Hi. Sorry for the life story, but the details are necessary
.
Does anyone have direct experience of having LASIK on an eye that is showing some signs of changes in the endothelium or that
may be the early signs of Fuch's dystrophy? Or are you a medical professional with an opinion on this subject?
Here's the story:
I have a problem. I can't get a CAA class 1 medical because of the 4.0 diopters of astigmatism in my left eye exceeds the CAA limit (2.0 diopters).
I've been to aviation house for an 'eyes only' medical, which is the eyesight portion of the initial class 1 medical examination. Although advising against having LASIK (like they always will do as you know) they did confirm, in writing, that if I had successful LASIK to reduce the astigmatism to less than 2.0 diopters then they would issue a class 1 medical.
Unfortunately, they also spotted an abnormality in the endothelium (layer of cells at back of cornea) that does not affect me now and is unlikely to affect me in the future - but that may be affected by having LASIK. One eye doctor that I have seen (Ultralase, Tottenham Court Road, London) is of the opinion that LASIK can cause the rate of degeneration of the cells in the endothelium to accelerate and will not perform the LASIK procedure for that reason. This is also the opinion of Adrian Chorley, the optician at Gatwick AMD. Another eye doctor in Cambridge has advised me that there is no real risk of this happening and said he would be happy to perform the LASIK procedure, leaving me pretty confused. He also diagnosed that my eyes had 'subtle discreet anterior lesions that were not characteristic of Fuch's Dystrophy'.
So I'm faced with a tough decision. Do I have LASIK so that I can be issued a class 1 medical and run the risk of losing my medical (and cornea) permanently at some indeterminate time in the future due to endothelial dystrophy (as well as running the normal, more immediate risks of having LASIK such as corneal haze, infection, partial flap formation etc...) or do I give up on ever getting a JAA CPL/IR fATPL?
I know no-one can answer this question for me, but has anyone been in a similar situation or are you a medical professional with an opinion on this subject?
I believe that the FAA route of instructing in America and working in Africa is still open to me, but I'm considering giving up on my ambition to become a pilot if I will never be able to fly for a living in the UK.
At the moment, my only idea is to see another eye doctor for another opinion.
Any comments?