So my name finally came up on the wait list to receive the corrective eye surgery at the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville. They give you two options there, PRK and LASIK. Both have advantages and disadvantages. I've been told that there is more pain associated with the PRK than the LASIK. Has anyone on here received either of these procedures and if so, what were the results? If both procedures have the same success rate, and the only major difference is the pain, it seems like a no-brainer to have the LASIK, but I wanted to see what everyone else thought. Thank you!

PO1 Kevin Couture

Had PRK in early 2007. LASIK is not authorized for aviation rates so that was my only option. No pain involved in my procedure but a fair amount for about a week afterward. Eyesight went from 20/200 to 20/10 in less than 30 seconds - pretty amazing! Leveled out to 20/15 in about a month. No halo problems at night although a relative had PRK 8-10 years ago and has some night issues. No personal experience with LASIK but a police officer friend had it done and is always concerned about that little flap...

I'm on the list as well and I'm pretty set on getting PRK once my name comes up on the list. How long did it take for your name to reach the top of the list?

Brechty

Had LASIK done right after I retired in 2001. (I put a chit in to get it done --on my own-- when I was active but faced a full ration of BS including the threat of medical discharge if I had it done.)

I highly recommend it. It appears like you are looking through a wad of vaseline on the way home, but after a quick nap, everything is 20/20.

It would have made everything so much easier for shipboard life.

The only downside has been its affect on my sex life. . .Its just not quite as active now that I can actually see who's wearing the snowshoes.

I guess I was technically on the list for 10 months, although it was more like 20 months since they lost my paperwork the first time. I pretty much have myself set on the PRK, I was just looking for other opinions.

I had PRK and it was damn painful for 3 days then I was OK. I would say it was one of the most painful things I ever experienced, but I guess others are more tolerant of it. Just be ready for it and have lots of vicodin ready, just in case

I had corrective surgery to install a lens in my navel.



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-1110 9/28/2008

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 1110,

I had LASIK about 6 years ago, 20/200 to 20/20 mine was done by a private surgeon who was local, he was concerned about the flap in my left eye and saw me every day after work for 2 weeks. It turned out to be no problem but I was glad to be able to see him that often....how near to the medial are you going to be following your procedure? If it is not near I recommend PRK.

I'm about 45 minutes away from Jax, but there is a Navy clinic here in Kings Bay too. I think they should be able to do my aftercare here and just relay the info to the surgeon.

Your choice, for me it was pretty nice to have the surgeon who performed the operation do the check. He was on my way home from work each day.

Were you able to do the driving yourself for those first few days, or did you have to have someone else do it for you?

I had LASIK done about 2 years ago...I had been wearing glasses since I was a kid, with the exception of reading...Now, it's just the opposite...I need reading glasses...But it is really nice to be able to see things without glasses...And got me a nice pair of shades now...

The day of the surgery, I just more or less kept my eyes closed as much as possible...When I woke up the next morning I was 20/20...I'm glad I did it...

Gunk

Are you constantly worried about the 'flap' on your eye coming open?

My wife drove me home after surgery, had some good drugs and I slept for about 14 hours, woke up fine.

My vision was not 20/20 immediately, I no longer needed glasses but and my vision improved over a 6 month period to the point that one eye was 20/15!

I have a collection of sunglasses now and that may be the best part.

JAC,

How bad was the pain for the next few days? Were you able to drive the very next day?

There was no pain at all. Yes, I drove the next day. I noticed that later in the day, when I was tired, my vision was not as good as the mornings, this gradually decreased over the course of several months.

That's good news. I think you've convinced me on the PRK.

quote:

Originally posted by LetsGoRedSox:
Are you constantly worried about the 'flap' on your eye coming open?

I wouldn't worry about the flap. They are not going to make the slice if there is not enough cornea. My wife had LASIK 12 months ago. Started at 20/200. 20/15 as soon as we got in the car. Was reading the gum wrapper. She attends every required follow up. Do the drops, zero pain. Also your eye does a ton of healing in 24 hours. Do what they ask and there should not be any problems with the flap.

HSC

I had Lasik done at Emory University in Atlanta around 12 years ago when it was still in FDA clinical trials and only being done in a few locations around the country. I needed 7 diopters of correction. Despite some difficulties in cutting the flap ( I have beady little eyes and the doctor had a hard time seating the microkeratome) I have never had any problems with the flap at all post-surgery. I was and am still very pleased with the results. I have some halo effect at night when looking at lights but it is more than made up for by the huge improvement in my vision overall. Please also bear in mind that the procedure is probably about 4 generations advanced in equipment and technique since the period in which I had mine done.

My understanding of PRK is that the bigger the correction- the more uncomfortable it will be. Lasik for me felt like something had scratched my eye slightly and that was only for the first few hours following surgery. I wouldn't even describe it as pain- just a little uncomfortable. I went to bed and woke up with no discomfort at all and with my vision nearly perfect. I would heartily recommend the Lasik procedure.

letsgoredsox or anyone else who can answer,

Whom would I speak to, to get put on the list for laser eye surgery or go about doing it?