PRK/Lasik eye surgery and riding

[TropicalStorm]

I go in for my eyes on Friday. I'm getting the PRK surgery because of my age (I'm only 22, but my eyes have been stable for 4 years-and hey, I get it all paid for until I'm 23, so I better take advantage!)
So, I guess that the main difference from PRK and Lasik is that with PRK, they burn away a part of the cornea instead of creating a flap...so because of that, healing time is more than with Lasik.

For those of you who have had your eyes done, how was it riding afterwards? How long did you stay away? Did you find that the dust aggrevated your eyes, or were you ok?

Any advice that you can give would be much appreciated!
I'm a trifle nervous :no::)

[janedoe726]

I probably shouldn't have, but I went to a horse show the day after I had mine done. I didn't ride (took about a week, maybe 2 off- you want to be very careful about bumping or rubbing your eyes), but other than that, I didn't slow down! Good luck!!

[summerhorse]

You can wear goggles or protective glasses for awhile if the dusts bothers you. Keep some saline with you to keep them washed out (the nose stuff actually works better than the eye stuff and is cheaper). Don't be active until your Dr. tells you to though. If you mess it up you have limited repair options.

[Jacobi]

I've had PRK, initially and then again as my vision regressed. I can't quite recall how long I was advised to stay away from the barn, about a week I think. I strongly recommend that you sleep as much as possible the day of your procedure. I had no pain to speak of on both occasions. Good luck, hope your results are as good as mine were. Do follow the instructions to the letter.

[JoZ]

I had Lasik, not PRK. My recovery was quite quick and uneventful. I wore sunglasses at the barn for about a week, and the goggles they provided for sleep. I didn't have pain, just a bit of blurriness and dryness. Use the eye wetting solution! It helps a lot. I still use it if my eyes feel dry or tired.

It was the best thing I've done for myself! I had trouble wearing contacts at the barn and glasses were just a pain! I am so glad I had the Lasik done!!!

[LockeMeadows]

I took two weeks off after mine. It's been three years and was an excellent choice to have it done. BTW, I had the Lasik procedure, not PRK.

[TropicalStorm]

Thanks for the replies!
Surgeon said to stay out from the barn for minimally 1 week, and while I'm supposed to try to stay out of a dust free environment for 4-6 weeks, he understands that its probably not that plausible, so just advised me to go heavy on the eyedrops

[pharmgirl]

I had Lasik done a few years ago (one of the best things I ever did! :)), and they wanted me away from very dusty environments for at least a week. They did say I could maybe wear goggles if I had to go, but I coordinated it during a time I wouldn't be around to go out there anyway.

The other thing I remember was that with Lasik it took about a week or so for the flap to completely heal on my eyes. The doc said that first week or two was also key to avoid riding (or more importantly, possibly falling) where you could hit your head or have some jarring motion that would dislodge the flap. I believe that keeping them constantly moist with the drops helps with all of that as well.

[VWBug]

I had PRK and probably stayed away from the barn for a week and change. This was about 7 years ago and I've never had a problem with dust, dirt etc. And like others have said it was one of the better things I've done.

[LaurieB]

I had PRK and I stayed away from the barn for a week (I was pretty fanatic about keeping dust away from my eyes.) I didn't ride for two weeks. After that, everything was great.

By the way, PRK takes longer to heal than lasik. During the first week, my vision was far from perfect--even if riding had been an option, I wouldn't have done it.

As others have said, it was the best thing I ever did for myself. Good luck!

[diffuse01]

I had PRK and I stayed away from the barn for a week (I was pretty fanatic about keeping dust away from my eyes.) I didn't ride for two weeks. After that, everything was great.

By the way, PRK takes longer to heal than lasik. During the first week, my vision was far from perfect--even if riding had been an option, I wouldn't have done it.

As others have said, it was the best thing I ever did for myself. Good luck!

Ditto this. I had PRK done back in May (I'm 21, so close to your age), and stayed away from the barn for a week. When I did go, I wore my sunglasses the entire time. I also didn't ride for 2wks.

Are you having both eyes done at once? I had one at a time done, because my Dr. likes doing PRK that way. He said he's had patients that got both done freak out because your vision is NOT good at ALL for at least a week. I was SO happy I chose to do one eye at a time; I would've been blind had I done both. I definitely wouldn't have been able to drive safely for 10 days had I done both at once. Obviously, everyone is different, but that's just my experience.

Your vision will go in and out for a good 2wks. most likely, so just be prepared for that. You'll have days where you go 'Oh wow!', and days where you go 'What the heck did I do?!'

Best thing I ever did for myself though :yes:

[TropicalStorm]

ya, scarily, I'm getting both eyes done at once. :( its because my left eye is quite a bit stronger than my right eye, so if I only did the one first, I'd likely be blind anyways :(

[VWBug]

I got both eyes done at the same time. I just wanted to rip the band-aid off ya know?

