Information on the Complications of Lasik Surgery
Rice-sized shunt helps glaucoma patients 12/07/2003 By RENEE C. LEE / Associated Press When Zain Ali was diagnosed with glaucoma eight years ago, he already had firsthand knowledge of the eye-damaging disease. Glaucoma gradually diminished his father’s eyesight
I am 61 and have had Type II for 20 years. Though sugars are controlled reasonably with Actos 45 and glyburide I still have blurriness in my eyes when sugar is high…e.g. after meals. I am contemplating removal of cataracts and introcular lens implant. Does anyone know whether or not with the synthetic lens implant I will continue to have the blurriness? If it is my natural lens that is changing with high sugar would it seem reasonable that the synthetic lens would not change? Hope someone, or several, can reply. JackBMc
go to my personal page, 2nd link below, read diabetes and eyes links I just had my right eye done, left eye next month John Thomas Smith http://www.direct2usales.com http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am 61 and have had Type II for 20 years. Though sugars are controlled reasonably with Actos 45 and glyburide I still have blurriness in my eyes when sugar is high…e.g. after meals. I am contemplating removal of cataracts and introcular lens implant. Does anyone know whether or not with the synthetic lens implant I will continue to have the blurriness? If it is my natural lens that is changing with high sugar would it seem reasonable that the synthetic lens would not change? Hope someone, or several, can reply. JackBMc go to my personal page, 2nd link below, read diabetes and eyes links I just had my right eye done, left eye next month John Thomas Smith http://www.direct2usales.com http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith
Thanks for your response and for the time line of your own procedure at your website….very interesting. Were you given,or will you be given, the option of ‘tweaking’ your implants with a Lasik type procedure after healing takes place? It is my understanding that the power of the introocular lens is usually such that it slightly over corrects or undercorrects (there being no way to determine EXACTLY what your prescription to be)and that a laser can fine tune it afterwards…..ever heard of that? Again, I am still not sure if I really NEED cataract surgery now (later I will obviously) since I don’t see even the ‘yellow’ you describe…I only have trouble at night…..which I had understood for years was because of astigmatism…..As you can tell, I have not given a lot of thought to this stuff until the doctor said I needed to have cataract surgery and lens implant….while I know I don’t HAVE to go have it done since it is my choice ultimately,,,,I am just trying to sort out the criteria for decision and not accepting my doctors word for it solely. IN otherwords, I want to be as convinced as he is. Jack
I’d say if the doctor says it WILL help to clear your vision go for it! Otherwise I’d pass on it. Pam Been to hell and back with my eyes and surgeries
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am 61 and have had Type II for 20 years. Though sugars are controlled reasonably with Actos 45 and glyburide I still have blurriness in my eyes when sugar is high…e.g. after meals. I am contemplating removal of cataracts and introcular lens implant. Does anyone know whether or not with the synthetic lens implant I will continue to have the blurriness? If it is my natural lens that is changing with high sugar would it seem reasonable that the synthetic lens would not change? Hope someone, or several, can reply. JackBMc go to my personal page, 2nd link below, read diabetes and eyes links I just had my right eye done, left eye next month John Thomas Smith http://www.direct2usales.com http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith Thanks for your response and for the time line of your own procedure at your website….very interesting. Were you given,or will you be given, the option of ‘tweaking’ your implants with a Lasik type procedure after healing takes place? It is my understanding that the power of the introocular lens is usually such that it slightly over corrects or undercorrects (there being no way to determine EXACTLY what your prescription to be)and that a laser can fine tune it afterwards…..ever heard of that? Again, I am still not sure if I really NEED cataract surgery now (later I will obviously) since I don’t see even the ‘yellow’ you describe…I only have trouble at night…..which I had understood for years was because of astigmatism…..As you can tell, I have not given a lot of thought to this stuff until the doctor said I needed to have cataract surgery and lens implant….while I know I don’t HAVE to go have it done since it is my choice ultimately,,,,I am just trying to sort out the criteria for decision and not accepting my doctors word for it solely. IN otherwords, I want to be as convinced as he is. Jack
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am 61 and have had Type II for 20 years. Though sugars are controlled reasonably with Actos 45 and glyburide I still have blurriness in my eyes when sugar is high…e.g. after meals. I am contemplating removal of cataracts and introcular lens implant. Does anyone know whether or not with the synthetic lens implant I will continue to have the blurriness? If it is my natural lens that is changing with high sugar would it seem reasonable that the synthetic lens would not change? Hope someone, or several, can reply. The blurriness with high BG is due to changes in the shape of the eyeball due to altered osmotic pressure of various fluids, not to changes in the chemistry of the lens. Therefore, I imagine it would continue even with an artificial lens, so your criterion for surgery should be whether or not the opacity of your lenses is giving you problems.
I had the cataract surgery in both eyes before getting diabetes and you can still get blurry vision because of the diabetes even with the synthetic lenses. My surgeries were three years apart, one in a small rural hospital and one in a big city. I don’t know whether it was improvements in technology or the location that made the difference, but the second result was far better than the first. The first used a rigid lens implant requiring a larger incision and stitches in the eye. The second used a foldable implant that requires a smaller incision and no stitches in the eye. The first eye has 80/20 uncorrected vision, whereas the second has 15/20. Be sure to get the foldable implant if given the choice. It cost me an extra uninsured $200 but is well worth it. So, because of the success of the second eye I was able to give up wearing glasses, except for reading, for the first time in 35 years. However, I still feel that I would be able to read my putts better with two perfect eyes;-) The procedure sounds yucky, but it is no big deal in practice. They give you a "happy" pill to relax you and it works well.
