complete a form concerning the Lasik procedure. This was changed a number of years ago (early 90′s I think) probibly after you took your hiatus from the industry.  Its now as BTIZ says, just correctable to 20/20. ok.. I’m confused.. my copy of AIM/FAR 67.103 for Class 1 says.. " 20/20 or better in each eye with or without corrective lenses…" so were you not correctable to 20/20 before? I’m 20/200 in one and 20/400 in the other.. and both are correctable to 20/15 with contacts.. and yes.. I keep my glasses handy while flying. TZ

Response:

To get a First Class Medical, your uncorrected vision needs to be 20/100 or better.  It needs to correct to 20/20.  My vision was 20/200 in one eye and around 20/300 in the other, thus beyond the 20/100 uncorrected limits for a class I medical.  A successful Lasik surgery corrects it to 20/40 or better with most patients getting the desired 20/20.  The FAA requires your doctor complete a form concerning the Lasik procedure.

This was changed a number of years ago (early 90′s I think) probibly after you took your hiatus from the industry.  Its now as BTIZ says, just correctable to 20/20. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ok.. I’m confused.. my copy of AIM/FAR 67.103 for Class 1 says.. " 20/20 or better in each eye with or without corrective lenses…" so were you not correctable to 20/20 before? I’m 20/200 in one and 20/400 in the other.. and both are correctable to 20/15 with contacts.. and yes.. I keep my glasses handy while flying. TZ

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ok.. I’m confused.. my copy of AIM/FAR 67.103 for Class 1 says.. " 20/20 or better in each eye with or without corrective lenses…" so were you not correctable to 20/20 before? I’m 20/200 in one and 20/400 in the other.. and both are correctable to 20/15 with contacts.. and yes.. I keep my glasses handy while flying. TZ

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I logged 2000+ hours in my college days as a CFI-AI but gave it all up because my vision was w-a-y out of whack to pass a first class medical. The miracle of Lasik eye surgery will correct my vision to 20/20 and give me a first class miracle.  After a 25 year absence, a local FAA medical examiner says I’m cleared to go for a career change back into aviation! —

Response:

To get a First Class Medical, your uncorrected vision needs to be 20/100 or better.  It needs to correct to 20/20.  My vision was 20/200 in one eye and around 20/300 in the other, thus beyond the 20/100 uncorrected limits for a class I medical.  A successful Lasik surgery corrects it to 20/40 or better with most patients getting the desired 20/20.  The FAA requires your doctor complete a form concerning the Lasik procedure.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ok.. I’m confused.. my copy of AIM/FAR 67.103 for Class 1 says.. " 20/20 or better in each eye with or without corrective lenses…" so were you not correctable to 20/20 before? I’m 20/200 in one and 20/400 in the other.. and both are correctable to 20/15 with contacts.. and yes.. I keep my glasses handy while flying. TZ I logged 2000+ hours in my college days as a CFI-AI but gave it all up because my vision was w-a-y out of whack to pass a first class medical. The miracle of Lasik eye surgery will correct my vision to 20/20 and give me a first class miracle.  After a 25 year absence, a local FAA medical examiner says I’m cleared to go for a career change back into aviation! —

Response:

I logged 2000+ hours in my college days as a CFI-AI but gave it all up because my vision was w-a-y out of whack to pass a first class medical.  The miracle of Lasik eye surgery will correct my vision to 20/20 and give me a first class miracle.  After a 25 year absence, a local FAA medical examiner says I’m cleared to go for a career change back into aviation! —

Response:

I logged 2000+ hours in my college days as a CFI-AI but gave it all up because my vision was w-a-y out of whack to pass a first class medical. The miracle of Lasik eye surgery will correct my vision to 20/20 and give me a first class miracle.  After a 25 year absence, a local FAA medical examiner says I’m cleared to go for a career change back into aviation!

Welcome back! You’ll be pleased to know that the airplanes you flew back then are the same airplanes that are flying today

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You mean the old Piper Warrior and Arrow are still around?  Geezzzz!  Wanna kick it up a notch to turbine hopefully.  Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Welcome back! You’ll be pleased to know that the airplanes you flew back then are the same airplanes that are flying today

Response:

I have been very happy with my Lasik.  Some of the best money I have ever spent. Jerry

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I logged 2000+ hours in my college days as a CFI-AI but gave it all up because my vision was w-a-y out of whack to pass a first class medical. The miracle of Lasik eye surgery will correct my vision to 20/20 and give me a first class miracle.  After a 25 year absence, a local FAA medical examiner says I’m cleared to go for a career change back into aviation! —

Response:

Question:

I hate him!

Perhaps a group session for you and Annika! Dave Clary/Corpus Christi,TX http://home.stx.rr.com/dclary

Response:

I’m currently playing about once every two weeks and my game is suffering. My rounds have varied from 4 over to 10 over, mainly down to my short game. The most I’ve ever played is twice a week for a couple of summers. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – in a sort of related question, what is the lowest index you guys have been able to maintain during periods where you were only playing once a week? and for you scratch/low h’cappers, what do you think is the minimum number of rounds per week (or month!) that you need to maintain your level of skill? paul (1) i think i’ve read this in one of harvey penick’s books too, although i’m pretty sure he didn’t use the word "chunk".

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My more general observation from trying to help high handicappers round a course is that you’ve either got it or you haven’t. If you can’t break 100 after 5 years, you’re probably never going to. I guess I’ll get flamed by hard-working 101 shooters now :-/ I hope this means – from when you started taking it seriously.  I haven’t improved much since my son-in-law moved to Colorado 3-4 years ago and I started playing golf.  But I have only been working on my game seriously for a year.  I would hate to think I am wasting my effort.

My experience seems to bear that out.  When I first tried the game when I was 10 I could never break 90 for the 2-3 years I played. When I took the game up again at 37 I decided to start off right with lessons and a serious effort with lots of practice. I went from shooting in the hundreds to a 9 handicap in 1 year and then to a 6 the next year…. me

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Our club champion, hdcp of 2, went from a 22 to present in 4 years.  His secret….lessons, from the same guy I’m using. His other secret…..he’s a stinkin natural athlete. I hate him!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How quickly/slowly do most people improve at golf? In my experience, most decent players (single figure handicaps) improved pretty quickly. In my own case, I could shoot the occasional round under 80 within my first year and got my handicap down to 9 within two years of playing. It took perhaps another 2 years to get to 7 and another 2 to get to 5. This route seems similar to most of the other low handicappers I’ve played with. That’s probably about my limit because of the little chance I get to play now. My guess is the curve is exponential. You probably get to 90% of your best within a couple of years, then gradually shave smaller and smaller bits off. E.g. I can’t imagine anyone improving from 25 to scratch at one shot a year over 25 years. My more general observation from trying to help high handicappers round a course is that you’ve either got it or you haven’t. If you can’t break 100 after 5 years, you’re probably never going to. I guess I’ll get flamed by hard-working 101 shooters now :-/ Does this make any sense?