[TropicalStorm]

I got both eyes done at the same time. I just wanted to rip the band-aid off ya know?
exactly :D
i figure better get it all fone at once and only suffer once instead of twice!

[diffuse01]

ya, scarily, I'm getting both eyes done at once. :( its because my left eye is quite a bit stronger than my right eye, so if I only did the one first, I'd likely be blind anyways :(

Just be sure you have someone that'll drive you around for at least 10 days after the surgery. I was lucky to have my parents and boyfriend around. My left eye is a lot stronger than my right as well, so I had that one done first. I wore a contact in my right eye while recovering for the first few days. I had my right eye done 2wks. after my left, so it wasn't a huge wait.

As far as 'suffering', you shouldn't. My left eye went great; I had one day where I looked like a drug addict (blood shot, kind of swollen), but other than that, it was fine. I took pain meds. for 2 days after the surgery.
My right gave me more problems (another reason I was happy I did one at a time), and I was on pain meds. for 3 days, and my eye was much more irritated, burny (it feels like you have shampoo in your eye), and swollen than the left.

Good luck though! You'll be happy you did it :)

[TropicalStorm]

so its the day before the surgery and I'm really freaking out :(
I keep on hearing all these horror stories about how PRK took months and months to heal :(

[Jacobi]

Bull. I used to work for the clinic that pioneered the procedure in North America. Did the first case in North America. I worked in the research department while I attended nursing school. My job was to go through all the case files and collect the data which was used to write the papers that our doc's published. I also got to call ALL of the patients at intervals to do "satisfaction surveys" asking about adverse reactions, side effects, healing times, pain, how good or bad their vision is, etc. That was before the advent of Lasik. So just PRK data. The vast majority of patients were VERY satisfied and had little pain or discomfort afterward.

When I had my first procedure done in 1996, I had the first eye done and was going to wait until after my wedding to have the second eye done. This was in the days when they would not do both eyes on the same day. My vision was so good and I had so little pain on my first day post-op that my DH told me to call and see whether they could do my other eye sooner. I had the second eye done that day, and had great vision (20/15) for my wedding day 2 weeks later. P.M. me if you need more information.

[diffuse01]

so its the day before the surgery and I'm really freaking out :(
I keep on hearing all these horror stories about how PRK took months and months to heal :(

Ah, stop reading too much, or listening to too many people ;).
I'd say it took me a month to be back to normal, and remember, I had one eye done at a time, so my process was longer. Yes, your vision can 'jump' around for some time after the surgery, but it's never anything huge. I'm 8 months out and some days I still have a couple hours where it's slightly blurred, but it goes away. My Dr. said it can take a year for your vision to completely stabilize, so it was something I was prepared for.

You'll be ok. Just stay on top of your eye drops (you'll have a ton!) and don't let your pain (if you have any) get too bad before you take anything for it! I made that mistake and paid for it.

[VWBug]

The procedure itself was, for me, no picnic. And for a few days afterwards it felt like I had something in my eye which I would classify as pretty uncomfortable. I spent those days sleeping as much as possible in a dark room. :) Then my vision was a little blurry for a few days and then voila - the mist cleared and I could see perfectly. All of that was probably over a week's time.

Weigh in when you can and give a report on how things went.

[Personal Champ]

I hope everything went well with your surgery.

For those of you who have had it done, what was your pre-op prescriptions?? I would love to have surgery done, but I have a high myopia (-11 in the right and -13 in the left). Initially I was told not a candidate for Lasik, only implants, but now I see that some of the Lasik lasers are approved for higher scripts.

[scrtwh]

Well, I had cataract surgery and Lasix done at the same time, and the next day I was seeing better than I had in fifteen years. It was amazing. I was back in the saddle within a few days.

[CacheDawnTaxes]

So how did the surgery go *cough*:lol:

[BumbleBee]

Can I ask how much these surgeries cost so I can start saving?

[jengersnap]

Around a grand an eye in this area.

I'm watching this thread for updates too, and hope all has gone well for the OP :)

[diffuse01]

Can I ask how much these surgeries cost so I can start saving?

Mine was $4200. I got financed by Care Credit for 2yrs., no interest :winkgrin:

Hope the OP did well!

[txladybug]

I had Lasik done 10.31.08. GREAT decision. I had both eyes done at the same time. The procedure freaked me out a little, but I am not big on anything "touching" my eyes. I went home and napped, my husband drove me home. Later that night I could See The TV . Minimal discomfort afterwards, kinda like very dry eyes.

Advice: USE THE DROPS on schedule as per the doctors orders.

My doctor said "no throwing hay" for a week and then I was clear to ride or whatever as long I was careful.

