I have previously posted that I am interested in RGP's. But the optometrist that I have seen, who works with a well known surgeon, suggested that I just do lasek upon lasik. He doesn't want to try fitting me with RGP's, says some OD's delight in the challenge of fitting post-lasik patients with RGP's. I went to Lenscrafters but they only took something off the shelf. Any recommendations?
Irene

Lenscrafters won't be able to help you, you need to find a private OD with rgp experience. Are you near San Bruno? I know of a very good gas perm fitter in that area.

John

No, San Bruno is near San Francisco. I live in Los Angeles. Looking for a contact lens specialist who is familiar with working with post-lasik patients. Thanks.
Irene

deerblue,

"... some OD's delight in the challenge of fitting post-lasik patients with RGP's."

Only the crazy ones.

Irene,

I would give Dr. Paul Super a call. He has alot of gas perm experience. He is in Brentwood. His number is 310-820-2020.

What Dr Hartzok failed to mention is that he's one of the crazy ones.

Who would you recommend in the Central San Joaquin Valley?

quote:

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Originally posted by Dr. DavOD Hartzok:
deerblue,

"... some OD's delight in the challenge of fitting post-lasik patients with RGP's."

Only the crazy ones.

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Working with damaged post-LASIKs is certainly not the career path of least resistence for the OD. The damaged patient is likely traumatized by their bad LASIK outcome and distrustful of doctors in general. Expectations may not be realistic as RGPs can't fix every aberration induced by LASIK, although for most the improvement in visual quality is dramatic. The patients may not have the commitment to stick with the fitting process and give up too easily.
The fitting process is time consuming for the OD. But when a damaged patient has dramatically improved visual quality and a chance at a better life from their RGPs... that has to be an amazing feeling for the fitter.

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but *most* post LASIKs can be helped by RGPs to some extent if they are willing to commit to the fitting and lens adaptation process. Seeing one moon instead of 5 and having some contrast sesitivity restored are exmples of quality of life enhancing possibilities.

The restoration of crispness and contrast sensitivity is very dramatic with my RGPs. I could never be sitting in this dim room on such a cloudy day (well, I suppose I could sit, but not function) without the help of one of those 'crazy' ODs.

As one of the "crazy docs" that has been caring for post-rs patients for at least a dozen years now I would just like to say that restoring some degree of a normal life to the injured is probably the single most important thing that I do and professionally speaking it is by far, the most rewarding. When I go home at night and I know that I helped someone that was unable to see well enough to do "everyday activities" to function in life like someone with "normal" sight I know that my efforts are appreciated. It is true, that as a group, post-rs patients are the toughest to provide care for because 1-they had surgery because they didn't want/were unable to wear contacts, 2-their corneas are very irregular, 3-there is absolutely an element of distrust to overcome (which I totally understand) and 4-the dryness of the ocular surface is quite the challenge to address.

I will continue to provide care for the post-rs casualties because if ever there was a group in need of a physician's services, the post-rs'ers are it. Being able to provide this type of care is THE reason I became a physician to begin with.

Sincerely,
Dr. Maller