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Sept 29, 2024 0:13:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2014 13:24:44 GMT
I'm considering having Lasik surgery. I'm tired of having to wear glasses and contacts. I'm not really all that thrilled with having someone mess around with my eyes, though.
Have you had this done? Tell me the good, bad, and ugly.
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Post by mom2emilytaryn on Jul 14, 2014 13:55:56 GMT
I had it done about 9 1/2 years ago and it was one of the best things I've ever done! And I'm sure the technology is even better now! I do remember being very apprehensive (these are my eyes we're talking about!!) that I would be blinded for life, but of course, that did not happen. do remember they gave me some kind of pill to take a few hours before I went it (maybe a Valium or something to calm me down.) During the actual procedure, I remember being very nervous as I was awake and conscious and they would tell me not to blink. Well guess what? When someone tells you not to blink, you are pretty much guaranteed to blink!  But no damage was done, and I am so happy I did it, even 9 years later. The worst part of it was for about a week afterwards, my eyes were VERY dry...as in, I was using eye drops every 15 minutes or so when I was awake. But they had warned me about that and it was a small price to pay for being able to see the clock across the room upon waking up each morning. Good luck in your decision!! |
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Post by spitfiregirl on Jul 14, 2014 13:56:02 GMT
I did and it was amazing.i could see immediately in high definition. I'd worn glasses since second grade so LASIK was amazing. I had astigmatism. My eyes did get dry at night for a long time and I'd wake up and have to put eye drops in. That lasted for a long long time. (Years) my eyes still get dry but not as much. It has been at least 7 years and my vision has changed. It's still great, but I have to wear readers now. I think it's due to aging. LASIK works out really well for me. Make sure you have a trusted doctor that has a lot of experience. I know a lady that had a very hard time with it, but for me, it worked out great. Good luck!
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gloryjoy
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,332 
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Post by gloryjoy on Jul 14, 2014 14:05:53 GMT
Watching this thread because I have been thinking about getting it done too.
If I figured out all the money I have spent over years on contacts and glasses, I've more than paid for the surgery!
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Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 0:13:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2014 14:10:06 GMT
I have no personal experience so take it for what it is worth.
Friend one was about 60 when she had it done. Not successful. I don't know why really but I think she was back using the computer too much. That is what she said.
Friend 2 age 30? She had it done a while ago too as she is 44 now. She said it is the best thing she has ever done for herself. She had terrible vision and now sees perfectly!
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Post by Patter on Jul 14, 2014 14:18:41 GMT
I started wearing glasses in 1st grade. I was blind as a bat! I also have a congenital eye problem, and they were not sure if Lasik would work for me. Well, I had it about 10 years ago, and it was TRULY the best thing I ever did. I could actually see in the shower, swimming, everywhere. It has lasted but now I am in reader's and my astigmatism is coming back. I am working with an eye doctor now to correct it but it looks like I will have to go back to glasses or glasses/contacts. Not happy about that. The only problem I have had is it has made my eyes dryer so for the last 10 years I have to use eye drops when I wake up. Also, contacts are now not as comfortable as they were years ago because of the dryer eyes.
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Judy26
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MOTFY Bitchy Nursemaid
Posts: 2,969
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Post by Judy26 on Jul 14, 2014 14:30:24 GMT
My son had PRK which is a similar type of surgery. There is no flap cut with this surgery. It has a longer recovery but he is considering going into the military and this was recommended. Anyway, it gave him better than 20/20 vision and he was blind as a bat before it. He is thrilled!
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Post by KikiPea on Jul 14, 2014 14:35:22 GMT
My dad just had this done. I don't know much about it other than the first eye (just had the second done on Friday and I haven't gotten an update yet) turned out great. It was just dilation drops, then a laser. The procedure itself took all of 5-10 min. tops.
He's very happy with it all.