Side effects: a little drier eyes than normal, alleviated with drops. Usually if the weather is very dry or I am in the house with the wood stove going. A little light sensitivity. Doc said wear sunglasses outside for two months. I did a dressage schooling show in shades but forgot to explain it to the judge. :cool: I also have slight "haloing" with night time lights when driving, also alleviated with drops. Doc says it's a dry eye symptom. I already had "slightly dry eyes" so this is not new.

Price: My husband traded $1000 of skilled work for the docs new home plus $2,700 for both eyes and follow up appointments, all evaluations, etc.

Please let us know how it goes and anyone can pm me if they have questions about lasik.

[txladybug]

BUMP

How did the surgery go?

[carolprudm]

I am considering having something done, still in the process of investigating methods.

My daughter had hers done at TLC, a national (expensive) chain. She is very satisfied. My son had his done locally, using a different procedure, possibly PRK. He described it as scrubbing the cornea. He is less satisfied.

My concern is presbyopia. So far the best bet for me seems to be Lasik Plus blended vision where each eye is corrected differently. Has anyone had this and did it affect depth perception?

[carolprudm]

bump

[mooonie]

What is presbyopia?

[TheJenners]

I am considering having something done, still in the process of investigating methods.

My daughter had hers done at TLC, a national (expensive) chain. She is very satisfied. My son had his done locally, using a different procedure, possibly PRK. He described it as scrubbing the cornea. He is less satisfied.

My concern is presbyopia. So far the best bet for me seems to be Lasik Plus blended vision where each eye is corrected differently. Has anyone had this and did it affect depth perception?

You realize you dragged this up from 2009, and now everyone is bumping to check on the outcome from the OP, right??

[mjmvet]

Well, since we're at it:

Carolprudm - my sister had each of her eyes corrected differently, and was miserable with headaches until she had one eye redone. I had both eyes corrected for nearsightedness (-4 or so) and plan to need reading glasses in a year or two. It will be 5 years or more of glasses free living for me by the time that rolls around. FWIW.

[carolprudm]

You realize you dragged this up from 2009, and now everyone is bumping to check on the outcome from the OP, right??
Well, yes, but it seems that if you start a new thread on something like this someone is bound to post "This has been discussed before. Don't you know how to use the search function?"

FWIW the OP posted a week ago on page 8 or so of the "To heavy to ride thread" in the dressage forum, seems to be doing OK

[Coanteen]

I go in for my eyes on Friday. I'm getting the PRK surgery because of my age (I'm only 22, but my eyes have been stable for 4 years-and hey, I get it all paid for until I'm 23, so I better take advantage!)
So, I guess that the main difference from PRK and Lasik is that with PRK, they burn away a part of the cornea instead of creating a flap...so because of that, healing time is more than with Lasik.

For those of you who have had your eyes done, how was it riding afterwards? How long did you stay away? Did you find that the dust aggrevated your eyes, or were you ok?

Any advice that you can give would be much appreciated!
I'm a trifle nervous :no::)

I specifically had the PRK because I didn't want any risk at all of the flap detaching (shortly before my surgery, which was supposed to be LASIK, we had a lecture by the main optho for the USAF and he told us stories of flap detachments in impact situations like surfing).
Yeah, it hurt for a few days, and it took a few weeks to fully "settle". I was driving/back to work within I think 6 days (it hurt really badly for 2 or 3, but I took a whole week off), but it took longer than that for the vision to stabilize completely, ie it kept getting incrementally better.

One think to consider at your age is that with PRK you can have more revisions in the future. With LASIK I think it's only 1 or 2 times, depending on the thickness of your cornea.

[LaurieB]

I am considering having something done, still in the process of investigating methods.

My daughter had hers done at TLC, a national (expensive) chain. She is very satisfied. My son had his done locally, using a different procedure, possibly PRK. He described it as scrubbing the cornea. He is less satisfied.

My concern is presbyopia. So far the best bet for me seems to be Lasik Plus blended vision where each eye is corrected differently. Has anyone had this and did it affect depth perception?

I had my eyes corrected differently because by the time I had the procedure done I was already at the age where I needed reading glasses. So I had one done for distance and one for reading. I have not had any problems with depth perception (specifically I was worried that it would be harder to find distances to fences, but it turned out to make no difference at all). The whole thing worked out great for me.

HOWEVER...before I had the PRK I had been wearing contact lenses that corrected my vision that way--one close, one far---for about 3 years. The surgeon who did my eyes said that he would never do that type of correction on someone who didn't already know that they could tolerate it because while most people can, some simply never adjust and it's a big problem. (Although in that case, the "close" eye can be redone to alleviate the issues.)

[carolprudm]

Scheduled my surgery for April 21 at LASIK Plus in Richmond VA. They will be correcting both eyes for distance and strongly discouraged correcting one for distance and the other for close.

MSRP was $4200 discounted to $3400.

Beeza was bred May 15....any guesses when she will foal?

[MunchingonHay]

april 21.