Thinking about getting the new eye surgery

[Tony_Beazley]

I have been thinking about doing this for the last 3 years. Has anyone

had the lasik operation? Would you recommend it?

I have been wearing glasses for 25 years now. It has its plus and

minuses. The glasses have saved my eyes from flying objects and such.

 

I got a yard stick out and after about 10 inches from my eyes it starts

to get really blurry.

Being a DP and messing with our eyes is a scary thing to think about.

I just wanted some thoughts from other photographers and DP's.

 

Thanks

Tony B

[Bob Hayes]

Try progressive lenses

[Greg Gross]

I've been in medicine for about 35 years so I probably hear about the procedure

several times a week. If you go to a qualified,credible specialist I see know pro-

blem with it. They will screen you first to make sure that you are a candidate for

the procedure. I've been a professional photographer for over 20 years also,I've

always shot with Nikons and like their diopter systems. Likewise I have no problem

with my Sony PD-170. I'll be shooting my first film with a modified Arri SB so its go-

ing to be interesting how that works out. Its my mentor's camera and it has a CCD

viewfinder/video source. I know some nurses who have had it done for excellent re-

sults. Recently I heard you can have it done in Canada for $500.00 per eye. Here

in Harrisburg,PA its $3000.00 per eye by top specialist(he's good,real good!!).Some

times it doesn't take the first time and people have to have it done again. The people

I've talked to had no complaints,upon the second procedure their vision improved.

Its important to get a qualified experienced specialist.

 

Greg Gross

[Markus Rave]

Keep in mind it might not work out for you. Did you try contact lenses. I sometimes wear dailies and made good experience with them.

[Guest Daniel J. Ashley-Smith]

Contact lenses are great. Although, I'd choose laser surgery over it anyday.

 

1. I'm too young, 2. I can't afford it (I could get one eye done...)

Edited August 24, 2005 by Daniel J. Ashley-Smith

[Phil Rhodes]

Hi,

 

I think you're nuts to even consider it; the possibility of error might be minute, but the stakes could hardly be higher.

 

Phil

[Guest Daniel J. Ashley-Smith]

Hi,

 

I think you're nuts to even consider it; the possibility of error might be minute, but the stakes could hardly be higher.

 

Phil

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The possibilty of walking down the street and being killed is minute, but it could happen.

[Phil Rhodes]

You have to walk down the street every so often; you don't have to opt for eye surgery.

[Mike Lary]

What possible reward, aside from convenience, would you gain by having surgery? The risk is being permanently handicapped and not being able to work in the field you love. Sure, there are plenty of success stories, but that doesn't change statistics or the reality of what it means to be one of the unlucky ones. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

[Guest s1eve]

I was thinking about getting Lasik eye surgery since both my younger brothers had done it. Despite the conveniences, both mentioned their eyes were generally dryer and more sensitive to lights at night. I decided in the end, to stick to contacts.

[Alvin Pingol]

I wouldn't get laser eye surgery unless my vision was really quite bad (I'm actually up to -4.25 in the left eye, or about 20/450 in Snellen measurement), and I was involved in contact sports. Or swimming.

 

Although contacts were treating me well, they never seemed to produce as sharp an image as did my glasses. Optics are optics; a thin, flexible, stretchy piece of hydrophilic material simply cannot resolve the amount of detail our brain is able to interpret. I got a stronger prescription thinking this was the problem, but nothing really changed.

 

Having said that, I'm back to glasses. I don't mind seeing the world through a lens - that is, of course, how cinematographers work, anyway ;) .

 

And that $60 antireflective coating really does wonders.

[Guest s1eve]

I wouldn't get laser eye surgery unless my vision was really quite bad (I'm actually up to -4.25 in the left eye, or about 20/450 in Snellen measurement), and I was involved in contact sports. Or swimming.

 

Although contacts were treating me well, they never seemed to produce as sharp an image as did my glasses. Optics are optics; a thin, flexible, stretchy piece of hydrophilic material simply cannot resolve the amount of detail our brain is able to interpret. I got a stronger prescription thinking this was the problem, but nothing really changed.

