Lasik eyes Surgery: Advise about my eyes?

Q. Hello,

I need some advise for my eyes.I would be very glad if someone could help me.Right now I'm quite tensed about them and not sure what to do.

First of all, I'm now 20 and will be 21 on August 2011,I'm suffering from Myopia. My current eye prescription is SPH(R)= - 4.75, CYL(R)= - 3.00, AXIS(R)= 20 and SPH(L)= -5.00, CYL(L)= -1.75, AXIS(L)= 170.I had it checked yesterday.

My previous prescription was made on August 2008 with the following: SPH(R)= - 3.75, CYL(R)= - 3.75, AXIS(R)= 20 and SPH(L)= - 3.50, CYL(L)= -1.75, AXIS(L)= 170.

My nearsighted eyes were first detected on April 2006 when I had the following prescription: SPH(R)= - 2.00, CYL(R)= - 2.00, AXIS(R)= 10 and SPH(L)= - 2.25, CYL(L)= -1.25, AXIS(L)= 170.

Now my questions are-
1.Will my vision stabilize anytime soon?
2.Can get Lasik eye surgery?

Please note: I'm an extreme PC user.I spent almost over 8 hours in front of my Laptop (in the weekends even more).Is this a cause of the increase of my eye power? I'm a software programmer and kinda have no choice but to look at the PC screen.

Feel free to share your experience if it's allowed by the community guidelines.
Thanks everyone.

A. 1) Yes, it is likely that your vision will stabilize in the next 5 or so years - inherited progressive myopia (which is what presents during your teens unless you have some sort of other eye disease) generally does. I know it's frustrating that you have to wait for this, and it used to annoy the heck out of me because the eye dr started telling me "your eyes should start stabilizing" every year after 17 or 18 and they didn't (I am 24 now). But it is totally normal for them to continue to progress into your early/mid twenties.

2) It sounds like, based on your prescription level, that you'd be a good candidate *eventually*. Moderate myopia, moderate astigmatism. However, you really do have to wait until your eyes stabilize for at least a year. No reputable doctor would do it at your age if they hadn't, and you will get better results if you wait. LASIK is so common now that people act like it's no big deal - it IS a big deal. It's surgery that has significant risks (which are often not made clear enough by doctors performing it) and your eyesight is not something you want to mess around with.

3) (Computer use) Honestly, that's still up for debate (the studies go both says). IMO, strong computer use can cause eye strain and doesn't HELP any, but based on when your eyes got bad and how they've progressed, I think it's far more likely that you're dealing with old-fashioned inherited progressive myopia. As a general good practice, I'd take frequent eye rests when you're coding and make sure your screen brightness and resolution are set to a level that you aren't have to squint or strain to see.

It sounds like it would be a good idea for you to schedule a follow-up with your eye doctor to discuss what option you have and when s/he thinks you'll be eligible. Since you were just in for a visit, s/he may be willing to do this over the phone too.

Original Question

What are the pros and cons of getting laser-eye surgery?

Q. I'm currently in high school, and I've been recently prescribed glasses after figuring out that I was nearsighted. Although my eyesight isn't completely horrible (I only need my glasses when I need to read something across the room), I don't want to be completely dependent on my specs every time I copy something down from the board in school or read a distant sign. I also sometimes forget them when I go to school, which disables me from copying down the notes that I need to study for next class's exam. Thus, causing me to bother other people to copy their notes. I even sometimes miss out on the spectacular events or spectacles that my family and friends come across, which I am unable to enjoy with full definition all because I don't have my glasses with me. As a result, I have considered getting laser eye-surgery when I become an adult. However, I've heard many draw backs in getting laser-eye surgery. My mother told me that laser-eye surgery won't be the same 20-20 vision that I had when I was younger. Furthermore, I heard that you can't be a pilot if you've had laser eye surgery and that there's a high risk of going blind during the operation. I also would like to know if there's any longterm adverse effects after getting laser-eye surgery. So if you happen to know anything bad or good about laser-eye surgery, please feel free to tell me about them, especially if you've had laser-eye surgery yourself.
I also feel nerdy wearing them

A. It seems that your problem isn't your eyesight; it's your lack of responsibility. It's not that difficult to carry around your glasses in a case, you know.
Here's a recent article discussing the drawbacks to LASIK surgery: http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/02/10/is-lasik-eye-surgery-safe-fda-scientist-regrets-saying-yes/

Original Question

Would it be a bad decision to get Lasik eye surgery before joining the military?

Q. I have contacts, but my vision isnt too horrible. I want to get Lasik, im only 17 and want to join the military [navy] when i graduate in January of 2011. Would this be a bad idea?
or would they allow me to wear contacts while on active duty? because glasses strain my eyes.
i plan to do something in medical or legal, not diving, or flying planes, or anything like that.
i plan to do something in medical or legal, not diving, or flying planes, or anything like that.
I decided im going to wait, Thanks :)

A. Yes it would be a bad idea you would need to get a waiver just to enter after lasik which isnt all around that hard. but you wont qualify for some particular jobs. also why risk it because with some branches there kind of looking to disqualify you. but on the bright side after being in for a while since lasic is only given to those who have been around for at least six months minimum and once you get to your permanent duty station theyll pay for it at least itll be free.
Active duty U.S. Navy Youll have to wear glasses all throught bootcamp and theyre hideous gigantic coke bottle glasses but then you can get contacts after graduation

Original Question