LASIK surgery and fighting

Just a quick medical tidbit for all the fighters out there.  I heard several mentions about Ben Henderson's Lasik eye surgery over the weekend.  A word of caution regarding this procedure: 
During Lasik the cornea (surface of the eye) is incised and lifted to allow access to the eye lens for laser treatment.  This corneal flap is laid back into place.  This flap is succeptible to detachment from minor trauma (i.e. getting hit in the eye).  While I have not personal seen this in a boxer/mma fighter yet, I have seen this in scuba divers, car airbag deployments, and other eye trauma.

A viable option for many patients to Lasik is PRK surgery.  Longer healing time, but no chance of corneal flap lifting.  I'm not syaing don't consider Lasik, just be sure if you consider this potential complication and that you ask the right questions and make the right chioce for your fight carreer.

 

 ttt

Ben had PRK not Lasik. When going through the license and meds we are always asked if it was PRK or Lasik and we have the feeling that some docs wont clear you with Lasik for the reasons listed above.

PRK was more expensive but really the only choice for Benson.

he was -350 and -450 with his vision so this was not a "I hate how I look in glasses" issue.

 Thanks for the update Magnetic - kept hearing LASIK and thought it was worth mentioning on this forum.  Glad to hear he had PRK.  Now can you tell me what doctor removed all the ligaments from his elbows???

PunchDrunkDoc -  Thanks for the update Magnetic - kept hearing LASIK and thought it was worth mentioning on this forum.  Glad to hear he had PRK.  Now can you tell me what doctor removed all the ligaments from his elbows???


Doc he is BJ Penn Flexible, he swears its the Vickum (sp) Yoga.

 IO had Lasik about  14 years ago.



Its awesome I was blind as hell!



No probs I could use a adjustment i think soon i think though . still see ok though,

 http://boxing.nv.gov/Hot%20Topics/Elective_Eye_Surgery_10-08.pdf


Did Ben have trouble getting licensed? I had a fighter that was -400 and the AZ Box Com flat out said NO and wouldn't even discuss it.

This was for an Amatuer MMA fight.

AFTC - Did Ben have trouble getting licensed? I had a fighter that was -400 and the AZ Box Com flat out said NO and wouldn't even discuss it.

This was for an Amatuer MMA fight.


He memorized the eye chart so they had no idea. He would walk in read it and repeat it. Not sure they knew how bad his eyes were. I found out at a photo shoot we did. When we asked him to remove his glasses it was obvious he couldn't see.

 This is VERY COMMON in motocross!  a former AMA motocross champ couldnt defend his #1 plate because his he crashed in testing and his eye flap came open from surgery.

LOL at memorizing the chart.

The opthamologist does a very detailed exam. Even if he memorized the chart it would be hard to fake with dilation, etc.

Thanks

dawley -  This is VERY COMMON in motocross!  a former AMA motocross champ couldnt defend his #1 plate because his he crashed in testing and his eye flap came open from surgery.



who was this? thanks!

 I had lasik surgery and asked my doc about sparring and his suggestion was to completely avoid impact to the eye as reattatchment of the corneal flap was much more complicated than the original surgery.

TTT for more info on PRK

Are there any other surgeries that the CSAC allows? Because the healing time curve for PRK fucking sucks balls from what I hear.

AFTC - LOL at memorizing the chart.

The opthamologist does a very detailed exam. Even if he memorized the chart it would be hard to fake with dilation, etc.

Thanks


shonie carter used to do the same...i think he was denied a liscence for a UFC fight once, because it was more intense eye exam and he failed.

 harada, it was grant langston.

I had PRK 2 months ago.

When it is done healing nobody, not even eye doctors can tell you had it.

PRK takes 6 months to recover.

OldSchoolMike - I had PRK 2 months ago.

When it is done healing nobody, not even eye doctors can tell you had it.

PRK takes 6 months to recover.


What's the average healing time?

Bikram Yoga IMO

yoga is great shit for BJJ and martial arts in general. learning how to breath in an assortment of bent up twisted positions...plus the flexibility and stability it brings. great stuff.

i had lens replacement surgery and the doctor said i could be bludgeoned in the head within 6 weeks.