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-   -   PRK and Lasik eye surgery (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/pilot-health/64860-prk-lasik-eye-surgery.html)

satpak77 03-21-2013 07:16 PM


Originally Posted by Mode (Post 1377115)
Yep, great info satpak. The eye Dr. said about 6 months to optimal vision. The Air Force just requires you to get to 20/20 and have two eye checkups with stable vision 2 weeks apart. I'm hoping that will only take about 2-3 months. Historically it's taken about 3 months on avg to get there.

roger that

Jax24 03-21-2013 07:19 PM

I had PRK in November and like most people, the procedure was quick and painless, but the next few days were a bit uncomfortable and it takes some time for your eyes to heal so get lots of rest, and use your drops and medication as recommended and you will be fine. Definitely worth it though since my vision is perfect at this point. I'm at the Naval Academy and I have had classmates who have had both Lasik and PRK so I think the military may be accepting Lasik for aviators. But I would double check that.

detpilot 03-22-2013 07:15 AM

I got Lasik, waited the 1 year waiting period, and have cleared my FC1. At least for the air force, Lasik is fine for pilots.

106dart 03-23-2013 01:18 PM

I had PRK in '05. Was 20/15 after the surgery. Now I am 20/30 and fly with glasses. Thinking about it now, the procedure freaks me out. But it allowed me to fly for the AF (would have otherwise been DQ'd), so it worked out. Be sure to take care of your eyes post-op and use the drops. My vision at night is a little different, but it passes all the AF tests.

Gjn290 03-23-2013 06:37 PM

I had lasik two years ago in June. I love it. Haven't suffered from any of the side effects. Going into it, I thought not being able to rub my eyes for the first 30 days was going to be the hardest. It wasn't. Every time I would think about rubbing my eyes I would stop in fear of my lens ripping off. My vision was corrected 20/12. It's amazing.

I had to have a friend bring me to the surgery because you can't drive after. He got to watch the operation on a TV via a camera close up to my eye. He got through the first one and ran outside thinking he was going to throw up. He said it was the nastiest ******* thing he has ever seen.

Nextlife 01-08-2014 01:13 AM

Just a quick follow up - I had PRK done on 7 November at the Academy in C-Springs. On my 1-month follow up I was 20/20 and at my 2-month follow up (yesterday) I was 20/10. I didn't have a lot of correction, but had a decent astigmatism. My night vision, as far as clarity, halos and starbursts go, is awesome! Far better than it ever was with glasses or contacts. Starting my waiver paperwork and hope to be back on flying status in the next few weeks. DNIF for less than three months total. The process is a bit of a pain for the first few weeks afterwards, but certainly worth it.

satpak77 01-08-2014 05:14 AM


Originally Posted by Nextlife (Post 1554412)
Just a quick follow up - I had PRK done on 7 November at the Academy in C-Springs. On my 1-month follow up I was 20/20 and at my 2-month follow up (yesterday) I was 20/10. I didn't have a lot of correction, but had a decent astigmatism. My night vision, as far as clarity, halos and starbursts go, is awesome! Far better than it ever was with glasses or contacts. Starting my waiver paperwork and hope to be back on flying status in the next few weeks. DNIF for less than three months total. The process is a bit of a pain for the first few weeks afterwards, but certainly worth it.

Great news. Just my personal opinion based on my own PRK, but I would be putting drops in every 2 hours and taking 1000 MG Vitamin C. Plus lots of sleep. At least until month 6 and ideally thru 12 month mark. Your vision doesn't really normalize until month 6, FYI. Don't get all freaked out if traffic lights at night are all blurry.

Nextlife 01-08-2014 08:12 PM


Originally Posted by satpak77 (Post 1554465)
Great news. Just my personal opinion based on my own PRK, but I would be putting drops in every 2 hours and taking 1000 MG Vitamin C. Plus lots of sleep. At least until month 6 and ideally thru 12 month mark. Your vision doesn't really normalize until month 6, FYI. Don't get all freaked out if traffic lights at night are all blurry.

Good advice. I started with the 1000MG Vitamin C a few weeks prior to the surger and am still taking it. Same with 2000MG of Omega 3's, which helps with the oily part of the tear layer and keeps the eyes from drying out. I don't ever feel that I need drops, but do them at least every 3 hours. I expected bad night vision for a bit, but it's perfect so far. No blur or halos at all. Better than with contacts.

Jocko 01-09-2014 08:03 AM

I did Lasik about one year ago. I waited 10 years to get is done but it was worth the wait. 20/15 vision with no side effects. I used Millennium in South Florida. It was expensive but worth every penny.

Uncle Wurmy 01-23-2014 08:47 AM


Originally Posted by Jocko (Post 1555258)
I did Lasik about one year ago. I waited 10 years to get is done but it was worth the wait. 20/15 vision with no side effects. I used Millennium in South Florida. It was expensive but worth every penny.

Do you mind me asking what they charged?


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