laser vision correction surgery

February 8, 2008

This brought up an interesting point about possible laser vision correction.

I had this surgery a few years before they finally diagnosed my chiari.

Unfortunately the doctor that did it was not honest and told me about the

FUCHs.. which is where the cornea basically dies. The vision correction speeds

this process because it weakens the cornea.

Since now there may possibly be a connection between FUCH's and EDS and

because our eyes our also made of connective tissue... I personnally do not

think

any of us should consider doing this surgery at least until they find out

more info.

I am going to be twenty years ahead of my time going blind or having cornea

transplants and rejection drugs due to this surgery.

At the time I thought it was wonderful to ride my bike and swim without

glasses but I would never do it again.

And I just told my grown son the same thing at least until they know whether

I passed this down.

Kathy

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February 9, 2008

I would encourage everyone who has EDS to have their eyes checked by an

ophthalmologist, not just an optometrist. I saw an ophthalmologist last

June b/c Dr. B wanted me to have an OCT test to check to see if the optic

nerve was edematous for possible ICP. This test was normal, but the

ophthalmologist found irregularities due to the EDS. After another

follow-up appointment, he referred me to a retinal specialist. I saw him a

couple weeks ago...and b/c of tiny holes in my right retina and some

irregular blood vessels in my left eye, I needed laser surgery on both eyes

I need to continue to watch for signs of a retinal tear as I am more

prone to have a tear with EDS.

Thanks Kathy for the site contraindicated Lasik in those with EDS. It is

something you should consider if you are planning Lasik. I did not have

Lasik surgery, however, I did have retinal keratotomy. (This was the

procedure before Lasik). In retinal keratotomy they make slices into the

retina. I've always had fluctuation in my vision after this procedure and

the doctor said it is due to the EDS. I don't know if the retinal

keratotomy has damaged my retinas or if the irregularities would have

happened regardless if I had the procedure or not.

Our eye sight is precious and therefore, I would encourage you to see an

ophthalmologist.

Darlene

February 10, 2008

I havent seen the site kathy mentioned yet, i havent gotten to the K's in

checking my messages yet. But i wanted to add something before i forgot. My

dad had lasik done a couple years ago. You have to answer a list of questions

to find out if you are a suitable candidate. One is do you have a connective

tissue disorder. If you do you really should not have it done, and iat this

center they will not perform the surgery. We dont know where my problems came

from. My aunt, which is my dads sister, has hypermobility. While i was in new

york for 4 months, she really took an interest in what was going on and

reasearched it online along with EDS. She called me and told me how she had the

hypermobility and the scars she saw pictures of. I have classical eds which ahs

hypermobility and horrible healing. I also have physical marfanoid features,

lacking the internal marfanoid signs.

Anyways my dad thinks since he has never been diagnosed with EDS there is no

reason to look into it or to be cautious. He had the lasik done, and it did not

work well enough for him to not need glasses. He could see but not well enough

to read or drive. So he paid and had it done again, and not it has improved. I

always wonder though, since he is still slow to heal, not as slow as i am, but

not normal either. That could be the cause of his failed surgery.

It's just somethign to think about. if you are considering it. I'm talking

about optional laser surgery to help your eyesight. Things like retinal tears

need to be taken care of, so I'm not talking about something like that. There

will be risks and benefits of any surgery it just gets to where do the risks

outweight the benefits or visa versa.

Re: laser vision correction surgery