Aa
laser correction - possible for those with monofocal vision?
Hi, a number of years ago, I asked my then optician about lasr correction. I was told it was highly unlikely that any "decent" surgeon would carry out such a procedure given I was blind in one eye (due to optic atrophy)
I know there has been much advancement since then but I do not know if there has been sufficient progression to allow me to have such a procedure.
However, one question I could never get answers for was the risk factor. Having done some recent research, I found that the apparent risk from laser surgery is around the same as wearing contact lenses over a number of years. But my underlying question (assuming the procedure is now possible) is does the benefits of treatment outweigh the risk involved (from a personal view I suppose - ie would an optician risk the procedure). I suppose the best person to answer my question would be a glasses wearing optician!
I know there has been much advancement since then but I do not know if there has been sufficient progression to allow me to have such a procedure.
However, one question I could never get answers for was the risk factor. Having done some recent research, I found that the apparent risk from laser surgery is around the same as wearing contact lenses over a number of years. But my underlying question (assuming the procedure is now possible) is does the benefits of treatment outweigh the risk involved (from a personal view I suppose - ie would an optician risk the procedure). I suppose the best person to answer my question would be a glasses wearing optician!
Your definitions may be correct for the US but please remember the US does not use correct English. An optician in England is the equivalent of an optometrist and is also used for an opthamologist. Similarly a podiatrist is a chiropodist in "correct" Engl ish. I see people from all over the wrold on this site so I think it is appropriate to make the distinction that this is for the US only.
Thank you.
You are correct with the definitions you gave, I think I (like most) just use "optician" as a generic term. I appreciate that LASIK is not going to help with my blind eye, and short of much advancement in stem cell research (or similar) nothing will.
However, with my "good" eye (which is -3.25), would you consider LASIK a "safe" option given there could be complications (even if a miniscule risk), or would you just "bite the bullet" so to speak and continue to wear glasses / Contact lenses.
You are correct with the definitions you gave, I think I (like most) just use "optician" as a generic term. I appreciate that LASIK is not going to help with my blind eye, and short of much advancement in stem cell research (or similar) nothing will.
However, with my "good" eye (which is -3.25), would you consider LASIK a "safe" option given there could be complications (even if a miniscule risk), or would you just "bite the bullet" so to speak and continue to wear glasses / Contact lenses.
Sorry, should have put this in my last comment, but I do, and as far as I can remember have had eye tests at least once a year.
Thanks for that Doctor. Pretty much what I expected regarding LASIK - I did realise that it wasnt completely risk free. However no one has ever mentioned any problem with regards to contact lense wear. I only wear them occasionally and only wear daily disposable lenses but can appreciate that this can still pose problems.
I wasnt actually aware that there may be need of further treatmenst later in life.
I am 29 and have probably worn glasses for 8 years or so. Looks like I will just have to "put up with glasses" and give serious consideration to even occasional contact lens wear.
I wasnt actually aware that there may be need of further treatmenst later in life.
I am 29 and have probably worn glasses for 8 years or so. Looks like I will just have to "put up with glasses" and give serious consideration to even occasional contact lens wear.
As a general rule I advise against patients with good vision only in one eye having LASIK. While the operation is "low risk" it's not "no risk". There is an extremely low change of loss of eye, a somewhat higher risk of loss of best corrected vision post LASIK due to infection, bleeding, problems creating the corneal flap, severe dry eye, irregular astigmatism, etc.
This is very low risk but why take it?
I also advise my one eyed patients not to wear contact lens. The risk of serious eye problems, mainly infection, even loss of the eye are HIGHER with long term contact lens wear than with LASIK. In the United States in the last 12 months there have been two outbreaks of very serious fungus eye infections due to contact lens solutions contamination. There's not a week that goes by in my practice in which I don't see 2 or 3 people with significant contact lens induced problems.
Also if you have LASIK or wear contact lens you are not wearing your impact resistant glasses that serve to protect your eye (safety glasses). I wear glasses and I can't count the number of time that my glasses kept me from getting poked in the eye by tree branches and things unexpectedly hitting me in the face. (never a fist).
Lastly you didn't mention your age. If you are younger than 40 and had the LASIK and it worked perfect--you would be able to see clearly out of your good eye BUT only until your early 40's. Then you would start to have "presbyopia" and need reading glasses. As you got older you would need a second pair for shopping, computer use and mid-range vision. So you would not be able to "get along without glasses".
If you choose not to have LASIK when you get in your early 40's you will start to have trouble reading with your glasses on and eventually you will need to remove your glasses to read. HOWEVER, you will likely be able to read without glasses all your life (unless you develop an eye disease).
Likely at some point in your 40's or 50's you will want to get bifocals (ideally no line or progressive bifocals) so you don't have to take your glasses off every time you want to see up close.
Bottom line my advice to you as an ophthalmologist (EyeMD) and what I would do if I were you is to not wear contact lens and not have LASIK, LASEK or CK or any other refractive procedure.
JCH MD
This is very low risk but why take it?
