Comment on Anon considers LASIK
pbjelly@sh.itjust.works 1 day ago
I got it done cause I was doing archery and my astigmatism meant I had to shift my glasses onto my nose for it. Contacts would have solved the problem but my eyesight was close to 20/20 and was only ruined by my astigmatism so I never bothered getting fitted for them. Plus, I kinda liked buying stlyish frames which I could wear cause my prescription was so light.
In the end, I had a consultation with a reputable optometrist that rejected a lot of people with thin corneas, dry eyes, and would try to sus out if you’re shopping around for a “yes.” They did not try to minimize the risks and kept reminding me it’s an elective surgery and anything can go wrong in surgery (although, rare).
The main side effects for me were: a painful, burning sting that lasted for 30 mins after surgery (due to correcting my astigmatism), which a nap cured, some lasting light sensitivity at night (LED headlights feel so bright), and a dryness that went away after a few months. What they don’t say is that you’re still healing for more than a few months after surgery so a lot of side effects can linger and fade away with time, and a few may stick.
Now if you don’t want LASIK, there is PRK which doesn’t cut anything off but has a more complicated healing post-surgery regiment and your vision is not 20/20 until at minimum a week after surgery. It also has its own problems depending on how you handled post-op.
In the end, if you realllllly want it and you find a trusted surgeon, and they’ve discussed all risks cause everyone’s eye is different, it’s certainly nice to no longer rely on glasses. But again, absolutely not necessary surgery.
Either way, if you ever get cataract surgery, it’s practically the same procedure of cutting up your eyes and replacing some lenses. (Also if you get LASIK, keep your records cause you’ll need em for cataracts).
SaintNyx@lemmy.world 1 day ago
I just want to mention that PRK absolutely cuts something off… It actually cuts the most. LASIK cuts a little, requires very little healing, and leaves flaps from cutting into the eye. PRK cuts off the entire layer and doesn’t leave flaps… It requires way more healing but it’s recommended if you live a very mobile lifestyle like a profession skydive or swimmer etc since the flap could cause issues and mess you up. My husband got PRK in the military because of the “active” lifestyle and the military didn’t (or didn’t at the time) offer LASIK. I’ve been looking to get LASIK and my optometrist actually recommended me ICL. It’s a bit more complicated and expensive however I have very thin cornea layers and the Dr said I was really on the cusp of possibly have permanent dry eyes if I were to get LASIK. Considering it’s my eyeballs that I use to see I’m planning to get ICL because even if it’s more expensive… Eyeballs are important … You know? One other nice thing is in ICL the Dr cuts into the eye and then inserts a permanent lense under a layer of your cornea. So if your eyesight gets worse… They can re-cut… Take out the old lense… And insert one of a stronger prescription without having to cut more and more layers off. Either way my Dr said to wait because I was looking to have kids and the Dr said that having kids can actually permanently change your eyesight. I have an adorable 1yr old now and plan to have just one more… Then I will look to get it done. (Damn adorable kids) Just thought I’d mention that PRK does cut and a little more info for anyone wondering 👍
pbjelly@sh.itjust.works 1 day ago
My understanding was it was some sort of dissolving? But, you’re correct, both PRK and LASIK means there’s surgery. The difference is whether or not you have a flap in your eye forever vs PRK which is supposed to heal back.
Active can be misleading as it’s really a concern about head injuries causing the LASIK flap to disconnect from a specific angle and force of trauma. After surgery, that sucker should be ON there, but they don’t recommend LASIK for anyone who are at risk of high impact injuries. So if you play a sport that doesn’t involve your head or aren’t a cop/military it’s a slim risk.
The whole thing is really complicated and I didn’t want to make a long post… longer. Which is why I stressed one should talk to their doctor and not internet strangers about their choices for surgery in a meme post. Haha.