LONG POST – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -A few things to consider: Generally, the earlier a cataract is removed, the more easily it is done. A "newer" cataract is softer than one that has been present for years, and the most current procedure for removal is more easily done with a softer cataract. It might exist, but having worked in surgery with ophthalmologists for 4 years, I have never heard them speak of "tweaking" with Lasik post-surgery. They do occasionally have to use a different quick laser procedure (not Lasik) after surgery. I know several MDs and family members who have had recent cataract surgery, and the measurement of the strength of the implant is quite accurate. Because most cataract patients are over 40 yrs. of age, even with corrective implants they will need reading glasses (because of presbyopia). Sometimes, one eye is corrected for near vision, and one is corrected for distance vision–the brain is expected to adjust to the difference. This works for some people, but not for others. Personally, I would just rather have the reading glasses. Another option is a "multi-focal" lens, which is expected to work like bifocals. Some people complain of halos (at night) with these lenses. Many surgeons do cataract surgery without "sticking a needle" beside the eye–they use a combination of topical anesthetic (like the numbing drops they put on your eye before the glaucoma test) and sedation (given by an anesthesiologist). They never actually stick a needle in your eye. With the topical anesthetic, you are able to see relatively well immediately after surgery–as opposed to receiving an injection beside the eye that affects the optic nerve. In that case, you won’t be able to see for several hours after surgery. Either method is acceptable to the patient, and in both cases any dressings are usually removed the a.m. following the surgery. Having had glasses since age 8, and not being able to wear contacts, I beg the surgeons regularily to give me implants! But of course they won’t, considering I don’t have cataracts yet 
Mary
MY VERSION OF CATARACTS 101 with a minor in diabetes. I was first diagnosed with cataracts at age 34. (Before that, I had the eyes of an eagle.) Had the first eye done when I was 38, the second when I was 40. A few years after that I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. So, I have a little bit of aquired knowledge regarding both cataracts and diabetes. :[ As far as I know, there are several issues regarding diabetes and the eyes. One school of thought is that the diabetes causes cataracts. Whether that is true or not, the fact is that there is a condition called "diabetic retinapathy" where the high BG screws up the retina. Other posters have already mentioned astigmatism. The bottom line, unfortunately, is that diabetes can do all sorts of strange things to one’s eyes. (When you think about it, why should the eyes be different from the rest of the body where the sugar causes all sorts of strange and harmful stuff?) Someone said something that seemed to indicate that they don’t open up the eyeball. I don’t see how that is possible. A cataract is a clouding of the lens. The operation that allows us to retain our sight involves the destruction of the natural lens and replacing it with an artificial one, the implant. Once upon a time, cataract operations were barely possible. They had no suitable sutures to repair the eyeball after surgery. Patients had to remain immobile for a week or two. Then, with the coming of the space age, sutures were developed that allowed delicate surgery like this. It is now done on an outpatient basis with something like a 97% success rate. The cataract operation itself is pretty easy for surgery–BUT IT IS SURGERY and should not be undertaken lightly. My operations took place in the late 1980′s. The procedure then was to have you go through the usual pre-op tests and then go to the hospital early on a particular morning (my eye doctor does his operations on Fridays.) They put an IV in your arm, take you to the OR, knock you out for a brief period of time, after which you find that your head has been filled with so much local anesthetic that you wouldn’t feel it if Tyson bit your ear off. The operation itself is not painful. You are awake during the entire procedure, but you have been sedated. The best description is that the damn thing is annoying. But, finally, they finish and take you back to the recovery room. After observing you for an hour or two they let you out to go home. You will have been told to make sure that someone is available to take you home. This is because the sedative makes driving out of the question. Also, your eye is covered with gauze and you feel as if you had boxed a few rounds with Tyson. The day after the operation, you go to the eye doctor’s office and the bandage is removed. Assuming that they have done a good job with the ultrasound (a/k/a sonar) and gotten a well made implant, you will be amazed at the difference in sight. (My reaction was, "Holy sh*t! I can see.) The doc will give you some funky wrap around sunglasses and a witch’s brew of medicine that you put in your eye for the next week or so. You will also have a prescription for a painkiller, probably a mild narcotic like codeine. (After a few days you will prefer to use plain tylenol. The codeine gives you weird dreams.) You will have a black eye for a few days. Also, the sutures that were used to sew up your eyeball will be dissolving over the next week or so. Again, very annoying, but not really painful. You will also have to sleep with a shield over the affected eye for a week or two. year shades in all seasons, not just the summer. Also, it is essential that you have regular check ups with the opthalmologist, especially when you are a diabetic. So far, and it has been almost 13 years since the last operation, the worst part of seeing the eye doctor is the damn light he shines in my eyes (after medicating them for 30 minutes so that they dilate.) Knock on wood, there is no diabetic retinopathy, nor is there increased intraocular pressure which would indicate glaucoma. However, I am developing scar tissue on one of my implants. This is the so called "second cataract" and if it gets to the point where it interferes with my vision, I will have them punch a hole in it with the laser. Hope this helps you decide what you want to do.
A few things to consider: Generally, the earlier a cataract is removed, the more easily it is done. A "newer" cataract is softer than one that has been present for years, and the most current procedure for removal is more easily done with a softer cataract. It might exist, but having worked in surgery with ophthalmologists for 4 years, I have never heard them speak of "tweaking" with Lasik post-surgery. They do occasionally have to use a different quick laser procedure (not Lasik) after surgery. I know several MDs and family members who have had recent cataract surgery, and the measurement of the strength of the implant is quite accurate. Because most cataract patients are over 40 yrs. of age, even with corrective implants they will need reading glasses (because of presbyopia). Sometimes, one eye is corrected for near vision, and one is corrected for distance vision–the brain is expected to adjust to the difference. This works for some people, but not for others. Personally, I would just rather have the reading glasses. Another option is a "multi-focal" lens, which is expected to work like bifocals. Some people complain of halos (at night) with these lenses. Many surgeons do cataract surgery without "sticking a needle" beside the eye–they use a combination of topical anesthetic (like the numbing drops they put on your eye before the glaucoma test) and sedation (given by an anesthesiologist). They never actually stick a needle in your eye. With the topical anesthetic, you are able to see relatively well immediately after surgery–as opposed to receiving an injection beside the eye that affects the optic nerve. In that case, you won’t be able to see for several hours after surgery. Either method is acceptable to the patient, and in both cases any dressings are usually removed the a.m. following the surgery. Having had glasses since age 8, and not being able to wear contacts, I beg the surgeons regularily to give me implants! But of course they won’t, considering I don’t have cataracts yet Mary
go to my personal page, 2nd link below, read diabetes and eyes links I just had my right eye done, left eye next month http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith Were you given,or will you be given, the option of ‘tweaking’ your implants with a Lasik type procedure after healing takes place? It is
Never discussed… in my case (proven by testing by holding a hand over one eye or the other) my new "fixed" focus is good from about 3 feet to "infinity" and slightly fuzzy closer than 3 feet Once both eyes are done, I will need inexpensive OTC reading glasses at "about" a 2 or 2.25 power for reading and computer screen… exact setting to be determined later (cost $6 each at Costco, so I’ll just buy several and keep one at every place I read or do computer) my understanding that the power of the introocular lens is usually such that it slightly over corrects or undercorrects (there being no way to determine EXACTLY what your prescription to be)and that a laser can fine tune it afterwards…..ever heard of that?
