Has anyone here ever gotten (or know someone who's gotten) LASIK eye surgery?

[Huntn]

The big breakthrough in this kind of surgery was laser. Before that using a knife caused or could cause halo night vision issues.

My wife always had to wear thick glasses for being near sighted. They told her up front that afterwards she'd still have to wear reading glasses, which was no problem. She's been 20-20 distance for 10 years now and thinks it was a great choice for her.

They did both eyes at the same time. I was concerned, but they said they know immediately if something goes wrong, like the laser slices your eye ball in two , kidding, but they did say the first part, they would know, but they also emphasized that the procedure is very safe.

As I recall, depending how how thick your cornea is, they either cut a flap and alter the surface of the eye under the flap. Afterwards the flap is just flapped back into place so you have to be careful not to dislodge it until it reattaches. If your cornea is not thick enough they sand down the surface of your eye, which I understand is more painful in the aftermath. My wife had the flap. Next day she had 20-20 and minimal discomfort.

 

[13265795]

Nobody has posted here for a few months but was wanting to bump this thread again for some further information. I'm booked in for LASIK in 3 days time and have been quoted $6500 in total (incl drops and follow up appointments)

I can't wait and have supposedly found the most experienced/sought after doctor in this field.

Does this price sound about right? By no means do I want to find the cheapest place as I am a firm believer in getting what you pay for. But just wanted to confirm this is not unreasonable.

I am -7 diopters and have astigmatism
(Have been wearing contact lenses everyday for the past 20 years which I've heard is not smart, hence the operation)

 

[colourfastt]

Nobody has posted here for a few months but was wanting to bump this thread again for some further information. I'm booked in for LASIK in 3 days time and have been quoted $6500 in total (incl drops and follow up appointments)

I can't wait and have supposedly found the most experienced/sought after doctor in this field.

Does this price sound about right? By no means do I want to find the cheapest place as I am a firm believer in getting what you pay for. But just wanted to confirm this is not unreasonable.

I am -7 diopters and have astigmatism
(Have been wearing contact lenses everyday for the past 20 years which I've heard is not smart, hence the operation)

I had Lasik done in 2001 when I was in my late 30s. I had -6 diopters and during the after surgery exam (like 20 minutes after the Lasik) I had 20/15 vision. Of course 9 years later I had to get glasses again, but they're really thin lenses now rather than the Coke bottle bottoms I had before.

 

[sviato]

Nobody has posted here for a few months but was wanting to bump this thread again for some further information. I'm booked in for LASIK in 3 days time and have been quoted $6500 in total (incl drops and follow up appointments)

I can't wait and have supposedly found the most experienced/sought after doctor in this field.

Does this price sound about right? By no means do I want to find the cheapest place as I am a firm believer in getting what you pay for. But just wanted to confirm this is not unreasonable.

Not sure where you live but in Canada, where 3 of my friends have gotten the procedure, it was between $1500-2500 per person (both eyes). Two of them had very terrible vision and the results were great without any side-effects thus far (1-2 years in).

 

[Jnesbitt82]

I had Lasik in 2006 on both eyes. I was 20/400 in my left and off the chart in my right eye. After Lasik, I was 20/20 in my left and 20/10 in my right. However I was light sensitive four about 2 years after the procedure.

 

[13265795]

Not sure where you live but in Canada, where 3 of my friends have gotten the procedure, it was between $1500-2500 per person (both eyes). Two of them had very terrible vision and the results were great without any side-effects thus far (1-2 years in).

Wow! 1500 -2500k for both. I reside in melbourne, Australia and the going rates vary from 4000 to 7000 both eyes.

I can see now why people travel for procedures such as this.

Thank you

 

[colourfastt]

Not sure where you live but in Canada, where 3 of my friends have gotten the procedure, it was between $1500-2500 per person (both eyes). Two of them had very terrible vision and the results were great without any side-effects thus far (1-2 years in).

My procedure cost about $3500 per eye.

 

[hallux]

Wow! 1500 -2500k for both. I reside in melbourne, Australia and the going rates vary from 4000 to 7000 both eyes.

I can see now why people travel for procedures such as this.

Thank you

I would suggest you consider the exchange rate but it doesn't appear there's that much discrepancy in the values of our currencies.

I'll be finding out soon what the going rate is for the procedure in the US, I've been seriously considering having it done with some leftover HRA funds after a forced transition off that plan.

 

[AustinIllini]

I would suggest you consider the exchange rate but it doesn't appear there's that much discrepancy in the values of our currencies.

I'll be finding out soon what the going rate is for the procedure in the US, I've been seriously considering having it done with some leftover HRA funds after a forced transition off that plan.

