PRK tomorrow need some last minute answers!!!

[wildflyin69]

I'm scheduled tomorrow for regular PRK. My doctor told me about another form of PRK called LASEK (not lasik) that they also call "enhanced PRK". The healing time is supposed to be better with almost no chance of scarring. What they do is move the epithelium of your eye to the side and then perform PRK as normal, then slide the epithelium back over without ever making an incision. The thing is I don't know if it's waiverable. the navymed website makes reference to it and makes it seem like they consider it another form of PRK, but the way they typed it can also be taken as them saying it's disqualifying. Does anyone have any info on this? thanks.

 

[perchul]

its not, only the actual "prk" is. The LASEK procedure you were told about is also called waveguide lasik and by all accounts it is vastley superior if you qualify for it, most candidates for lasik also qualify for LASEK. LASEK improves night vision and can correct to 20/10 in a few, but most people can usually achieve better then 20/20 with it. Nonetheless though only traditional PRK is waiverable.

 

[bunk22]

I had my PRK back in Jan of this year. The LASEK procedure was being performed on three of the patients in my group who had already had the standard PRK but needed more correction. It was explained that that procedure was, for now, only used in those circumstances due to the outer layer of the eye being much tougher after the original healing process from the PRK cutting process. That's about all I know about it. Good luck tomorrow.

 

[kevin]

dont get prk done!!!!!!i had it and went blind!!!! just kidding. it's great to finally be able to see without glasses or contacts (oh ya, and qualify for aviation).

 

[mimisoko9]

kevin - you're a real comedian. funny. i think my heart was ready to pound through my chest in the middle of the procedure. i was scared as hell.

wildflyin69 stranger-guy

- there is a difference. they're not thought of as the same. and i quote one my of my doctors during an examination immediately following my procedure, "wow. this is a lot better than lasek on any day." anyway, make sure you get PRK, not lasek. i go for my six-month next tues. i'll fill you in on that.

 

[kevin]

havent heard from you in a while. finally you can start making some headway. 6 months is a long time to wait.

 

[mimisoko9]

Yeah, I know 'been off the forum scene for a while

and my six month purgatory period is nearly done.

My app will be sent in very soon, just a few more weeks. I'm confident, especially since I schooled the PRT. Not to toot my own horn, but I will; I did pretty well with that. My app's not perfect, but it's not too shabby in comparison. We'll see how it goes and I'll be sure to post on the forum to let everybody else know. I'm over the hill for SNA

, but SNFO is still looking good. Keep your fingers crossed for me if I'm lucky enough to make it to MEPS and get the eye exam.

 

[EA-6B1]

Wildflyin,
Just wanted to say Good Luck man. This has been the moment we've been talking about for a long time. I hope everything goes well tom. I'll be praying for you and your recovery. This is one of those steps you have to take. Best of Luck!

 

[stevew]

I don't know if this helps or not but I have one of the navy forms that says PRK and the LASEK variant are waiverable. before I had mine done I asked my Dr. the difference between the two procedures, his response was that before the procedure is done they clean the cornea. One method uses chemicals and the other uses alcahol. Other than that the procedures are identical. Stick with PRK and you'll be OK. I think the best part is waking up and being able to see my alarm clock!!

Steve

 

[wildflyin69]

Thanks for the replies guys. I managed to dig up some phone numbers from NOMI that belong to the guys that dish out the waivers, so I'll be calling them tomorrow morning before I go. If they say LASEK is waiverable (which the website isn't very clear on) then great, if not (or if I don't get in contact) then I'll just have the standard procedure. 3PM seems so far away....

 

[EA-6B1]

3pm will come soon enough my friend. Just wait til you have to sit around for 2 days... Good Luck.

 

[wildflyin69]

By the way, here's the website I was looking at www.nomi.med.navy.mil/Nami/WaiverGuideTopics/ophthalmology.htm If you click on PRK update (sec 12.13) and scroll down to where it says WAIVERS in bold, you can see where I'm a little confused about LASEK.

 

[aoconnor]

I have a question: is the navy paying for these operations? Also, I have been selected for NFO, although my eyesight is not too bad, I would like to have PRK done so I won't need to wear glasses. When should I do this, before OCS, or after OCS? Thanks in advance.