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Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus

nytimes.com

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Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus

#151

Post by nomocrypto »

flyinghamster wrote: post #3

I've worn glasses for almost forty years now, and I'll probably wear them for the rest of my life. I actually like having something between my eyes and flying objects, in spite of the annoyance of always having to clean my glasses (or having to wear bifocals for that matter). I never liked the idea of undergoing a very new surgical procedure on eyes that are otherwise healthy. Not to mention, I'm old enough now that…

I distinctly remember a high school gym class where they made all the kids without glasses wear safety goggles during some sport. My friend and I were the only ones who didn’t look ridiculous because we got to keep our glasses. ;) Luckily nothing happened then, but one time in university I was playing racquetball with a friend and the ball hit me right in the eye. I still worr glasses at the time and all it did was pop the lens out.

Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus

#152

Post by NetOpWibby »

NetOpWibby wrote: post #74
cm2012 wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's a wrap, folks. This comment is more valuable by far than the article.

I've learned to read the comments to any posted NYT article, than visiting said article itself.

Ooh, seems I've pissed off some people. Just look at those downvotes!

Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus

#153

Post by AngryData »

Shikadi wrote: post #134
gameshot911 wrote: post #40

I think this is a unique view, but I've come to appreciate nearsightedness. Partially because I like having the ability to soften the external world by removing my glasses (like wrapping myself in a warm fuzzy blanket), but even more so because it grants me the ability to see things near me in sharper focus than someone with 20/20 vision. I can put on contacts or glasses to see something at a distance just as clearly…

I don't think near sightedness means better than 20/20 up close...

It depends on the cause but if the only thing wrong is your eyes are focused to closely, then you will have better vision up close because you have better magnification from the shorter focused lens.

Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus

#154

Post by ashelmire »

otterpro wrote: post #146

We should also "focus" on preventable myopia, which is so common, especially in Asia (For example, in Korea, 96% of younger population suffered from myopia, which is insane). If I have kids, I will make sure to let them play outside in the sun daily, in order to get enough exposure to the bright sunlight. As for me, I didn't get a lot of exposure to sun when I was in my early teens, when I developed myopia. I should'…

That's really interesting!

Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus

#155

Post by nwah1 »

My understanding is that LASIK is sometimes held up as an example of the triumph of the free market, and that costs fell more dramatically, and serious complications fell more dramatically, than just about any other procedure that you can name.

Sure, glare and halos sound awful, but compared to the most serious early risks such as blindness, it sounds like the situation is indeed much improved.

However, given what we know about markets, I wonder if there's been any attempt to figure out if, for instance, poorer patients going to cheaper clinics with older machines are the ones faring the worst. I suspect that is the case.

Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus

#156

Post by CSMastermind »

nwah1 wrote: post #155

My understanding is that LASIK is sometimes held up as an example of the triumph of the free market, and that costs fell more dramatically, and serious complications fell more dramatically, than just about any other procedure that you can name. Sure, glare and halos sound awful, but compared to the most serious early risks such as blindness, it sounds like the situation is indeed much improved. However, given what we…

So I spent top dollar on my LASIK and I have night time glare.

That said - completely worth it. It's a tradeoff I'll make every single time.

At my last job, there was a girl who had probably the worse case scenario: She got LASIK then 5 years later here eyes reverted back and she needed glasses again.

What does she say? Best 5 years of her life, would do it again in a heartbeat if she could.

Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus

#157

Post by macintux »

CSMastermind wrote: post #156
nwah1 wrote: post #155

My understanding is that LASIK is sometimes held up as an example of the triumph of the free market, and that costs fell more dramatically, and serious complications fell more dramatically, than just about any other procedure that you can name. Sure, glare and halos sound awful, but compared to the most serious early risks such as blindness, it sounds like the situation is indeed much improved. However, given what we…

So I spent top dollar on my LASIK and I have night time glare. That said - completely worth it. It's a tradeoff I'll make every single time. At my last job, there was a girl who had probably the worse case scenario: She got LASIK then 5 years later here eyes reverted back and she needed glasses again. What does she say? Best 5 years of her life, would do it again in a heartbeat if she could.

Worst case? Did you read the article? That’s absolutely not the worst case.

—-

Scott Petty, 36, a 3D artist from Houston who developed video games for a living, was diagnosed with corneal ectasia six months after having Lasik surgery.

His sight has continued to deteriorate, even after he underwent a new procedure called corneal cross-linking to strengthen his cornea. He is in so much pain that he is “almost suicidal,” he said. “It’s like hot grease is in my eyes, 24-7. I pretty much have to admit my career is over.”

Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus

#158

Post by nwah1 »

macintux wrote: post #157
CSMastermind wrote: post #156

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So I spent top dollar on my LASIK and I have night time glare. That said - completely worth it. It's a tradeoff I'll make every single time. At my last job, there was a girl who had probably the worse case scenario: She got LASIK then 5 years later here eyes reverted back and she needed glasses again. What does she say? Best 5 years of her life, would do it again in a heartbeat if she could.

Worst case? Did you read the article? That’s absolutely not the worst case. —- Scott Petty, 36, a 3D artist from Houston who developed video games for a living, was diagnosed with corneal ectasia six months after having Lasik surgery. His sight has continued to deteriorate, even after he underwent a new procedure called corneal cross-linking to strengthen his cornea. He is in so much pain that he is “almost suicidal,…

That is awful, but so are car accidents, and most people still think automobiles are worth it.

The question is the relative risks and the relative benefits. This procedure appears to have more benefits and less risks than most comparable procedures.

Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus

#159

Post by macintux »

nwah1 wrote: post #158
macintux wrote: post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Worst case? Did you read the article? That’s absolutely not the worst case. —- Scott Petty, 36, a 3D artist from Houston who developed video games for a living, was diagnosed with corneal ectasia six months after having Lasik surgery. His sight has continued to deteriorate, even after he underwent a new procedure called corneal cross-linking to strengthen his cornea. He is in so much pain that he is “almost suicidal,…

That is awful, but so are car accidents, and most people still think automobiles are worth it. The question is the relative risks and the relative benefits. This procedure appears to have more benefits and less risks than most comparable procedures.

That’s fine, but irrelevant. The parent described a “worst case” scenario which was clearly not even in the ballpark.

Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus

#160

Post by rayvd »

nwah1 wrote: post #155

My understanding is that LASIK is sometimes held up as an example of the triumph of the free market, and that costs fell more dramatically, and serious complications fell more dramatically, than just about any other procedure that you can name. Sure, glare and halos sound awful, but compared to the most serious early risks such as blindness, it sounds like the situation is indeed much improved. However, given what we…

Modern civilization is a triumph of the free market.
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