I don't know your situation, and it's certainly not my business, but if you have a Flexible Spending Account through your employer, it's definitely a good idea to max that out and use it to pay for LASIK/PRK (pre-tax).

 

[hallux]

I don't know your situation, and it's certainly not my business, but if you have a Flexible Spending Account through your employer, it's definitely a good idea to max that out and use it to pay for LASIK/PRK (pre-tax).

Trust me, that was a consideration. However between what I have that rolls over from the HRA from the last few years and the employer and default contributions to the new HSA I'll have almost enough available for the procedure and I can fill in the remainder without issue.

 

[PreacherKane]

I work with someone that had eye surgery done. They said it was the best decision of their life. It didn't hurt and they had full 20/20 eyesight after a couple hours of the procedure.

 

[SPNarwhal]

Wow! 1500 -2500k for both. I reside in melbourne, Australia and the going rates vary from 4000 to 7000 both eyes.

I can see now why people travel for procedures such as this.

Thank you

How did the procedure go?

Strangely enough you resurrected this thread on my birthday.
I still haven't gotten this done, and plan to go in for a look pretty soon, just to make sure I am a candidate and all. Apparently the doctor that my mom is referring to me (she had this done a long while ago) is world renown, so that's a good feeling.

 

[Andeavor]

I was advised (by eye doctors) not to get any surgery, my vision is not very much impaired and any surgery would force me to needing reading glasses.

Well, I have to do with glasses still.

 

[Curun]

I was advised (by eye doctors) not to get any surgery, my vision is not very much impaired and any surgery would force me to needing reading glasses.

Well, I have to do with glasses still.

Something was lost in translation. LASIK would not force anyone to need reading glasses.

LASIK/PRK neither corrects nor cause presbyopia, the mid-40's aging condition of the eye that hinders focusing on near objects.

If you have more questions, try a visit to an Ophthalmologist.

 

[Andeavor]

Something was lost in translation. LASIK would not force anyone to need reading glasses.

LASIK/PRK neither corrects nor cause presbyopia, the mid-40's aging condition of the eye that hinders focusing on near objects.

If you have more questions, try a visit to an Ophthalmologist.

Maybe I haven't gotten the whole picture but every person I know who's had laser surgery needs reading glasses (unless they have the focal lenses put in) and since I don't need them now or in the future (my eyesight has slightly improved over the years) I think there isn't much sense in taking the risk.

 

[Curun]

Maybe I haven't gotten the whole picture but every person I know who's had laser surgery needs reading glasses (unless they have the focal lenses put in) and since I don't need them now or in the future (my eyesight has slightly improved over the years) I think there isn't much sense in taking the risk.

Are these people near or over 40? Are you?

Reading glasses are to correct presbyopia, its genetic, and caused by aging. Nothing having to do with the shape of your eye or cornea. Lens in eye gradually becomes thicker and loses flexibility

LASIK/PRK is best somewhere around age 24, +/- a bit. You can maximize your time without the hassle of glasses.
1. Your eyes and thus 'prescription' has stabilized.
2. You still have a long time you can go before presbyopia sets in and you need reading glasses (age 40ish).

There are several risks to LASIK. This isn't one.

 

[Andeavor]

Are these people near or over 40? Are you?

They were between the ages of 30 and 40 and did it mostly because they were nearsighted. They all have 20/20 vision now but need reading glasses, still.

I'm 33 and since my eyesight has improved quite a bit since I was 23, I predict that in 20 years time I may not even need glasses anymore. I can't really tell if presbyopia will affect me when my eyes are actually slowly adjusting backwards, so we'll have to see.

 

[hallux]

Sorry to revive again. The healthcare money I thought would be available to have the procedure done won't be available for the procedure (it's available to me but I can't use it for this procedure). I've since found that I NEED to replace my glasses or have the surgery done. Not because of a change in prescription (VERY slight change in my left eye compared to the glasses I got 3 years ago) but because of physical issues with my current glasses. I can't find glasses I like, seems like all they're offering are "hipster" glasses or brow tortoise-shell.

I have the money available to pay for the procedure without dealing with the FSA, plus they're offering 0% interest for a year through carecredit.com I'm booked in for my procedure on July 25. I'd do it sooner but I'm vacationing by the ocean for a week starting next weekend. Every day, as I go through the day, I think - "I won't have to deal with this or that once the procedure is done". Reading online, I guess I'm getting my hopes up that everything will go as planned/expected but I hear that it will take a little time before everything settles out.

 

[OneMike]

I have a friend who had it. They are fine now but initially had some complication and their eyes were beyond red and irritated for a while. It's been lomg so I forgot the details.