Before surgery they measured the length of each eyeball with some type of "sonar" device, and used that to guide making the new lens(es) so each eye will be have the same "distance" setting… and I already am VERY happy with the way my right eye sees from "3 feet on" I don’t mind wearing glasses for reading/computer… especially since I already know I can use over the counter ones for little $$ Again, I am still not sure if I really NEED cataract surgery now (later I will obviously) since I don’t see even the ‘yellow’ you
You can’t see the yellow from the inside (at least, I never did) but the difference in colors before/after is AMAZING!!! I lost color so slowly that I hadn’t really noticed, but after the patch was taken off the next morning it was like… wow… TechniColor!!!!! describe…I only have trouble at night…..which I had understood for years was because of astigmatism…..As you can tell, I have not given a lot of thought to this stuff until the doctor said I needed to have cataract surgery and lens implant….while I know I don’t HAVE to go have it done since it is my choice ultimately,,,,I am just trying to sort out the criteria for decision and not accepting my doctors word for it solely. IN otherwords, I want to be as convinced as he is.
Well… why even GO to a Doctor if you don’t believe him/her? I was not all that thrilled by the idea of anyone sticking a needle into the side of my eye, but the fact that even a STRONG prescription for new glasses would not make the "fuzzies" go away convinced me that I had to go ahead with the lens change If you don’t think your Doctor will do a good job, check around John Thomas Smith http://www.direct2usales.com http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am 61 and have had Type II for 20 years. Though sugars are controlled reasonably with Actos 45 and glyburide I still have blurriness in my eyes when sugar is high…e.g. after meals. I am contemplating removal of cataracts and introcular lens implant. Does anyone know whether or not with the synthetic lens implant I will continue to have the blurriness? If it is my natural lens that is changing with high sugar would it seem reasonable that the synthetic lens would not change? Hope someone, or several, can reply. The blurriness with high BG is due to changes in the shape of the eyeball due to altered osmotic pressure of various fluids, not to changes in the chemistry of the lens. Therefore, I imagine it would continue even with an artificial lens, so your criterion for surgery should be whether or not the opacity of your lenses is giving you problems.
Thank you for your response…it makes a lot of sense to me! Concerning the "opacity" of my lens, I assume that means the severity of the cataracts. When I asked the doctor "how bad is it?", the response was "bad enough to affect your vision". I only heard the term "+3" but that was when he was checking the angles..I have newly diagnosed open angular glaucoma and the pressure after two weeks on Lumigan only dropped from 28 to 22…and 26 to 22..I was switched to Cosopt two days ago (however, it SEEMS to raise my bg as I REALLY get blurry for 5-6 hours afterwards). So regarding the "opacity" (sorry, I am wandering around here, but I have many questions) I think I see quite well during the day with contacts, the test showed 20/20 with glasses but night vision is not good. How do I know if my opacity is at the level that requires cataract surgery? What do I ask? All of this happened 3 weeks ago when I went in to see if I was a candidate for LASIK. While the surgeon focuses on LASIK (30,000 of them) he has done 50,000 cataract lens implant. I am just a little uneasy at this point in the center’s understanding of diabetes and how it affects my eyes..or else I have not been able to articulate it to them very well. You are a great resource…thank you.
I am 61 and have had Type II for 20 years. Though sugars are controlled reasonably with Actos 45 and glyburide I still have blurriness in my eyes when sugar is high…e.g. after meals. I am contemplating removal of cataracts and introcular lens implant. Does anyone know whether or not with the synthetic lens implant I will continue to have the blurriness? If it is my natural lens that is changing with high sugar would it seem reasonable that the synthetic lens would not change? Hope someone, or several, can reply. JackBMc
I am 61 and have had Type II for 20 years. Though sugars are controlled reasonably with Actos 45 and glyburide I still have blurriness in my eyes when sugar is high…e.g. after meals. I am contemplating removal of cataracts and introcular lens implant. Does anyone know whether or not with the synthetic lens implant I will continue to have the blurriness? If it is my natural lens that is changing with high sugar would it seem reasonable that the synthetic lens would not change? Hope someone, or several, can reply.
The blurriness with high BG is due to changes in the shape of the eyeball due to altered osmotic pressure of various fluids, not to changes in the chemistry of the lens. Therefore, I imagine it would continue even with an artificial lens, so your criterion for surgery should be whether or not the opacity of your lenses is giving you problems.
