Can optometrists perform LASIK surgery? If so, is there any documentation supporting this?
969141
No only an MD ophthalmologist can use a laser.
578524
Something tells me you have something keeping you from seeing like you used to, like cataracts, in which case, medicare will pay for it, so either get on it, or wait until you can, they will pay for cataract surgery, which is NOT a laser surgery, I'm sorry to say.  If your doctor cannot fix your vision with glasses, there's somethine else going on.  Laser surgery (Lasik)is done for people who only have the glasses problem.\n\nHere's some basic info about eyes I think would do you some good...\n\nhttp://www.midwesteyecare.com/Section/index.php?SectionID=7
862974
José Ignacio Barraquer \nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lasik\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Barraquer\n\nThere are several other contributors listed under "Technology Development" in the Lasik wiki article.
135233
Many people are getting LASIK as an alternative to glasses or contact lenses. Dry eye and allergies do not automatically mean LASIK cannot be done. It depends on the degree of the dry eye and the nature of the allergies. If you get allergies only during a specific season (for example, only in the spring), the doctor may suggest that you not have LASIK during that part of the year. \n\nAlso, both dry eye and allergies may potentially cause challenges after surgery. The most common complication after LASIK is dry eye. Dry eye present before LASIK may be made worse after LASIK. This may improve with time, or may be permanent. Common treatments include administering artificial tears and plugging the tear ducts to prevent drainage of the tears. \n\nI have allergies, and often rub my eyes, sometimes without giving it a second thought. It is important not to rub the eye after LASIK, as this may dislodge the flap. Also, antihistamines taken to relieve the symptoms of allergies can make dry eye worse.\n\nDry eye may be related to the allergies, as well. Tears function to wash away debris and potential irritants. With dry eye, the tears are not plentiful enough to moisturize the eye and clear away debris and irritants.\n\nA doctor would best be able to tell you whether you are a good candidate for LASIK. If you speak with a doctor, be sure to mention dry eye and allergies during the evaluation process. Getting a few evaluations is a good idea.\n\nHope this is helpful. Good luck!
419313
Talk to an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
1053411
See a new doctor. If you are seeing an optometrist, go to an Ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors and are more capable of treating eye conditions.
643470
I had lasik done last year, at 42, for moderate to severe (20/675) myopia.  I'm a hair away from 20/20 now, and am very pleased.\nIf you see an experienced surgeon and are screened for risk factors for the surgery, there should be very little risk of a bad result.  Of all the people I know, only one has had a problem afterwards, and that was chronically dry eyes.  However, she had it done 6 years ago with a blade, not laser, and was told she was borderline (too flat an angle) for the surgery anyway.  \nThe lazy eye can be done if the laziness is not too severe.  You'd have to be examined by the doctor to know for sure. \nI don't know where you are, but I had my eyes done in Canada.  They are 5 years ahead of the USA as far as lasik experience, and it cost half of what it would have cost here.
455259
Ok heres my story:\n\nI had -7 myopia. awfully thick glasses, pretty expensive too and I was virtually blind without them. my glasses were pretty much a part of me, the last thing I did before sleeping and the first thing I reached for when I woke up in the morning. I had astigmatism to boot, and contacts weren't an option. and to make things worse, I had to keep getting stronger pair every 6 months or so. \n\nI am glad I went and got my Lasik. Freedom.\nmy eyes havent gotten weaker, and I didn't need to get glasses. Apparently glasses and their constant moving towards and away from the eye have something to do with increasing power. Yes as I age, my eyes will get weaker in the close region and I might have to get reading glasses for hyperopia, it is not the same thing, and is much better than glasses 24x7 for normal vision.\n\nBe aware though that it isn't entirely a bed of roses. There are some small differences between perfectly normal eyes and lasik treated eyes. First thing you would notice after surgery is dispersion. Bright lights in the dark tend to spread a little, no a disability but is slightly annoying till you get used to it. (this might or might not happent to you depending on the power that you are corrected for). Another effect is a slight drop in contrast when ambient light is low, again not a real issue.\n\nYou should also be aware that not all people are eligible to get lasik. your eligibility is the thickness of your cornea. depending on the power for which your eyesight has to be corrected, your cornea needs to be of atleast a minimum thinkness before a surgeon can create a lens on it. thinning it too much is dangerous because the eye holds some fluids that are under pressure.\n\nThough the surgeon tries to bring the error to 0 Diopters, sometimes there can be a "residual" power left and you might still need to wear glasses after the surgery. But for somebody like me, wearing -0.25 glasses after surgery when i was wearing -7.0 before is perfectly acceptable and is worth the expense. It might not be acceptable for someone wearing -0.5 before the surgery. This is something for you to decide on before you go for the surgery.\n\n24 is a reasonable age to get your lasik. your vision "stabilises" once your growth stops. This is around 18-22 for most people. I'm 25 now, I got my lasik when I was 22.
