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Considering LASIK? Diagnosed with glaucoma or cataracts?
Dr. Bill Lloyd shares advice and information on eye disorders and general eye care to help you see your best.

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WebMD Health News

Monday, June 12, 2006

Wise Words for Water-Skiers
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Hey, this makes Blog #100 for me. Smoothies for everyone!

Now, on to more important issues. Do you like to water ski?

I first learned to be dragged through the water back in 1972 in Lake LBJ near Austin, Texas. After a full day on the water I can't recall what hurt more - my sore shoulders or the sunburn!

In addition to an experienced instructor and a sturdy sunblock, today's water-skiers have something new to consider...their corneas!

Millions of Americans have undergone LASIK refractive surgery and a significant chunk of them (chunk: note sophisticated statistical terminology) like to water ski. Be careful LASIK veterans! Before you grab the tow bar make sure you are wearing some type of strap-on goggles, like the kind competitive swimmers wear.

No matter how long ago you had LASIK performed, that slender flap of superficial clear corneal tissue can easily dislodge or tear off (yikes!) from the forceful spray of water generated during water skiing. Have trouble navigating those wakes? A rough landing could cause the same problem.

Click here to review an earlier blog about why the LASIK flap remains so vulnerable years after surgery.

C'mon, don't complain, water-skiers. Goggles won't interfere with your enjoyment of being yanked by that speedboat. Most of you can't really see much anyway while water skiing, many keep their eyes closed. I know, I used to be one of them!

Related Topics: Drowning Prevention Tips, Hydration: The Key to Exercise Success

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Posted by: Dr. Lloyd at 6:43 PM

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

No no, smoothies for you! Thanks Dr Lloyd! Happy 100th!

Kyra

8:15 PM  
Blogger Brad said...

Any special precautions for scuba diving? Any evidence to suggest that scuba diving should be avoided after Lasik?

Congrats on keeping up your informative and entertaining blog for so long!

11:26 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

how about macular degeneration?my husband has had 2 laser proced and can still see quite well the last one took away some of the reading vision--would special glasses help?

10:11 PM  

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