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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: 14brasil on November 07, 2006, 02:38:50 pm

Title: Lasik Surgery
Post by: 14brasil on November 07, 2006, 02:38:50 pm
Poz for about 6 years on Meds for 18 month. Sustiva Tuvada. Lately I have been getting dizzy. Most of the time that I feel dizzy is when I drive. So I went to get fitted for glasses. I am near and far sided so I had to get the Progressive Lens. Wow how does anyone use to these, I dont think I will be able to. This has prompted me to want the Lasik procedure. My question is, is this poossible for me being that I am Poz. My CD4 count is about 300. I have been trying to get in contact with my doctor but he has not called me back. Any help would be great.
Title: Re: Lasik Surgery
Post by: RapidRod on November 07, 2006, 03:20:30 pm
Yes you can get Lasik surgery if you are Positive, but I can't have it done until my histo is under control.
Title: Re: Lasik Surgery
Post by: Blixer on November 07, 2006, 07:06:02 pm
I asked this question shortly after my diagnosis. I had gone through Lasik 3 months before my diagnosis (of course, I was most likely poz then).  But I had some regression in my right eye after the Lasik and I wanted to know if I could have it "redone."  I was told by two different ID doctors that if your immune system was healthy then there should be no abnormal risk at having Lasik.  I elected not to have the procedure "redone" for a number of reasons but I'm still holding that open as an option.

It's odd that some people have issues with the progressive lenses. I wore glasses since 4th grade. I have very bad eyesight.  I went to progressive lenses about 3 years before my lasik and never had any issues with them.  But I'm so glad I did the lasik. Even with the regression in one eye it is so great not to have to wear glasses.  It's not a perfect cure necessarily.  I do have some issues at twilight and in movie theatres, but for the most part it is so good to not be tied to glasses.

Good luck with your decision and with the progressives until then.
Title: Lasik for POZ? YESSSSS
Post by: megasept on November 08, 2006, 12:58:01 am
My eyesight is much improved (not perfect and still not quite what is will be in a few weeks). I just had my Lasik and have been poz for 16 years. I am so grateful for my new sight. My eyeglasses are trashed.  8) -megasept
Title: Re: Lasik Surgery
Post by: J.R.E. on November 08, 2006, 07:43:55 am
So I went to get fitted for glasses. I am near and far sided so I had to get the Progressive Lens. Wow how does anyone use to these,


Hello ,

I wear the progessive lenses. Have for over ten years now. They can be a little funny to get used to in the beginning. For some, it may take a few days to adjust. I remember when I first got them, walking up steps was a little tricky !! When I first started wearing glasses I had such huge lenses. Now I have much smaller lenses and very light-weight frames, which make them very comfortable, and much better looking.

No reason why you can't get lasic done. A good pre exam will determine the health of your eyes, But like any surgical procedure, there is always a risk.

So far, I will deal with the progressive lenses, but I may consider lasik, somewhere down the road.



Take care-----Ray
Title: Re: Lasik Surgery
Post by: aztecan on November 08, 2006, 09:05:14 am
Hey Brasil,
I was checked for Lasik about four or five years ago. My eyes are perfect candidates for it, but I have yet to have it done.

There are two obstacles:

1 - I can't afford it.

2 - The doctor here is hesitant to operate on someone who is positive. It's not that I am not physically capable, the doctor, who is otherwise a very good opthamologist, is just reticent to perform the surgery.

I am keeping that option open, however, and will look into going elsewhere if necessary should the funds become available.

I have worn progressive lenses for a number of years now. As Ray said, at first there were some interesting moments, like when trying to walk down a flight of stairs. But I adjusted quickly. I have worn glasses since I was 6 years old and have very poor eyesight.
I used to wear contact lenses, but my astigmatism is so pronounced at this point that they are pretty useless for seeing close-up without reading glasses.
Plus, my eyes are dryer now and the contact lenses become uncomfortable very quickly.

I would look into the Lasik if I were you. If you can afford it, why not?

HUGS,

Mark
Title: Re: Lasik Surgery
Post by: RapidRod on November 08, 2006, 11:17:07 am
Mark you need to come here then. They have specials every spring for 500.00 per eye. I get a card every years to get it done.

Rodney
Title: Re: Lasik Surgery
Post by: aztecan on November 08, 2006, 11:22:22 am
Ten soldiers and Nixon comin . . .

Sorry Roddles, that just popped into my head when you said to come there.

But I will keep it in mind, thanks.

HUGS,

Mark
Title: Re: Lasik Surgery
Post by: RapidRod on November 08, 2006, 11:51:21 am
Mark when I get my next card for the offer. I'll let you know.
Title: Re: Lasik Surgery
Post by: 14brasil on November 10, 2006, 09:21:26 pm
First thanks for all the replys. I went yesterday for my exam and it went well. The doctor wants me to go in for a check up with my HIV doc and have my count redown. But I think that all should go well. The Doc says that all I will need after the surgery is reading glasses. Cost 3600. They also said 500 per eye and up. But 3600 is the cost. Not so bad another Doc in the area quoted that per eye. I will post again with an update.