Re: The LASIK Report

In article <pan.2006.08.29.04.50.31.797000@xxxxxxxxxxx>,
Robert Kopp <koppr@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

LASIK Results in Loss of Near Vision
Patients are routinely misinformed that they will require reading
glasses after the age of 40 whether they have LASIK or not. Nearsighted
patients who do not have refractive surgery actually retain the ability
to see up close naturally after the age of 40 simply by removing their
glasses. LASIK increases the need for reading glasses by changing the
eye's focus from near to distance. The loss of near vision after
myopic-LASIK affects many daily activities, not just reading. LASIK
patients over the age of 40 may discover they have simply traded one
pair of glasses for another.

This is valid. Patients who want to retain good near vision and are over
40 should understand that one eye needs to be under-corrected (or not
corrected at all, depending upon the refractive error). And, if you
develop cataracts in later life, LASIK was all for naught.

Except it's not really an "if", is it?

I think a major issue with LASIK is something not much different than
with any type of cosmetic surgery. The body changes with age and that
part which we choose to surgically alter is still, never the less
subject to change. Those changes may result in the need for additional
surgery(s) or may render the original effect less than satisfactory.

A person considering cosmetic surgery, LASIK or any other body
alteration must weight the benefits and the risks, and perhaps short and
long-term costs. For someone in their 30's or 40's, perhaps 20 or so
years of LASIK vision, assuming a good outcome may be valuable for the
lifestyle change and worth the risk. But of course one must also
consider the lifestyle change if the results of surgery are not as
desired, or worse.

LB, O.D.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: The LASIK Report
    ... Patients are routinely misinformed that they will require reading ... glasses after the age of 40 whether they have LASIK or not. ... LASIK increases the need for reading glasses by changing the ...
    (sci.med.vision)
  • Re: The LASIK Report
    ... glasses after the age of 40 whether they have LASIK or not. ... I am actively engaged in LASIK management and recommendations for and against LASIK. ... I ROUTINELY INFORM simple myopes in the -1.00 to -3.00 range that indeed, they will need reading glasses after age 40 if they have non-monovision LASIK, and that they will not require these if they don't have LASIK. ...
    (sci.med.vision)
  • Re: Could all my myopia be pseudomyopia? See accomodative amplitude
    ... the other was not as good as most ordinary lasik delivers. ... Laser vision correction surgery has been proven to be very successful ... for helping individuals reduce their dependence on glasses and contact ... cannot promise patients 20/20 vision, ...
    (sci.med.vision)
  • Re: Eyeglass Question
    ... None of my three friends were night blind prior to the LASIK ... have resulted in patients' deaths. ... without the burden of glasses and contacts. ...
    (misc.consumers)
  • Re: Eyeglass Question
    ... their night blindness have to do with MILLIONS of satisfied LASIK ... None of my three friends were night blind prior to the LASIK ... #1 "Three patients who had undergone laser in situ keratomileusis ... the studies showed how satisfaction was over 90%. ...
    (misc.consumers)