I also advise my one eyed patients not to wear contact lens. The risk of serious eye problems, mainly infection, even loss of the eye are HIGHER with long term contact lens wear than with LASIK. In the United States in the last 12 months there have been two outbreaks of very serious fungus eye infections due to contact lens solutions contamination. There's not a week that goes by in my practice in which I don't see 2 or 3 people with significant contact lens induced problems.
Also if you have LASIK or wear contact lens you are not wearing your impact resistant glasses that serve to protect your eye (safety glasses). I wear glasses and I can't count the number of time that my glasses kept me from getting poked in the eye by tree branches and things unexpectedly hitting me in the face. (never a fist).
Lastly you didn't mention your age. If you are younger than 40 and had the LASIK and it worked perfect--you would be able to see clearly out of your good eye BUT only until your early 40's. Then you would start to have "presbyopia" and need reading glasses. As you got older you would need a second pair for shopping, computer use and mid-range vision. So you would not be able to "get along without glasses".
If you choose not to have LASIK when you get in your early 40's you will start to have trouble reading with your glasses on and eventually you will need to remove your glasses to read. HOWEVER, you will likely be able to read without glasses all your life (unless you develop an eye disease).
Likely at some point in your 40's or 50's you will want to get bifocals (ideally no line or progressive bifocals) so you don't have to take your glasses off every time you want to see up close.
Bottom line my advice to you as an ophthalmologist (EyeMD) and what I would do if I were you is to not wear contact lens and not have LASIK, LASEK or CK or any other refractive procedure.
JCH MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You use the word 'optician' incorrectly. Lots of people do. Let me help you make some important distinctions about 1. opticians 2. optometrists 3. ophthalmologists.
OPTICIANS: Do not examine eyes or treat diseases. They make glasses. Training varies-does not require college. Often 'on the job' training.
OPTOMETRISTS: Are not physicians. Are not surgeons. Most are college graduates, they go to a 4 years school of optometry. They are not trained in surgery nor treatment of highly complex eye problems (which they refer to ophthalmologists). Total training usually 8 years.
OPHTHALMOLOGISTS: They are physicians and surgeons. They have college degrees (4 years), they attend medical school and get a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD 4 years), they do a one year internship followed by a 3 year residency in diseases and surgery of the eyes (ophthalmology). Many often spend additional 1-2 years in further eye specialization. (Total training 12-14 years). They are the only eye care professional that can provide complete comprehensive eye care. Often known as EyeMDs.
You most likely were seen by an ophthalmologist.
Second you need not concern yourself with LASIK. If your 'blind' eye is due to optic atrophy LASIK will not help you. LASIK is a procedure on the cornea to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses (due to myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism).
As far as the safety of LASIK, over a million procedures have shown that it is a safe and effective treatment. NOTE: safe and effective does not mean 'complication free'. Note also that in the United States alone the number of ophthalmologists that have had LASIK done on themselves is way over a thousand. In my ophthalmology group 4 of our EyeMDs have had LASIK as well as over 50 of our staff.
PS: Final advise. If you only have one eye that has vision have your eye examined yearly by an ophthalmologist, wear impact resistant glasses to protect your good eye and always be thinking eye safety and eye injury prevention.
JCH MD
OPTICIANS: Do not examine eyes or treat diseases. They make glasses. Training varies-does not require college. Often 'on the job' training.
OPTOMETRISTS: Are not physicians. Are not surgeons. Most are college graduates, they go to a 4 years school of optometry. They are not trained in surgery nor treatment of highly complex eye problems (which they refer to ophthalmologists). Total training usually 8 years.
OPHTHALMOLOGISTS: They are physicians and surgeons. They have college degrees (4 years), they attend medical school and get a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD 4 years), they do a one year internship followed by a 3 year residency in diseases and surgery of the eyes (ophthalmology). Many often spend additional 1-2 years in further eye specialization. (Total training 12-14 years). They are the only eye care professional that can provide complete comprehensive eye care. Often known as EyeMDs.
You most likely were seen by an ophthalmologist.
Second you need not concern yourself with LASIK. If your 'blind' eye is due to optic atrophy LASIK will not help you. LASIK is a procedure on the cornea to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses (due to myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism).
As far as the safety of LASIK, over a million procedures have shown that it is a safe and effective treatment. NOTE: safe and effective does not mean 'complication free'. Note also that in the United States alone the number of ophthalmologists that have had LASIK done on themselves is way over a thousand. In my ophthalmology group 4 of our EyeMDs have had LASIK as well as over 50 of our staff.
PS: Final advise. If you only have one eye that has vision have your eye examined yearly by an ophthalmologist, wear impact resistant glasses to protect your good eye and always be thinking eye safety and eye injury prevention.
JCH MD
You are reading content posted in the Eye Care Forum
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
Eye whitening, iris color change, and eyeball "bling." Eye expert Dr. John Hagan warns of the dangers from these unnecessary surgeries.
Eye expert John Hagan, MD, FACS, FAAO discusses factors to consider and discuss with your eye care team before embarking on cataract surgery.
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
Protect against the leading cause of blindness in older adults
Got dry eyes? Eye drops aren't the only option! Ophthalmologist John C. Hagan III, MD explains other possible treatments.