Response:

: My more general observation from trying to help high handicappers : round a course is that you’ve either got it or you haven’t. If you : can’t break 100 after 5 years, you’re probably never going to. Geez, I’ve only got one or two more years to do it! /-(  [depending if you count from first playing or first lesson a year after that]. I fear alas there may be some truth to this.  If I were going to have a swing that makes consistent contact, it would have stumbled upon me by now.  I did shoot a legit 51 for 9 holes once though, so I’ll keep on trying…. — Jonathan Schilling

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I agree and disagree.  I played golf for three years before I broke 80. My first two years I didn’t play much.  Went out maybe once or twice a week to the driving range my first summer and played the local par 3 course a couple times a month.  Second summer, even less.  Experienced some early success my third summer and decided to devote the summer to getting better, setting a goal of breaking 90 by the end of the year.  Shot a 77 in September  Three years later, 77 is still a good score for me although I have had my moments of greatness (broke 70 once: 2 under, shot par once). My game is pretty inconsistent, I fluctuate between a 6 and a 12 handicap. I’d guess that most single digit handicappers take between one and four years to get to that single digit point.  I have a friend that is a very good golfer (about a 3) that played regularly for four years before breaking 80 for the first time.  Once he got there, though, his handicap dropped quickly. I have known many folks that take the game seriously, play regularly, and can’t break 90 hardly ever and frequently shoot over 100.  I think if you don’t possess some natural ability for the game, breaking 80 inside of a year is a real stretch.  And for some, breaking 80 isn’t ever going to happen. Chris

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How quickly/slowly do most people improve at golf? In my experience, most decent players (single figure handicaps) improved pretty quickly. In my own case, I could shoot the occasional round under 80 within my first year and got my handicap down to 9 within two years of playing. It took perhaps another 2 years to get to 7 and another 2 to get to 5. This route seems similar to most of the other low handicappers I’ve played with. That’s probably about my limit because of the little chance I get to play now. My guess is the curve is exponential. You probably get to 90% of your best within a couple of years, then gradually shave smaller and smaller bits off. E.g. I can’t imagine anyone improving from 25 to scratch at one shot a year over 25 years. My more general observation from trying to help high handicappers round a course is that you’ve either got it or you haven’t. If you can’t break 100 after 5 years, you’re probably never going to. I guess I’ll get flamed by hard-working 101 shooters now :-/ Does this make any sense?

Response:

My more general observation from trying to help high handicappers round a course is that you’ve either got it or you haven’t. If you can’t break 100 after 5 years, you’re probably never going to. I guess I’ll get flamed by hard-working 101 shooters now :-/ I hope this means – from when you started taking it seriously.  I haven’t improved much since my son-in-law moved to Colorado 3-4 years ago and I started playing golf.  But I have only been working on my game seriously for a year.  I would hate to think I am wasting my effort.

I think that’s a good caveat, Howard.  I never improved much over 4 years of playing 4-6 times per year and not taking lessons, consistently shooting 115-130.  But by the end of this summer, playing a lot and making a real effort to improve, I’m regularly shooting 95-105, with hopes of improving further pretty quickly.  I think Simon’s right that if I’m playing often and taking lessons but still shooting the same scores in 2004, that’s about as far as I’m going to get. Jesse

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As stated, the key for the stagnating player to improve is to get some good instruction and work on one’s game.  I certainly stagnated in the "just over 100" range for quite a few years.  Finally, I decided to take some lessons (the first ever for me), and after some work I now regularly shoot in the low 90′s. Only broken 90 once, it’s now the next barrier for me to overcome.  With some more quality instruction and work, I hope to be shooting in the 80′s next summer.  After 30 years of hacking, I’ve gotten better directed and am now playing much better golf (most of the time I think most players who stagnate in high digits do so because they’re simply not driven enough to seek out the help they need to improve. Happy swings to you, -Bob – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How quickly/slowly do most people improve at golf? In my experience, most decent players (single figure handicaps) improved pretty quickly. In my own case, I could shoot the occasional round under 80 within my first year and got my handicap down to 9 within two years of playing. It took perhaps another 2 years to get to 7 and another 2 to get to 5. This route seems similar to most of the other low handicappers I’ve played with. That’s probably about my limit because of the little chance I get to play now. My guess is the curve is exponential. You probably get to 90% of your best within a couple of years, then gradually shave smaller and smaller bits off. E.g. I can’t imagine anyone improving from 25 to scratch at one shot a year over 25 years. My more general observation from trying to help high handicappers round a course is that you’ve either got it or you haven’t. If you can’t break 100 after 5 years, you’re probably never going to. I guess I’ll get flamed by hard-working 101 shooters now :-/ Does this make any sense? In my experience it is not true when the 100 plus golfer becomes well informed.  Many golfers remain in confusion due to a myriad of "advice", "tips", and "conflicting opinion", sometimes even after lots of lessons.  To add to the problem, the language of golf instruction is often subjective, which is not as helpful as objective and/or logical discussion of golfswing. I have considerable direct experience with golfers who were 100s players for many years and have learned to play in the 70s and 80s in a few months after some better information and instruction. George Hibbard

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I don’t think you are wasting your time if you are improving all the time.  What are you shooting now Howard? What are your realistic aims and goals for your game?

My realistic goal for this year was to shoot my age(50) on half of an 18 hole course.  I had done 104 (with a hole-in-one) a week before my birthday.  But I had some lessons and didn’t follow up on them (Instead I now have 13 of my 14 clubs).   I think the lessons forced me into some things that aren’t natural.   At any rate, at the driving range and chipping range I am finally seeing a big improvement.  (hurrying to beat the darkness)  And my long putter seems to be helping – but putting was never my problem. I work 6:00 – 3:00 or so and practice just about every day.  I want to find time to play, especially since the after 1:00 (and after 3:00) prices have dropped a lot.  But my last regulation round was over a month ago. My Christmas wishes to my wife are things like lessons, so I’ll see what I get – meanwhile my spare cash is going to Christmas for family members.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How quickly/slowly do most people improve at golf? In my experience, most decent players (single figure handicaps) improved pretty quickly. In my own case, I could shoot the occasional round under 80 within my first year and got my handicap down to 9 within two years of playing. It took perhaps another 2 years to get to 7 and another 2 to get to 5. This route seems similar to most of the other low handicappers I’ve played with. That’s probably about my limit because of the little chance I get to play now. My guess is the curve is exponential. You probably get to 90% of your best within a couple of years, then gradually shave smaller and smaller bits off. E.g. I can’t imagine anyone improving from 25 to scratch at one shot a year over 25 years. My more general observation from trying to help high handicappers round a course is that you’ve either got it or you haven’t. If you can’t break 100 after 5 years, you’re probably never going to. I guess I’ll get flamed by hard-working 101 shooters now :-/ Does this make any sense?

Everybody is different, but what is the norm? When I took up the game my scores (including penalties) were much higher than 100 and slowly my scores came down in approx. increments. 150  (1st set of clubs, el-cheapos) 140  (my friends still laugh uncontrollably) 130  (well its progress at least) 120  (2nd set of clubs as a result of friends first try at club making) 115 110  (mostly eliminated the banana slice) 105  (introduce the duck hook, FORE!) 100  (3rd set of clubs, legit manufacturer, steel head, graphite shafts) 95    (lasik eye surgery) 90    (NEXT YEAR !)         Considering I have never played more than 20 rounds in a year and the relatively poor physical condition I’m in (30#’s extra) and having NEVER taken a lesson in my life I consider my advancement fairly normal for high handicappers.  The majority of people rarely break 100 at all.  IF I could afford the time and cost of playing 40-50 rounds a year I imagine my scores would drop into the 80′s without too much difficulty.  Beyond that would require me to actually seek a pro’s help…

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I was shooting 120+ losing 6-8 balls a round for the first year.  I remember the first time I broke broke 100 was after playing about two years, I shot a 90 in a tournament for a net 59.