 

Having said that, I'm back to glasses. I don't mind seeing the world through a lens - that is, of course, how cinematographers work, anyway  ;) .

 

And that $60 antireflective coating really does wonders.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

-4.25 isn't bad. That's what I have with both my eyes. I'm comfortable with contacts during the day, and evenings at home I just wear my glasses.

[Rik Andino]

I have been thinking about doing this for the last 3 years. Has anyone

had the lasik operation? Would you recommend it?

I have been wearing glasses for 25 years now. It has its plus and

minuses. The glasses have saved my eyes from flying objects and such.

 

Thanks

Tony B

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Well it's nice to know you get your medical advice from medical professionals. :)

 

Maybe you should go and talk with a respected Optometrist you trust...

They'll be able to properly answer your question.

With none of the my brother's cousin says that this and that BS...

 

Would you listen to cinematography advice from a pharmacist?

[timHealy]

since there are three catagories for people in the eye care industry (well at least here in the US) let me ask this question for clarification. When discussing surgery, an optometrist may have some advice but shouldn't one go see an ophthalmologist for advice on corrective surgery? Perhaps one that can give you the straight facts without trying to sell you lasik or lasek?

 

an optician is a person who makes eyes glasses.

an optometrist is a person who can examine the eyes for defects and prescribe corrective lenses.

an ophthalmologist is a person who can do surgery on your eyes.

 

Thanks

 

Tim

 

 

 

Well it's nice to know you get your medical advice from medical professionals.  :)

 

Maybe you should go and talk with a respected Optometrist you trust...

They'll be able to properly answer your question.

With none of the my brother's cousin says that this and that BS...

 

Would you listen to cinematography advice from a pharmacist?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Mike Lary]

The people who perform Lasik operations are called eye surgeons.

 

Here's a sight that details the process and risks.

http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/

 

Notice they imply complications are very uncommon, but use vagueries (if, usually, very rare) in lieu of statistical data.

 

The technology used in eye surgery has changed over the years, which supposedly means it's more refined and more effective, but it also means there hasn't been enough time to accurately assess long term effects.

[Stephen Williams]

The people who perform Lasik operations are called eye surgeons.

 

Here's a sight that details the process and risks.

http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/

 

Notice they imply complications are very uncommon, but use vagueries (if, usually, very rare) in lieu of statistical data.

 

The technology used in eye surgery has changed over the years, which supposedly means it's more refined and more effective, but it also means there hasn't been enough time to accurately assess long term effects.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Hi,

 

After working on a film about Lasik, I got very interested in the latest hi tech eye surgery. However after talking to an eye surgreon he talked me out of it, not suitable for a DP!

 

Stephen Williams DP

 

www.stephenw.com

[Marty Hamrick]

Hi,

 

After working on a film about Lasik, I got very interested in the latest hi tech eye surgery. However after talking to an eye surgreon he talked me out of it, not suitable for a DP!

 

Stephen Williams DP

 

www.stephenw.com

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have heard that the surgery isn't permanent.That after about 5 to 7 years your astigmatism comes back and you can't wear contacts after that.I have read that that is not the case.Anyone know the real deal on this?

[Greg Gross]

Its very important that one be screened by the physician to determine if they

are a candidate for the laser procedure. Sounds like the DP above was told by

the physician that he should not have procedure performed. Certain people are

not candidates for the procedure and this is why a "good specialist,trained prop-

erly,expert,has done a lot of procedures";will do a screen to rule out doing people

who it shoud not be performed on. Generally your physician should be able to re-

fer you to a competent eye specialist.

 

Greg Gross

[Tony_Beazley]

I understand what everyone has said and I do appreciate the feedback.

Well my glasses are always fogging up bad and they just seem to get in

the way alot. And they always get scratched no matter how much of that

no-scratch stufff they put on them.

Really if I take them off I am totally blind!!! I cannot see a persons face

passed 6 ft. away.

