Laser Vision Correction

HejiraNYC · #1 02-28-2011, 04:08 PM

Has anyone ever had this procedure done? I've been thinking of doing this in my left eye for many years, but I've been reluctant due to the lack of long-term safety/efficacy data. But so far I haven't heard about too many disastrous procedures, and it's been around for at least 20+ years now. I have just gotten to the point where I am pretty much getting by with my right eye only; the left eye is blurry mess. I could certainly benefit with glasses, but they are a hassle (I would lose/break them every other week) and I can function without them. But I guess I'm at the point where I want to see some more detail in my world!

**mylittledemon** · #2 02-28-2011, 04:10 PM

Hello! My friend Rob just had it done... He was out of class for 3 or 4 days as I recall... But he can see perfectly now. His vision wasnt bad to begin with, in fact he probably only wore his glasses half the time.

I was told I could never have the surgery.

I am minus 10 in one eye and minus 11 in the other. Evidently when it gets that poor, its more risky because the eyeball itself is shaped like an egg. Something to that effect. And I run the risk of retinal detachment. Yeah.

MissLadyLoki · #3 02-28-2011, 04:16 PM

I got very bad vision myself (my right eye is 20/450 and my left eye is 20/650) and while i do wear contacts and glasses, I would love to do Lasik, but I have heard bad things about it, so I'm waiting

HejiraNYC · #4 02-28-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

I was told I could never have the surgery.

I am minus 10 in one eye and minus 11 in the other. Evidently when it gets that poor, its more risky because the eyeball itself is shaped like an egg. Something to that effect. And I run the risk of retinal detachment. Yeah.

You are astigmatic! I have astigmatism too. But supposedly the latest generation of laser correction can deal with astigmatism... I guess if you wait around long enough, the technology will get better and better and you'll become a candidate.

sarahw · #5 02-28-2011, 07:35 PM

I had it done over 10 years ago and loved it....still do but I may need readers for "age-related" issues....I had it done in Manhattan, and my brother actually had it done recently with the same doc and one eye came out great, the other not so much. He has to see if he can get a do-over.

Brad · #6 02-28-2011, 08:29 PM

I had it done to both eyes at the beginning of 2003, so over 8 years ago. Best decision/money spent ever, without a doubt.

I was near-sighted with astigmatism. Not sure what my vision was, but my contacts were something like -3.5 and -3.75. I had to wear contacts or glasses all the time, difficult to read the alarm clock in the morning.

Now it's pefect. My vision is just as good now as it was a few days after the procedure. One of my eyes hurt pretty bad the evening of the procedure, but Tylenol helped the pain and it was gone by the next morning.

I say all that to say, I highly recommend it. It will change your life.

Brad

McTrouble · #7 03-01-2011, 03:25 PM

I am extremely short-sighted but I think if I raised the subject of getting laser surgery right now my husband would blow a fuse as in the past couple of years I've bought 5 or 6 pairs of designer specs!

Edgeof27 · #8 03-01-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Has anyone ever had this procedure done? I've been thinking of doing this in my left eye for many years, but I've been reluctant due to the lack of long-term safety/efficacy data. But so far I haven't heard about too many disastrous procedures, and it's been around for at least 20+ years now. I have just gotten to the point where I am pretty much getting by with my right eye only; the left eye is blurry mess. I could certainly benefit with glasses, but they are a hassle (I would lose/break them every other week) and I can function without them. But I guess I'm at the point where I want to see some more detail in my world!

Do not wait any longer,

get your vision corrected one way or the other,

try the glasses route first, (might be enough to correct your vision, despite the breakage challange),

then, in about a year if the glasses bother you too much, go for the Lasik procedure

seems a bit of a giant step from no glasses to the lazer option,

anyway do it as soon as you can;

michelle2677 · #9 03-01-2011, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

I had it done to both eyes at the beginning of 2003, so over 8 years ago. Best decision/money spent ever, without a doubt.

I was near-sighted with astigmatism. Not sure what my vision was, but my contacts were something like -3.5 and -3.75. I had to wear contacts or glasses all the time, difficult to read the alarm clock in the morning.

Now it's pefect. My vision is just as good now as it was a few days after the procedure. One of my eyes hurt pretty bad the evening of the procedure, but Tylenol helped the pain and it was gone by the next morning.

