LASIK: Q&A
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Lasik and Mountain Climbing, Are there Any Risks with the Altitude?
I had Lasik over 12 years ago and am now planning on climbing Mt Elbrus, would it still have a bearing on the altitude after having had the op so long ago?
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4 Doctor Answers |
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angelina123
+3
Lasik and Mountain Climbing
There are no long term reasons to not go mountain climbing after Lasik. In the short term postop, about two weeks, I would rather you not do those kinds of activities, simply to allow the corneas to heal properly without too many variables. The air at those altitudes is pretty dry, as well, so artificial tears are important for any planned trip. Many many years ago, there was a book written about a climber who had had Radial Keratotomy(RK), a procedure I stopped doing in 1994...
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+3
LASIK & High Altitude Climbing
I'm going to have to disagree with Dr Chynn. The evidence shows that LASIK is safe with high altitude climbing. Many climbers of Mt Everst have in fact had LASIK. LASIK has also been used for years by Naval fighter pilots without adverse effects.
This answer is coming from a surgeon who performs both LASIK and advanced surface treatments!
West Orange Ophthalmologist
+3
LASIK and altitude
Don't worry about any altitude effects with LASIK. that would be extremely uncommon and likely limited to patients that had very high rx treatments and/or have resultant weakened corneas and poor vision already. Radial Keratotomy, a procedure where we used to make several incisions in the cornea to flatten it, did result in weakness and altitude related issues/blurring. RK was replaced by laser treatments in the early 90's.
Mc Lean Ophthalmologist
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