If I drop something small on the floor and if I'm having a "bad" eyesight day

(some are better than others) and I don't have my glasses on I have to actually

get down knee high to the floor to see it.

It sucks!!! And I am a DP and still photographer. AARRGGHH

I'm starting to feel like Mr. Magoo.

I just wanted to see what all you guys thought about it. I wll be going to a real

eye doctor(opthamologist) to get a check up. Maybe I will try contacts again.

The quest continues.....

Thanks for all the post on the subject.

 

Thanks

 

Tony B

[Matt Pacini]

"...  If you go to a qualified,credible specialist I see know pro-

blem with it. ..."

Greg Gross

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I'm always hearing this about having medical procedures done, but seriously, how in the world does a "regular person" know this?

Check for his license on the wall? Ask for references?

What questions would someone ask a doctor to know this, and wouldn't he be offended, or if he's NOT qualified, he's just going to tell you things to make you think he is, right?

I'm just curious. To me, it seems like anyone who's not in the medical field has no way to know if someone is qualified or not.

Illuminate us...

 

MP

[John Pytlak RIP]

I'm very nearsighted, and have worn corrective lenses since 1957, and soft contact lenses since 1985. I recently started using the new Bausch and Lomb "PureVision" lenses, and am very pleased. I am fully corrected to 20/20 far vision, even with my -8.0 diopter prescription.

 

http://www.bausch.com/us/vision/products/s.../purevision.jsp

 

I've never had a problem with my contacts, and the latest versions are the most comfortable and maintenance-free ones that I've worn. I have no reason to consider laser surgery, even if the risk is very low.

 

Now if I could just find a way to get rid of my reading glasses! (Did not like a near/far contact prescription, and bifocal contacts have issues)

[Rik Andino]

I'm always hearing this about having medical procedures done, but seriously, how in the world does a "regular person" know this?

Check for his license on the wall?  Ask for references?

What questions would someone ask a doctor to know this, and wouldn't he be offended, or if he's NOT qualified, he's just going to tell you things to make you think he is, right?

I'm just curious. To me, it seems like anyone who's not in the medical field has no way to know if someone is qualified or not.

Illuminate us...

 

MP

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Well unlike filmmaking---medical professionals have to prove they are qualified

In the U.S. they have to pass government exams to be lisenced to practice

So you should rest assure the that most Doctors you visit

Have some knowledge of what they're doing....they're lisenced to practice.

 

Can't say that about most filmmakers you work with...

They don't have filmmaking lisences.

 

Besides that everyone has a doctor they trust (if they don't they should)

They should be able to get good recommendations from their Doctors...

Most specialist I visit are highly recommended by my Doctor.

 

You can also research people these days (it's very easy with the internet)

You can find out if they have any malpractice claims against them.

 

So it's not that difficult to tell whether the doctor you visit is qualified or not.

[Ryan Puckett]

I had it done two years ago, and I would do it again in a heart beat.

 

Glasses where constantly fogged or scratched (and expensive). And dealing with diopter changes on viewfinders was really irritating. I've tried various contacts twice, and had more problems with those then glasses.

 

It has made my life significantly better.

 

I was told that if the vision shifts over years as it naturally will in all people, the operation can be performed one more time. Or you can use contacts or glasses like before.

 

It isn't for everybody, the surgeon will be able to tell you if you are, or are not a good candidate. I was very nearsighted with an astigmatism, and they had no problem being able to correct it to 20/20.

[Tony_Beazley]

I recently started using the new Bausch and Lomb "PureVision" lenses, and am very pleased. I am fully corrected to 20/20 far vision, even with my -8.0 diopter prescription.

http://www.bausch.com/us/vision/products/s.../purevision.jsp

I've never had a problem with my contacts, and the latest versions are the most comfortable and maintenance-free ones that I've worn. I have no reason to consider laser surgery, even if the risk is very low.)

 

 

Thanks John those sound like worth trying. I will look into it.

 

Tony B.