LASIK??

elmetal

elmetal

Ain't nobody got time for that
Hey doc,

I've asked a similar question to this in the past.

How long after LASIK are you usually good to fly? few days?

also if anyone else sees this, my job doesn't typically offer a lot of vacation (usually 2 weeks at most), is it something I can schedule the first apointment and have done in that time frame? Can anyone recommend good doctors in Florida? Seems like the big name ones have a long wait list and want 4 appointments before surgery.


thanks
 
The FAA expects that airmen will not resume airman duties until their treating health care professional determines that their post-operative vision has stabilized, there are no significant adverse effects or complications (such as halos, rings, haze, impaired night vision and glare), the appropriate vision standards are met, and reviewed by an Examiner or AMCD. When this determination is made, the airman should have the treating health care professional document this in the health care record, a copy of which should be forwarded to the AMCD before resumption of airman duties. If the health care professional's determination is favorable, the applicant may resume airman duties, after consultation and review by an Examiner, unless informed otherwise by the FAA. Examiner means AME.

This is directly from the FAA guidelines.
 
I wasn't flying at the time, but my eye doctor cleared me to do basically whatever I wanted two weeks post op for LASIK.
 
It just says youy have to forward the report to the FAA. You should be able to go back to flying in a week with no complications.
 
Four appointments before surgery for a normal patient sure sounds like milking the health insurance system.

"Lower my payments willya? I'll show YOU!"
 
FloridaLarry said:
Four appointments before surgery for a normal patient sure sounds like milking the health insurance system.

"Lower my payments willya? I'll show YOU!"
Click to expand...

that's without health insurance though! they're just crazy "wanna look good for customers" type places in Ft lauderdale, much like in Socal.

I want something that's a small place, one or two doctors, personalized, efficient, and quick. Price isn't really something I care too much about because I know I need it quick and well done, price would compromise one of the earlier two.
 
I had my surgery Friday morning, back flying after being cleared Tuesday.

Shop around. You can resell a car or house. You're stuck with your eyes.

You need to be "qualified". Not all eyes are susceptible for refraction surgery. I had several appointments prior to LASIK.

I chose 20/20 institute. They are a big chain, but the customer service was top notch.
 
I know PRK is rare in the civilian world. I may get PRK done at USAF expense shortly. Anyone have experience with the time for vision to stabilize?
 
hook_dupin said:
I know PRK is rare in the civilian world. I may get PRK done at USAF expense shortly. Anyone have experience with the time for vision to stabilize?
Click to expand...

Fiancee had PRK done a few weeks back, I think it took her a week to stabilize.

To the OP, I had LASIK in December on a Friday and I was cleared to fly either Monday or Tuesday. 20/15 the day after, closer to 20/10 now.
 
Ajax said:
Fiancee had PRK done a few weeks back, I think it took her a week to stabilize.

To the OP, I had LASIK in December on a Friday and I was cleared to fly either Monday or Tuesday. 20/15 the day after, closer to 20/10 now.
Click to expand...
Suhweet! Where was this??

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
 
hook_dupin
I had PRK done in 2004 or 2005 while I was in the Navy. PRK was done because I was a better candidate for it based on eye structure. I was down for almost 6 mos. But, that was based on monthly appointments at the (USAF) Optometrist and following the criteria in the NAVMAN, and translated by a USAF eye doc.

That's not to say that it took my vision 6 mos to stabilize. I felt fine a week or so later. Side effects were halos and severe light sensitivity. The halos lasted about 2-3 mos, and the light sensitivity lasted for a couple of years. But, the PRK was, hands down, the best benefit that I used from the Navy. My vision, post PRK became 20/08 and 20/12. And CRAZY acute night vision after it settled in. I think that was the double edged sword of the light sensitivity.

Also, find the BEST doc in the AF, and go there. The AF will tell you to go to the "regional" doc, but if you know who you want to see, you can make it happen with a little push.
 
GX said:
hook_dupin
I had PRK done in 2004 or 2005 while I was in the Navy. PRK was done because I was a better candidate for it based on eye structure. I was down for almost 6 mos. But, that was based on monthly appointments at the (USAF) Optometrist and following the criteria in the NAVMAN, and translated by a USAF eye doc.

That's not to say that it took my vision 6 mos to stabilize. I felt fine a week or so later. Side effects were halos and severe light sensitivity. The halos lasted about 2-3 mos, and the light sensitivity lasted for a couple of years. But, the PRK was, hands down, the best benefit that I used from the Navy. My vision, post PRK became 20/08 and 20/12. And CRAZY acute night vision after it settled in. I think that was the double edged sword of the light sensitivity.

Also, find the BEST doc in the AF, and go there. The AF will tell you to go to the "regional" doc, but if you know who you want to see, you can make it happen with a little push.
Click to expand...

I'm on a staff gig, so I'm not worried too much about the AF flight med system. It's more how I get an AME to get me good to go on the civilian side.
 
Good luck, guys.

I was once talking to an opthalmic surgeon who was a partner in a Lasix mill, and I referred to it as 'factory surgery.'

He looked at me somewhat archly, and said, "We refer to it as 'Production Surgery.' "
 
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