Laser Eye Surgery?

[Dozza2k]

I am an 18yr old wannabe and am currently researching into self funded training in WA. I do wear glasses, but my perscription is so low (1d) that i only wear them when i legally have to, i.e when i am driving. The RAF told me that i could never fly for them because of this problem, and they also told me that they do not accept cadets who have had laser surgury to correct vision. My question is: Does the commercial flying world adopt the same attitude? I hate my glasses and am very keen to get this treatment, i don't think i am old enough anyway but i am trying to find out if i will fail any medicals because of laser treatment. If anyone could shed any light on this issue i would be very grateful.
Thanks,
Dozza.

[Circuit Basher]

Dozza2k - This is a common question in this forum and a quick search reveals the following recent threads relating to laser eye surgery:

Recent Laser Eye Surgery Thread 1 (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=75650)

Recent Laser Eye Surgery Thread 2 (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=65022)

Recent Laser Eye Surgery Thread 3 (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=77661)

If you want to see the full list, try using the search button yourself - it's surprisingly easy!! :D

[GlueBall]

I had watched a demonstration of this procedure on TV. The most troubling part was that the doctor performing the laser surgery wore glasses!. :cool:

[Vizsla]

Not if you watched BBC Watchdog programme on Boots this week!

[GeneralMelchet]

The RAF may or may not let you fly with that prescription - you will never know until you go through the selection process. You may be as dissapointed as I was to be turned down by the RAF for bad eyesight( although I almost needed a dog and a white stick!!).Do not let the recruitment people put you off they may simply be testing you to see how determined/keen you are.

Laser eye treatment is not permitted and I would not recommend it for someone a young as you with such a low prescription( it may get better or worse over time).

As for previous comments about the safety of the treatment - specifically comments on the latest watchdog program. Most people on these forums treat press reporting of aviation matters with suspicion or contempt due to their reliability (or lack of).What makes you think reporting of laser eye surgery is any more reliable or less sensationalist than any other subject. It is a non essential surgical procedure which carries very low ( but still significant) risk.It is up to each individual to weigh up the pros and cons to make their decision.

I had lasik surgery at Boots in Glasgow in November and was most impressed the the set up.The results have been superb with none of the side effects reported (dry eyes/ loss of night vision). The risks are explained in detail by the surgeon before treatment and I did ask my surgeon about his success rate for this operation. It turned out that my surgeon was a consultant opthalmic surgeon in an English hospital.This treatment is not trivial and as far as I was concerned was not treated that way by anyone I came into contact with.

[Vizsla]

Have a look at www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog

[GeneralMelchet]

Hi Vizsla,
I saw the program.Watched with interest. They found 3 people with serious side effects (most of which will be repaired in the long term) and Nicky Campbell did his usual paxmanwannabe interview with Boots boss. I'm sure you can round up any number of people who have bad experiences of any medical proceedure,private or NHS.As the chap on the program said you cant just take it back if it goes wrong. You pays your money and takes your chances. That said my surgeon had been doing this since 1994 and does eye surgery in an English hospital - I took that to be qualified enough,every bit as qualified as the experts who commented on the program - who incidentally all do lasik surgery for competing companies. I would encourage anyone considering this type of surgery to think seriously about it and the possible consiquences, it is most certainly not for everyone.But I wouldn't think twice about going back to Boot's in Glasgow.

[slugman]

Dozza

Looked at laser surgery myself, did a stack of research and concluded that it just was not worth the risk.

This kind of surgery is still new and the long terms results are not yet known. Also as it is new it is constantly evolving and ‘today’s specialist laser machines’ soon become outdated as more refinements are made to the correction process. ( The original process is now extinct and considered dangerous !)

I would say that you are probably too young for the surgery, as your eyeball does not stop growing till around 21 and thus eye sight can change.

There has also been documented evidence of decreased night vision in a significant number of patients. My own consultant told me that some night vision loss was is in his opinion, unavoidable.

You can have laser surgery and gain a class one but will have to wait for 12 months after the treatment to gain the certificate.

But look on the bright side with -1.00 you may not even need ANY correction at the mo or in the future and if you do contacts aint that bad ! If I remember correctly the Class 1 allows up to -5.00, which you are well within !

Slug
:=

[Dozza2k]

guys,
thanks for the advice, it does appear not to be so routine as the ads make out. i know i am only 18 and so could not have it now, i knew there'd be a wait. I just wanted to know if i could fly commercially with lasser surgery. Turns out i can :D . I'll weigh it up when i get to a appropriate age and perhaps i should go back to thinking about things more common to an 18 yr old! ,

oh hello, you look pretty......................;)

[heinzmanm]

Hi,
I had LASIK done in November and it has been a complete success. I was +3.50 in my right eye and +4.00 in my left - I now have no prescription whatsoever:-)

I had mine done at The Eye Clinic (they have nationwide branches) and was very impressed with the service that I got from start to finish. Everything was well explained - including the risks - and on the day of the surgery, I was made to feel very relaxed and was told what was happening at all times.

If you do have it done, which they won't do until you're 21, make sure that you feel comfortable with the surgery first.

Finally, in case you weren't aware, you have to wait 1 year before any applications for a Class 1 medical can be obtained.

Hope this helps

Matthew