Here’s how you educate yourself about the potential risks of laser surgery, and learn about a potentially decent choice of doctors to do the procedure for you:

1.  Ask your PRK / LASIK  doctor just one single question:

Dear doctor, how did my eyes become myopic in the first place?

2.  Listen carefully to the answer.

3.   Visit this page for known science:  How Myopia Actually Happens

Take a few minutes to get the short version of the story.  Then at the bottom of the page, look at the links to a pile of scientific studies that elucidate and substantiate the topic.

4.  Now, ask yourself the very simple question:

Does the doctor’s explanation of how myopia happens, match what medical science says?  

If that’s the case, well then you are at least dealing with somebody who understands what he is recommending a treatment for.

But if the doctor’s explanation doesn’t match up with science facts?

The question in your mind should be obvious.  Do you really want to trust the expertise of someone who doesn’t understand the condition he (or she) is supposedly treating?  What else does this doctor not know (or not tell you) about this procedure?

These aren’t trick questions.  

Either your PRK / LASIK doctor knows the science, or he doesn’t.

4.   Find somebody unbiased.  Not me, not the BMW-driving surgeon trying to sell you on laser surgery.  Not some Internet forum full of fruity hippies and their pseudo-science conspiracy theory.

See what the  FDA has to say (American Food & Drug Administration).

These guys, one might argue, are always a bit behind the times.  A bit on the side of wherever the money is.  Conservative with their warnings.  A bit too friendly with big pharma.  Perhaps, perhaps not.  

Still, they are pretty clear on the laser topic:

The FDA say that LASIK is pretty likely to mess up your eyes forever.

Take a look at this page, and the links to all the FDA findings:  https://endmyopia.org/laser-eye-surgery-are-you-putting-your-eyes-at-risk/

You’ll find entirely official statistics, like this one:

symptoms-laser-2

44% of … “subjects” (that’s you, after you get that LASIK done), report “symptoms” (translated:  not cool-ness in your eyesight) after the procedure.

Things with statistically better odds of no side effects than PRK & LASIK:

russian_roulette

Ok so that’s just a little dramatic.

That concludes the public service announcement part of laser surgery.

Jakey, you might say, you being cranky today?

Yes.  I’m on day number-four of no sugar.  And I’m sitting in a coffee shop.  Next to a cake display.  Literally, this cake display:

LASIK-PRK-sideeffectsSelf control.  

And while you’re already here, have a look-see what Steve just posted in the forum, about our dear friend LASIK.

Hello everyone! I’ve been here for about 1.5 years working on reducing my myopia. Hoping to be out of the high-myopia range within a year (currently -6.50D OS, -5.25D OD). My whole reason for being here was to reduce risk of retinal detachment, improve my vision and overall emotional well-being. It hasn’t been easy, and there’s still a long road ahead, but i’m in it for the long haul.

Since I found this site and starting actively trying to improve my vision, i’ve had a weight on my shoulders. I originally was contemplating LASIK after hearing all the success stories relayed by my girlfriend, who is an Ophthalmic assistant and technician. She works with OD’s and MD’s who perform cataract surgery, retinal detachment surgery and…you guessed it…LASIK.

I’ve heard countless stories of patients who have had LASIK and their post-op results are spot on. Seems uplifting, until I hear the horror stories of a patient who had LASIK done 15 years ago who needed a “touch-up” and ends up a +11D after a botched 2nd procedure.

Jake’s post about his near-death experience and how quick medical professionals are to push unnecessary surgery really put a sour taste in my mouth (again). On top of that, my girlfriend, who is/was a low-myope (~-1D) decided to use a perk of the job and redeem her Free LASIK voucher recently. While she claims to be able to see 20/10 now, the night-time halo’s and the dozens (yes, dozens) of lubricating drop vials all over the house show a different side to the miracle surgery. And don’t even try to rub your eyes, you could pop your flap open!

And about that friend and family discount aka, KOOL-AID, OHH YEAAHHHH! Sorry, I won’t be redeeming that anytime soon.

Apart from some annoyances with blur + double vision and managing different prescription glasses/contacts, there have been many positive changes in my life directly related to improving my vision.

Now that I actually take time out of my day to relax my eyes and let the mind wander, I feel much more relaxed and confident. My blood pressure was borderline pre-hypertension a year ago and now it is well within normal range.

There’s also an increased appreciation for the world. I want to be in it rather than just pass by it. Modern civilization and technology turn us into robots and I have been one for far too long.

These are the things that keep me going. In the end, there is a strong sense of personal accomplishment. 

Have patience and DON’T just become a patient!

There’s what Steve thinks about the whole LASIK business.

And that’s not to say that you shouldn’t do it.  I’m merely suggesting that you should be aware of some of the things that the guys selling you this treatment, won’t necessarily tell you.

Cheers,

– Jake

Oh, wait.  There’s also this (unrelated to PRK & LASIK), to look forward to: