CASE OVERVIEW:
A 25-year-old competitive male snowboarder desired vision correction to eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses and was referred to the Bochner Eye Institute. As a leading Canadian snowboarder, he excelled in his sport but found that his contact lenses often shifted during competition, causing intermittent blurriness.
His refractive error was:
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Right eye: -4.75 -1.50 x 75 (20/20 corrected acuity)
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Left eye: -5.50 -1.75 x 110 (20/20 corrected acuity)
Both anterior segment and fundus examinations were normal. Computerized topography showed a regular astigmatic pattern, and corneal thickness measurements were 542 microns in the right eye and 555 microns in the left eye.
After discussing the risks and benefits of LASIK, he opted for the procedure. The procedure was performed using the IntraLase femtosecond laser to create a 110-micron flap, followed by correction with the Allegretto 500 kHz excimer laser. One week post-surgery, his uncorrected vision was 20/20 in both eyes.
Two weeks later, he resumed competition at a high level and reported excellent stable vision and depth perception.
KEY LEARNING POINTS:
LASIK offers numerous advantages for snowboarders, making it a popular choice for those who love hitting the slopes:
1. NO MORE GLASSES OR CONTACTS:
- Snowboarding with glasses can be frustrating due to fogging, slipping, or discomfort under goggles.
- Contacts can dry out in the cold and wind, leading to irritation and blurred vision. LASIK eliminates these issues.
2. BETTER PERIPHERAL VISION:
- Glasses limit peripheral vision, which is crucial for spotting obstacles, other riders, and changes in terrain.
- LASIK allows for a full, unobstructed field of view.
3. IMPROVED DEPTH PERCEPTION:
- With LASIK, vision is corrected, enhancing depth perception, which is essential for navigating variable snow conditions and executing jumps, tricks or turns.
4. NO LENS FOGGING OR FREEZING:
- Cold weather can cause glasses and even goggles (when worn over glasses) to fog up, reducing visibility. Contacts can also become uncomfortable in dry, cold air. LASIK eliminates these concerns.
5. MORE COMFORT WITH GOGGLES:
- Without the need for glasses, snowboarders can wear any goggles they choose without worrying about prescription inserts or ill-fitting frames.
6. LESS HASSLE WHILE TRAVELLING:
- Snowboarding trips often involve travel, and LASIK means no need to pack contacts, solutions, or spare glasses, making packing and on-mountain prep easier.
7. FASTER REACTION TIME:
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Clear, sharp vision allows for quicker reactions to sudden changes on the mountain, whether it’s avoiding a hidden patch of ice, reacting to another snowboarder, or adjusting for terrain.
FINAL THOUGHTS
LASIK can provide years of clear vision, making it a valuable choice for snowboarders who spend a lot of time on the slopes. It eliminates performance issues with glasses and contact lenses, and aids comfort, reaction times, depth performance, and peripheral vision.
