Foo - LASIK- Anyone had it?

I'm one of those dorks who had to get glasses in the first grade. I've been wearing contacts since high school. My vision kept getting worse and worse until about the time I went to college, and then it leveled out.

LASIK has been around for long enough now that I'm no longer afraid that something would go wrong with the procedure itself. The idea of cutting a flap of corneal tissue, on the other hand, continues to freak me out. Do you really have to be conscious for that? Can't they hold your eyelids open or something?

Anyway, contacts don't annoy me too much (dry eyes bother me the most), but it would be nice to just wake up and see clearly. Now, I'm not the kind of guy to get surgery just for convenience. The reason I'm even looking into LASIK is because I'm trying to get a job that requires me to have a certain level of vision without corrective devices. It kind of seems like cheating, but they do allow people to get surgery in order to meet this requirement. The job is such a good one that I would actually consider going down that road.

Anybody had LASIK? How bad was it when they cut that corneal flap? I read that they can cut it with a laser now, but that still freaks me out.

My wife has had it and went from 20-300 +/- to 20/15. She claims that it was the best thing she ever did. Then states after getting married to me, but I think she lying. She liked this better.

It was quick, easy and she had absolutely no issues. She felt no pain, only some pressure on the eye ball. They even had a big glass wall so you could see what was going on. The surgery literally took 15 minutes. It took longer to fill the paper work out than to have the procedure done. I wish I had a dvd of the process so she could see it, the little tool they use to cut the lens is pretty neat.

On the way home, she even mentioned that even though she had some goop in the eye to protect it, she could see things that she has never seen before unless she had contacts or glasses on. That was 20 mins after surgery. Just an amazing process.

I had it done during the summer of 2000. I still have perfect vision. Actual surgery only took seconds from what I remember then I went home, took some prescribed drugs, went to sleep and then woke with clear vision. I have no regrets with getting it done.

The best gift I have ever given myself.

I had it done last November. I went from 20/500 to 20/15. I went home able to see power lines for the first time since elementary school without the aide of lenses. I woke up the next day and did a double take at the alarm clock because it was CLEAR.

There is one side effect. Late into the evening, watching TV or on the computer I will just casually wander into the bathroom to take out my contact lenses that aren't there - just out of habit. When my eyes are tired I need to relax the old fashioned way - go to sleep.

FYI - if they don't tell you about it... I did have some rainbow affects for a few weeks, especially if driving at night. Just halos. It was "normal".

I have 20/15 in both eyes, but I'm considering getting Lasik just to savor the trippy halo and rainbow effects. I say go for it!

Eek, this really freaks me out. Especially since a friend of my sister's effectively went blind after a botched procedure. Anyway, I don't think it's been around long enough for us to know what the truly long term effects of the procedure are. My 2¢.

By the way, here's what the U.S. FDA (http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/LASIK/risks.htm) has to say about risks of this elective surgery:



Some patients lose vision.
Some patients lose lines of vision on the vision chart that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery as a result of treatment.

Some patients develop debilitating visual symptoms.
Some patients develop glare, halos, and/or double vision that can seriously affect nighttime vision. Even with good vision on the vision chart, some patients do not see as well in situations of low contrast, such as at night or in fog, after treatment as compared to before treatment.

You may be under treated or over treated.
Only a certain percent of patients achieve 20/20 vision without glasses or contacts. You may require additional treatment, but additional treatment may not be possible. You may still need glasses or contact lenses after surgery. This may be true even if you only required a very weak prescription before surgery. If you used reading glasses before surgery, you may still need reading glasses after surgery.

Some patients may develop severe dry eye syndrome.
As a result of surgery, your eye may not be able to produce enough tears to keep the eye moist and comfortable. Dry eye not only causes discomfort, but can reduce visual quality due to intermittent blurring and other visual symptoms. This condition may be permanent. Intensive drop therapy and use of plugs or other procedures may be required.

Results are generally not as good in patients with very large refractive errors of any type.
You should discuss your expectations with your doctor and realize that you may still require glasses or contacts after the surgery.

For some farsighted patients, results may diminish with age.
If you are farsighted, the level of improved vision you experience after surgery may decrease with age. This can occur if your manifest refraction (a vision exam with lenses before dilating drops) is very different from your cycloplegic refraction (a vision exam with lenses after dilating drops).

