Lasik Eye Surgery

[vincehair]

Hey everybody,i'm really looking for some feedback on lasik eye surgery. I just got into researching it after spending 20+ years with annoying glasses and contacts. Any info or personal eperiences would be greatly appreciated!

[vincehair]

Hey everybody,i'm really looking for some feedback on lasik eye surgery. I just got into researching it after spending 20+ years with annoying glasses and contacts. Any info or personal eperiences would be greatly appreciated!

[sasyGIRL]

I undergo a Lasik surgery last year, but it was a tough decision for me because my girl told me that im too young to undergo such surgery (she's referring to the risk involved in the said surgery) but a friend of mine already did it 2 years priory to my LASik and he shared his knowledge and informed the risk pros and cons about LASik. He also mentioned that as with any surgical procedures, there are risk associated with LAsik, but in the hand of highly skilled and experience surgeon. Reason I made up a decision that im going to do it. For almost 20 years i suffered astigmatism and ive been wearing contact lens for almost half of my life, made me not to do things to the fullest. After surgery for 2 months I experienced night side effects (halos) but after that, I able to see 2020 without the help of neither glasses nor contacts. The best part of it is I can now do things to the fullest like diving and some stuff that I like to do since I was young. I consider having LASik a wonderful and a life changing experience to me. Im very proud and contented with my life right now and I feel good and look good about it. It's a life changing for me. Thanks to (promotional link removed)

[Relaxo]

had lasik in late december...saw 20/20 the next day and I asked if I could read the 20/15 line....got them all so I see 20/15. Did leave a bruise on my eye that is commonplace and went away after about a week. Feel great....no more contacts....no problem swimming now.

[OtherSyde]

I got LASIK way back in 2008. Fairly painless, haven't had any problems yet. I had it done in Washington State. Very glad I did. As always, just make sure you get a really good surgeon, but that goes double in this case; you can fix a botched nose job or hair transplant, but losing your eyesight in one eye from an inexperienced or cut-rate doc is permanent. Make sure you go for the best here.

[snowman]

got it done about 4 weeks ago all i can say is DO IT, bit of pain for few hours post surgery from next day onwards i had 20/20 and now have 20/18 am hoping with my next consult this week i may even have 20/15

[aaron1234]

I'm thinking of looking into it... Hmmm.

[snowman]

paid ?1700 for both eyes paying off 18 month interest free at less than ?100 a month.....NO BRAINER

[Jotronic]

I did it three years ago and is one of the best things I've ever done. Since I was 8 years old I wore glasses and by the time I had my eyes done I needed my glasses just to get out of bed so I wouldn't accidentally walk off the balcony and fall several floors to my death.

 

For anyone considering this be sure to look at the difference types of laser available. LASIK sounds great but if you are into physical sports, SCUBA or any activity that puts you through a few G forces you should get PRK. It's the older version of laser eye surgery but it does not involve any physical cutting of the eye. They simply dissolve the epithelealal tissue on the eye, zap it, then over the course of two weeks the tissue regrows over your cornea and you're done. I've not damn near 20/20 vision.

 

If you are not into contact sports or any of the above mentioned activities then LASIK is fine. They do cut the cornea, lift it, then zap it. The reason why this is not good for those that perform rough activities is that the cut on the eye compromises the ability to handle pressure, both atmospheric (SCUBA) and physical (boxing). Your cornea can literally become detached but the upside is that your vision is fine in 24 hours. With PRK, you can see, but for two weeks (for me it was about 8 days) your vision is kind of milky. I was happy with the trade off so now I don't have to worry about restricting my outdoors activities.

[Sean]

I had PRK done when I was stationed in North Carolina back in 2005 from a civilian doctor outside of my base. To this day, I have 20/10 vision. If I would have gotten LASIK, the military would have disqualified me for Flight Status. They do, however, accept PRK. Prior to my surgery, I was around -3.00 or a little more in each eye, don't remember. Your eyesight has to be stable for one year in order to get PRK.