That’s one off of my goal.  I fully intend to skip the 90′s altogether. Real Soon Now.

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I don’t think you are wasting your time if you are improving all the time. What are you shooting now Howard? What are your realistic aims and goals for your game? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My more general observation from trying to help high handicappers round a course is that you’ve either got it or you haven’t. If you can’t break 100 after 5 years, you’re probably never going to. I guess I’ll get flamed by hard-working 101 shooters now :-/ I hope this means – from when you started taking it seriously.  I haven’t improved much since my son-in-law moved to Colorado 3-4 years ago and I started playing golf.  But I have only been working on my game seriously for a year.  I would hate to think I am wasting my effort.

Response:

from my own experience, i think that the learning curve is far more related to how often you get to go out and play/practice during a certain period of time rather than simply the period of time itself. I can’t imagine anyone improving from 25 to scratch at one shot a year over 25 years.

i don’t think this would happen either. until you get real close to scratch, shots don’t fall one shot at a time, they fall in chunks (1). you’ve either got it or you haven’t. If you can’t break 100 after 5 years, you’re probably never going to

i’m not so sure about that. talent is talent, but hard work really is rewarded in golf. is someone who can’t break 100 is really motivated, it will only take a few fundamentals that will get him/her under 100. in a sort of related question, what is the lowest index you guys have been able to maintain during periods where you were only playing once a week? and for you scratch/low h’cappers, what do you think is the minimum number of rounds per week (or month!) that you need to maintain your level of skill? paul (1) i think i’ve read this in one of harvey penick’s books too, although i’m pretty sure he didn’t use the word "chunk".

Response:

I find that there are people who pick up the game with a natural tendancy towards golf that will show great improvement right away.  I have a friend who was a 6 after playing less than two years.  Myself, on the otherhand picked it up more slowly.  I started playing golf regularly (at least once a week) about 7-8 years ago.  I was shooting 120+ losing 6-8 balls a round for the first year.  I remember the first time I broke broke 100 was after playing about two years, I shot a 90 in a tournament for a net 59.  Boy did I hear about sandbagging. Then the next two years I would consistantly shoot in the 90′s, with a round in the 80′s on occasion.  My hcp was in the low 20s.  Then for some reason I shot a 78 about 5 years ago.  Stayed in the low 20′s hcpwise for about another 2-3 years.  Then two years ago I read SLAP and Pelz’s Short Game Bible and had a brief period in the summer where I had some rounds in the low 80′s and my hcp went down to 16.  Last year struggled a bit and it crept up to around 18-19. Starting this year, I went and bought mp33 irons and had a good spring and got my hcp down to 15.  Was able to sustain it over the whole summer and the hcp has been bouncing between 14-15 ( a 14 on my course is a lower 12 index).  I think that I will continue to improve at my slow and steady pace so hopefully I can get to a single digit index over the next year or 2. As far as lessons, I take about 2 lessions a year, usually when my game falls apart and I can’t seem to figure it out on my own.  I used to never go to the range until this year where now I try to hit balls about once a week.  We have a PGA Master Professional that I am considering taking short game lessons from early next year. I guess I’m saying that I think it is possible to show a steady improvement over an extended period in time, and hopefully I will reach the single digits sooner rather than later. Mark A How quickly/slowly do most people improve at golf? In my experience, most decent players (single figure handicaps) improved pretty quickly.

Snip the rest

Response:

I started golfing when I was 9, (32 now).  I have gone in spurts as far as improvement goes (based solely on handicap).  In my teens I shot in the 90s.  Then I gave the game up for a while.  Then about 25-30 I would shoot high 80s, and only in the last couple of years, I have improved down to an 8 handicap.  I chopped 3 shots off this year, and last year I chopped off 2.  So now most of my rounds are low 80s, with the occasional round in the 70s, and only shot in the 90s twice this year (both recently, probably because end of year, playing only once a week compared to 4 times a week). I think there’s a point that a most players will get to without instruction, and most won’t improve beyond that point (that point based much on how they learned the game when they started). However, I think rating yourself merely by handicap is short sighted, since there are so many different factors in the game.  For instance, if you count putts, you may be misled that your putting is getting worse when you go up a couple in average over a period of time, when the real reason your putt count has gone up is because you’re striking the ball better on your approach shot, and you’ve hit more greens. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How quickly/slowly do most people improve at golf? In my experience, most decent players (single figure handicaps) improved pretty quickly. In my own case, I could shoot the occasional round under 80 within my first year and got my handicap down to 9 within two years of playing. It took perhaps another 2 years to get to 7 and another 2 to get to 5. This route seems similar to most of the other low handicappers I’ve played with. That’s probably about my limit because of the little chance I get to play now. My guess is the curve is exponential. You probably get to 90% of your best within a couple of years, then gradually shave smaller and smaller bits off. E.g. I can’t imagine anyone improving from 25 to scratch at one shot a year over 25 years. My more general observation from trying to help high handicappers round a course is that you’ve either got it or you haven’t. If you can’t break 100 after 5 years, you’re probably never going to. I guess I’ll get flamed by hard-working 101 shooters now :-/ Does this make any sense?

Response:

How quickly/slowly do most people improve at golf?

Depends on many things. One of them is certainly talent as you say. But when you start getting good instruction is also important, as has been pointed out. Another factor is how much time really you spend in playing practicing. I started playing about 3 years ago, but I don’t play and practice nearly as much as many others. 1 round a week at most for about 6 months a year, little practice (may be 3-4 hours a month, sometimes a bit more). Many others play anywhere from 50 to 125 rounds a year. So you simply cannot compare the two situations directly in terms of number of years. My "effective" playing experience is more like 1.5 years. My more general observation from trying to help high handicappers round a course is that you’ve either got it or you haven’t. If you can’t break 100 after 5 years, you’re probably never going to.

Not necessarily. Many (most, I think) people believe that virtually anyone can break 90 with a bit of decent instruction. Hogan believed that anyone can break 80 within 6 months. Okay, thats a bit too much. Rutvik

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How quickly/slowly do most people improve at golf? In my experience, most decent players (single figure handicaps) improved pretty quickly. In my own case, I could shoot the occasional round under 80 within my first year and got my handicap down to 9 within two years of playing. It took perhaps another 2 years to get to 7 and another 2 to get to 5. This route seems similar to most of the other low handicappers I’ve played with. That’s probably about my limit because of the little chance I get to play now. My guess is the curve is exponential. You probably get to 90% of your best within a couple of years, then gradually shave smaller and smaller bits off. E.g. I can’t imagine anyone improving from 25 to scratch at one shot a year over 25 years. My more general observation from trying to help high handicappers round a course is that you’ve either got it or you haven’t. If you can’t break 100 after 5 years, you’re probably never going to. I guess I’ll get flamed by hard-working 101 shooters now :-/ Does this make any sense?

