LASIK Surgery - Anyone Have Experience?

[kamax60]

I had it done about 6 years ago and am now back in glasses since February. It was great while it lasted. I've been in readers for maybe 3 years. Not sure if it would have made a difference at the time, but I was unaware that it can cause cataracts and the new multi-focal lens replacement is not an option if you've had lasik. I have the early stages of a cataract and I'm only 51.

[ArmaniMan]

Best thing I ever did for myself. I also had astigmatism- it did make it slightly more expensive because I had to have a custom LASIK- but it didn't affect the results. The absolute most important thing is to go to a really good clinic- find the best clinic you can and then if you can't afford it just don't do it- that is my opinion anyway. You only get one set of eyes.

I have 20/15 vision now- before I couldnt see anything until I got my contacts in, I hated it.

[kamax60]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

Thank you everyone. So far you are all thrilled!



In the initial phone consultation this morning when she mentioned I would need reading glasses, I asked if that would be with or without the surgery. She said probably either way due to age. I was under the impression that the surgery did NOT promote loss of eyesight when reading.

I had perfect vision reading prior to my surgery, after - not so much.

[AllDogBoots]

I will only go to the best place. I think I've found it. I'm not thrilled about the fact that my reading vision can diminish. I'll definitely have to chat with the doctor about that.

[ArmaniMan]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

I will only go to the best place. I think I've found it. I'm not thrilled about the fact that my reading vision can diminish. I'll definitely have to chat with the doctor about that.

Thats great! I always cringe when people tell me they found a good place but it is too expensive and they are looking elsewhere LASIK isn't a necessity so there is no way I would let anyone but the best slice into my eyes. The way my doctor described it, your eyes deteriorate over time, with or without LASIK- he said in 20-25 years I may need reading glasses- where before I may never have needed reading glasses but my vision for seeing things far away would have just kept deteriorating from where it was and I would need a stronger and stronger prescription over time. Basically I am trading in one problem for another (nearsighted vs. farsighted) in the future- but I am happy to take my 20 years without anything and go from there.

Make sure you take someone with you to the procedure, I couldnt open my eyes at all right after, I went right home and to sleep (with the help of the trusty xanax they provide you) for about 4 hours, once I woke up I was totally fine and never had any pain. I did have very, very bloodshot eyes for about a week- they didn't bother me at all, but everyone commented on them, it was very noticeable, the thing they put in your eyes to keep them open breaks the blood vessels. The day after surgery I had 20/20 vision already and it improved to 20/10 by my 1 month checkup.

If you end up having to have PRK and not LASIK the recovery time is longer- many doctors lump them all together and don't explain the differences- but there is a difference. Which one you get will depend on how your testing comes out- if your corneas are not thick enough they have to go with PRK.

Good Luck with your consult.

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan

Thats great! I always cringe when people tell me they found a good place but it is too expensive and they are looking elsewhere LASIK isn't a necessity so there is no way I would let anyone but the best slice into my eyes. The way my doctor described it, your eyes deteriorate over time, with or without LASIK- he said in 20-25 years I may need reading glasses- where before I may never have needed reading glasses but my vision for seeing things far away would have just kept deteriorating from where it was and I would need a stronger and stronger prescription over time. Basically I am trading in one problem for another (nearsighted vs. farsighted) in the future- but I am happy to take my 20 years without anything and go from there.

Make sure you take someone with you to the procedure, I couldnt open my eyes at all right after, I went right home and to sleep (with the help of the trusty xanax they provide you) for about 4 hours, once I woke up I was totally fine and never had any pain. I did have very, very bloodshot eyes for about a week- they didn't bother me at all, but everyone commented on them, it was very noticeable, the thing they put in your eyes to keep them open breaks the blood vessels. The day after surgery I had 20/20 vision already and it improved to 20/10 by my 1 month checkup.

If you end up having to have PRK and not LASIK the recovery time is longer- many doctors lump them all together and don't explain the differences- but there is a difference. Which one you get will depend on how your testing comes out- if your corneas are not thick enough they have to go with PRK.

Good Luck with your consult.

This makes sense. Thanks. I have 2 more weeks before the consult.

[MyTrixie143]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan

Thats great! I always cringe when people tell me they found a good place but it is too expensive and they are looking elsewhere LASIK isn't a necessity so there is no way I would let anyone but the best slice into my eyes. The way my doctor described it, your eyes deteriorate over time, with or without LASIK- he said in 20-25 years I may need reading glasses- where before I may never have needed reading glasses but my vision for seeing things far away would have just kept deteriorating from where it was and I would need a stronger and stronger prescription over time. Basically I am trading in one problem for another (nearsighted vs. farsighted) in the future- but I am happy to take my 20 years without anything and go from there.

Make sure you take someone with you to the procedure, I couldnt open my eyes at all right after, I went right home and to sleep (with the help of the trusty xanax they provide you) for about 4 hours, once I woke up I was totally fine and never had any pain. I did have very, very bloodshot eyes for about a week- they didn't bother me at all, but everyone commented on them, it was very noticeable, the thing they put in your eyes to keep them open breaks the blood vessels. The day after surgery I had 20/20 vision already and it improved to 20/10 by my 1 month checkup.