Long-term data are not available.
LASIK is a relatively new technology. The first laser was approved for LASIK eye surgery in 1998. Therefore, the long-term safety and effectiveness of LASIK surgery is not known.


When safe alternatives like glasses and contacts are available, why would you risk it? These are you eyes we're talking about...

Eek, this really freaks me out. Especially since a friend of my sister's effectively went blind after a botched procedure. Anyway, I don't think it's been around long enough for us to know what the truly long term effects of the procedure are. My 2¢.

umm lasik has been around since 1990. 17 years. I don't know how they came up with 1998 ? oh that
is FDA approval. but it's been done a lot longer than that.

the long term effects would be the night halos from scarring

prk, since 1996
--

if you go to a big clinic, they triple pre-check you for eligibility. sure the risk of going blind is still there, but it is pretty
small.


ps: once you are doped up on valium you won't really mind them lasing your eyeballs. it takes the edge off the stress

umm lasik has been around since 1990. 17 years. I don't know how they came up with 1998 ? oh that
is FDA approval. but it's been done a lot longer than that.

the long term effects would be the night halos from scarring

prk, since 1996
--

if you go to a big clinic, they triple pre-check you for eligibility. sure the risk of going blind is still there, but it is pretty small.

He has a point. Even if you go with 17, that's not really long term. In 17 years my life won't even be halfway over yet (hopefully).

Yeah, I dunno. I don't deny that I know a lot of people who say it's been a great thing... but it just freaks me out. I'll stick with the glasses and occasional contacts.

When safe alternatives like glasses and contacts are available, why would you risk it? These are you eyes we're talking about...

I might risk it for the almighty dollar. I'm still trying to decide. Uncorrected vision must test 20/100 or better in each eye. I hope I pass that test, but I'm not sure. I tried to print an online vision test thing, but I'm not sure how accurate it is.

They give you valium! Reason number three to get lasik: halos, rainbows, valium.

Had it once, and will probably do it again....eyes are still changing somewhat.

and for the record...PRK was developed back in the 60's.
LASIK was developed in the 80's but did not become available to the public until the mid to late 90's. These surgeries have a pretty long track record.

How much is lasik these days?

How much is lasik these days?

Depends on many factors...who you go to, what needs to be done, etc.

How many eyes you have.

Well, I am from WV....so 3

I cannot, will not. :( Any horror movie I've ever seen that brings a needle close to the eye makes me cringe.

However I know several people who have had it and they are all glad they did. One of my Mom's friends had her cataracts taken care of - and they performed lasik at the same time. And no one had any problems either. But - one of my side jobs - I worked in a lawyer's office who specialized in medical lawsuits - these guys defended the doctors - and some people DID have problems or had to have it redone. But like I said - the people I know who have had it done (probably 6) are glad they did it.

He has a point. Even if you go with 17, that's not really long term. In 17 years my life won't even be halfway over yet (hopefully).

yeah but your vision will be clear for that time.

the thing is, if it hasn't happened in 1 year after having the surgery, it ain't gonna happen.

like a scar on your arm or leg, once it is healed up it ain't gonna do much changing

I had it done 5 years ago by the (supposedly) best guy in Colorado. Heck he even invented some of the instruments used by most LASIK surgeons. Went from very nearsighted to slightly farsighted. Blurry vision with glasses but okay with contacts. Dry eyes and getting worse. I am one of the few that it did not work for and I am sorry that I did it; and yes I have been re-evaluated three times - including by two different opthomolgists. They all say - "Sorry. we don't think anything can help." :(

like a scar on your arm or leg, once it is healed up it ain't gonna do much changingBut your eyes do change with age. That's why we geezers so often need reading glasses or bifocals. One concern I've seen expressed is how having had LASIK done will affect that "normal" change. I don't think the questions about that have been answered yet...not enough LASIK recipients have aged enough, perhaps.

The Wikipedia article has a lot of references http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LASIK

I've thought about it, but too risky, IMO. with my luck I'd be one of the few it doesn't work on or have somebody who botched the operation.

I'm too nearsighted to even consider it.

I'm too nearsighted to even consider it.

I was a -8.75 in one eye and -8.25(or something very close to that) in the other eye. It was no problem.
You can't be too much more nearsighted than that.

