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#1
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Lasik - pros and cons ?
Hi all,
I didn't see any threads already discussing this subject, so I ask: Does anyone know of any absolute pros or cons regarding Lasik vision correction where stargazing is concerned ? I am never happy when wearing my glasses, the eye relief just doesn't quite cut it, even in eyepieces with good eye relief, partly because you still don't have the benefit of the eyeguard cupping your socket and blocking stray peripheral light. Contacts don't work well for me either, because my eyes tend to be very dry, even with the newer contacts and solutions designed to address that. I seem okay at distant viewing with the contacts in (I'm nearsighted, diopter is approx -3.25 L and -3.75 R), but if I try and read something or view something up close, it blurs out, I can't focus. If I pop a contact out, of course, I can read fine print and small things easily.. but distance viewing is shot. There are, of course, other reasons to wish for normal good eyesight, such as being able to wake up in the middle of the night and focus without having to feel around for eyeglasses, or being able to jump in a pool or lake and go swimming without removing glasses, worrying about them getting wet (mine smear really bad if wet and I try to clean them without soap - I have an oily complexion), or, having to remove contacts .. basically, to swim *confidently*, you wind up having to go without vision correction.. which makes it impossible to swim confidently. So, that brings me to Lasik, which as far as I know, is still the most advanced and best method of surgical vision correction. I do remember seeing something in this ng about a year ago however, that stated that due to the corneal flap cut , or maybe the laser itself, it's a baaad thing to do if you're an amateur astronomer. Could somebody please expound on that, because I'm really thinking about taking the plunge, and even though for me astronomy's only a part time hobby, I'd hate to end it. Thanks CC |
#2
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Lasik - pros and cons ?
Don't do it. Lasik modifies the outer part of the lens so that you can see
better in the daytime. Unfortunately, this ends up destroying night vision when the edges are unmasked by the iris. Better to keep what you have and refocus the eyepiece to match your eyes. Astigmatism can be corrected by the addition of a cylinder lens that you can put on the end of the eyepiece - just get a lens from your optician with only the cylinder part of your prescription and you can make a cover to go over your eyepieces that will fix that problem. Also note that you need to mark the cover so you know which way the cylinder goes. -- Bob May Losing weight is easy! If you ever want to lose weight, eat and drink less. Works evevery time it is tried! |
#3
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Lasik - pros and cons ?
A few years ago (1999 or 2000) there was an extensive thread on this subject
within SAA that you might still be able to find with a topic search. Most notably, one or two eye care professionals who were also astronomers posted some research data on optical performance of the eye before and after laser surgery. As I recall, the post read as an optical test report and the results were quite scary. Other than the various surgical scars and after-effects that result in ghost reflections, floater-like symptoms, and generally-worsened night vision, the degradation in strict optical performance of the eye was such that for someone who still had eye-glasses-correctable vision, there was much to lose and little to be gained. I was considering the procedure at the time, and I finally concluded that if one was "legally blind", or afflicted in some way that was not correctable by lenses or contacts, then the procedure is justified. Otherwise, I decided that getting this procedure done for cosmetic or convenience reasons was asking for trouble. Your milage may vary. John "Cyberchondriac" wrote in message ... Hi all, I didn't see any threads already discussing this subject, so I ask: Does anyone know of any absolute pros or cons regarding Lasik vision correction where stargazing is concerned ? I am never happy when wearing my glasses, the eye relief just doesn't quite cut it, even in eyepieces with good eye relief, partly because you still don't have the benefit of the eyeguard cupping your socket and blocking stray peripheral light. Contacts don't work well for me either, because my eyes tend to be very dry, even with the newer contacts and solutions designed to address that. I seem okay at distant viewing with the contacts in (I'm nearsighted, diopter is approx -3.25 L and -3.75 R), but if I try and read something or view something up close, it blurs out, I can't focus. If I pop a contact out, of course, I can read fine print and small things easily.. but distance viewing is shot. There are, of course, other reasons to wish for normal good eyesight, such as being able to wake up in the middle of the night and focus without having to feel around for eyeglasses, or being able to jump in a pool or lake and go swimming without removing glasses, worrying about them getting wet (mine smear really bad if wet and I try to clean them without soap - I have an oily complexion), or, having to remove contacts .. basically, to swim *confidently*, you wind up having to go without vision correction.. which makes it impossible to swim confidently. So, that brings me to Lasik, which as far as I know, is still the most advanced and best method of surgical vision correction. I do remember seeing something in this ng about a year ago however, that stated that due to the corneal flap cut , or maybe the laser itself, it's a baaad thing to do if you're an amateur astronomer. Could somebody please expound on that, because I'm really thinking about taking the plunge, and even though for me astronomy's only a part time hobby, I'd hate to end it. Thanks CC |
#4
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Lasik - pros and cons ?
