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PRK long-term risks

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flyboy21

Registered User
I'm currently a 3/C MIDN, and over spring break I had several consultations with corneal and retinal eye specialists in my home town. They all said I am a good candidate for PRK and see no reason not to proceed. I've talked with my Aviation LT and if I plan on having my pre-commissioning physical completed by my 1/C cruise, I've been told I need to have PRK done right after my 2/C cruise in my junior year. I've wanted to fly since I was a kid, and I'm thrilled that there's even the possibility of PRK right now. However, between flying and my eyesight, I'd rather be able to see when I'm 80 than have something go wrong. I've done a lot of research on PRK, and as with other surgeries, I know there are no guarantees and always risks involved. However, I'm just worried with PRK that there is limited to no long-term studies in the sense that nobody knows for sure what the effects will be 20-50 years after surgery. Anybody else have these concerns or know anything else that I don't. I'd really like to be in the front seat, but I'm just trying to be prudent and weigh all my options. Thanks for any thoughts.
 

kray1395

Active Member
It's all going to be up to how bad you want to fly. You will not find one 80 year old who had corrective eye surgery when he was a sophomore in college. Odds are by the time you reach that age (assuming that you even do) your eyesight will not be spectacular anyways. You only live once. If you've really wanted to fly since you were a kid, the same as I did, then I think that the choice is obvious. I have had the surgery, been selected as an SNA, and will report to Pensacola the first week of July to begin flight school. I couldn't be more excited. And I've never once thought that maybe I shouldn't have had the surgery. It has been a blessing. If it's something that is really bothering you, you might consider keeping what you've got and going NFO. There's certainly nothing wrong with that decision.
 

NeoCortex

Castle Law for all States!!!
pilot
on the 20 year study, there were no harmful long term affects. If your only worry is how good your eyes are going ot be in 60 years, I would say go for it. I had the surgery, and I"m seeing great now!!
 

Daedalus

Registered User
From what I have read, there could possible be complications down the road with lasik, but with prk, after you heal there is no difference between a prk eye and a natural eye. Therefore if there are any problems down the road they would have occured anyway.
 

josejimmenez

Selected for SNFO
I have had PRK for 8 months now by one of the best docs in the U.S.
I see 20/15 and have no reason to expect long term side effects. When your around 40 you may need reading glasses though, but that happens to everyone and has nothing to do with the surgery. I say go for it. Just pick a doc you trust.
 

nittany03

Recovering NFO. Herder of Programmers.
pilot
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
Look up "PRK Long-Term Risks" on WebMD and you'll get some good gouge. Basically the procedure's relatively new so no one can say anything certain about risk. The docs seem to agree that risk is minimal after you heal, though. Personally, I had the procedure done about 2 years ago, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I went from 20/200 to better than 20/20. Just be sure to get a doc who knows what he's doing. Mine personally designed the laser he used, and has been doing PRK since it was first invented. He did a great job too! :D
 

josejimmenez

Selected for SNFO
Yeah I definately would do research on the doc. Make sure he is at least board certified. I used DR. Updegraff in St. Pete. They guy has like 6 patents on Laser corrective equipment. He's worked all over the world and is one of the best in country. He is definately good to go. Not to mention he has a hot receptionist! :icon_smil
 

nittany03

Recovering NFO. Herder of Programmers.
pilot
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
Yeah, it's nice when "the view" improves, isn't it Jose? :icon_carn
 
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