477490
Most laser refractive surgery is recommended with people of 6.00 or less.  So, this makes you on the edge.  Lasik and other refractive surgeries or PRK or corneal rings are very safe. The best thing you can do if you are thinking about laser surgery is to really research the doctors in your area.  Stay away from the people who claim it's so easy they can do it over your lunch break.  There are some risks as with any surgery. Most practices have someone in charge of marketing and would be happy to either set you up with a free consultation with their corneal specialist or send you more information than you could ever dream of.\n\nAs far as cost, my practice charges just under $1,300 per eye. Pain is minimal and I have mostly heard it described as annoying achiness.  There will be eye drops for a while afterwards, make sure you are okay with that.\n\nAlso keep in mind that not everyone is a good candidate for surgery.  There are several tests required in determining whether you can have surgery. You have to have enough eye tissue, no dryness, etc.
721798
Flying used to require 20/20 vision, but that has evolved as corrective vision has improved. The most recent changes, which took effect in Sept. of 1996 (see Part 67 of the Federal Air Regulations), require distant vision of 20/20 corrected or uncorrected and near vision of 20/40 or better corrected or uncorrected. Individual companies are still free to set their own standards and they vary across the board.\n\nRegarding corrective surgery there are primarily two types: Refractive Keratotomy (RK) & Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK). RK is easily detectable by the airlines and generally not liked (see SPN's Medical article - they give a nice summary of the procedures). LASIK is too new to say definitively what the airlines or other pilot employers think about it. \n\nTo sum up, don't let your vision deter you. If you're correctable to 20/20, go for it!
839627
Please see the webpages for more details on LASIK.
446658
Get free consulting from Lasik..info in first site. Will also post others for you to browse.\n\nhttp://lasikvision.imswebmktg.com/lasikvision/unique/82834.php?GCID=S15543x031&KEYWORD=laser%2Bsurgery%2Binformation
78835
call your Medi-Cal worker, you should have a phone # on your card or call around to optometrists in your area (yellow pages) and ask if they take it.  but the quickest option would be to call Medi-Cal and get a list of providers.  Good luck!
999854
go back and see the surgeon that done the eye operation
64706
Check out http://www.opted.org/ and get in touch with your local optometrist.  They're usually very willing to help/answer any questions you have about optometry.  See if you can shadow them for a day, too.  Good luck!  :)
1091188
What kind of medical degree does an optometrist need?\n\nCan an optometrist have a specialty?\n\nDo different states have different guidelines for education levels or certification in optometry to practice there?\n\nHow long do you typically have to go to school for?  \n\nWhat are the career hazards, if any?\n\nWhat draws you to this field?\n\nWould you like to work in a hospital or a private practice?  Why?
579507
My father had lasik surgery on both of his eyes (Cleveland clinic) and since then he has had perfect vision, would i recommend it?  Due to the fact that it is no longer that new of a technique it isn't as expensive as it used to be when lasik first came out.  If you have the money...my advice is to go for it!  ...It does not ruin the kidneys...if you want some factual advice talk to your Doctor or look it up on the Internet.