Hi, My husband has been type 1 for 25 years now and is interested in having laser eye surgery as he wants to rid himself of glasses. I'm a bit concerned and wondered whether any other type 1's have had this done and whether it is considered safe for diabetics. Leggott.
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Laser Eye Surgery
- Thread starter leggott
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hanadr
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The only way to find out is to get information from all the companies that do the surgery, taking care that you get a reliable one. There are 2 different types of surgery, one may be more suitable than the other.
kegstore
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I would probably recommend talking to an opthalmologist about this, definitely not the company who will be taking your money and carrying out the procedure! When I enquired about similar (15 years ago), it was strongly discouraged at the time but things may have moved on since then - apparently diabetics can now wear contact lenses quite happily, which certainly used not to be the case.
Thanks Hanadr & Kegstore. Yes he will defo see an Orpthalmologist before taking this further. He's always thought (like you Kegstore) that it was not recommended for diabetics, but things have improved so much that he is now interested in the procedure. Having said that I think the price may put him off! Thanks again.
I had laser eye surgery in April 2004 and the pressure went too high in my eyeballs (glaucoma) so I had to go back the next day to see the surgeon for Timoptol drops, which eventually cured the problem. The surgeon said "That's strange, this usually only happens in people who have problems with insulin". I thought hm yes that's weird isn't it, and got on with it even though alarm bells were going off because what he said struck home somewhere in my subconsciousness. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in March 2008 after a long, slow disintegration and by the end, I was convinced I could feel that tell-tale little pulse in my eyes again (I was probably right, but it disappeared after I started using insulin). So, working backwards and remembering what the surgeon said about people who have problems with insulin, I'd say there could well be an issue with glaucoma. I'd tread very carefully with it and make sure you get your hospital's professional advice.
One further thought, I didn't understand at the time why I couldn't see straight away - it took 3 months or so for the healing cornea to become clear (most people can see clearly the next day). In hindsight, it seems obvious when you think that diabetes makes you heal slower; bear in mind that could happen too. There was no problem with the surgery itself, but it took a long long time to heal to the point where I could see, and I couldn't work for several weeks. Having said all that, it's the best thing I could have ever done and I have no regrets!!!
One further thought, I didn't understand at the time why I couldn't see straight away - it took 3 months or so for the healing cornea to become clear (most people can see clearly the next day). In hindsight, it seems obvious when you think that diabetes makes you heal slower; bear in mind that could happen too. There was no problem with the surgery itself, but it took a long long time to heal to the point where I could see, and I couldn't work for several weeks. Having said all that, it's the best thing I could have ever done and I have no regrets!!!
Re: Laser Eye Surgery - quick update
Hi, just to say that my husband had his eyes lasered yesterday & it all went ok. He can see perfectly now without the need for contacts anymore. I was a bit worried because of his diabetes, but the only criteria he had to meet was that his control was good and they did check this out with his DSN minutes before the proceedure. Leggott
Hi, just to say that my husband had his eyes lasered yesterday & it all went ok. He can see perfectly now without the need for contacts anymore. I was a bit worried because of his diabetes, but the only criteria he had to meet was that his control was good and they did check this out with his DSN minutes before the proceedure. Leggott