1. Do you consider yourself shy? (ie: drawing back from contact or familiarity with others; reserved) Just a single yes or no, please.
ya
2. Are you myopic (nearsighted) ?
ya
3. Do you have any other refractive error (farsightedness, astigmatism, etc.) or eye disease (glaucoma, cataract, etc.) ? If so, please list either the names of the conditions or a brief explanation.
ya
4. If you are shy, how long have you suffered from it?
early teens
5. If you are myopic, how long have you suffered from it?
early teens, but i dont believe it’s related
6. If you listed any other problem in #3, how long have you suffered from it?
no idea
Squeebo <m…@nospam.com
wrote in message
news:3ba9865c.301584731@news.earthlink.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
Hi folks, I’d like to conduct a poll, if I may. If everyone could take just a moment to reply, I would appreciate it. I’ve been studying vision problems for several months, and I’m anxious to get some sort of statistics to look at. This is purely an informal poll, and I do not need email addresses from any of you. Once this thread has trailed off enough that I have collected all the answers I’m going to get, I will post the results of the poll in a new thread called "results of poll: shyness and nearsightedness" or something to that effect. By then I should have some other information to help make sense of it. In order that you may get an idea of where I’m coming from with this strange sort of poll, if you wish, check out the website in my sig. 1. Do you consider yourself shy? (ie: drawing back from contact or familiarity with others; reserved) Just a single yes or no, please.
Yes
2. Are you myopic (nearsighted) ?
No
3. Do you have any other refractive error (farsightedness, astigmatism, etc.) or eye disease (glaucoma, cataract, etc.) ? If so, please list either the names of the conditions or a brief explanation.
No
4. If you are shy, how long have you suffered from it?
???
5. If you are myopic, how long have you suffered from it? 6. If you listed any other problem in #3, how long have you suffered from it? ——– Imagination Blindness: http://squeebo.home.mindspring.com
From: "Squeebo" <m…@nospam.com
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
Hi folks, I’d like to conduct a poll, if I may. If everyone
could take just a
moment to reply, I would appreciate it. I’ve been
studying vision
problems for several months, and I’m anxious to get
some sort of
statistics to look at. This is purely an informal
poll, and I do not
need email addresses from any of you. Once this thread has trailed off enough that I have
collected all the
answers I’m going to get, I will post the results of
the poll in a new
thread called "results of poll: shyness and
nearsightedness" or
something to that effect. By then I should have some
other information
to help make sense of it. In order that you may get an idea of where I’m
coming from with this
strange sort of poll, if you wish, check out the
website in my sig.
1. Do you consider yourself shy? (ie: drawing back
from contact or
familiarity with others; reserved) Just a single
yes or no, please. Yes.
2. Are you myopic (nearsighted) ?
Not anymore, because I had LASIK.
3. Do you have any other refractive error
(farsightedness,
astigmatism, etc.) or eye disease (glaucoma,
cataract, etc.) ? If so,
please list either the names of the conditions or a
brief explanation.
4. If you are shy, how long have you suffered from
it? My entire life.
5. If you are myopic, how long have you suffered
from it? Since age 10. ===== Joe __________________________________________________ Terrorist Attacks on U.S. – How can you help? Donate cash, emergency relief information http://dailynews.yahoo.com/fc/US/Emergency_Information/ — For info about this service, see http://anon.twwells.com/help/ or e-mail: h…@anon.twwells.com — for an automatically returned help message ad…@anon.twwells.com – for the service’s administrator ano…@anon.twwells.com — anonymous mail to the administrator
"Squeebo" <m…@nospam.com
wrote in message 1. Do you consider yourself shy?
yeah
2. Are you myopic (nearsighted) ?
yeah
3. Do you have any other refractive error (farsightedness, astigmatism, etc.) or eye disease (glaucoma, cataract, etc.) ? If so, please list either the names of the conditions or a brief explanation.
Me gots astigmatism. I also know that glaucoma runs in my family, so I’ll probably get it. At least I have something to look foward to.
4. If you are shy, how long have you suffered from it?
20 years I guess, to various degrees
5. If you are myopic, how long have you suffered from it?
Interesting…about 20 years
6. If you listed any other problem in #3, how long have you suffered from it?
Not sure about the astigmatism. I’ll get back to you on the glaucoma
"naturallyweird" <anon-29…@anon.twwells.com
wrote in message 2. Are you myopic (nearsighted) ? Not anymore, because I had LASIK.
That’s cool. I’d love to wake up in the morning and be able to see where the hell I’m going – instead, I just kinda wander around blindly and hope for the best, until I finally put my contacts in. Was that covered by health insurance, or did you have to pay out o’ pocket?
1. Do you consider yourself shy? (ie: drawing back from contact or familiarity with others; reserved)
Yes
2. Are you myopic (nearsighted) ?
Yes
3. Do you have any other refractive error (farsightedness, astigmatism, etc.) or eye disease (glaucoma, cataract, etc.) ?
No
4. If you are shy, how long have you suffered from it?
Gawd…say 30 yrs.
5. If you are myopic, how long have you suffered from it?
35 yrs
6. If you listed any other problem in #3, how long have you suffered from it?
na
"jasonml" <icaughtatwelvepoun…@Buggs.Island
wrote in message <news:FMyq7.3012$WW.275764@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net… "naturallyweird" <anon-29…@anon.twwells.com wrote in message 2. Are you myopic (nearsighted) ? Not anymore, because I had LASIK. That’s cool.
Yes, I am I’d love to wake up in the morning and be able to see where
the hell I’m going – instead, I just kinda wander around blindly and hope for the best, until I finally put my contacts in. Was that covered by health insurance, or did you have to pay out o’ pocket?
Out of pocket, Jason. Gradually, more insurance companies are starting to pay for LASIK (now that it’s very popular and not so new), but if your insurance isn’t one that pays for vision check-ups and other forms of eye-related treatment, well, start saving up cash.
Did it work? Is your vision now 20/20 (or really close)? Did they serve refreshments afterwards?
"jasonml" <icaughtatwelvepoun…@Buggs.Island
wrote: Did it work? Is your vision now 20/20 (or really close)? Did they serve refreshments afterwards?