In my experience it is not true when the 100 plus golfer becomes well informed.  Many golfers remain in confusion due to a myriad of "advice", "tips", and "conflicting opinion", sometimes even after lots of lessons.  To add to the problem, the language of golf instruction is often subjective, which is not as helpful as objective and/or logical discussion of golfswing. I have considerable direct experience with golfers who were 100s players for many years and have learned to play in the 70s and 80s in a few months after some better information and instruction. George Hibbard

Response:

My more general observation from trying to help high handicappers round a course is that you’ve either got it or you haven’t. If you can’t break 100 after 5 years, you’re probably never going to. I guess I’ll get flamed by hard-working 101 shooters now :-/

I hope this means – from when you started taking it seriously.  I haven’t improved much since my son-in-law moved to Colorado 3-4 years ago and I started playing golf.  But I have only been working on my game seriously for a year.  I would hate to think I am wasting my effort.

Response:

How quickly/slowly do most people improve at golf? In my experience, most decent players (single figure handicaps) improved pretty quickly. In my own case, I could shoot the occasional round under 80 within my first year and got my handicap down to 9 within two years of playing. It took perhaps another 2 years to get to 7 and another 2 to get to 5. This route seems similar to most of the other low handicappers I’ve played with. That’s probably about my limit because of the little chance I get to play now. My guess is the curve is exponential. You probably get to 90% of your best within a couple of years, then gradually shave smaller and smaller bits off. E.g. I can’t imagine anyone improving from 25 to scratch at one shot a year over 25 years. My more general observation from trying to help high handicappers round a course is that you’ve either got it or you haven’t. If you can’t break 100 after 5 years, you’re probably never going to. I guess I’ll get flamed by hard-working 101 shooters now :-/ Does this make any sense?

Response:

Question:

Hey Harry.  I remember you had Lasik done a while back.  How is your eye sight now?  How many months since the procedure?  Would you recommend it?

Response:

I was obviously remiss in asking about the thoughts and experiences of others.  My mistake.  Sorry.

: Hey Harry.  I remember you had Lasik done a while back.  How is your : eye sight now?  How many months since the procedure?  Would you : recommend it? : :

Response:

Hey Harry.  I remember you had Lasik done a while back.  How is your eye sight now?  How many months since the procedure?  Would you recommend it?

My vision is the same, "20/20" in one eye, "20/25" in the other. Those were the test results a month after surgery and recently. I think it’s been almost two years now. I’ve had no ill side effects and would recommend the surgery to anyone whose qualified opthamologist says he or she is a "good" candidate. You need a long, careful examination for a proper evaluation, and you probably don’t want to have the surgery done by one of the "mills." An important factor: how many "eyes" has the doctor done to date? You want a doc who has done at least 5,000 eyes. — Harry Krause Member, NWU-UAW, AFL-CIO

Response:

Have a look at the article "10 common sense reasons not to have lasik" at the www.surgicaleyes.com site.  It’s a real eye-opener, hardy-har-har.  My brother has dry-eyes from his lasik procedure after six months.  It’s a known complication, you pays your money and takes your chances. Al

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey Harry.  I remember you had Lasik done a while back.  How is your eye sight now?  How many months since the procedure?  Would you recommend it?

Response:

Hey Harry.  I remember you had Lasik done a while back.  How is your eye sight now?  How many months since the procedure?  Would you recommend it?

 I had the procedure done last January and I am thrilled with the results.  I was near sighted with a fairly significant amount of astigmatism.  Now I am just a little bit far sighted with just a trace of astigmatism, but still considered 20/20.  I need reading glasses now, but I was getting to the point that I was needing bifocals before.  I now have a pair of prescription reading glasses that I use at work but I can get by with the drug store reading glasses.   The eye doctor said that they could do a touch up and correct the remaining astigmatism and far sightedness, but I have decided to leave well enough alone.  Now I can see the people in the boat when I water ski.  I don’t have glasses fogging up under the goggles when I snow ski.  I don’t have to wear sports goggles when I play hockey.  I can read the alarm clock when I wake up in the middle of the night.     The down side is that since I don’t have my glasses on my face all the time I keep losing them, but I can live with that. Rod McInnis

Response:

Three case histories all in favor of LASIK.  My eyes were -6 and -6.25 diopter (very nearsighted), Larry’s were -8.5 each, and Jim was around -13. Larry had his eyes done first, I was second (2 year’s this November), and Jim was the most recent (about one year). All three of us are very happy with NOT having to wear glasses or contacts any longer.  The biggest advantage for us was in the occassional water sports (tubing, skiing, playing) and not having to worry about our eyes.  As someone else stated, we can see the people on the boat when we’re behind the tow line and that’s what we were looking for.  It was wonderful for us. Also, none of us had them done at a ‘mill’.  My personal opthamologist (same doctor 10+ years) did my eyes.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey Harry.  I remember you had Lasik done a while back.  How is your eye sight now?  How many months since the procedure?  Would you recommend it?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Three case histories all in favor of LASIK.  My eyes were -6 and -6.25 diopter (very nearsighted), Larry’s were -8.5 each, and Jim was around -13. Larry had his eyes done first, I was second (2 year’s this November), and Jim was the most recent (about one year). All three of us are very happy with NOT having to wear glasses or contacts any longer.  The biggest advantage for us was in the occassional water sports (tubing, skiing, playing) and not having to worry about our eyes.  As someone else stated, we can see the people on the boat when we’re behind the tow line and that’s what we were looking for.  It was wonderful for us. Also, none of us had them done at a ‘mill’.  My personal opthamologist (same doctor 10+ years) did my eyes. Hey Harry.  I remember you had Lasik done a while back.  How is your eye sight now?  How many months since the procedure?  Would you recommend it?

My Dad considered that Lasik eye surgery (he’s always worn glasses for 60-70 years).  Anyway, at 80 years old and recovered from congestive heart failure, the doctor told him, "I’m sorry, not at your age and condition". Butch Ammon My web page: http://members.aol.com/ammonc/butch.html

Response:

Question:

I like them but then I only wear one and I don’t have to remember to keep track of which one goes in which eye. I also don’t wear them that much anymore because my eyes are so dry that it’s almost not worth it.  I get too irritatied. My worry about contact lenses is during allergy season. That’s when my eyes really burn and itch.

some people find that the lense forms a protective shield against the crap.  For me, it tends to trap the pollen. Never had allergies before contacts. — Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.                Mother Teresa http://home.gwi.net/~mdmpsyd/index.htm for mail remove PETERHOOD69

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I started wearing contacts about 15 years ago. With a correction factor of -11, my lenses are pretty thick.  Also have an astigmatism that meant that with the soft lenses, I had to go toric.  They are thicker on the bottom so that the axis doesn’t rotate on the eye. I had heard that those of us with astigmatism couldn’t use contacts….Granted, I only use mine for reading, but if I got to the point that I had to wear them all the time, I had considered contacts, until I heard the misinfo about astigmatism (both eyes) Glad to hear that…

