I wore glasses or contacts for 40 years. I had a condition called MAP-Dot Dystrophy or the more technical term, Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy which precluded me from having LASIK. So... I underwent a version of PRK where they soften the center of the cornea, scrape away that area and then apply the laser. At first I was disappointed to have to go through this procedure, but as explained to me by both Pepose LASIK and TLC-The Laser Eye Center, those individuals that apply to the military service academies and are headed to flight training, those candidates that have had LASIK will not be accepted for flight status. They will however accept the PRK procedure.
When completed, they place a low power contact on your eye and remove it approx. 5 days later. By that time your cornea has regenerated itself and they will only do one eye per procedure. It takes approx. 6 months for your vision to stabilize after this procedure but you will see dramatic effects within the first week, especially if your prescription is of the 20/100+ and higher variety.
There is no pain, per se. There is some discomfort when they use the speculum to hold your eye open, but not intolerable. There might be what I would call major irritation during the healing process but they supply you with the necessary drops and medication if you need it.
***By all means, consult with the surgeon(s) you are considering. Most of them actually do free screenings to determine whether you are a candidate for the procedure.*** I work for SBC and our vision plan covered approx. 15% of the cost.
To end this..... For me, this has been a godsend. To have the freedom to do so many things that did not require me to worry about my glasses or contacts has been well worth the cost. NOTE: Yes, because of my age I do have to wear cheaters to read or for close up work but I was well aware of that going in.
DW
When completed, they place a low power contact on your eye and remove it approx. 5 days later. By that time your cornea has regenerated itself and they will only do one eye per procedure. It takes approx. 6 months for your vision to stabilize after this procedure but you will see dramatic effects within the first week, especially if your prescription is of the 20/100+ and higher variety.
There is no pain, per se. There is some discomfort when they use the speculum to hold your eye open, but not intolerable. There might be what I would call major irritation during the healing process but they supply you with the necessary drops and medication if you need it.
***By all means, consult with the surgeon(s) you are considering. Most of them actually do free screenings to determine whether you are a candidate for the procedure.*** I work for SBC and our vision plan covered approx. 15% of the cost.
To end this..... For me, this has been a godsend. To have the freedom to do so many things that did not require me to worry about my glasses or contacts has been well worth the cost. NOTE: Yes, because of my age I do have to wear cheaters to read or for close up work but I was well aware of that going in.
DW
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