I’d like to hear about this too. As soon as I can afford it, I’m going to have it done. A woman I went to school with had a sister in law who had it done. she went to Canada for it (it’s much cheaper) and she had great results. The next day it was scary because she couldn’t focus at all, but then things settled down, her eyesight is perfect (including night vision), and her sight before the surgery was very poor, she wore very thick glasses. There was no mention of refreshments. Heidi (Bass)
he…@dial.pipex.co.uk (Heidi/Bass) wrote in message <news:3bac2c9d.5082785@news.dial.pipex.com
… "jasonml" <icaughtatwelvepoun…@Buggs.Island wrote: Did it work? Is your vision now 20/20 (or really close)? Did they serve refreshments afterwards? I’d like to hear about this too. As soon as I can afford it, I’m going to have it done. A woman I went to school with had a sister in law who had it done. she went to Canada for it (it’s much cheaper) and she had great results. The next day it was scary because she couldn’t focus at all, but then things settled down, her eyesight is perfect (including night vision), and her sight before the surgery was very poor, she wore very thick glasses. There was no mention of refreshments. Heidi (Bass)
I had free, mediocre refreshments before the procedure. Afterwards, I was too blind and out of it to be ingesting anything (even though I tried to eat on the way home). The next day, my vision was fine, and I was able to drive. That is not always the case. It is now a little better than 20/20 in one eye, and a little worse than that in the other. (After eye no. 1, I learned not to move my eye while the laser was cutting it 
) P.S. Some clinics in major cities, including NYC, do LASIK for less than $1000 per eye. P.P.S. Jasonml should have asked this off-topic question by email – so says the cyber-etiquette expert
"jasonml" <icaughtatwelvepoun…@Buggs.Island
wrote in message <news:oyTq7.4237$WW.379476@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net… Did it work? Is your vision now 20/20 (or really close)? Did they serve refreshments afterwards?
My dad had it done and they were only able to get him to 20/40 or so, but his vision was really poor (and he had astigmatism, IIRC). Otherwise, though, he’s happy with it. I wouldn’t do it myself, I’m squeamish about my eyes and wearing contacts isn’t a big deal to me. But if you don’t have a phobia about eye surgery, it’s probably worth doing. Elston
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Squeebo wrote:
Hi folks, I’d like to conduct a poll, if I may. If everyone could take just a moment to reply, I would appreciate it. I’ve been studying vision problems for several months, and I’m anxious to get some sort of statistics to look at. This is purely an informal poll, and I do not need email addresses from any of you. Once this thread has trailed off enough that I have collected all the answers I’m going to get, I will post the results of the poll in a new thread called "results of poll: shyness and nearsightedness" or something to that effect. By then I should have some other information to help make sense of it. In order that you may get an idea of where I’m coming from with this strange sort of poll, if you wish, check out the website in my sig. 1. Do you consider yourself shy? (ie: drawing back from contact or familiarity with others; reserved) Just a single yes or no, please.
Yes.
2. Are you myopic (nearsighted) ?
Yes. Very.
3. Do you have any other refractive error (farsightedness, astigmatism, etc.) or eye disease (glaucoma, cataract, etc.) ? If so, please list either the names of the conditions or a brief explanation.
No.
4. If you are shy, how long have you suffered from it?
Fluctuating, and situationally specific, since age 12-13. (34 now)
5. If you are myopic, how long have you suffered from it?
Diagnosed at 7.
6. If you listed any other problem in #3, how long have you suffered from it?
NA. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
——– Imagination Blindness: http://squeebo.home.mindspring.com
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Heidi/Bass wrote:
"jasonml" <icaughtatwelvepoun…@Buggs.Island wrote: Did it work? Is your vision now 20/20 (or really close)? Did they serve refreshments afterwards? I’d like to hear about this too. As soon as I can afford it, I’m going to have it done. A woman I went to school with had a sister in law who had it done. she went to Canada for it (it’s much cheaper) and she had great results. The next day it was scary because she couldn’t focus at all, but then things settled down, her eyesight is perfect (including night vision), and her sight before the surgery was very poor, she wore very thick glasses. There was no mention of refreshments. Heidi (Bass)
I’ve wondered about it too. I’m extremely short sighted. I wear contact lenses most of the time, and I’m very used to them, but they can be a nuisance especially when travelling, camping etc. I have specs that I wear for a short time before putting the lenses in and after removing them because I’m virtually blind without visual aids. The lenses aren’t that thick. The modern materials allow thin lenses even with a strong prescription. When I was a kid they didn’t have these materials, and I had to wear specs with coke-bottle lenses (until I got contacts at 16) and I think this was one of the reasons I was picked out as a target for bullying in high school. I’ve had contacts for so long and I’m reasonably content with them so I’d be reluctant to take risks with laser surgery. I’d want to know there was virtually zero short-term and long-term risk. Ely
Squeebo <m…@nospam.com
wrote in message
news:3ba9865c.301584731@news.earthlink.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
1. Do you consider yourself shy? (ie: drawing back from contact or familiarity with others; reserved) Just a single yes or no, please.
Yes
2. Are you myopic (nearsighted) ?
Yes
3. Do you have any other refractive error (farsightedness, astigmatism, etc.) or eye disease (glaucoma, cataract, etc.) ? If so, please list either the names of the conditions or a brief explanation.
No
4. If you are shy, how long have you suffered from it?
Since childhood
5. If you are myopic, how long have you suffered from it?
Since childhood (got glasses age ~10) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
6. If you listed any other problem in #3, how long have you suffered from it? ——– Imagination Blindness: http://squeebo.home.mindspring.com
I’ve wondered about it too. I’m extremely short sighted. I wear contact
I really liked a girl who was very short sighted, and never wore her glasses in public (and didn’t have contacts obviously). She was fairly nice to me until she saw me with her glasses on… after that she went from indifferent to ignoring to avoiding me. I think there’d be so much more love in the world if everyone had a severe astigmatism. There’d also be more car accidents though… it’s kinda sad to think that the outer shell, quite literally the few millimetres of outer skin particulary on the face, seem to be the single most important thing when you’re seeking a woman’s love. I read an interesting article about the fact that young blind women are surprisingly picky about a guy’s looks. Usually when they went out in clubs or wherever, they’d ask a friend if the guy they were talking to was cute or not. I guess it’s more evidence that it’s just not a sheer case of shallowness or lust, but also a sociological thing for women – they have to be with an attractive man, even if they can’t actually appreciate it.
I’d be reluctant to take risks with laser surgery. I’d want to know there was virtually zero short-term and long-term risk.
