Are
Athletes Good Candidates for LASIK?
Several of the professional athletes have publicly used LASIK
surgery to correct visual impairment problems that put them at
risk of losing their jobs. Let’s face it, when a player
is on the field playing contact sports, or related games it does
not pay to wear contact lenses or eye glasses. Someone could throw
the ball at the wrong angle and hit the player in the eye. If
the player is wearing eyewear, the glass could break and put out
his or her eyes. On the other hand, if the player is wearing contact
lenses and they fall out during game play, the player could miss
the final play that helps the team win the game. In addition,
when dirt and sweat gets under contact lenses, it causes irritation
to the eyes. It becomes a hassle. For this reason, many athletes
seek qualified LASIK surgeons to correct and improve their vision
problems. LASIK can make the game more fun, since there is no
more struggling with contact lenses or eyeglasses.
LASIK offers athletes many benefits, yet LASIK
also has risks and setbacks. Not every athlete qualifies for LASIK
surgery. Some athletes are recommended to seek other alternatives
to correct their vision problems because they are higher risk
candidates for LASIK surgery. How so, the risks maybe noted in
their game that they play.
Which
athletes are at a higher risk?
Many surgeons warn that LASIK is recommended for
patients who do not play in vigorous sports. The risk involved
in playing contact sports is already high. The players are at
risk of getting hit in the face in most sports.
Athletes who have LASIK surgery and play hardcore
games are at a higher risk, since if they resume playing after
surgery it could cause injury or damage to the eye. The injuries
could lead to infection. How so? It is simple. LASIK is a procedure
whereas the corneal flap is cut open during the surgical procedure.
The cornea is then flapped back so that the doctor can reshape
the cornea. Of course, the area of the eye will be sensitive after
surgery. If a player resumes playing the game after surgery and
a ball hits this area of the eye, not only will the player feel
pain, but he or she is at risk of reopening the area of the cornea,
which means a follow up procedure is necessary to correct the
damage.
While the laws of probability dictate that there
is always a slight risk, certain activities increase your risk.
In this case the risks are obvious. Athletes are at risk of injury
from the start, and after LASIK they are at more risk because
of the danger involved from playing the sports.
Who
is at the highest risk?
Athletes who participate in traditional sports
like baseball, basketball, and soccer are low risk candidates.
There is a chance that a ball will stray and hit the player during
game play, or another player’s hand may make contact with
their face, but for the most part the risk is minimal.
Athletes
who participate in aggressive contact sports like wrestling and
football are at higher risk of injury, as there is frequent body
contact that puts their face in jeopardy. The athletes with the
highest risk however are those who participate in combat sports
like martial arts or boxing, where blows to the face are common.
How
can athletes reduce their risks?
Your doctor will assess your risks and counsel
you accordingly before you go to surgery. If you are approved
for surgery, you will need to follow close instructions giving
to your by your doctor. You will need to avoid sports during the
initial two-week recovery phase. Patients who are higher risks
should wait until the off-season before having the surgery. High
risk candidates should also seek other alternatives to LASIK.
What
Is an Athlete’s Alternative to LASIK?
In the past, athletes with imperfect vision had
to wear special contact lenses designed for active lifestyles.
They may have had to wear special eyeglass or sunglasses designed
for sports, or go without any corrective eyewear at all. Athletes
who play in dangerous sports may consider it worth the risk, but
many injuries occur from the inability to properly see, while
other risks of injury are the result of an impact breaking the
athlete’s glasses during the game. However technology has
advanced, which gives athletes better alternatives.
What
risks do Athletes face?
The biggest risk athletes face after LASIK surgery
is the risk of injury, which can cause an infection of the eye.
Athletes sweat and get dirt around their face while playing sports
and when this occurs, the patient experiences irritation, which
could cause an infection from rubbing or it could cause damage
to the cornea.
REM or rapid eye movement is common, i.e. the
players’ in the game has to constantly be on the lookout
during the game. This action can cause irritation and unnecessarily
stress to your eyes. If the patient has injury or infection starting
in the eye, REM and pressure around the eyes after surgery could
exacerbate, or cause an existing problem to become worse. If the
patient is preparing for LASIK surgery, the actions could lead
to problems and prevent the patient from getting the optimum results
from their LASIK procedure.
Eyeglasses and contact lenses put the athlete
at risk because of the impact of the game, which could cause damage
if the player is hit in the face and his or her glasses break
or the contact lenses fall out. It is important that athletes
who are considering LASIK surgery to approach the procedure responsibly.
What
Are the Benefits of LASIK in Athletes?
Many athletes find that LASIK can improve their
vision. LASIK allows them to move more comfortably and freely
without worrying if someone will knock their glasses off during
the game. Players can benefit from LASIK because they do not have
to worry about sweat or dirt getting under their contact lenses,
which cause irritation.
Finally, serious athletes may struggle with sitting
out of the game during recovery, but LASIK results may be worth
the while as you will be back in the game, playing better than
ever.
