Article in May Choice magazine on the subject. Average of $2500 an
eye. 5% of people had problems. Not all conditions are suitable.
One thing I would wonder about is the long term results - since most
peoples' eyes change over time (I know my prescription needs changing
every few years) does this imply that you will eventually need more
surgery or have to wear glasses again later?
On 10/10/2007, Peter Shute <> wrote:
> Laser surgery - I thought of that, but I'd be worried that whoever worked out
> how much to trim off might not have the same standards I do. I read that
> only 50% of treatments result in 20/20 vision or better - what if I'm unlucky?
>
> Also, being short-sighted, I'd be a little loath to give up my excellent
> close vision permanently.
>
> What does it cost?
>
> Peter Shute
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michael Todd
> Sent: Wed 10/10/2007 5:31 PM
> To: Peter Shute
> Cc:
> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Contact lenses vs glasses for birding
>
> Hello Peter,
>
> I too got tired of wearing glasses while using binoculars. This was
> about 15 years ago. I was doing a lot of snorkelling and a bit of scuba
> diving at the time as well and went into contact lenses. I used them for
> about 10 years and was quite happy with them- although they were a
> nuisance in themselves when camping. Difficult to keep clean etc. I
> would use them for a month or two before passing judgement- it can take
> a while to get used to them.
>
> However, five years ago I decided to take the plunge and have laser
> surgery on my eyes. One of the best things I've done. I forget that I
> ever had to bother with glasses and contact lenses in the past. I'm now
> quick draw mcgraw with the binoculars, no shuffling glasses off my face
> or re-arranging shifting contacts!
>
> Cheers
>
> Mick
>
> _________________________________________________________________________________
>
> Michael Todd
> Wildlifing: Images of Nature: www.wildlifing.com
> Latest Images: Shy Albatross, Buller's Albatross, Aust. Fur Seal
> PhD Candidate- Tasmanian Masked Owl
> School of Zoology, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 05, Hobart, Tasmania
> 7001
> Mobile: o41o 123715
>
>
>
>
> Peter Shute wrote:
> > Does anyone here use contact lenses for birding? I'm interested in your
> > comments about them.
> >
> > I wear glasses for short-sightedness. My binoculars have enough relief
> > to work with them, but it's still a pain for various reasons, including
> > glare coming in the sides, eyepieces never being in exactly the same
> > place in relation to my eyes, etc.
> >
> > I also find that my off axis vision (not peripheral) is blurred enough
> > to make identification of birds flying from the side difficult until I
> > can turn my head towards them - often too late. This is because I'm
> > looking through the edges of my glasses, where such simple lenses have a
> > slightly different strength.
> >
> > So I'm trialling contact lenses. My initial observations:
> > - Without binoculars, they're far superior to glasses, but erratic. A
> > blink can mean slightly blurry vision till the next blink. Off axis
> > vision is as good as on axis vision, and I'm much better at identifying
> > fast flying birds, and at spotting birds that aren't in front of me.
> > - With binoculars, the glare and inconsistent eyepiece placement is
> > eliminated, but I'm finding the image quality erratic. I can't put my
> > finger on what's wrong. I think at times I can see more clearly, but at
> > other times I'm searching for perfect focus and not finding it. I keep
> > fiddling with diopter settings, then setting it back how it was again.
> > Shutting one eye to set the diopter setting is pointless, as that upsets
> > the lens in that eye for when I change eyes - I've taken to doing it by
> > putting one hand over the objective instead. And do you think the birds
> > wait around while I do this?
> >
> > Is this how it is for other contact lens wearers? If so, I'm not sure
> > that I'll persist with them, despite the advantages.
> >
> > Perhaps I'm seeking a level of visual acuity that's not obtainable. My
> > optometrist says I have better than 20/20 vision with my glasses, and
> > much better than what's legally required for driving.
> >
> > Peter Shute
> > ============================www.birding-aus.org
> > birding-aus.blogspot.com
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this mailing list,
> > send the message:
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> > to:
> > ============================
> >
>
>
>
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>
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