It’s a relatively new technique, so you’ll have to wait at least 20 years before you’ll know if the people who’re having it now have any serious side effects. I’m thinking of having it done myself, but it’s not exactly financially feasible right now… so I’ll have to stick with my contacts for the time being.
m…@nospam.com (Squeebo) wrote in message <news:3ba9865c.301584731@news.earthlink.net
… 1. Do you consider yourself shy? (ie: drawing back from contact or familiarity with others; reserved) Just a single yes or no, please.
YES
2. Are you myopic (nearsighted) ?
yes … ( +11 lenses )
3. Do you have any other refractive error (farsightedness, astigmatism, etc.) or eye disease (glaucoma, cataract, etc.) ? If so, please list either the names of the conditions or a brief explanation.
Congenital cataract resulted being blind the firs 14 months of my life. Since childhood been wearing strong spectacles. Also strong spontaneous nystagmus
4. If you are shy, how long have you suffered from it?
All my life.
5. If you are myopic, how long have you suffered from it? 6. If you listed any other problem in #3, how long have you suffered from it?
Since the age of 14 months. thanks. PMyshkin
In article <3ba9865c.301584…@news.earthlink.net
,
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text - m…@nospam.com (Squeebo) wrote:
Hi folks, I’d like to conduct a poll, if I may. If everyone could take just a moment to reply, I would appreciate it. I’ve been studying vision problems for several months, and I’m anxious to get some sort of statistics to look at. This is purely an informal poll, and I do not need email addresses from any of you. Once this thread has trailed off enough that I have collected all the answers I’m going to get, I will post the results of the poll in a new thread called "results of poll: shyness and nearsightedness" or something to that effect. By then I should have some other information to help make sense of it. In order that you may get an idea of where I’m coming from with this strange sort of poll, if you wish, check out the website in my sig. 1. Do you consider yourself shy? (ie: drawing back from contact or familiarity with others; reserved) Just a single yes or no, please.
Yes
2. Are you myopic (nearsighted) ?
Yes
3. Do you have any other refractive error (farsightedness, astigmatism, etc.) or eye disease (glaucoma, cataract, etc.) ? If so, please list either the names of the conditions or a brief explanation.
Oy vey–this is complicated. At one point I had one eye that was farsighted and one that was nearsighted. One of them had astigmatism as well, I don’t remember which. When I was eight, I was diagnosed with a lazy eye and had to wear an eyepatch for months. Right now both eyes are nearsighted, but my left eye is considerably worse than the right eye. The difference in eyes means that my depth perception is quite poor.
4. If you are shy, how long have you suffered from it?
Probably since adolescence–12 or 13
5. If you are myopic, how long have you suffered from it?
I first got glasses when I was 6. I don’t remember if that was for myopia or the other problems listed above.
6. If you listed any other problem in #3, how long have you suffered from it?
Since age 6.
1. Do you consider yourself shy? (ie: drawing back from contact or familiarity with others; reserved) Just a single yes or no, please.
Yes
2. Are you myopic (nearsighted) ?
Yes; need glasses for it.
3. Do you have any other refractive error (farsightedness, astigmatism, etc.) or eye disease (glaucoma, cataract, etc.) ? If so, please list either the names of the conditions or a brief explanation.
I have slight astigmatism
4. If you are shy, how long have you suffered from it?
Always had it.
5. If you are myopic, how long have you suffered from it?
Since about 12 years old when it was first diagnosed.
6. If you listed any other problem in #3, how long have you suffered from it?
also 12 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
——– Imagination Blindness: http://squeebo.home.mindspring.com
On Tue, 25 Sep 2001 17:50:19 -0700, yakima <yak…@my-deja.com
wrote: 3. Do you have any other refractive error (farsightedness, astigmatism, etc.) or eye disease (glaucoma, cataract, etc.) ? If so, please list either the names of the conditions or a brief explanation. Oy vey–this is complicated. At one point I had one eye that was farsighted and one that was nearsighted. One of them had astigmatism as well, I don’t remember which. When I was eight, I was diagnosed with a lazy eye and had to wear an eyepatch for months. Right now both eyes are nearsighted, but my left eye is considerably worse than the right eye. The difference in eyes means that my depth perception is quite poor.
Hmm, that’s very interesting. You sound like me. When I was little, my right eye was more myopic, I had lazy eye (usually the left eye), and astigmatism in the right eye. Now, you’re sure that one eye is hyperopic and the other is myopic? Or is one eye just less myopic than the other? ——– Imagination Blindness: http://squeebo.home.mindspring.com
"Squeebo" <m…@nospam.com
wrote in message
news:3ba9865c.301584731@news.earthlink.net…
Hi folks, I’d like to conduct a poll, if I may.
I don’t see why not.
1. Do you consider yourself shy? (ie: drawing back from contact or familiarity with others; reserved) Just a single yes or no, please.
Yes, very, pathologic even..i just started Paxil. Good drug.
2. Are you myopic (nearsighted) ?
Very little but I do require corrective lenses. I like my glasses though. Everybody I know thinks that I actually look better WITH glasses.
3. Do you have any other refractive error (farsightedness, astigmatism, etc.) or eye disease (glaucoma, cataract, etc.) ?
NO If so,
please list either the names of the conditions or a brief explanation. 4. If you are shy, how long have you suffered from it?
Most of my life. I still do. This terrible affliction has really ruined a good part of my life.