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Post by leannec on Jul 14, 2014 14:46:36 GMT
Dh had it done a few years ago ... he loves the results  He has noticed a bit of a decrease in his vision recently ... they told him to expect that ... he'll go back for a "tweak" soon  |
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kelkel
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by kelkel on Jul 14, 2014 14:46:55 GMT
I had it done about 5 years ago...some of the best money I've ever spent! It was also the scariest 60 seconds of my life! Seriously, it's over so quick and you can see better immediately...but for those 60 seconds or so....whew, I was petrified! They prop your eye open so there's no way possible that you could blink. My vision was horrible before I had it done....couldn't even see the big "E" on the eye chart. 5 years later, I still have 20/20 vision and no problems reading up close. My doctor warned me several times that I will probably need "cheaters" as I approached my 40's. I'm 43 now and so far so good. He said he has patients that get mad at him when they find out later they need glasses for up-close work so he always warns them before they have the surgery. The dry eye issue lasts for quite some time - I still keep a bottle of eye drops on my night stand and in my purse. Small price to pay for good vision IMO. Good luck with your decision.  |
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Post by Pahina722 on Jul 14, 2014 15:34:14 GMT
I had mine done about 10 years ago, after I'd already started wearing bifocals, so I still needed reading glasses afterwards. I just wish I'd done it earlier and had SOME point in my life when I didn't have to wear glasses at all. I haven't noticed any change in my distance vision, just needing stronger reading glasses. Since Target readers are about $10, I'm pretty happy with the trade-off from my $400/year glasses before the surgery.
The only odd thing to me was the odor. Since the laser is cauterizing eye tissue, I smelled the burning--little freaky. On the other hand, the entire procedure took less than five minutes and most of that was numbing my eye and immobilizing my eyelids and eye. No pain. Lots of dryness for months afterwards, but perfect vision!
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Post by lilbug13 on Jul 14, 2014 15:46:58 GMT
I had mine done almost 5 years ago. Best decision I could have made. My vision was really bad- I was nearly legally blind and being able to see was a life changer. My DH researched docs and picked one that we felt woul dbe the best for me. I was VERY nervous so they gave me a Xanax. I was very glad they talked me through the entire procedure b/c at one point your vision goes black and if I had not known I would have freaked out. From the minute they sat me up in the chair I could see. My emotions overtook me since it had been so long since I could see well and I had a hard time telling them that I was not upset b/c I hurt but it was a good cry since I could see.
I have had no issues and still have 20/15 vision.
ETA- I do see halos at night which is a known side effect to lasik |
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Post by kmcginn on Jul 14, 2014 15:53:35 GMT
I had mine done about 12 years ago. Also the best thing I ever did. My problem is that it didn't last forever - that's because I developed cataracts and had to have that surgery recently. Had nothing to do witht he Lasik, just my age and old eyes. You won't regret it!
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Laura
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Jun 25, 2014 19:55:02 GMT
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Post by Laura on Jul 14, 2014 16:02:14 GMT
I'm wondering if this could be an option for me? I wear glasses only because I have an astigmatism and for the readers at the bottom (so I have bifocals) I don't have any distance vision problems. Can lasic fix the stigmatism? I'm assuming it can't do anything about the near vision blurriness?
How much does this cost?
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Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 0:13:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2014 16:06:54 GMT
Every party has a pooper so I'll be it at this party.
Vision correction surgery was the worst thing I've done. Long story short, it was unsuccessful, I had to have cornea transplants, which required steroids to avoid rejection; steroids caused early cataracts and glaucoma.
But my story aside, I don't believe that doctors FULLY inform people of the risks, so please at least do two things if you are considering vision correction surgery.
1. Go to a cornea SURGEON. One that's practice does not survive on vision correction. One that has the ability to correct any problems and not just do "enhancements"
2. Visit this site to see that the risks are much higher than doctors will tell you. Read the stories of people who have had surgery. Look at the examples of what your vision could look like. Be fully informed. VisionSurgeryRehab.org (For some reason, I'm not sure if the link works, but the site is visionsurgeryrehab.org)
ETA: I also know that I'm not alone. I know of other Peas that had a bad experience and when you have had bad results, people come out of the woodwork to tell you about their bad results. So just because you had a successful result and haven't heard of anyone who didn't, don't think they don't exist. To be honest, they get tired of hearing how they are "the only one" or how you picked a "good" doctor so they most likely aren't telling you their story.
