Lasik Eyes Surgery - Good News & Bad News

Author

Good News & Bad News

Simpledog

2005-04-20, 10:52 pm

I got a call today from an OD, who is doing clinical trials for Ophthonix.
I registered with the company, Opthonix about a year ago when they came out
with their WF Z-View Aberrometer as a lark. It was just one of those forms
you fill out that says "We'll contact you when we're ready, or when an OD is
in your area...etc."

I really didn't think much of it to be honest. Just another avenue to
pursue at that time I read about it. In all honesty, I had disregarded it,
because I thought "If this is the panacea for fixing lasik injured corneas,
then why isn't it in OSN, or Lasikdisaster, etc.".

Anyways, call goes like this "We're doing clinical trials for Ophthonix, and
we'd like for you to come in, we will fit you with lenses for free - and you
have your choice of any style frame up to 250 bucks". $#%!@#$^#%$@$#@ I
think to myself.........I go to friggen IRAQ in 3 weeks. I tell the nice
lady, I say "find someone who can come back for checkups for your clinical
trial, because I won't be around - I don't want to waste your time - but I'm
surely interested in hearing about if it works...". She says, heck, no big
deal, you can come in, we'll fit you, all you have to do is report on your
vision, and see us when you get back. I believe this has to do with Dr.
Wong, in La Jolla, who I first met right after my 'successful' surgery then
subsequently trying to fit RGPs. Ron Link had turned me on to Dr. Wong. I
think Dr. Wong involved with Ophthonix in some way. I remember when I saw
him and Nordan, he mentioned that he wanted to take a bunch of tests, all of
which I cannot remember, but he mentioned it was to use as 'data' for some
glasses that may be made to fix stuff like this. I don't know if he had
anything to do with ME, but if he did, thanks to Dr. Wong.

I asked her if she was an OD, she said she was, and then I asked her how
well those things work, especially with lasiked corneas. She said that,
although not perfect, they are 10 for 10 in improving vision over regular
lenses - and have seen dramatic improvement with post lasik issues. We
spoke a bit about coma, spherical aberrations, secondary astig, etc. and HOW
the lenses correct for those HOA's, as glasses are not stationary, and my
understanding is that they would need to be in order to fully address HOA's.
She didn't say much, but did offer a free shot at it. I'm gonna go see them
May 3rd. We'll see.

They have to measure my eyes, then make the lenses, send them off to me.
That's fine, but I have 12 days after that, and I'm sitting in a 747 headed
to Frankfurt, then to Kuwait. Hopefully I can check em' out before I go.

Will report as I can - as this may help some people if it works. Beats
pealing off the cornea for now. Can't do that anyways, as Iraq and 2 week
follow ups don't mix well. Just trying to stay positive, knowing there are
people out there that are helping me, even if I don't know them. Either
way, the fix is coming. Just need the ladar machine to have it's range
expanded, a couple of burned corneas later, then I'm off to Dr. Durrie,
Boxer-Wachler, or equivalent. Not sure I trust the VISX machine.

CatmanX

2005-04-21, 8:54 am

Sorry to hear about the problems with follow-up. I wish you the best.

dr grant

Simpledog

2005-04-21, 8:54 am

Well, I'm not THAT bad. Basically lost a line of BCVA in my left eye, and
some minor disturbances at night. I'm in no rush for retreatment until they
get it down.

"CatmanX" <grantm@connexus.net.au> wrote in message
news:1114072043.038086.149340@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> Sorry to hear about the problems with follow-up. I wish you the best.
>
> dr grant
>

ycdbsoya

2005-04-21, 11:51 am

Please give me the contact info, as I am in the SD area and am
interested in this potential fix. No more fry jobs or CLs for me.
Thanx, Simpledog.

Glenn - USAEyes.org

2005-04-21, 5:53 pm

Good news indeed. We will all benefit by hearing about your
experiences. I met with these folks some time ago and, to be honest,
was not all that impressed. But, of course, when you get something
like this for free your exposure to risk is rather low...and it comes
with a money back guarantee. 8^) I'd be delighted to hear that they
help someone with LASIK related problems.

Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance

Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org

http://www.USAEyes.org
http://www.ComplicatedEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

Simpledog

2005-04-22, 8:52 am

No problem.

Dr. Wong is rx'ing them now. He works/worked with Norman, so he's a top
notch OD. He takes time with you as well. Norman isn't doing surgery
anymore, but will consult on a variety of issues. I know when I saw them,
they spent a long time studying my eyeballs with a variety of tests. I told
them they could do anything, as long as it didn't hurt my vision. This was
about 2 years ago. I remember specifically that they were gathering info
for glasses and IOLs. Anywhoooo.......