5. If you are myopic, how long have you suffered from it?
I just noticed that everything was blurry at about 29. I have been wearing them for one year as of Sept. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
6. If you listed any other problem in #3, how long have you suffered from it? ——– Imagination Blindness: http://squeebo.home.mindspring.com
m…@nospam.com (Squeebo) wrote in message <news:3ba9865c.301584731@news.earthlink.net
… Hi folks, In order that you may get an idea of where I’m coming from with this strange sort of poll, if you wish, check out the website in my sig. 1. Do you consider yourself shy? (ie: drawing back from contact or familiarity with others; reserved) Just a single yes or no, please.
yes
2. Are you myopic (nearsighted) ?
no
3. Do you have any other refractive error (farsightedness, astigmatism, etc.) or eye disease (glaucoma, cataract, etc.) ? If so, please list either the names of the conditions or a brief explanation.
no
4. If you are shy, how long have you suffered from it?
all my life =( Starting with excessive timidity and wimpyness as a child. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
5. If you are myopic, how long have you suffered from it? 6. If you listed any other problem in #3, how long have you suffered from it? ——– Imagination Blindness: http://squeebo.home.mindspring.com
Hi folks, I’d like to conduct a poll, if I may. If everyone could take just a moment to reply, I would appreciate it. I’ve been studying vision problems for several months, and I’m anxious to get some sort of statistics to look at. This is purely an informal poll, and I do not need email addresses from any of you. Once this thread has trailed off enough that I have collected all the answers I’m going to get, I will post the results of the poll in a new thread called "results of poll: shyness and nearsightedness" or something to that effect. By then I should have some other information to help make sense of it. In order that you may get an idea of where I’m coming from with this strange sort of poll, if you wish, check out the website in my sig. 1. Do you consider yourself shy? (ie: drawing back from contact or familiarity with others; reserved) Just a single yes or no, please. 2. Are you myopic (nearsighted) ? 3. Do you have any other refractive error (farsightedness, astigmatism, etc.) or eye disease (glaucoma, cataract, etc.) ? If so, please list either the names of the conditions or a brief explanation. 4. If you are shy, how long have you suffered from it? 5. If you are myopic, how long have you suffered from it? 6. If you listed any other problem in #3, how long have you suffered from it? ——– Imagination Blindness: http://squeebo.home.mindspring.com
: 1. Do you consider yourself shy? yes : 2. Are you myopic (nearsighted) ? slightly. No glasses needed yet. : 3. Do you have any other refractive error (farsightedness, : astigmatism, etc.) or eye disease (glaucoma, cataract, etc.) ? If so, : please list either the names of the conditions or a brief explanation. none : 4. If you are shy, how long have you suffered from it? Shy since age 9. *Suffered* from it since age 13 (about 10 yrs ago) : 5. If you are myopic, how long have you suffered from it? don’t know : 6. If you listed any other problem in #3, how long have you suffered : from it? —
Squeebo <m…@nospam.com
wrote: 1. Do you consider yourself shy? (ie: drawing back from contact or familiarity with others; reserved) Just a single yes or no, please.
yes
2. Are you myopic (nearsighted) ?
no
3. Do you have any other refractive error (farsightedness, astigmatism, etc.) or eye disease (glaucoma, cataract, etc.) ? If so, please list either the names of the conditions or a brief explanation.
no
4. If you are shy, how long have you suffered from it?
pretty much forever
5. If you are myopic, how long have you suffered from it?
-
6. If you listed any other problem in #3, how long have you suffered from it?
– Beckie
Hi Chuck: Looking back in the alt.support.glaucoma archives, I found this regarding lasik: Dr. Robert Ritch responds that the basic problem is that IOP reads lower after LASIK, so if the ophthalmologist is just monitoring IOP, he/she and the patient can be lulled into a false sense of security. Visual fields and disc appearance must be monitored. Ray Bonar – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -churk <nowh…@special.com
wrote: I sort of asked this question last week, but I think I phrased it so poorly that everyone just kind of looked at it and went "Huh?" So… I’ll keep it short and sweet this time: Does anyone have any experience with or know anything about having refractive surgery (like Lasik) done when you have glaucoma? Is this a good or bad idea? Thanks, Chuck
I sort of asked this question last week, but I think I phrased it so poorly that everyone just kind of looked at it and went "Huh?" So… I’ll keep it short and sweet this time: Does anyone have any experience with or know anything about having refractive surgery (like Lasik) done when you have glaucoma? Is this a good or bad idea? Thanks, Chuck
P.S. I do recall my ophthalmologist telling me several months ago that he doesn’t do that surgery on patients with glaucoma because the process involves artificially raising the intraocular pressure to prepare the eye for surgery, and folks with glaucoma tend to have retinas that are susceptible to damage. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -churk wrote:
I sort of asked this question last week, but I think I phrased it so poorly that everyone just kind of looked at it and went "Huh?" So… I’ll keep it short and sweet this time: Does anyone have any experience with or know anything about having refractive surgery (like Lasik) done when you have glaucoma? Is this a good or bad idea? Thanks, Chuck
I don’t know the specific answer to your question, but I would question the wisdom of disfiguring the cornea God gave me just so I wouldn’t have to wear glasses or contacts. Too permanent and irreversible. But that’s me. I wish you the best in your decision. Don Singleton – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -churk wrote:
I sort of asked this question last week, but I think I phrased it so poorly that everyone just kind of looked at it and went "Huh?" So… I’ll keep it short and sweet this time: Does anyone have any experience with or know anything about having refractive surgery (like Lasik) done when you have glaucoma? Is this a good or bad idea? Thanks, Chuck
sorry I left out some info ok here goes pressure was still 17-18 , field tests were normal. do need reading glasses, mild ones however. the cupping ratio he said was normal uh I am not sure about this but does something like 3 or 4 sound right?I will have to see on that one, I think that is what he said. To my knowledge no one in family has had glaucoma. Also I must say that I have hashimotos thyroiditis and when first diagnosed was very very ill and had some vision problems thanks again like I said any and all input is appreciated. sorry i am so long winded at times!!!!!