When I first inquired 100 years ago, the only option was hard lenses.  The soft torics are more expensive but they work.  Now, I’ve gone full circle and am using the gas perms (which, for all intents and purposes are hard lenses) — Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.                Mother Teresa http://home.gwi.net/~mdmpsyd/index.htm for mail remove PETERHOOD69

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Am curious if anybody has any advice IRT contact lenses. I’m getting tired of glasses, and would like a change. Thought I would ask here first since I respect many of your opinions I’ve been wearing contacts for 34 years now and I love them. I’ve never had a problem, other than the misery of occasionally getting dust or an eyelash under the lens. My vision is sharper with contacts than with glasses. My peripheral vision is better. I don’t have to have bother with prescription sunglasses–and switching back and forth with regular untinted glasses. I don’t have glasses that get wet in the rain, or frozen with sleet or snow, or foggy when I go from the cold to warm. I am more comfortable exercising or playing sports than I was when I wore glasses. My OS got contacts when he started playing HS soccer. He loves them too. Actually, I’d rather do without either contacts or glasses. My eye doctor has been trying to get me to go for lasik eye surgery, but I have to save my money to pay for OS’s college tuition. Nancy Unique, like everyone else I’ve been thinking about lasik. I have somebody in mind who I know will do an excellent job. He’s pricey, but I and hubby know someone whose eyes he worked on and they are thankful for the surgery.

believe it or not, it’s cheaper to go to either canada or argentina to have it done (and they’ve been doing it lots longer than we have here in the US).  Brother just got back from Toronto, had it done there. — Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.                Mother Teresa http://home.gwi.net/~mdmpsyd/index.htm for mail remove PETERHOOD69

Response:

I’ve been using them for almost 25 years and my opthamologist says no one could tell from looking at my eyes, even with a microscope. This seems odd because it involves being careful about the routines, but at least they are short.  Always clean them etc. There are good all-in-one rinse/disinfectant/storage solutions now. It is more expensive, but for anyone with a short attention span it is the only way to go.  Also, the disposables are a good idea.  I throw mine away every two weeks.  This simplifies the care issues a lot. Don’t get contacts if you can’t handle the proper care.  You need to be careful and keep them clean or you can damage your eyes. If you can handle that, they are great. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Am curious if anybody has any advice IRT contact lenses. I’m getting tired of glasses, and would like a change. Thought I would ask here first since I respect many of your opinions        Norma   — Follow the white rabbit… But don’t get lost!

Response:

I was thinking of making the same switch,Norma. I’m sick of smudgy, slipping off glasses. A friend of mine swears by the newer "Acuvue" brand disposable lens. they come in a box of 30 or 50 pairs(can’t remember which.) You can wear one pair night and day for a week or two and then discard,but what many people do is take them out and wash them daily,so that one pair can last a couple of months,and then one box  lasts a long time. I think you can also swim in them which is handy.

All extended wear contacts have been known to cause serious problems. Taking them out daily is a good idea.  Sterilize them overnight and give your eyes a rest. I swim and scuba dive with contacts.   If they fit properly a small or even a big splash of water in the face won’t make them come out. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, I have worn contact lenses since I was 12, I am now about to turn 25 (11 days!!). I have found little problem with them.  All that it takes it is a commitment to keep those hands clean and to make sure that your bathroom is completey barren of any bacteria (maybe I’m just a little compulsive) and that you clean them each and every night. I would not recommend them if you like to sleep over at friends houses (especially on couches) who don’t have extra contact lenses cases…. hope this helps…. Am curious if anybody has any advice IRT contact lenses. I’m getting tired of glasses, and would like a change. Thought I would ask here first since I respect many of your opinions        Norma   — Follow the white rabbit… But don’t get lost!

Response:

When you go to get your eyes checked and get your contacts, you’ll probably try to put one in for 30 minutes and give up on it. DON’T. It took me 2.5 hours to get one out and back in, but now it’s second nature. You just have to learn to touch the surface of your eyeball without flinching. I have soft lenses, and can now get them in and out easily. There’s a certain ‘trick’ to getting them in and out, and it’s different for every person. You just need to find a technique that works for you. You’ll get used to them. I always carry around lubricating drops, which go on top of the contact and moisten everything up. I’m going to stop rambling now. — This post was anonymized at http://www.xganon.com Come visit the newest xganon server http://www.xganon.org providing    rights and freedom related news. —

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I like them but then I only wear one and I don’t have to remember to keep track of which one goes in which eye. I also don’t wear them that much anymore because my eyes are so dry that it’s almost not worth it.  I get too irritatied. My worry about contact lenses is during allergy season. That’s when my eyes really burn and itch.        Norma   — Follow the white rabbit… But don’t get lost!

I have found that something called Refresh Tears are excellent for dry itchy eyes. — Nessa and if you wish for things that are only in the past just remember that the wrong things aren’t supposed to last it’s over and done, the rest is gonna come when you let it Mary-Chapin Carpenter  ’this is love’

Response:

Am curious if anybody has any advice IRT contact lenses. I’m getting tired of glasses, and would like a change. Thought I would ask here first since I respect many of your opinions

Your cornea manages to be transparent because there’s no blood in it. That means it has to get its oxygen by direct transpiration with the oxygen which dissolves in your tear fluid. Contact lenses interfere with this, although gas-permeable try to address the problem. Because I intend to live a long time with clear eyesight I personally prefer not to interfere with the health of my cornea. I can always correct optical defects with glasses. If something goes wrong with the transparency of your cornea you are in deeper shit. Secondly there is the question of flexible focus. As we age we lose this, so folk whe wear glasses end up needing two pairs, and folk who used to wear none end up needing a reading pair. In fact some these days end up needing one for reading, one for computer work, and one for walking/driving etc. Once your eyes get this old, all contacts will do is reduce the number of pairs of glasses you have to carry around. Finally, there is a little known advantage of *glass* spectacles: glass does not transmit UV (you can’t get sunburnt behind a glass window), so ordinary clear optical glass protects your cornea and inner eye from the aging effects of UV. These are the reasons why I stick to glasses. Less convenient, not such good correction, but less risky to long term eye health. — School of Artificial Intelligence,     Division of Informatics   Edinburgh University,   5 Forrest Hill, Edinburgh, EH1 2QL, UK [http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/daidb/people/homes/cam/ ]    DoD #205

Response:

Am curious if anybody has any advice IRT contact lenses. I’m getting tired of glasses, and would like a change. Thought I would ask here first since I respect many of your opinions       Norma Try this place out – http://clecontactlenses.com/cgi-bin/shop.plx/SID=PUT_SID_HERE/page=jj…

If you go to this site – try the crossword puzzle rebate promotion. Im assuming it pops up for everyone. I did the corssword puzzle correctly at the site and got a $20 rebate code so my order for 6 contacts came out to $3  less the $20 instant rebate  shipping included.  Im jazzed. Something must be wrong because the puzzle is too easy and I cant imagine they are going to give everyone $20 off their orders. Maybe they select people at random even if you fill in the puzzle correctly or something.

Response:

I started wearing contacts about 15 years ago. With a correction factor of -11, my lenses are pretty thick.  Also have an astigmatism that meant that with the soft lenses, I had to go toric.  They are thicker on the bottom so that the axis doesn’t rotate on the eye.