I had the Lasik procedure done about 2 1/2 years ago when I was 45 years
old. My problem was an astigmatism. I too had dry eyes from contacts and hassled with glasses. Now 2 1/2 years later, I can say it's the best thing I have ever done for myself. My vision is 20-15 in one eye and 20-20 in the other. I have noticed no drop in night vision performance, although I'm new to astronomy, and really can't compare my "dark sky" vision to what it was before the procedure. My night driving vision is better than before. Looking through binoculars is better than ever. My eyeglasses were bi-focals. As we get older, the muscles that help the eye focus on close up seeing begin to weaken. Since I had the Lasik, I now have to carry reading (cheaters) glasses everywhere I go. This is the only problem, for me, that I find annoying. As far as I know, there is no procedure to eliminate this problem. I am still amazed at the things I notice with my new eyes. The detail in a birds feathers, seeing all the way to the horizon while fishing on the ocean, scanning the crowd at an Angels baseball game. Not having to ask a friend if that woman across the room is attractive to name a few. If anybody has any questions, feel free to email me. Mike "John Ford" wrote in message ... A few years ago (1999 or 2000) there was an extensive thread on this subject within SAA that you might still be able to find with a topic search. Most notably, one or two eye care professionals who were also astronomers posted some research data on optical performance of the eye before and after laser surgery. As I recall, the post read as an optical test report and the results were quite scary. Other than the various surgical scars and after-effects that result in ghost reflections, floater-like symptoms, and generally-worsened night vision, the degradation in strict optical performance of the eye was such that for someone who still had eye-glasses-correctable vision, there was much to lose and little to be gained. I was considering the procedure at the time, and I finally concluded that if one was "legally blind", or afflicted in some way that was not correctable by lenses or contacts, then the procedure is justified. Otherwise, I decided that getting this procedure done for cosmetic or convenience reasons was asking for trouble. Your milage may vary. John "Cyberchondriac" wrote in message ... Hi all, I didn't see any threads already discussing this subject, so I ask: Does anyone know of any absolute pros or cons regarding Lasik vision correction where stargazing is concerned ? I am never happy when wearing my glasses, the eye relief just doesn't quite cut it, even in eyepieces with good eye relief, partly because you still don't have the benefit of the eyeguard cupping your socket and blocking stray peripheral light. Contacts don't work well for me either, because my eyes tend to be very dry, even with the newer contacts and solutions designed to address that. I seem okay at distant viewing with the contacts in (I'm nearsighted, diopter is approx -3.25 L and -3.75 R), but if I try and read something or view something up close, it blurs out, I can't focus. If I pop a contact out, of course, I can read fine print and small things easily.. but distance viewing is shot. There are, of course, other reasons to wish for normal good eyesight, such as being able to wake up in the middle of the night and focus without having to feel around for eyeglasses, or being able to jump in a pool or lake and go swimming without removing glasses, worrying about them getting wet (mine smear really bad if wet and I try to clean them without soap - I have an oily complexion), or, having to remove contacts .. basically, to swim *confidently*, you wind up having to go without vision correction.. which makes it impossible to swim confidently. So, that brings me to Lasik, which as far as I know, is still the most advanced and best method of surgical vision correction. I do remember seeing something in this ng about a year ago however, that stated that due to the corneal flap cut , or maybe the laser itself, it's a baaad thing to do if you're an amateur astronomer. Could somebody please expound on that, because I'm really thinking about taking the plunge, and even though for me astronomy's only a part time hobby, I'd hate to end it. Thanks CC |
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Lasik - pros and cons ?
Mike Jenkins wrote:
My eyeglasses were bi-focals. As we get older, the muscles that help the eye focus on close up seeing begin to weaken. Since I had the Lasik, I now have to carry reading (cheaters) glasses everywhere I go. This is the only problem, for me, that I find annoying. As far as I know, there is no procedure to eliminate this problem. Has anyone seen the new procedure that tightens up the cilliary ligaments that pull the lens, and restore your adaptation ? Steve |
#6
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Lasik - pros and cons ?
my optometrist has LAZIK ads on his walls.
and he wear glasses jc |
#7
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Lasik - pros and cons ?
