Laser Surgey
12-21-2005, 05:06 PM
#1
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Joined APC: Dec 2005
Posts: 34
Laser Surgey
Anyone know the basic rules behind getting lasix and the FAA's rules about it? Such as, how long you will lose your first class medical, flying commercially versus privately. Any info would be appreciated.
12-21-2005, 07:17 PM
#3
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I had it done about 2 years ago and had absolutely no problems. I had the wavefront procedure which cuts down on the night-vision problems and halos that earlier procedures had problems with.
I lost my class one for 3 weeks. You will need a letter from your eye surgeon after a couple of weeks stating that your eyes have no problems.
Do your research as I have heard of several botched jobs.
I lost my class one for 3 weeks. You will need a letter from your eye surgeon after a couple of weeks stating that your eyes have no problems.
Do your research as I have heard of several botched jobs.
07-27-2006, 12:29 AM
#4
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Joined APC: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,333
Anyone know the basic rules behind getting lasix and the FAA's rules about it? Such as, how long you will lose your first class medical, flying commercially versus privately.
Not sure about "lasix" but try this thread http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/showthread.php?t=4408 if you’re interested in "LASIK"
(LASer In-situ Keratomileusis)
Sorry couldn’t resist but to answer your question - no big deal to get approved and you will not lose your 1st class medical at all.
Some approved methods of vision correction are RK, PRK, Lasik (“wave front” being the latest version which seems to have the most precise results).
Also, personally I think you should do only one eye at a time! If things go bad (it has happened on a very very few occasions and pretty much every time it had to do with improper calibration of the laser equipment) today it IS POSSIBLE to get a first class medical with 1 eye ONLY!!! (I've heard of a captain at UPS and an FO at Airtran with one eye only) That option won't be there if you lose your vision on both eyes. I am being paranoid of course but why not? Just be extra careful and only fix one eye at a time? Just my thoughts of course.
Here is some info on the “approval” process.
http://www.leftseat.com/pdffiles/rklaser.pdf
Not sure about "lasix" but try this thread http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/showthread.php?t=4408 if you’re interested in "LASIK"
(LASer In-situ Keratomileusis)Sorry couldn’t resist but to answer your question - no big deal to get approved and you will not lose your 1st class medical at all.
Some approved methods of vision correction are RK, PRK, Lasik (“wave front” being the latest version which seems to have the most precise results).
Also, personally I think you should do only one eye at a time! If things go bad (it has happened on a very very few occasions and pretty much every time it had to do with improper calibration of the laser equipment) today it IS POSSIBLE to get a first class medical with 1 eye ONLY!!! (I've heard of a captain at UPS and an FO at Airtran with one eye only) That option won't be there if you lose your vision on both eyes. I am being paranoid of course but why not? Just be extra careful and only fix one eye at a time? Just my thoughts of course.
Here is some info on the “approval” process.
http://www.leftseat.com/pdffiles/rklaser.pdf
Last edited by ⌐ AV8OR WANNABE; 07-27-2006 at 12:39 AM.
07-27-2006, 08:13 AM
#5
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Joined APC: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,242
Get PRK - its a better surgery and has better all around results.
I went from 20/400 and 20/650 to 20/10 and 20/20 in four months. No side effects and can expect to have no problems except needing reading glasses in my old age.
The price was right - $0.0!!! Can't beat that - thanks to the USAF..
-LAFF
I went from 20/400 and 20/650 to 20/10 and 20/20 in four months. No side effects and can expect to have no problems except needing reading glasses in my old age.
The price was right - $0.0!!! Can't beat that - thanks to the USAF..
-LAFF
07-27-2006, 11:51 AM
#6
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Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,289
Do a LOT of research. The wavefront technology looks to be very promising, as that has the potential abilty to correct your vision to a better standard than would be possible with glasses. Previous laser techniques would not provide better vision than glasses, and would commonly make your corrected vision worse than before surgery.
07-27-2006, 09:28 PM
#7
New boss = Old boss
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: Ca B737
Posts: 2,762
Originally Posted by LAfrequentflyer
Get PRK - its a better surgery and has better all around results.
I went from 20/400 and 20/650 to 20/10 and 20/20 in four months. No side effects and can expect to have no problems except needing reading glasses in my old age.
The price was right - $0.0!!! Can't beat that - thanks to the USAF..
-LAFF
I went from 20/400 and 20/650 to 20/10 and 20/20 in four months. No side effects and can expect to have no problems except needing reading glasses in my old age.
The price was right - $0.0!!! Can't beat that - thanks to the USAF..
-LAFF
I had LASIK done two years ago and am very satisfied.
07-28-2006, 09:41 PM
#8
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Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,289
Originally Posted by mike734
Sorry but if you research you will find PRK is no where near as desirable as LASIK. PRK is an older technique hardly used anymore. I would highly recommend against it.
I had LASIK done two years ago and am very satisfied.
I had LASIK done two years ago and am very satisfied.
If you participate more extreme outdoor sports you might also want to research LASIK carefully.
07-29-2006, 10:10 AM
#9
New boss = Old boss
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: Ca B737
Posts: 2,762
Originally Posted by rickair7777
If you have any military aspirations you should be aware that while PRK may have a higher risk of complications, and definately takes longer to heal, but it is the ONLY method used by the armed forces, or accepted by them.
07-29-2006, 01:51 PM
#10
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Joined APC: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,242
Originally Posted by mike734
I don't know about that statement. Perhaps you mean aviation related military aspirations. The military is paying for thousands of LASIK proceedures for the infantry these days. Here is a good article about it: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jan2...200301142.html
I was given the option by the AF of PRK or LASIK. I chose PRK after researching the pros / cons. I lead an active life and didn't want any cuts being made to my eyes.
Thank you for pointing out the military also offers LASIK. I had overlooked that aspect of their care.
-LAFF
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