I had heard that those of us with astigmatism couldn’t use contacts….Granted, I only use mine for reading, but if I got to the point that I had to wear them all the time, I had considered contacts, until I heard the misinfo about astigmatism (both eyes) Glad to hear that… — Buny —-"Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal."  ~  Albert Camus

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Am curious if anybody has any advice IRT contact lenses. I’m getting tired of glasses, and would like a change. Thought I would ask here first since I respect many of your opinions Your cornea manages to be transparent because there’s no blood in it. That means it has to get its oxygen by direct transpiration with the oxygen which dissolves in your tear fluid. Contact lenses interfere with this, although gas-permeable try to address the problem. Because I intend to live a long time with clear eyesight I personally prefer not to interfere with the health of my cornea. I can always correct optical defects with glasses. If something goes wrong with the transparency of your cornea you are in deeper shit. Secondly there is the question of flexible focus. As we age we lose this, so folk whe wear glasses end up needing two pairs, and folk who used to wear none end up needing a reading pair. In fact some these days end up needing one for reading, one for computer work, and one for walking/driving etc. Once your eyes get this old, all contacts will do is reduce the number of pairs of glasses you have to carry around. Finally, there is a little known advantage of *glass* spectacles: glass does not transmit UV (you can’t get sunburnt behind a glass window), so ordinary clear optical glass protects your cornea and inner eye from the aging effects of UV. These are the reasons why I stick to glasses. Less convenient, not such good correction, but less risky to long term eye health.

Thanks for the advice. I was planning on using them during part time use at least, so this will be helpful. Maybe when it matters I’ll use contacts, but stick with glasses for ordinary wear.        Norma   — Follow the white rabbit… But don’t get lost!

Response:

I was thinking of making the same switch,Norma. I’m sick of smudgy, slipping off glasses. A friend of mine swears by the newer "Acuvue" brand disposable lens. they come in a box of 30 or 50 pairs(can’t remember which.) You can wear one pair night and day for a week or two and then discard,but what many people do is take them out and wash them daily,so that one pair can last a couple of months,and then one box  lasts a long time. I think you can also swim in them which is handy.

I’ll keep the Acuvue brand in mind. Thanks, Terra.        Norma   — Follow the white rabbit… But don’t get lost!

Response:

I like them but then I only wear one and I don’t have to remember to keep track of which one goes in which eye. I also don’t wear them that much anymore because my eyes are so dry that it’s almost not worth it.  I get too irritatied.

My worry about contact lenses is during allergy season. That’s when my eyes really burn and itch.        Norma   — Follow the white rabbit… But don’t get lost!

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Well, I have worn contact lenses since I was 12, I am now about to turn 25 (11 days!!). I have found little problem with them.  All that it takes it is a commitment to keep those hands clean and to make sure that your bathroom is completey barren of any bacteria (maybe I’m just a little compulsive) and that you clean them each and every night. I would not recommend them if you like to sleep over at friends houses (especially on couches) who don’t have extra contact lenses cases…. hope this helps…. Am curious if anybody has any advice IRT contact lenses. I’m getting tired of glasses, and would like a change. Thought I would ask here first since I respect many of your opinions        Norma   — Follow the white rabbit… But don’t get lost!

Thanks for the advice.        Norma   — Follow the white rabbit… But don’t get lost!

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Am curious if anybody has any advice IRT contact lenses. I’m getting tired of glasses, and would like a change. Thought I would ask here first since I respect many of your opinions        Norma   — Follow the white rabbit… But don’t get lost! I started wearing contacts about 15 years ago. With a correction factor of -11, my lenses are pretty thick.  Also have an astigmatism that meant that with the soft lenses, I had to go toric.  They are thicker on the bottom so that the axis doesn’t rotate on the eye.  I was seeing better than 20-20 with them.  My only problem was once I fell asleep and apparently the lense dried on my eye and I got a slight ulceration on my cornea (try getting a culture scraped off your eyeball–fun fun).

I’ll make sure to not fall asleep with them on. That sounded painful! I switched to gas permeables about 3 years ago.  They took some getting used to but are easier to take care of. Supposedly, I can sleep with them but I haven’t dared yet. I swim with both but with goggles.  With the soft lenses, the clorine would fix the lense to my eye briefly but the natural process of tearing loosened them up quickly. With the gas perms I get a strange effect if I’m doing a lot of sweating–the salt seems to get into my eyes and clouds up the lense.  A minor nuisance; i’ve learned to carry around some lubricant to do some spot cleaning.  I carry a spare pair of glasses and lense case, etc. in the car just in case. m

Good thing I got a purse now. Hey I forgot to mention this. Gotta start a new thread… Anyways I’ll need all the space I could spare for stuff. Thanks, Mark (finally have gotten your messages).        Norma   — Follow the white rabbit… But don’t get lost!

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Am curious if anybody has any advice IRT contact lenses. I’m getting tired of glasses, and would like a change. Thought I would ask here first since I respect many of your opinions I’ve been wearing contacts for 34 years now and I love them. I’ve never had a problem, other than the misery of occasionally getting dust or an eyelash under the lens.   My vision is sharper with contacts than with glasses. My peripheral vision is better. I don’t have to have bother with prescription sunglasses–and switching back and forth with regular untinted glasses. I don’t have glasses that get wet in the rain, or frozen with sleet or snow, or foggy when I go from the cold to warm. I am more comfortable exercising or playing sports than I was when I wore glasses. My OS got contacts when he started playing HS soccer. He loves them too. Actually, I’d rather do without either contacts or glasses. My eye doctor has been trying to get me to go for lasik eye surgery, but I have to save my money to pay for OS’s college tuition. Nancy Unique, like everyone else

I’ve been thinking about lasik. I have somebody in mind who I know will do an excellent job. He’s pricey, but I and hubby know someone whose eyes he worked on and they are thankful for the surgery.        Norma   — Follow the white rabbit… But don’t get lost!

Response:

Am curious if anybody has any advice IRT contact lenses. I’m getting tired of glasses, and would like a change. Thought I would ask here first since I respect many of your opinions        Norma   — Follow the white rabbit… But don’t get lost!

Response:

Well, I have worn contact lenses since I was 12, I am now about to turn 25 (11 days!!). I have found little problem with them.  All that it takes it is a commitment to keep those hands clean and to make sure that your bathroom is completey barren of any bacteria (maybe I’m just a little compulsive) and that you clean them each and every night. I would not recommend them if you like to sleep over at friends houses (especially on couches) who don’t have extra contact lenses cases…. hope this helps….

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Am curious if anybody has any advice IRT contact lenses. I’m getting tired of glasses, and would like a change. Thought I would ask here first since I respect many of your opinions        Norma   — Follow the white rabbit… But don’t get lost!

Response:

I was thinking of making the same switch,Norma. I’m sick of smudgy, slipping off glasses. A friend of mine swears by the newer "Acuvue" brand disposable lens. they come in a box of 30 or 50 pairs(can’t remember which.) You can wear one pair night and day for a week or two and then discard,but what many people do is take them out and wash them daily,so that one pair can last a couple of months,and then one box  lasts a long time. I think you can also swim in them which is handy.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, I have worn contact lenses since I was 12, I am now about to turn 25 (11 days!!). I have found little problem with them.  All that it takes it is a commitment to keep those hands clean and to make sure that your bathroom is completey barren of any bacteria (maybe I’m just a little compulsive) and that you clean them each and every night. I would not recommend them if you like to sleep over at friends houses (especially on couches) who don’t have extra contact lenses cases…. hope this helps…. Am curious if anybody has any advice IRT contact lenses. I’m getting tired of glasses, and would like a change. Thought I would ask here first since I respect many of your opinions        Norma   — Follow the white rabbit… But don’t get lost!