[aaron1234]

My consultation is next Wednesday. The stigmatism with my contacts blur up my vision constantly. And my glasses are so thick that it hurts my neck to wear them for long periods of time. I sure hope I'm a candidate.

[Sean]

My consultation is next Wednesday. The stigmatism with my contacts blur up my vision constantly. And my glasses are so thick that it hurts my neck to wear them for long periods of time. I sure hope I'm a candidate.

 

 

When I had my eye consult, the doctor told me I had some stigmatism and still did the surgery. I think it depends how severe it is and that was back then in 2005. Times have changed, technology has gotten better, and I think they should be able to help you out. Hope you are a candidate and get a chance to do it. It is the best thing I ever did really.

 

Downsides are you see milky for a couple of days, you do have sensitivities from the sun for a little while and have to wear sunglasses outside for a certain amount of time, and you do see halos at night at traffic lights and etc for a couple of weeks. Your corrected vision doesn't come back instantly either, it takes a little while, it slowly gets better and better. This is for PRK.

 

FOR Lasik, it may be different. Best of luck.

[aaron1234]

Thanks Sean!

[Jotronic]

Sean had a different experience than I did with PRK. My vision, while milky, was still sharp even when I walked out of the office. I know it sounds contradictory but I don't know how else to describe it. Oddly, i went to the movies that night for the first time in my life without the need for my contacts or glasses but I did have to wear my sunglasses. That was embarrassing!

 

One new development that helps with astigmatism is what they call "wavefront". It is some sort of advanced mapping of the eye taken right before the zapping begins. I had astigmatism too and was -475 in each eye:0 Good luck! I'm exited to know how your consult goes.

[aaron1234]

Thanks Joe. I'll mention the "wavefront" to them. The astigmatism happens all the time - when I'm playing piano, sports, jogging, or just walking around the grocery store. Let's get this thing done!

[aaron1234]

Well, darn it. After a plethora of tests the doc informed me that I was not a candidate for LASIK. Too near-sighted and my coronea's are too thin. Next step, specialized contact lenses.

[zenmunk]

Sorry, you're not a candidate, aaron1234. I fall somewhere in between. I'm not an ideal candidate, but I would benefit from it.

 

My doc said that my results would not be permanent. I'd regress over time (15 years), but the worst vision I'd regress to post-procedure would still be better than the worst vision I will experience if I never have the procedure done. He can't make a recommendation either way in my case (which is frustrating). He said he'd do it tomorrow if I'd like, but gave me the option of revisiting the idea in 3 - 4 years and wearing contacts in the meantime (which is what I've chosen to do).

 

For anyone considering vision correction surgery, take what Jotronic and Sean said seriously. They're right on the money. Personally, I'd choose PRK over Lasik any day. PRK preserves the integrity of the eye. Yes, it's more painful at first, and it takes longer to get back into the swing of things so to speak, but it's much healthier for your eye, and that's what's most important. And, it's a must if you are very physically active.

 

Also, put as much research into that as you do hair transplants (if not more). There are some real horror stories out there re. vision correction surgery. Make sure you know what you're getting into and find the best doc possible.

Edited May 4, 2012 by zenmunk

[Jotronic]

Sorry to hear this, Aaron. The good thing is that the doctor didn't just try to take your money. However, it may be a good idea to get a few additional opinions. How thin were your corneas? Did he say?

[aaron1234]

Thanks zenmunk and Joe.

 

Sorry to hear this, Aaron. The good thing is that the doctor didn't just try to take your money. However, it may be a good idea to get a few additional opinions. How thin were your corneas? Did he say?

 

Yeah, I was more relieved the doc was honest and upfront than disappointed in that I was not deemed a suitable LASIK candidate. He didn't give me specific cornea measurements. He did mention that I am at higher risk to having a detached retina when I get older. :eek: Good times.

 

I am going to see his associate on Monday who is a specialist in contact lenses. As long as I find lenses that don't continually blur my vision I'll be content. It was worth a try.

[Duckie]

My consultation is next Wednesday. The stigmatism with my contacts blur up my vision constantly. And my glasses are so thick that it hurts my neck to wear them for long periods of time. I sure hope I'm a candidate.

