In 1997 I started having some difficulty focusing on written word in both books and on the computer screen. I had been forewarned that our forties are the years that we don the dreaded bifocals. DREAD had arrived!!!!!! I opted for an alternative to bifocals by having my lenses prescription switched to monovision. Choosing monovision merely meant that my left eye prescription would be changed slightly to help me focus up close and my right eye prescription would remain the same correcting my myopia. Of course, I would have to retrain my eyes to view things differently. I was accustomed to focusing with both eyes simultaneously. I would have to consciously (or perhaps sub-consciously) choose one eye over the other eye depending on the task at hand. I have been pretty happy with my new monovision lenses, as I adapted very well. My doctor told me that many people find it impossible to adapt to monovision. But I do find that my eyes tire more quickly and since my work involves so many hours on the computer I decided to check out some other alternatives.
I had began investigating two surgical procedures, RK (Radial Keratotomy) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy). I eventually decided PRK was the way to go, financial and insurance concerns had kept me from following through on this surgical procedure for awhile. But finally I reached deep into my pockets and took the plunge. PRK treatment was scheduled for my left eye on July 24, 1997. My right eye was to follow within two to four weeks. I journaled my day to day experience with PRK.
Eyecare Terminology
Myopia - Nearsightedness. Near objects are seen clearly, but distant objects are blurry. Myopia occurs when light rays entering the eye are focused in front of your retina instead of directly on it. Nearsightedness can be corrected by eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.
Bifocals - Eyeglasses having two focal lengths, one part that corrects for near vision and one for distant vision.
Monovision - A fitting technique in which the contact lens in the dominant eye is used for distance viewing and the other, non-dominant eye is set for a near focal distance.
RK - (Radial Keratotomy) - Surgical procedure which involves making incisions into the substance of the cornea. Proper construction of these incisions allows the cornea to flatten and thereby provide a better focus for the eye.
PRK - (Photorefractive Keratectomy) - Surgical treatment for nearsightedness in which an exicimer laser flattens the front surface of the cornea by removing small amounts of tissue.
InSightful Books and Links
EyeCare Connection - Dr. Larry Bickford reports on various types of contact lenses available. Includes information on the care and handling and complications associated with wearing contact lenses.
The Vision Correction Website - Compare Lasik, PRK, and RK at this site. It even includes a directory of U.S. doctors. (Cute eyeball animations too!)
Beyond Glasses: The Consumers Guide to Laser Vision Correction Informative book written by Franette Armstrong (Introduction by James J. Salz, M.D.) Includes 18 case studies.
Not a Cure-All: Eye Surgery Helps Some See Better - Reprint of the original 1995 report from the U.S. Food and Drug Department. (contains revisions made in November 1995 and December 1996)
The Myopia Myth: The Truth About Nearsightedness and How to Prevent It - Book on the prevention of myopia written by Donald Rehm, president of the International Myopia Prevention Association.
PRK Diaries
- On-Sight PRK Diary - Your Guide's personal diary of her PRK procedure.
- Paul Hurley's PRK Journal
- They Zapped Me With Lasers - Jeffrey S. Rosenthal personal account of his PRK laser surgery.
