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LASIK Up-to-date Newsletter
LASIK also suitable for extreme and super athletes
A small group of mountain climbers who climbed to the peak of Mount
Everest showed that eye laser surgery also stands the test of extreme
weather conditions as well as physical exertion. Each one of the adventurers
had LASIK surgery in both eyes, among them also Dr. Geoff Tabin, an
ophthalmologist.
Potential Everest conquerors initially spend one month at a base camp,
at an altitude of 5,300 meters to acclimate themselves. Several climbs
to slightly more than 6,000 meters take place during this time. The
climb itself takes place with overnight stays at approximately 6,000,
6,500, 7,300 and 8,050 meters, before the final climb to the summit
at 8,848 meters is attempted. Even persons with normal vision have reported
visual problems as a result of oxygen deficiency at this altitude. Persons
with ametropia have to deal with an additional problem: contact lenses
increase the dryness of the eyes and increase the oxygen deficiency,
causing difficulties. It is also extremely difficult to keep the lenses
clean under these severe conditions. People, wearing glasses which become
wet or foggy and consequently limit visibility, face additional dangers.
For this reason, Dr. Tabin, who climbed Mr. Everest in 1988 as the first
ophthalmologist, considered the surgical visual correction.
In his most recent climb, Tabin was accompanied by five mountain climbers.
The time of their LASIK surgeries had taken place between 6 weeks and
3 years ago. Dr. Tabin examined the eyes and vision of the mountain
climbers before, during and after the expedition, in order to examine
the lack of oxygen on the cornea. The base camp contained manual test
equipment, while for an altitude of 5300 meters, only subjective data
is available. One of the mountain climbers reported slightly blurred
vision starting at an altitude of 4,880 meters. Two others reported
similar difficulties starting at 8,200 meters. In each case, the vision
improved on the way down, and by using artificial tears to moisten the
cornea surface. There was no correlation between the time of LASIK surgery
and the occurrence of the difficulties. Of the six climbers, 4 reached
the summit.
Dr. Tabin is convinced that mountain climbers, as well as skiers in
less extreme altitudes can profit from this, and will be able to see
well without glasses or contact lenses.
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