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Jul 14, 2014 16:13:40 GMT
I had lasik in 2000. Best thing ever. They day after had it I woke up and was able to read the numbers on the clock on my nightstand. Amazing! The only thing is it is not permanent. I started wearing glasses about 3 or four years ago. First only for driving at night but now I wear them full time. Sure I can get along with out them without them, but I like my vision to be crisp. And my current prescription is no where near what it was. I still think it was a good thing and would do it again.
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Post by spitfiregirl on Jul 14, 2014 17:28:55 GMT
Vision correction surgery was the worst thing I've done. Long story short, it was unsuccessful, I had to have cornea transplants, which required steroids to avoid rejection; steroids caused early cataracts and glaucoma.
But my story aside, I don't believe that doctors FULLY inform people of the risks, so please at least do two things if you are considering vision correction surgery.
1. Go to a cornea SURGEON. One that's practice does not survive on vision correction. One that has the ability to correct any problems and not just do "enhancements"
2. Visit this site to see that the risks are much higher than doctors will tell you. Read the stories of people who have had surgery. Look at the examples of what your vision could look like. Be fully informed. VisionSurgeryRehab.org (For some reason, I'm not sure if the link works, but the site is visionsurgeryrehab.org)
ETA: I also know that I'm not alone. I know of other Peas that had a bad experience and when you have had bad results, people come out of the woodwork to tell you about their bad results. So just because you had a successful result and haven't heard of anyone who didn't, don't think they don't exist. To be honest, they get tired of hearing how they are "the only one" or how you picked a "good" doctor so they most likely aren't telling you their story.
I had a friend who did it and she had a horrible time. They could never get her eyes right. So I know it does not work for everyone. |
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Pinky Zebra
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Jun 26, 2014 5:37:40 GMT
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Post by Pinky Zebra on Jul 14, 2014 17:45:43 GMT
Whatever meds they gave me calmed my nerves a great deal. I wasn't the slightest bit anxious during the procedure.
The hard part is not rubbing your eyes for the required time after the procedure. Other than that, the whole thing is all kinds of awesome. Money well spent.
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Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 0:13:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2014 18:11:40 GMT
Every party has a pooper so I'll be it at this party.
Vision correction surgery was the worst thing I've done. Long story short, it was unsuccessful, I had to have cornea transplants, which required steroids to avoid rejection; steroids caused early cataracts and glaucoma.
But my story aside, I don't believe that doctors FULLY inform people of the risks, so please at least do two things if you are considering vision correction surgery.
1. Go to a cornea SURGEON. One that's practice does not survive on vision correction. One that has the ability to correct any problems and not just do "enhancements"
2. Visit this site to see that the risks are much higher than doctors will tell you. Read the stories of people who have had surgery. Look at the examples of what your vision could look like. Be fully informed. VisionSurgeryRehab.org (For some reason, I'm not sure if the link works, but the site is visionsurgeryrehab.org)
ETA: I also know that I'm not alone. I know of other Peas that had a bad experience and when you have had bad results, people come out of the woodwork to tell you about their bad results. So just because you had a successful result and haven't heard of anyone who didn't, don't think they don't exist. To be honest, they get tired of hearing how they are "the only one" or how you picked a "good" doctor so they most likely aren't telling you their story.
No, you're not a party pooper! I want to know the good AND the bad. Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm also going to check out the link you provided. |
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But no damage was done, and I am so happy I did it, even 9 years later. The worst part of it was for about a week afterwards, my eyes were VERY dry...as in, I was using eye drops every 15 minutes or so when I was awake. But they had warned me about that and it was a small price to pay for being able to see the clock across the room upon waking up each morning. Good luck in your decision!!