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Am curious if anybody has any advice IRT contact lenses. I’m getting tired of glasses, and would like a change. Thought I would ask here first since I respect many of your opinions It’s really an individual thing.  Some people get along with them just fine, others don’t.  The only kind I seem to be able to use are the disposables–any other kind gets gummed up in a couple of months.  OTOH, I used to date someone who had been wearing hard lenses for 20 years and thought nothing of licking one clean (while eating Mexican food no less) and sticking it back in. I finally decided they weren’t worth the effort.  OTOH, they may be just fine for you. —

Ouch on the licking the lenses while eating spicy food! Not too long ago I had some salsa on my fingers (unbeknownst to me at the time). I went to rub my eye. I’ll try not to do that again… Everybody thinks I look better without glasses. I agree. I guess it’s because I didn’t start wearing them until I was in my 20′s. Can’t quite get used to them. Still…        Norma   — Follow the white rabbit… But don’t get lost!

Response:

Am curious if anybody has any advice IRT contact lenses. I’m getting tired of glasses, and would like a change. Thought I would ask here first since I respect many of your opinions

I’ve been wearing contacts for 34 years now and I love them. I’ve never had a problem, other than the misery of occasionally getting dust or an eyelash under the lens.   My vision is sharper with contacts than with glasses. My peripheral vision is better. I don’t have to have bother with prescription sunglasses–and switching back and forth with regular untinted glasses. I don’t have glasses that get wet in the rain, or frozen with sleet or snow, or foggy when I go from the cold to warm. I am more comfortable exercising or playing sports than I was when I wore glasses. My OS got contacts when he started playing HS soccer. He loves them too. Actually, I’d rather do without either contacts or glasses. My eye doctor has been trying to get me to go for lasik eye surgery, but I have to save my money to pay for OS’s college tuition. Nancy Unique, like everyone else

Response:

Am curious if anybody has any advice IRT contact lenses. I’m getting tired of glasses, and would like a change. Thought I would ask here first since I respect many of your opinions

It’s really an individual thing.  Some people get along with them just fine, others don’t.  The only kind I seem to be able to use are the disposables–any other kind gets gummed up in a couple of months.  OTOH, I used to date someone who had been wearing hard lenses for 20 years and thought nothing of licking one clean (while eating Mexican food no less) and sticking it back in. I finally decided they weren’t worth the effort.  OTOH, they may be just fine for you. — — –John Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net (used to be jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Response:

Am curious if anybody has any advice IRT contact lenses. I’m getting tired of glasses, and would like a change. Thought I would ask here first since I respect many of your opinions       Norma

Try this place out – http://clecontactlenses.com/cgi-bin/shop.plx/SID=PUT_SID_HERE/page=jj… Ive ordered from them before and found that they were reliable and had the cheapest prices. Some places advertise cheaper prices but some claim they can be fakes and also Ive found that many cheaper places force you to buy large qtys to get the  price advertised. They have Acuvue2s for $16.50 for 6 lenses in one box. Ive bought one box before. Some places require 5 or 10 boxes per purchase. All you need is the base curve /diameter and power which you can get from you eye exam/doctor. If you buy contacts from the doctor its usually way way way more expensive.  I got an eye exam and glasses and contacts after responding to a supposedly cheap ad. I walked out with a $400 bill and paid $80 per contact set.  I later went and got my specs from him though many doctors dont like to give you the info and have been ordering them from CLE at $17 for 3 pairs. One box though is all one base curve diameter and power though. If each of your eyes is really different you will have to order two boxes. These generally last several months each for me though I think they call them daily disposables. I saw an expose on the daily disposables years and years ago which said that contact lens manufacturers were taking high priced extended wear lens and just repacking them in daily disposable boxes – it was the same lens. They might have figured out how to make them fall apart now so that there is a difference but they still seem to last several months. Obviously if you need special lenses youll have to buy something else. The Acuevue 2s are plain jane contacts. Just use the enzyme pills to clean them once in a while and take them out every day and use fresh contact fluid in your case. I only have problems when I sleep in them. When I first got them  they told me extended wears could be left in for weeks !!!!  I did that but had some problems once in a while – like my eyes turning blood red like a vampire.  They told me to lay off the contacts then. After that they started coming out with daily disposables and telling everyone never to even leave them on overnight. They said too many people were having problems leaving them on for days and days.

Response:

Am curious if anybody has any advice IRT contact lenses. I’m getting tired of glasses, and would like a change. Thought I would ask here first since I respect many of your opinions        Norma   — Follow the white rabbit… But don’t get lost!

I started wearing contacts about 15 years ago. With a correction factor of -11, my lenses are pretty thick.  Also have an astigmatism that meant that with the soft lenses, I had to go toric.  They are thicker on the bottom so that the axis doesn’t rotate on the eye.  I was seeing better than 20-20 with them.  My only problem was once I fell asleep and apparently the lense dried on my eye and I got a slight ulceration on my cornea (try getting a culture scraped off your eyeball–fun fun). I switched to gas permeables about 3 years ago.  They took some getting used to but are easier to take care of. Supposedly, I can sleep with them but I haven’t dared yet. I swim with both but with goggles.  With the soft lenses, the clorine would fix the lense to my eye briefly but the natural process of tearing loosened them up quickly. With the gas perms I get a strange effect if I’m doing a lot of sweating–the salt seems to get into my eyes and clouds up the lense.  A minor nuisance; i’ve learned to carry around some lubricant to do some spot cleaning.  I carry a spare pair of glasses and lense case, etc. in the car just in case. m — Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.                Mother Teresa http://home.gwi.net/~mdmpsyd/index.htm for mail remove PETERHOOD69

Response:

Am curious if anybody has any advice IRT contact lenses. I’m getting tired of glasses, and would like a change. Thought I would ask here first since I respect many of your opinions        Norma   — Follow the white rabbit… But don’t get lost!