I say all that to say, I highly recommend it. It will change your life.

this. except i couldn't wear contacts

they irritated my eyes and dried them out.

i couldn't see the big "E" on the scale before i had it done and now i'm 20/15.

as far as concerns about the procedure, an eye dr friend of mine told me there are no reported cases where someone left with worse vision than what they went in with. i know that's not perfect odds, but my worry was them f*cking up my eyes and not being able to see. a perfectly legit worry i might add

after he told me that, i was at ease. and apparently the laser has an off switch. it moves with your eye (because no one can hold it perfectly still), but if you move it too much or too quickly it will shut itself off.

i totally recommend it. i still reach for my glasses on occasion and i had it done march 08. it takes less than a minute per eye and the results are amazing. i would do it once a year if i had to, but luckily i don't

Christopher · #10 03-01-2011, 10:36 PM

Had both eyes done in 2005. Had to have my right eye re-done shortly after because the flap did not lay correctly. Yes, I know this sounds scary, but it's more common than not. However, now I think theres even a less invasive procedure, not sure about the astigmatism though. Long story short. I LOVE LASER VISION CORRECTION! It's one of the best decisions I ever made. I've never regretted it. In fact I can't even remember all the hassles involved in dealing w. burdensome contact lenses & eye glasses at all anymore. It seems like a dream. You will be freed. I've had 20/20+ vision since my surgery. Just don't go to the cheapest surgeon. I think I paid @1400 an eye. I interviewed three docs. Trust your instincts.

HomerMcvie · #11 03-01-2011, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelle2677

this. except i couldn't wear contacts

they irritated my eyes and dried them out.

i totally recommend it. i still reach for my glasses on occasion and i had it done march 08. it takes less than a minute per eye and the results are amazing. i would do it once a year if i had to, but luckily i don't

Me too. I tried to wear contacts, for about two months, and I just couldn't get used to them. And I almost NEVER wear my glasses, so I've just opted to be blind. I have no idea how I pass the vision test at the BMV, but I do! On a positive note, I now find my dates to look uber hot!!! What used to be a 7, is now a 10!!!

How much was your procedure? I'm sure I will do it, at some time(when my eyes get really bad), but I'll probably at least wait until my house is paid off.

fringed n fab · #12 03-02-2011, 12:14 AM

A family member had it done a few years ago and one of her eyes closed shut for almost a year and it's took about 5 for it to fully open again. I'll stick with contacts.

darklinensuit · #13 03-02-2011, 02:01 AM

I started wearing glasses when I was 8, hard contacts when I was 12. I've been in gas permeables for years, but I sure miss the old glass ones that never gave me any problems.
For most of my life I could read books & menus better without them, and when I wore them, I could read street signs before anyone else in the car.
A couple of years ago I noticed that I now needed them to read. And somehow contacts had gotten more uncomfortable, so I'm now depending on glasses more and more; now I'll even work out in them which I never thought I could do. But I'd love to be able to ditch them.

When my brother had his laser vision surgery almost 10 years ago, my (former) eye doctor told me not to bother, that people will still need reading glasses anyway at the age of 40, and so I might as well stick to contacts.
I might have still had the surgery, but I hate eye drops & cannot put them in. For some weird reason, I have no problem putting lenses in my eyes, but drops are impossible.
But I always thought that if I had the surgery, I might do just one eye & see how it goes.
My brother is happy about having had the surgery, by the way.

- Jake

michelle2677 · #14 03-02-2011, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Me too. I tried to wear contacts, for about two months, and I just couldn't get used to them. And I almost NEVER wear my glasses, so I've just opted to be blind. I have no idea how I pass the vision test at the BMV, but I do! On a positive note, I now find my dates to look uber hot!!! What used to be a 7, is now a 10!!!

How much was your procedure? I'm sure I will do it, at some time(when my eyes get really bad), but I'll probably at least wait until my house is paid off.

as long as you get to see her driver's license and know that she's 18, that's all that matters

mine was $3,000. as someone else said, don't go with the cheapest dr. i was referred by my eye dr friend so i already trusted him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by darklinensuit

.
I might have still had the surgery, but I hate eye drops & cannot put them in. For some weird reason, I have no problem putting lenses in my eyes, but drops are impossible.
But I always thought that if I had the surgery, I might do just one eye & see how it goes.
My brother is happy about having had the surgery, by the way.

- Jake

if you hate eye drops, it's not for you

you have to put drops in your eyes constantly the first few weeks because your eyes get dry. and the tests they do on your eyes to see if you're a "candidate"? i didn't know you could test for so many things. they test to make sure you produce enough tears. wanna see a pic?

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...0306081545.jpg

those things aren't actually ON my eyes, btw. they just kinda stick them to the corner, then put drops in your eyes that cause you to tear up. if you don't produce enough moisture on these paper points, nope. you're not a candidate lol

and then here's what you could look like 2 hours after you have the surgery

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...e/100_2880.jpg

and the fun glasses you get to wear for 24 hours, then every night after that for two weeks.

i should be embarrassed by these pics but the truth is, i've posted worse

all in all, i would definitely recommend it to anyone who can have it done.

HejiraNYC · #15 03-02-2011, 09:10 PM

^^OMG, that looks frightful! Although I have to admit that I find those glasses to be kinda chic. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to make a fashion statement.

I have an appointment to have my candidacy evaluated. I agree that there is no such thing as bargain medical care; you really do get what you pay for. So I'm probably going to overpay and have it done at one of those places on Park Avenue. I just hope they serve cocktails!