PRK laser eye surgery

I recently attended Focus Eye Centre in Kingston and was told I was a
good candidate for PRK laser surgery. I wear glasses now, have
astignatism, and they said they would do monovision on me. I am quite
scared about having this done. Are people's vision really that much
better and what are the complications, regression and or problems
associated with this kind of risk. My husband thinks I should have it
done, I however am very nervous about the whole thing, as you only have
one pair of eyes. I have virtually now talked myself out of this.

 

All surgery has risks. There are complications and problems associated with
PRK and the surgical centre should have explained them to you and given you
the percentage of patients who get them. Have you tried monovision in
contact lenses? Do not have monovision surgery done without a month long
trial with contact lenses to see if you can tolerate monovision.

Finally, if you are scared or nervous and do not think the cost of the risk
is worth the benefit of not wearing glasses, do not have the surgery.
Continue to use glasses or contacts and tell your husband that you will make
your own decisions and you have decided against surgery. If he wants
surgery for himself, that is his decision but he should not be forcing you
into something you don't want.

Dr Judy

 

AMEN.

DrG

 

Even if I had been a good candidate, I would not have this surgery. Why?
Because I'm not a risk taker. Having said that, I've had three much more
serious eye surgeries and three laser eye surgeries. Why? Because my
choice was between surgery or not being able to see. I'm assuming that
your choice is good vision with glasses and good vision with no glasses.
This is not the kind of surgery that you do unless you are 100% into it.

Have you considered switching to contacts? They eliminate the glasses also.

If you decide to go with the surgery, I second the advice about trying
monovision with contacts for some time beforehand. Some people don't take
well to monovision.

 

I had Lasik done 7 years ago for a -14 prescription.
After 20+ years of contacts and/or really thick lenses, it was the right
choice for me and I have never regretted it for one moment.
Would I have it done for a modest i.e. -2 or -3 correction? (you don't
mention yours)
I don't think so...
The risks are small but real and you have to be sure it is right for you.

Scott

 

Only you can decide if elective surgery is right for you. Not your
husband. Not even your doctor. If this surgery worries you, then
that is more than enough reason to not have surgery - even if your
concerns are not clinically valid. You may find
http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/know.htm interesting.

Monovision may or may not be a good idea (I'm assuming you are over
age 40), but you need to try it with contacts before even considering
having it lasered into your eyes. Visit
http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/subjects/monovision.htm for details.

This is an elective surgery with relatively low risk, but risk is
always relative. If it is outside your zone of comfort, then DO NOT
do it. I suspect, however, that much of your fear is because you
don't know all the facts. Do your research and if you are still
uncomfortable, just say no.

Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance

Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org

http://www.USAEyes.org
http://www.ComplicatedEyes.org

I am not a doctor.