Lasik sight correction - is it worthwhile?

[Silverado]

Have you considered using the contact lens option. Both my wife and I are using extended use contacts for about four years now. You can leave them in your eye for up to three months at a time (the manufacturers say one month but they last much longer) without taking them out at all.

We use the one strong - one weak system so that we can read without glasses and also have the long distance vision as well. It does have its downsides though - no depth of vision and hard to tell accurately how far away the buoy, rock is etc and if you decide to hop over the side for a swim you must wear soem form of goggles or you will lose the lenses.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

Its a funny old world !!!!
After a lifetime of sailing (and we never seemed to use sunglsses in the old days) I developed cataracts in both eyes. I then had intra-ocular lenses installed via a 20 minute operation. Since then I have had perfect distance vision but no accommodation so use varifocals for detailed work 3m(ie TV) into reading distances.
So-- out of adversity, much good can come.
I wonder if other sailor, presently in their 60's, have developed cataracts from earlier sun exposure in a less cautious era??
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[Nick_H]

If you do go ahead, do your research on the surgeon who will carry it out, they are not all the same standard. I decided to have it done, and went to one of the national chains, who approved me for the treatment. Two weeks later I also had a consultation at a clinic linked to the university (intending to decide between the two), and at the end of the consultation he told me I needed urgent eye surgery to repair a 20% detached retina, and could never have laser correction.

 

[BarryT]

Saltwatergypsy

I'd be interested in understanding more about the operation you had. Was it a replacement lens like a normal cateract operation or a lens implant to supplement your existing natural lens ?

Either way what consultations did you undergo before deciding on the operation and where did you have the operation done ?

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

In reply to your question:

They were replacement lenses as cataracts had distorted my "natural "ones. You can choose whether to have reading or far vision lenses. My choice was for distance vision and it has been a great success.
The operation consists of making a 2mm incision in the eye and removing the natural lens. The artificial lens is folded into a tube andis then inserted through the hole. The tube is removed and the lens springs into shape. No stiches are required.Its no worse than going to the dentist!!!
I don't think this operation is really in the same category as laser correction as you lose all accommodation. However I believe they now have softer lenses which give a degree of accommodation.
The consultant took me through the options and it was a half -day outpatient procedure.
The operation was performed in Edinburgh.