I like them but then I only wear one and I don’t have to remember to keep track of which one goes in which eye. I also don’t wear them that much anymore because my eyes are so dry that it’s almost not worth it.  I get too irritatied. — Nessa and if you wish for things that are only in the past just remember that the wrong things aren’t supposed to last it’s over and done, the rest is gonna come when you let it Mary-Chapin Carpenter  ’this is love’

Response:

Question:

Mrs. Wired just had her Lasik eye surgery yesterday. This morning I took her back for her post-op visit and she is seeing 20/20 in both eyes! The doctor said that she is doing great and will not need to see her again until Thursday. Apparantly I was and am a lot more worried about it than she is. I brought her home and while she slept most of the day I was worried about going anywhere in case something went wrong and I had to rush her back to the doctor. I know that I was over reacting but she hasn’t always had the best luck when it comes to health. Wal-Mart had a sale on Band-aids, 60 for one dollar. I don’t think twice about stocking up on those for my trail rides. I often come home after having a crash on my bike and proudly show off my new cuts or abrasions like they are trophies. I am also still swollen from some kind of spider bite I got on my last ride (the dreaded Mongo Banana Spider?!) but I’m not worried about it. However, I am cringing at the though of what could go wrong with my wife’s health! As a consequence I ate 2 boxes of granola bars (10 to a box, worth 2 points each) yesterday. I even had a restless night last night because I kept worring I was going to roll over in the bed and bump her in the eyes. Today the doctor said that she could resume normal activity. She could do light exercise today and then go back to heavy exercise tomorrow like aerobics or weight lifting. I think he got tired of my questions about her saftey and assured me that she was would be just fine. I think I’m starting to bug her since she is giving me dumb looks about my sugesting that she wear safty goggles around the house. I guess I’ll go ride my bike so I can stay away from the munchy foods and let her enjoy her new eyes. — Wired_1 http://community.webshots.com/user/2wired2stop 215/149.2/158 Recycle – Ride your bike again today.

Response:

How sweet to be concerned Wired……but I’m sure Mrs. Wired….will let you know if she needs you — Marianne aka Mambo Tampa, FL

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Mrs. Wired just had her Lasik eye surgery yesterday. This morning I took her back for her post-op visit and she is seeing 20/20 in both eyes! The doctor said that she is doing great and will not need to see her again until Thursday. Apparantly I was and am a lot more worried about it than she is. I brought her home and while she slept most of the day I was worried about going anywhere in case something went wrong and I had to rush her back to the doctor. I know that I was over reacting but she hasn’t always had the best luck when it comes to health. Wal-Mart had a sale on Band-aids, 60 for one dollar. I don’t think twice about stocking up on those for my trail rides. I often come home after having a crash on my bike and proudly show off my new cuts or abrasions like they are trophies. I am also still swollen from some kind of spider bite I got on my last ride (the dreaded Mongo Banana Spider?!) but I’m not worried about it. However, I am cringing at the though of what could go wrong with my wife’s health! As a consequence I ate 2 boxes of granola bars (10 to a box, worth 2 points each) yesterday. I even had a restless night last night because I kept worring I was going to roll over in the bed and bump her in the eyes. Today the doctor said that she could resume normal activity. She could do light exercise today and then go back to heavy exercise tomorrow like aerobics or weight lifting. I think he got tired of my questions about her saftey and assured me that she was would be just fine. I think I’m starting to bug her since she is giving me dumb looks about my sugesting that she wear safty goggles around the house. I guess I’ll go ride my bike so I can stay away from the munchy foods and let her enjoy her new eyes. — Wired_1 http://community.webshots.com/user/2wired2stop 215/149.2/158 Recycle – Ride your bike again today.

Response:

Hi Wired, Regardless of the looks you’re getting, I’m sure your wife is pleased that you are so worried about her.   A friend of mine had the same surgery and loves the results.  Just keep riding your bike and stay away from the granola bars.  :-) Granny – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Mrs. Wired just had her Lasik eye surgery yesterday. This morning I took her back for her post-op visit and she is seeing 20/20 in both eyes! The doctor said that she is doing great and will not need to see her again until Thursday. Apparantly I was and am a lot more worried about it than she is. I brought her home and while she slept most of the day I was worried about going anywhere in case something went wrong and I had to rush her back to the doctor. I know that I was over reacting but she hasn’t always had the best luck when it comes to health. Wal-Mart had a sale on Band-aids, 60 for one dollar. I don’t think twice about stocking up on those for my trail rides. I often come home after having a crash on my bike and proudly show off my new cuts or abrasions like they are trophies. I am also still swollen from some kind of spider bite I got on my last ride (the dreaded Mongo Banana Spider?!) but I’m not worried about it. However, I am cringing at the though of what could go wrong with my wife’s health! As a consequence I ate 2 boxes of granola bars (10 to a box, worth 2 points each) yesterday. I even had a restless night last night because I kept worring I was going to roll over in the bed and bump her in the eyes. Today the doctor said that she could resume normal activity. She could do light exercise today and then go back to heavy exercise tomorrow like aerobics or weight lifting. I think he got tired of my questions about her saftey and assured me that she was would be just fine. I think I’m starting to bug her since she is giving me dumb looks about my sugesting that she wear safty goggles around the house. I guess I’ll go ride my bike so I can stay away from the munchy foods and let her enjoy her new eyes. — Wired_1 http://community.webshots.com/user/2wired2stop 215/149.2/158 Recycle – Ride your bike again today.

Response:

Aw, I’m sorry, but that’s soooo sweet.  Such concern is just natural, and lovely to see. As for the eye surgery, as a long-term short sighted person, i’ve always wondered if that would be a good option, so it was interesting to hear that it does work!  I hope Mrs Wired recovers totally soon. — krys UK 157/123/126 Started March 1st 2001 GOAL August 16th 2001 http://community.webshots.com/user/krystrot

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Mrs. Wired just had her Lasik eye surgery yesterday. This morning I took her back for her post-op visit and she is seeing 20/20 in both eyes! The doctor said that she is doing great and will not need to see her again until Thursday. Apparantly I was and am a lot more worried about it than she is. I brought her home and while she slept most of the day I was worried about going anywhere in case something went wrong and I had to rush her back to the doctor. I know that I was over reacting but she hasn’t always had the best luck when it comes to health. Wal-Mart had a sale on Band-aids, 60 for one dollar. I don’t think twice about stocking up on those for my trail rides. I often come home after having a crash on my bike and proudly show off my new cuts or abrasions like they are trophies. I am also still swollen from some kind of spider bite I got on my last ride (the dreaded Mongo Banana Spider?!) but I’m not worried about it. However, I am cringing at the though of what could go wrong with my wife’s health! As a consequence I ate 2 boxes of granola bars (10 to a box, worth 2 points each) yesterday. I even had a restless night last night because I kept worring I was going to roll over in the bed and bump her in the eyes. Today the doctor said that she could resume normal activity. She could do light exercise today and then go back to heavy exercise tomorrow like aerobics or weight lifting. I think he got tired of my questions about her saftey and assured me that she was would be just fine. I think I’m starting to bug her since she is giving me dumb looks about my sugesting that she wear safty goggles around the house. I guess I’ll go ride my bike so I can stay away from the munchy foods and let her enjoy her new eyes. — Wired_1 http://community.webshots.com/user/2wired2stop 215/149.2/158 Recycle – Ride your bike again today.

Response:

Thanks Marianne, I got to chauffer her around on Saturday so I guess I was needed afterall. — Wired_1 http://community.webshots.com/user/2wired2stop 215/149.2/158 Recycle – Ride your bike again today.

Response:

Thanks! — Wired_1 http://community.webshots.com/user/2wired2stop 215/149.2/158 Recycle – Ride your bike again today.

Response:

It does work but choosing the right doctor and the right medical center plays a big part in how your results will turn out. Also don’t go with the cheapest price. She payed about $3600.00 We have seen the procedure as cheap as $900.00 and have heard of some bad results as well. — Wired_1 http://community.webshots.com/user/2wired2stop 215/149.2/158 Recycle – Ride your bike again today.

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