Laser eye surgery - any reason why as a Type 1 Diabetic I can't have this done?

[MarcLister]

So as well as being a Type 1 diabetic I also wear glasses, and hearing aids. 😛

My Mum said to me the other week had I thought about laser eye surgery to remove the need to wear glasses. I had thought about it but not in great detail. As a type 1 diabetic, is there any reason why a reputable laser eye surgery clinic would turn me down? I'm sure my vision is stable and my latest retinopathy results have been the same as for the previous 4 years - no signs of anything wrong.

 

[Northerner]

Hi Marc, it seems there's no real barrier to it as long as you are well-controlled:

http://diabeteshealth.com/read/2010/08/16/6809/can-i-have-laser-eye-surgery-if-i-have-diabetes/

Not something I have had done myself, but we may have members who have 🙂

 

[MarcLister]

Hi Northener. Thought it might be you to reply! 😛

I spoke to my DSN last night about this and she wasn't sure, so at least she wasn't saying that it can't be done. My eyesight is pretty stable and I'm pretty well controlled in terms of my levels and as I said my retinopathy results have been the same for the last 4 years so I think I need to make contact with some laser eye clinics and see what they say. 🙂

 

[Northerner]

Good luck Marc, let us know what they say 🙂

 

[HOBIE]

Good luck with what ever happens Marc 🙂

 

[Brendan]

That cannot be true. It would mean that:

You can have laser surgery becuase of Diabetes - I had it on one eye due to retinopathy

Vs

You cannot have laser surgery becuase you have Diabetes!



Hopefully you will get it all sorted but I do not think that D is a reason not to be allowed to have it. Also it is a really simple procedure which I think is flattered by the term "surgery" I was quite worried going in to mine but in the end it was quick and painless some slight discomfort but nothing to have been worried about in the first place.

 

[MarcLister]

Thanks for the messages. 🙂 I'll get in touch with some clinics and see what they tell me. I also have an appointment with the diabetes specialist GP tomorrow so I'll ask her what she thinks.

 

[Northerner]

Leaked manual shows 'hard sell' used by laser eye surgery firm

"Hard sell" tactics by the country's biggest provider of corrective laser eye surgery are leading to calls for far tougher regulation of the lucrative industry.

A leaked 10-page training manual from Optical Express, marked confidential, details how front-of-shop staff, known as patient advisers, are to "take control" of potential customers. Among its diktats, it says that staff should "look for a 'nugget' – something personal that you can share with them or that they can share with you.

"If you can find that personal connection, you can refer to it later and share it with your optometrist. A good nugget can be the difference between a booker and a thinker."

Optical Express is the market leader in laser eye surgery, but has been at the centre of a series of controversies. Earlier this year the high-street optician lost a battle to have a website that strongly criticised its record in laser eye surgery closed down over what it claimed were defamatory attacks funded by a commercial rival.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/...ual-optical-express-tactics-laser-eye-surgery

Just thought this was worth a read on this thread 🙂

 

[Caroline]

I think this is a personal thing and it makes sense to find out as much as possible first.

For my part I wouldn't have it done but it is personal thing to me, I have also been advised not to have it done unless it is an emergency.

There are some forum users who have had laser eye treatment and done very well with it as did my mum