If you end up having to have PRK and not LASIK the recovery time is longer- many doctors lump them all together and don't explain the differences- but there is a difference. Which one you get will depend on how your testing comes out- if your corneas are not thick enough they have to go with PRK.

Good Luck with your consult.

Thanks for your review!! This is something I've been considering as well. I'm only 25 and my vision seems to be getting worse all the time and I'm constantly needing a stronger prescription. I don't need glasses for reading but pretty much everything else like watching tv, driving, etc.
I'm just a little freaked out about the actual procedure itself. I can't stand anything coming close to my eyes. It took me years before I was brave enough to do contacts, lol.

Can anyone tell me a good average of what to expect to be paying for this?

[susan lynn]

I had both eyes done 22 years ago (radial keratonomy) before they had Lasix. Then they would cut a small incision in your eye. I had farsightedness and wore contacts and glasses. It cost $2,000 for each eye. I had excellent results in 3 days. I still have very good vision but can't see very small print but have started wearing reading classes occasionally. I am now 53 years old an in menopause so I would have needed the glasses anyway. I recommend it to everyone but it sounds like not everyone has been as fortunate as I was. Good Luck. I went to the Woodham eye clinic in Atlanta and he was one of the first doctors to perform this surgery.

[ArmaniMan]

Originally Posted by MyTrixie143

Thanks for your review!! This is something I've been considering as well. I'm only 25 and my vision seems to be getting worse all the time and I'm constantly needing a stronger prescription. I don't need glasses for reading but pretty much everything else like watching tv, driving, etc.
I'm just a little freaked out about the actual procedure itself. I can't stand anything coming close to my eyes. It took me years before I was brave enough to do contacts, lol.

Can anyone tell me a good average of what to expect to be paying for this?

I am 25 also and just did it this year.

I am the same way about things coming near my eyes- the actual procedure freaked me out but didn't hurt at all- I only took one xanax, they offered a second and I wish I had taken it, lol!

The place I went was $6000 total with all pre-op and post op care included. However, my insurance picked up a portion of that bill and that was my health insurance, I don't have vision coverage, so that is something to look into as well.

[tjdmom]

I had it done about 6 years ago and I have to say I highly recommend it! I had extremely bad eyes! For me, it was life changing. When I was a kid I would pray that God would heal my eyes and the surgery was like a miracle! But the procedure itself was scary and they just get you in and out like an assembly line. And for the first month or so, I wondered if I had done the right thing. It took a good 6 months maybe more before I felt comfortable driving at night. I was not one of those people who felt great the next day and even working the following week was a little hard for me although I did do it. I also will tell you that my dominant eye(right eye) did not see as well after the surgery as my nondominant left eye which was odd at first to get used to. The doctor did tell me that he could go in and adjust it but if I did, I would probably need reading glasses soon but if left alone, I might be able to go another 10 years. I'm 46 now and still don't need reading glasses and my eyes adjusted just fine. When I take my kids for their physicals, I can read the eye charts better than they can. It still amazes me and is the single best thing I have ever done for myself!

[tjdmom]

Originally Posted by MyTrixie143

Can anyone tell me a good average of what to expect to be paying for this?

I paid a total of $3200.

[Britster]

I've been curious about it too. My eyes have never been all that great. I got glasses around the age of 12 but I only wear them when I'm watching movies or driving at night. Otherwise, it's not too terrible, but I hate having to have the glasses at all. It's a driving restriction on my license.

[gumbysuz]

If you can see fine except for driving or movies, do not mess with your vision. I was a coke-bottle glasses kid who jumped at the chance to get the first contact lenses in the early 60's. When the 2nd generation of lasers was perfected, I jumped at the opportunity to get the Lasix surgery. Legally, I was blind at a -7 and -8.5. Before surgery, I tried out monovision contacts and chose to have my eyes surgically corrected for near AND far vision. Some brains cannot handle this, so be sure you try it out before hand. I have had my new vision for 15 years and at 66, still do not need reading glasses. I paid $5000 for the surgery and follow-up care.
There are many horror stories out there. Do your research. This procedure changed my life, but I did not take the decision lightly.

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan

I am 25 also and just did it this year.

I am the same way about things coming near my eyes- the actual procedure freaked me out but didn't hurt at all- I only took one xanax, they offered a second and I wish I had taken it, lol!

The place I went was $6000 total with all pre-op and post op care included. However, my insurance picked up a portion of that bill and that was my health insurance, I don't have vision coverage, so that is something to look into as well.

That's well over the quote i received. The place where I'm going for a consultation includes everything as well. They quoted me $1700 per eye. I'm certain there's a major price variation solely based on location.

Xanax? Pain killers are necessary? I can't take narcotics so i'll have to figure out a way around that should i do the procedure.

[MyTrixie143]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

That's well over the quote i received. The place where I'm going for a consultation includes everything as well. They quoted me $1700 per eye. I'm certain there's a major price variation solely based on location.

Xanax? Pain killers are necessary? I can't take narcotics so i'll have to figure out a way around that should i do the procedure.

I wasn't sure what Xanax was so I looked it up. Xanax is not a narcotic, it is for anxiety. It is used to help calm people and it warns that it can be highly addictive.