His office is at 760.930.9696 He is totally cool.

And another company in SD is dispensing them as well. They seem to be a bit
ahead of Dr. Wong with these lenses, but what do I know. They are the one's
doing the clinical trials. They told me that it's working for lasik
patients. They have rx'd it for 10 lasik patients, and are 10 for 10 on
improving vision over normal glasses. From moderate to life-changing
results - so they say. If they are giving this to me for free, why would
they lie? I faxed them my topos, and wf scans, and they were like "come on
in - we can help you". Time will tell I guess, eh? I'm not as smart as
Glenn on this stuff, but what he says makes sense. But....we can always
take those glasses off, and they offer a money back guarantee. OD at optima
said they are getting 20-40 calls a day for post lasik fittings, and
Ophthonix can't pump them out fast enough. The people pumping money into
Ophthonix, are the same people who pumped money into a little startup called
Sun Microsystems. They aren't idiots, but only time will tell if the
technology can help us. There is cautionary hope. We may have to have
surgery, but if we can find a stop gap solution, then let's do it. If these
work, I'm soldering them to my temples for forever.

http://www.optom.com/

Will report when I get the glasses, if all goes well. I figure the same
docs who look at the same set of eyes <mine> will know the most. And I am
willing to pay for their services, but will certainly take them for free as
well - without abusing the privilege. I've seen Dr. Norman, Watcher, Sal,
and a few OD's, and only one or two of them charged me much of anything. I
think if you approach it from a "I want you to help me, and how can I help
you to do that" you will get much farther down the road.

I'll be at optom on the 3rd of May, see if you can schedule an appointment
then, and maybe we'll have lunch.

"ycdbsoya" <the_boydstons@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1114098791.911042.120060@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> Please give me the contact info, as I am in the SD area and am
> interested in this potential fix. No more fry jobs or CLs for me.
> Thanx, Simpledog.
>

Simpledog

2005-04-22, 8:52 am

Glenn, I think they have. Although I share your concerns from a less
educated perspective on my end. I mean, if lower aberrations can be
affected by twisting your glasses around (changing the ast) surely
registration plays an important part in HOA's.

I'll report more direct to you in private, so the freaks on this board don't
turn it into something politcal, and you can use it for something useful
without having defend against stupid crap.

Will share it with Dr. Minarik/Dr. Grant as well.

Regards

"Glenn - USAEyes.org" <glenn.hageleSTOPSPAM@USAEyes.org> wrote in message
news:lhhf611i59brc7q852iogishhi8gtfnja4@4ax.com...
> Good news indeed. We will all benefit by hearing about your
> experiences. I met with these folks some time ago and, to be honest,
> was not all that impressed. But, of course, when you get something
> like this for free your exposure to risk is rather low...and it comes
> with a money back guarantee. 8^) I'd be delighted to hear that they
> help someone with LASIK related problems.
>
> Glenn Hagele
> Executive Director
> Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance
>
> Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org
>
> http://www.USAEyes.org
> http://www.ComplicatedEyes.org
>
> I am not a doctor.

Ragnar

2005-04-22, 8:52 am

Why do you call him Dr. Grant?
His name is Grant Mason.
If he were a doctor - which he is not, he would be called Dr. Mason.

On Fri, 22 Apr 2005 05:38:20 GMT, "Simpledog" <cburnett1@san.rr.com>
wrote:

>No problem Dr. Grant. Heck if this doesn't work, I have PLENTY of vacation
>time, and I surf, so maybe I can come see you? I've got quite the war-chest
>built up, so travel and $$ are not an issue.
>
>I'm not a complaining patient, but then again, my eyes are not that bad.
>For those who have been seriously harmed, I have to tell you ---- this is no
>picnic.
>
>
>"CatmanX" <grantm@connexus.net.au> wrote in message
>news:1114072043.038086.149340@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>

ycdbsoya

2005-04-22, 11:50 am

Yep, there' s the freak saying stupid crap. Just like the sun rises and
sets, you can expect stupid crap from Ragnar 7/24/365.

CatmanX

2005-04-22, 5:52 pm

You;re welcome. Good surf down the coast this time of year too.

dr grant

Ragnar

2005-04-22, 10:52 pm

I thought your brain was functional these days... seems like you are
hopeless.

On 22 Apr 2005 08:25:43 -0700, "ycdbsoya" <the_boydstons@hotmail.com>
wrote:

>Yep, there' s the freak saying stupid crap. Just like the sun rises and
>sets, you can expect stupid crap from Ragnar 7/24/365.