 

I'm delighted to discover that this website also has a forum on lasik - another sad sad issue I've been dealing with lately. Aaron1234! I share the same fate! I've gone through 2 doctors this week who told me I'm not eligible for lasik - too myopic and get this - naturally too-THICK cornea. Doctor number 2 was afraid that lassik may stress my too-THICK cornea into gutatas.

 

I'm very apprehensive about implanted contacts. But I'm sick of living with my thick glasses and fumbling to get out of bed when I am about to drift off to sleep wearing my soft lens.

[OtherSyde]

Receding hairline is always been a problem among men and they has always been curious

about the receding hairline treatment. Hair is the most beautiful component that one can

flaunt and be proud of. It gives you a strange strength, power, and confidence to deal with

people because if you look good then you feel good and get motivation and confidence to

present yourself. But when you start losing your hair you feel insecure, and lose confidence in

front of people, you might have fear that if I will be facing people they may make fun of me. To

deal with this deficiency one has to try all the substitute and solutions available for receding

hairline treatment.

 

Personally, I don't want the hassle of Minoxidil; smearing or spraying stuff on my head every day is just too much hassle, and it feels weird to touch a lot of the time. Finasteride's easy; just take a pill every morning along with my mega-multivitamin, testosterone booster pill, and Zyrtec pill.

 

And hair transplants are the end-all. You can screw around with treatments and wait for months or even years, and they might work a little bit, or maybe none. If you want real awesome hair, you get what you pay for. Especially now that I've had a real, successful HT, I'm an even more stauch believer. Over the years, you will spend thousands of cumulative dollars on various treatments that may or may not help to varying degrees, or you can just pull a loan and WHAM. End of problem, way less anxiety and stress over the coming years, and you really don't spend any more money in the long run. HT FTW.

 

FYI I also agree that hair is one of the most beautiful things one can flaunt, although it's completed and greatly complimented by good hygiene, a good-looking face, and a sculpted body. Which are my goals.

[umut]

After reading countless horror stories on the web, I gave up having the eye surgery.I'll never let anyone touch my eyes.There are some websites on LASIK Risks and LASIK Complications like dry eyes, night vision problems, late flap dislocation, even suicide.

 

I don't know if all these are true or not but if you're thinking of having lasik, be careful where you go.

 

FDA clinical trials demonstrate alarming numbers of patients experience complications such as dry eyes and night vision problems after LASIK. A published review of data from twelve FDA clinical trials for LASIK, including newer technology, reveals that six months after LASIK, 17.5% of patients report halos, 19.7% report glare (starbursts), 19.3% have night-driving problems and 21% complain of eye dryness. Source: Bailey MD, Zadnik K. Outcomes of LASIK for myopia with FDA-approved lasers. Cornea 2007 Apr;26(3):246-54.

[OtherSyde]

After reading countless horror stories on the web, I gave up having the eye surgery.I'll never let anyone touch my eyes.There are some websites on LASIK Risks and LASIK Complications like dry eyes, night vision problems, late flap dislocation, even suicide.

 

I don't know if all these are true or not but if you're thinking of having lasik, be careful where you go.

 

FDA clinical trials demonstrate alarming numbers of patients experience complications such as dry eyes and night vision problems after LASIK. A published review of data from twelve FDA clinical trials for LASIK, including newer technology, reveals that six months after LASIK, 17.5% of patients report halos, 19.7% report glare (starbursts), 19.3% have night-driving problems and 21% complain of eye dryness. Source: Bailey MD, Zadnik K. Outcomes of LASIK for myopia with FDA-approved lasers. Cornea 2007 Apr;26(3):246-54.

 

I can understand your qualms here; in my case a high-end military facility did my LASIK so I was pretty safe there, and I already had genetic dry eye, so no loss there either. I have slight starburst effect, but it's nothing inhibiting, and still totally worth it to never have to wear glasses or contacts again. I'd be super careful with civilian facilities though, they are very hit-and-miss.