| LASIK and Diver
LASIK and Divers Anyone who depends on glasses to correct their vision problems knows what an inconvenience they can be at times. That's especially true for adventurous people who want to enjoy all of the action-packed outdoor activities that life has to offer. While corrective lenses can get in the way for anyone with an active lifestyle, the challenges that face divers who need vision correction can be especially troublesome. Fortunately, there are some vision-correction choices that can make underwater activities more enjoyable. UNDERWATER EYESIGHT CORRECTION In addition to prescription goggles, soft contact lenses are a good solution for many divers. With their tendency to cause corneal edema, hard contacts are far less ideal. Unfortunately, soft contacts are more susceptible to infection from marine organisms, so disposable soft contacts are the healthiest option. The risk of infection is much greater from diving in potentially contaminated ocean, river or lake water than from showering or bathing in chlorinated city water. A good facemask seal can help minimize these dangers and reduce the possibility of losing a lens due to the mask flooding. POSSIBLE LENS PROBLEMS WHILE DIVING Contact lens adherence due to salt water can cause irritation and blurred vision. Corneal swelling due to bubbles under rigid, gas-permeable contact lenses can occur. Displaced contact lenses are uncomfortable and inconvenient. Adverse reactions to commercial mask anti-fogging chemicals can lead to blurred vision, photophobia, tearing and spasm of the eye muscles. Eye doctors call this keratopathy with the slit lamp. The condition is easily prevented by thorough rinsing of the mask before use. The standard of contact lens care may be compromised when divers live aboard the diving vessel or stay on remote islands. Severe contact lens-induced corneal ulcers caused by improper lens care could cause permanent visual impairment.
THE LASIK SOLUTION For some divers, the problems and annoyances of dealing with contact lenses might just be too much trouble. For them, LASIK surgery may be a better option. LASIK is a surgical procedure intended to reduce a person's dependency on glasses or contact lenses. It has been the refractive surgery of choice for a decade. This procedure permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. A microkeratome, is used to create a flap in the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back, revealing the stroma, the middle section of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced. Recovery of vision after LASIK takes just a day. While there are no case reports documenting diving-related complications after LASIK surgery, it is recommended that patients wait one month after their treatment before resuming diving. LASIK surgery and its benefits to your active lifestyle should always be discussed with your personal ophthalmologist. A trained and qualified professional will be able to provide special knowledge about your specific situation that will help you make the best decisions for your vision and health. |
