I cannot take anything that can be addictive;)

I had lasik 11 years ago, and it was the best, life changing thing I have ever done.

I had worn glasses or contacts since 3rd grade, and with a -5 correction I was practically blind if I lost my contacts. It was always a worry being in the ocean, etc. Being able to wake up in the morning and *SEE* details at a distance was truly amazing.

Equipment has improved over the years, and prices are less than they were then. I paid $4,000. per eye in 2000, but it was in Honolulu too.

You are going to love it!

When I had my surgery was offered 1 valium, it was optional. I chose to do the suregery without it. Maybe it is a choice, it was just to calm you down a little because some people get anxious.

I have my consultation tomorrow morning. Thanks everyone for your input:)

Xanax is not necessary for the surgery and you will not need pain meds afterward. Your eyes are self healing and the recovery will be very quick. The only thing they told me was no rubbing so mascara was out of the question for maybe a week~can't remember. I guarantee that you will love it after you have it done.

Good Luck Karen, you're gonna love it!

How did it go?:)

Karen, thanks for asking and thinking of me. It didn't go. I had some personal emergencies and sadly had to cancel my appointment. I've been looking forward to it for weeks but I was simply unable to manage.

Sorry you had to cancel and hope you get to have the surgery in the near future.

Seeing without glasses was the best birthday present I ever received. :)

I've been considering this as a graduation present to myself. I'm a little weary, cause Glaucoma runs in the family, and I also have a lot of trouble seeing at night and when driving.

Any of you have troubles with light sensitivity? Also I know a lot of you are in the US, is Lasik the same thing in Canada vs the US? I figure if I pump out $200-300 every 2 years for glasses (I can't wear contacts any more) I might as well save some cash in the long run and some headache.

Thoughts?

For someone in their 20's and 30's I would definitely recommend it. It's just as you get older, it becomes more questionable , you might be trading one type of problem Nearsightedness for another, Farsidedness. However, if you can get 10 or 20 years without glasses go for it!

I've had it twice. The first time was about 12 years ago and then a year or so later. My eyes were at the very edge of what they could do then and I had a very bad astigmatism. I went to a very good clinic through a University. After the fist one my eyes regressed to where I needed glasses all the time - but still much better vision than before. After the second time I did have a complication. I had Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis or DLK - it's growths under the flaps. I had to go to the eyedoctor daily for weeks and use drops every two hours around the clock. The treatment had a threat of causing Glaucoma so it was pretty scary but it all turned out pretty good. My left eye is still pretty bad and my right eye is about 20/50. I still wear glasses to drive or watch sports or tv - but actually because my vision isn't so good, I don't need reading glasses. Would I do it again? You bet I would. Before my surgery I couldn't see to go to the bathroom during the night without my glasses. Now, I could drive someone to the hospital without them if I needed to. It isn't perfect, but I didn't expect perfection.

If my eyes weren't too bad and I was older, I would probably think twice before I did it. Like Nancy - you would be trading glasses for driving just to have glasses for anything close up. I'm not so sure that would be worth it. Also, this is surgery and there really are complications that can really dramatically affect your vision forever.

Presbyopia affects everyone. It's the loss of the ability of the eye to focus up close. If you're nearsighted already it doesn't affect you as much or as young. Monovision works on the same principal. One eye is left nearsited so that it becomes the reading eye.

The main advice I would give anyone considering it is to find a very experienced Dr. that has experience with complications and knows how to recognize them. If my Dr. hadn't picked up on what was happening with me the day after my surgery, I could have lost my vision permanently.