lisse (01/25/83)
With all of the discussion on contacts, and being a long-time wearer of glasses and contacts, a related subject popped into my mind. I have heard that a surgical procedure has been developed in the Soviet Union to correct myopia (near-sightedness). I think that it consists of making tiny incisions around th perimeter of the cornea in order to flatten it out. This obviously implies that this only corrects myopia caused by corneas which are deformed and too thick. Now, my questions are: 1. Can anyone lend more information about the procedure and what kinds of problems it corrects? 2. Better yet, has anyone had this procedure performed or know anyone who has? 3. How much research has been done in terms of long-term effects of this surgery? 4. Is this procedure done: - in the United States? - on people with other than severe problems? 5. If I could get this procedure performed, how much would it cost? 6. Is this procedure 100% corrective and does it last? If anyone has additional questions or information beyond this, please add to it. Steve Purduski
norskog (01/27/83)
#R:ihuxs:-27400:fortune:21300002:000:194 fortune!norskog Jan 26 14:51:00 1983 About all that I have heard about this is that is done in the U.S. by one or two doctors, and that the patients think it wonderful. However, almost all of the patients have a continual squint.
wagar (01/27/83)
My brother had corrective surgery for myopia. The operation is called a radial keratotamy (sp?), and consists of making 8 or 16 fine slits on the eye like spokes of a wheel. His vision has improved to about 20/30 in both eyes, and he only wears glasses now for heavy reading and the like. The success rate at the time he had the operation (about two years ago) was 90% to achieve permanent correction to what he has or better. Thus, presumably 81% of operees still have at least one bad eye, and 99% have at least one good eye. But techniques have improved considerably since that time. In just the time between having his left eye done and his right eye done (they are done separately), the 8-slit method was made better than the 16-slit method (less cutting, not as risky), so he has one eye in each style. If he squints at a street light, he can see the radiating lines. So how much does it cost, and what risks are there? My brother (age 23) paid $1500 for each eye. That's about $100 a minute during the operation. So far as I know, no one has ever suffered by having the operation, other than financially. However, the following risks exist: 1. Your vision will not be improved. 2. Although the cuts completely heal after a month or so, a punch in the eye could be more dangerous after the operation. 3. Most opthamologists believe patients will suffer a greater risk of getting cataracts, and thus shun this operation. Much more time will be required to determine if this is so. Thanks to early comers like my brother, this operation is sufficiently refined to seriously consider if myopia bothers you. Don't worry about it ruining your appearance: I can spot contacts from a distance, but these lines are only visible very close up under strong light. If there is sufficient interest, I will provide the name and address of the doctor (in Scarsdale, I think) who operated on my brother, and is the leading practitioner in this country. He was written up in Parade a few years back (which is how we heard about him). -Steve Wagar decvax!yale-comix!wagar
gaw (02/01/83)
#R:ihuxs:-27400:fortune:21300004:000:388
fortune!gaw Jan 31 15:47:00 1983
The procedure is called 'radial kirlatometry' (I don't think that
is spelled right). It is still an experimental procedure in the
United States. There is not too much data on how permanent the effects
are, due to the fact the procedure is relatively new. If I were you,
I would keep on wearing your glasses or contacts until this becomes
a 'routine' procedure.
Glenn Wall