 

[Gutwrench]

They were between the ages of 30 and 40 and did it mostly because they were nearsighted. They all have 20/20 vision now but need reading glasses, still.

I'm 33 and since my eyesight has improved quite a bit since I was 23, I predict that in 20 years time I may not even need glasses anymore. I can't really tell if presbyopia will affect me when my eyes are actually slowly adjusting backwards, so we'll have to see.

Thank you for bringing this up.

I am nearsighted. I can read just fine without corrective lenses but need them for anything of distance. I was told (at least in my case) the surgery only repairs one vision - not both: it will either correct distance so one doesn't need glasses while driving and other normal medium to long range activities, however close activity like reading would then likely require 'cheaters', perhaps even a prescription. Or the procedure will repair close range but then the distance vision would likely need correction.

I know a few people who went through the procedure and they all need 'cheaters' to read. All are > 40 yoa. Maybe that's a contributing factor.

I'd like to understand this better.

 

[hallux]

Thank you for bringing this up.

I am nearsighted. I can read just fine without corrective lenses but need them for anything of distance. I was told (at least in my case) the surgery only repairs one vision - not both: it will either correct distance so one doesn't need glasses while driving and other normal medium to long range activities, however close activity like reading would then likely require 'cheaters', perhaps even a prescription. Or the procedure will repair close range but then the distance vision would likely need correction.

I know a few people who went through the procedure and they all need 'cheaters' to read. All are > 40 yoa. Maybe that's a contributing factor.

I'd like to understand this better.

Being over 40 certainly is a contributing factor. When I went in for my consult, they mentioned that after 40-45 years old, your eyes weaken or the lens becomes less flexible and re-focusing from far to near becomes an issue and it's simply something Lasik can't fix.

My dad has corrective lenses implanted (part of his cataract surgery), he needs glasses to drive at night because his DOF can't adjust to see the dash. He's 71, had the surgery a few years ago, wore glasses for 40-50 years before that.

 

[ThePerpetuator]

Got LASIK about 4 years ago, luckily for free. In and out in less than an hour. Overnight recovery with eye drops and minimal light. Saw 20/20 the next day and never looked back.

 

[hallux]

Got LASIK about 4 years ago, luckily for free. In and out in less than an hour. Overnight recovery with eye drops and minimal light. Saw 20/20 the next day and never looked back.

After doing some reading online, this is DEFINITELY good to hear!. I realize that many people who are happy with the results won't search out a medical-oriented web forum to recount their story. They'll be out having fun with no glasses on instead and those that had/have problems will search the web and tell everyone that will listen not to get it done while they continue to wear "Coke bottles"...

My "surgeon" has done 30,000 procedures, I have confidence that all will go well. It's the same one that did the procedure for a friend, 6+ years ago, and his only issue is the farsightedness regression that EVERYONE eventually sees (sorry) after 40 or 45. Otherwise, the friend was/is happy with the results.

 

[ThePerpetuator]

After doing some reading online, this is DEFINITELY good to hear!. I realize that many people who are happy with the results won't search out a medical-oriented web forum to recount their story. They'll be out having fun with no glasses on instead and those that had/have problems will search the web and tell everyone that will listen not to get it done while they continue to wear "Coke bottles"...

My "surgeon" has done 30,000 procedures, I have confidence that all will go well. It's the same one that did the procedure for a friend, 6+ years ago, and his only issue is the farsightedness regression that EVERYONE eventually sees (sorry) after 40 or 45. Otherwise, the friend was/is happy with the results.

My dad had it done 15 years ago when he turned 40, back in the "Dark Ages" of lasik. Hasn't had any problems. His had a physical blade procedure, mine was bladeless.

 

[hallux]

Figured I'd post a follow-up as I had my procedure yesterday. I was 20/100 in one eye and 20/80 in the other (I think). I'm still wearing the sunglasses they gave me, even at night, and can't wait to get rid of them as they impact the clarity a bit. At my follow-up this AM, I was a (slightly fuzzy) 20/15. I felt like I could have driven home last night but my parents INSISTED I stay at their place and give me a ride to the follow-up but I drove home shortly after returning from that.

As for the actual procedure, the right eye as a little easier to deal with for making the flap, the doc almost needed the eyelid spreader just to put the numbing drops in both eyes. Oddly, even though it was less of a fight to make the flap, the right eye was a little more inflamed.

I'm looking forward to no more drops and the rest of the little bit of "haze" and and halos that is left over to go away. I'm also looking forward to freaking out my co-workers and pretending I'm either blind or have a VERY hard time seeing things.