Gorgo, I think that you need to keep in contact with your doctor and follows his/her directions. If you have doubt then locate another doctor (usually by referral of a friend or doctor) and have the old eyes checked again. Let them know what the first doctor said of you want. Terry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Gorgo wrote:
Hi awhile back I posted that my eye doc had told me that I was borderline glaucoma because of some kind of mild disccupping, tension was I think about 17 or 18,all visions tests were normal. Ok went to a differant doc now 1yr later due to change in ins. He says that I do have this cupping equally in both eye (he took pictures of optic nerve, he showed me them) did ALL necessary tests was with me for at least 2hrs. I really felt that he did a thourough job and did take the time to explain and show me pictures of the eye and optic nerve,he felt that that this was just the makeup of my eyes. Can this be possible? I will go back in 1yr to keep a eye on all of this soooo what do you guys think? thanks in advance for replys pschmetz
Optic disc assessment is a difficult and subjective test which naturally can lead to differing opinions. It is also a very important part of glaucoma screening and monitoring and cannot be overlooked. That said, the critical thing in glaucoma is the field of vision, and whether or not there is any damage of a glaucomatous nature present. Pressures of 17-18 are well within the statistically ‘normal’ range of up to 21 mm Hg and alone would not necessarily be a cause for concern. A CD ratio of 3-4 is perhaps indicitive of very early changes, but could equally turn out to be physiological rather than pathological in nature. It would be wise to continue to have the situation checked periodically and to ensure that all three glaucoma tests are carried out, i.e. ophthalmoscopy (examination of the optic nerve head), tonometry (a check of the pressure) and perimetry (the field of vision test). In this way, should glaucoma develop, it should be detected at the earliest possible stage. The time between examinations should be decided in consultation between you and your eye specialist, but in such a case, a year is probably reasonable. With kind regards — David Wright MSAE Chief Executive, International Glaucoma Association IGA Web Site – http://www.iga.org.uk/home.htm While we are pleased to offer the above information, it is not possible for the International Glaucoma Association to advise on an individual patient’s eye condition or treatment as this has to be the role of their own doctor or eye specialist who knows the full details of their particular case. Any comments above should therefore viewed as general observations. ———- In article <H%_v4.216$Fw6.1…@newsfeed.slurp.net
, "Gorgo"
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -<g…@forcomm.net
wrote: sorry I left out some info ok here goes pressure was still 17-18 , field tests were normal. do need reading glasses, mild ones however. the cupping ratio he said was normal uh I am not sure about this but does something like 3 or 4 sound right?I will have to see on that one, I think that is what he said. To my knowledge no one in family has had glaucoma. Also I must say that I have hashimotos thyroiditis and when first diagnosed was very very ill and had some vision problems thanks again like I said any and all input is appreciated. sorry i am so long winded at times!!!!!
Your doc sounds good to me. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Gorgo wrote:
Hi awhile back I posted that my eye doc had told me that I was borderline glaucoma because of some kind of mild disccupping, tension was I think about 17 or 18,all visions tests were normal. Ok went to a differant doc now 1yr later due to change in ins. He says that I do have this cupping equally in both eye (he took pictures of optic nerve, he showed me them) did ALL necessary tests was with me for at least 2hrs. I really felt that he did a thourough job and did take the time to explain and show me pictures of the eye and optic nerve,he felt that that this was just the makeup of my eyes. Can this be possible? I will go back in 1yr to keep a eye on all of this soooo what do you guys think? thanks in advance for replys pschmetz
Gorgo wrote, in part:
went to a differant doc…He says that I do have this cupping equally in both eyes…he felt that that this was just the makeup of my eyes. Can this be possible?<
We’re all put together a bit differently. It would be helpful, though, to know exactly what your "cup to disk ratio" was, and whether your pressure was still in the 17 or 18 range you reported previously. You didn’t mention having had any field tests, or if you did, what the results were, or if there was any family history of glaucoma. It would seem a patient diagnosed with "borderline glaucoma" (a pretty indefinite term) should have had field tests. It would also suggest there may still be some question about the condition of your eyes if you are to be scheduled for another glaucoma check in the future. There seems to be a little more information needed here. (Not a professional response)
I went for a lasik screening last July and was told that my cup to disk ratio was .9 which is high. Normal field vision & pressure 19-20. Went for 2nd opinion & this opthalmologist said the cup ratio was .6 Saw a 3rd opthalmologist and also a optomitrist and they said it was a .65. Cupping comes in different forms. Can be a Healthy cup meaning color of nerve is good and no irregular or asymetric shape or notches in the nerve. So cupping (even fairly hi ratio) alone means you may be a glaucoma suspect, but there is a good chance the cupping is due to myopia or other non glaucomas reason given that the nerve is normal looking otherwise. They photo the nerve and make periodic checks to determine if the nerve is changing. Laymen’s expaination. "Gorgo" <g…@forcomm.net
wrote in message
news:mCVv4.201$3n6.285@newsfeed.slurp.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
Hi awhile back I posted that my eye doc had told me that I was borderline glaucoma because of some kind of mild disccupping, tension was I think
about
17 or 18,all visions tests were normal. Ok went to a differant doc now 1yr later due to change in ins. He says
that
I do have this cupping equally in both eye (he took pictures of optic
nerve,
he showed me them) did ALL necessary tests was with me for at least 2hrs. I really felt that he did a thourough job and did take the time to explain and show me pictures of the eye and optic nerve,he felt that that this was
just
the makeup of my eyes. Can this be possible? I will go back in 1yr to keep
a
eye on all of this soooo what do you guys think? thanks in advance for replys pschmetz
Gorgo followed up reporting his pressure remained at 17 to 18, that his field tests were normal and that he thought the cup to disk ratio was 3 or 4. All of that sounds good (the normal ratio is around 3), and with no family history of glaucoma, unless your ophthalmologists are seeing something they haven’t reported, it would seem your eyes are in good shape! (Not a professional response)
Hi awhile back I posted that my eye doc had told me that I was borderline glaucoma because of some kind of mild disccupping, tension was I think about 17 or 18,all visions tests were normal. Ok went to a differant doc now 1yr later due to change in ins. He says that I do have this cupping equally in both eye (he took pictures of optic nerve, he showed me them) did ALL necessary tests was with me for at least 2hrs. I really felt that he did a thourough job and did take the time to explain and show me pictures of the eye and optic nerve,he felt that that this was just the makeup of my eyes. Can this be possible? I will go back in 1yr to keep a eye on all of this soooo what do you guys think? thanks in advance for replys pschmetz