Lasik and FAA form 8500-7

[Codyjp]

I just had Lasik done last week. First of all, it was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I am just shy of 20/15 (I missed a couple of letters). I am thrilled.

What I would like to know is when should I submit the FAA form 8500-7

According to the letter from the FAA titled "Information for Pilots Considering Laser Eye Surgery" it reads:

The FAA requires that civil airmen with refractive surgical procedures
(e.g., PRK, LASIK) discontinue fl ying until their eyecare specialist
has determined that their vision is stable and there are no signifi cant
adverse effects or complications. The airman should submit one of
two documents to the FAA (a report from their eyecare specialist or
“Report of Eye Evaluation” [FAA-8500-7]). These reports can be
submitted directly to the Aerospace Medical Certifi cation Division
when released from care, or to their Aviation Medical Examiner
during their next flight physical. This report should state:
“. . . . that the airman meets the visual acuity standards and the
report of eye evaluation indicates healing is complete, visual acuity
remains stable, and the applicant does not suffer sequela, such as
glare intolerance, halos, rings, impaired night vision, or any other
complications. . . .” (Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners, July
2005)

I already have the form completed from my Dr. and have been released to enjoy my life, so when should I submit the form 8500-7. Right now or with my medical when I do that in September?

Lastly the most current form on the FAA website is expired as of 1/2008. Nice.

[My Flight Surgeon]

Just take it to the AME at the next flight physical. If the ophthalmologist completed the form, that is all the FAA will want.

[Codyjp]

thanks a bunch for your help! Is there any advantage to sending it in earlier?

thanks!

[blee256]

Hey Codyjp,

I have been thinking of getting Lasik. I guess you're pretty happy with it, based onyour comment. I see that your from Long beach. Is that LB, CA?? Did you go to Dr. Herzog? if not where?

If you dont mind, what is the price range, how bad was your vision before? how long was the procedure? how long was recovery process?

thanks,

Brian

[My Flight Surgeon]

Originally Posted by Codyjp

thanks a bunch for your help! Is there any advantage to sending it in earlier?

thanks!

No advantage at all.

[Codyjp]

Originally Posted by blee256

Hey Codyjp,

I have been thinking of getting Lasik. I guess you're pretty happy with it, based onyour comment. I see that your from Long beach. Is that LB, CA?? Did you go to Dr. Herzog? if not where?

If you dont mind, what is the price range, how bad was your vision before? how long was the procedure? how long was recovery process?

thanks,

Brian

It was great. My only regret is not doing it sooner. It really was the best thing I have ever done for myself and they aren't lying when they say you will see better than you ever have before. I am just shy of 20/15. I miss a letter or 2 but I am an easy 20/20. Contacts or glasses just didn't do the same thing for me. I notice it most when I am looking at things at far distances. Such as the ground from 3500' or the mountains 20 miles away. I see details that were never there. And I can see traffic far faster then my students. HEHEHE. I love that. I have laser vision!!! pshhhh! "blue archer with chipped paint on the tail in sight, 11 o'clock 2 miles!" (dramatization a little bit)

My ophthalmologist is Dr. Decarlo in long beach and the surgeon that did the surgery was Dr. Brenner with TLC in Torrance. They are both the best in the business and I can't recommend both of them enough. Dr. Decarlo was my regular ophthalmologist and Dr. Brenner did his family's eyes. That was enough of an endorsement for me. It was a lot of cash. $4800. I had the wavefront laser, and the new Allegretto laser did the correction. I had the top of the line procedure done. I would pay 3 times (priceless really) that much though after having it done. I was back to work after 48 hours. (I elected for an extra 24 to recover, I was good to go after the first 24).

I had about 20/60ish before the surgery. Not bad, but not very good either. It seems that there are so many rumors and false information passed around about lasik that people are scared of it. With the new technology it is almost perfect so I went for it. I had it done 10 days ago and the recovery is about 100% and I have only a tiny bit of night glare that is visible. I expect this to be gone in less than a week really. Even if I never got any better I would still be satisfied. IT beats contacts by a million. The lasik of 10 years ago is a whole 'nother story and the procedures available today blow that old technology out of the water.

The procedure itself was about 15 minutes. Yes, 15 minutes. It takes longer to eat a subway sandwich. It is amazing.

TLC seems very interested in pre and post screening. I had 3 visits prior to the surgery. In addition an ongoing evaluation (about 2 years to verify my prescription stability) from Dr. Decarlo, then a test/screening at TLC, a Dilation at my ophthalmologist, and a one day prior verification at TLC, then the surgery. After the surgery I had a 24 hour evaluation/checkup, a 7 day checkup (when I had my FAA paperwork done). Then I will undergo a 30 day, 3 month, 6 month, 12 month and then every year from there after. TLC guarantees all of there work and will offer free touch ups if needed (very rare). They also seemed to be very thorough in the pre screening. It seems that they are very interested in protecting there reputation and will not do a surgery unless they are quite sure it will go well.

I send most of my students to Hertzog since he is down the street but I personally had a poor experience with him (long story, not worth talking about really). He does offer Lasik though. I don't know how many surgeries he has done.

As far as 8500-7, I will keep the form and send it in with my medical.

Thanks Doctor!

NOW, ALL OF YOU NAY SAYERS, GO GET LASIK DONE!

[blee256]

Wow, thanks cody for reply. Very informative. I want to get it done before I deploy in September. I am just afraid a some of the possible side effects I hear about, halos and stuff with night vision

I have astigmatism, can lasik correct that?

As a professional pilot, I thought I would rather put up with glasses and contacts than the possibility of losing my medical. But with technology getting better and better, I am thinking about getting it done. Kind of a big decision, so i have been very hesitant.

thanks again,

-brian

[taseal]

Lasik was the best thing I have ever done.

[Codyjp]

I have a scuba diving vacation planned for september so I had it done now so I can get it out of the way. You have to give yourself 2 weeks of no contact sports or swimming and 4 weeks for scuba (that is killing me!)

I had an astigmatism as well. As far as I know they can fix all problems. Go and get a consultation done. Any reputable place should do those for free. That way you will at least know if you are a viable candidate. Best of luck with it. Let me know if you have any more questions!

[Codyjp]

Oh yeah, with the new wavefront laser that they use to cut the flap they have all but eliminated the halos and dry eye. I did use an eye drop once last week but I don't think I needed to. I have had no problem. The night vision is still barely noticeable but still great. I have flown at night with great results. Even without be fully healed the very minor halo is better then the dry contacts or the reflections on glasses. They do say it could be a month for the night vision to be perfect, but I am happy with where I am at right now.

[blee256]

Originally Posted by Codyjp

Go and get a consultation done. Any reputable place should do those for free. That way you will at least know if you are a viable candidate. Best of luck with it. Let me know if you have any more questions!

FREE, huh? Dr. Herzog wanted 150 bucks for a consultation......

[Codyjp]

Originally Posted by blee256

FREE, huh? Dr. Herzog wanted 150 bucks for a consultation......

That sounds about like something he would do. He also offered to do lasik for me. I asked him how long/how many he had done. His answer was, well, the ones I have done turned out well. No thanks.

TLC or Laser Eye center I know will do an evaluation for free. I may even go as far as to say that most reputable offices will do it for free.