To: atm{at}shore.net
From: Steve Goldman 
Reply-To: Steve Goldman 


Larry Sayre  said:
> >
> I haven't had the procedure, but I've thought about getting it done.
> The main thing holding me back is that the laser cuts are only permitted
> to be 5 mm in overall length (by law, if I've heard this correctly).  If

It was 6mm by FDA rule. I thought I'd heard that they have relaxed the rule
but I don't know that for sure.

> the fully dark adapted pupil dialates to greater than 5mm (which is
> highly likely) then this is where the defects as you describe above
> would appear.  Your friend who has had the procedure has probably never
> encountered a situation yet where his pupils have dialated beyond 5mm
> and he has tried to critically view something under this condition.  As
> I'm told, if the cuts were permitted to be 7 mm, then the vision defects
> would not be an issue.  There may be countries beyond our border where
> you can get this done.

I had it done 4 years ago in Canada. They had better lasers available there
then (U.S. has those lasers now), more experienced surgeons and they would
do 8mm. I got 8mm and I have no problem with halos, starburst, etc. at
night. YMMV.

--
Steve

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