I had Lasik done myself about 4 years ago. I'm 20-13 in one eye and 20-15 in the other. Before the surgery I was 20/400. Basically blind as a bat without contacts or glasses, and was getting to the point where my dr advised me that I would not be able to wear contacts for many more years. Beacuse of the corrected area (just over 5mm) and my age at the time ~30) I did loose a little off my naked eye limiting magnitude. However - my views through the scope are completely unaffected. And as I grow older, I'm loosing a bit anyway. I should state that I am an avid amateur astronomer. In the past 6 days, I've been out 5 times. Basically I'm out every clear night. Not having to fuss with glasses or contacts is a wonder beyond belief. There is a lot of misinformation floating around about Lasik, and yes it can be a bit of a gamble (there are lots of things that can go wrong) but in retrospect it was one of the best things I ever did for myself. However, it is a rather drastic solution to a problem that in most cases has a very simple solution. The sucecss rate is very high, but that's little consolation if you are in the 2% with complications. Be sure to check with a qualified health care professional or two and see what they say. Tom T. |
#8
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Lasik - pros and cons ?
"John Ford" wrote in message
... A few years ago (1999 or 2000) there was an extensive thread on this subject within SAA that you might still be able to find with a topic search. Most notably, one or two eye care professionals who were also astronomers posted some research data on optical performance of the eye before and after laser surgery. As I recall, the post read as an optical test report and the results were quite scary. Other than the various surgical scars and after-effects that result in ghost reflections, floater-like symptoms, and generally-worsened night vision, the degradation in strict optical performance of the eye was such that for someone who still had eye-glasses-correctable vision, there was much to lose and little to be gained. I was considering the procedure at the time, and I finally concluded that if one was "legally blind", or afflicted in some way that was not correctable by lenses or contacts, then the procedure is justified. Otherwise, I decided that getting this procedure done for cosmetic or convenience reasons was asking for trouble. Your milage may vary. John I'm wondering, in all fairness and objectivity, if the studies were done at least 6 months after the operation, in which time, reportedly, many of those symptoms lessen greatly or even go away altogether. 3 people at my workplace have had it done; 2 of them are estastic about their decision, and after a year or more, remain so. The 3rd guy was something of a horror story, but listening to him at length, I couldn't help but wonder if he really did any research about who he decided to have the procedure done by. None of them, however, are amateur astronomers. They're mostly computer professionals. |
#9
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Lasik - pros and cons ?
On Sun, 20 Jul 2003 21:58:06 GMT, "Cyberchondriac" wrote:
I'm wondering, in all fairness and objectivity, if the studies were done at least 6 months after the operation, in which time, reportedly, many of those symptoms lessen greatly or even go away altogether. 3 people at my workplace have had it done; 2 of them are estastic about their decision, and after a year or more, remain so. The 3rd guy was something of a horror story, but listening to him at length, I couldn't help but wonder if he really did any research about who he decided to have the procedure done by. None of them, however, are amateur astronomers. They're mostly computer professionals. The great majority of those who have the procedure are quite satisfied with the results. The complication rate is very low and there is no evidence of long term problems (although the procedure is not all that old, so that's not surprising.) The problem for visual astronomers is that the corrected area of the cornea is usually smaller than the fully dilated pupil. This means that there may be a lot of aberration when viewing with a fairly large exit pupil. Depending on corneal thickness, however, it may be possible to correct a larger area, which would make the procedure much more reasonable for visual astronomers. _________________________________________________ Chris L Peterson Cloudbait Observatory http://www.cloudbait.com |
#10
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Lasik - pros and cons ?
"Chris L Peterson" wrote in message
... snip The problem for visual astronomers is that the corrected area of the cornea is usually smaller than the fully dilated pupil. This means that there may be a lot of aberration when viewing with a fairly large exit pupil. Depending on corneal thickness, however, it may be possible to correct a larger area, which would make the procedure much more reasonable for visual astronomers. snip This is not so with the modern surgery and equipment. If you know of a surgeon that does the surgery with a laser that cannot correct an area greater then your fully dilated pupil, you need to find a better surgeon. My surgeon did an hour long survey of my eyes, and found the proper piece of equipment and procedure to ensure my corrected area was larger then my dilated pupil. The end result is that after proper healing, I have no halos which are the aberration you are referring to. BV. |
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