Both I and the wife had it done. Other family members also. For me Post Op it felt a bit like there as a hair in my eyes some of the time and also it reminded me of the burning felt after swimming with too much chlorine in the pool (but not as bad).

The one huge caution I can think of that gets missed is that Lasik is not a magic. What it does is change where the range your eye can focus is. It does NOT increase that range. (Oh it can and in my case did correct astigmatism).

I went in very confident. The Opthamoligist I was seeing had previously told me to wait, that my case and the technology did not make for an ideal case. When he finally said things were good I knew that his opinion could be trusted.

Be sure to ask about things that would make Lasik a bad idea. There are several factors that indicate increased risk. Also I would not advise anyone whose vision is still changing to go with Lasik unless there is some compeling reason.

I was -7 in both eyes plus significant astigmatism before the surgery, now I am 20/15 in both eyes.

I had it done this March, the actual surgery was very quick, just felt a bit of pressure on the eyes. For a few hours afterwards it felt like I had rubbed my eyes a bit too hard, that was the worst of it.

I did have dryness and halos for several weeks after while they healed, but that is all done now. My surgery cost $4500 for both eyes including Wavefront (this is in N. California). It would have been $3500 without the wavefront but I had no problem paying extra for more accuracy. I used Flex Spending so at least saved on taxes.

I thought about it for several years before deciding to do it, but it was totally worth it. I had lived with glasses since I was 6 years old and contacts since I was 14. BTW I picked the same surgeon who did my optometrist's eyes (figured that was a pretty good referral).

I gave it to myself as a 40th bday present this year. Best thing I've ever done for myself (other than marrying Mrs. Caloso). I was very near sighted (-5.25 and -4.75), or at least I thought I was, since the doc said they could take people under -10!

Had it done on a Friday afternoon, took it easy the rest of the day and went to bed early. Saturday morning my eyes were still a little sore but my vision was amazing. I drove myself to the follow up appointment that day. At the 3 month follow-up, my vision was 20/15.

Every once in awhile, I'll still have to remind myself not to try to take off my glasses or take out my contacts before bed....

The couple of scary stories here did it for me.

I ain't doin' it.

The couple of scary stories here did it for me.

I ain't doin' it.

Siu, there is no reason to fear any medical procedure, no matter how invasive. Here's a little trick: Close your eyes before you enter the clinic and keep them tightly closed throughout the procedure until you're safely back in your car. Now mind you, no peeking!

I tried to. I went in for a free consultation about 1 1/2 years ago. After some prelimarinary evaluation, the doc came in and asked why I wanted it. I said glasses give me headaches and contacts make my eyes all dry. Both irritate me pretty bad. He said, "then why don't you stop wearing them".

Long story short, my eyesight was only about 20/25 to 20/30 in each eye. He said that was good enough I could probably even pass the driving test without glasses, so he said just stop wearing them. So I did. Now about the only time I wear glasses is when I go to the movies (sit in back row), but that's "just" to make sure I don't miss any details.

I had it done 5 years ago by the (supposedly) best guy in Colorado. Heck he even invented some of the instruments used by most LASIK surgeons. Went from very nearsighted to slightly farsighted. Blurry vision with glasses but okay with contacts. Dry eyes and getting worse. I am one of the few that it did not work for and I am sorry that I did it; and yes I have been re-evaluated three times - including by two different opthomolgists. They all say - "Sorry. we don't think anything can help." :(


ahhh this thread had me consider it once again for myself,
but you mention the dry eyes and I think
I will stick to my contacts/glasses.

because

A) they always work
and
B) it is no real hassle to deal with contacts.

I was a -8.75 in one eye and -8.25(or something very close to that) in the other eye. It was no problem.
You can't be too much more nearsighted than that.


dang I am -7.5 both...so i guess they -can- correct 20-200 vision

I tried to. I went in for a free consultation about 1 1/2 years ago. After some prelimarinary evaluation, the doc came in and asked why I wanted it. I said glasses give me headaches and contacts make my eyes all dry. Both irritate me pretty bad. He said, "then why don't you stop wearing them".

Long story short, my eyesight was only about 20/25 to 20/30 in each eye. He said that was good enough I could probably even pass the driving test without glasses, so he said just stop wearing them. So I did. Now about the only time I wear glasses is when I go to the movies (sit in back row), but that's "just" to make sure I don't miss any details.


jeeze I'd eat glass to have natural 20/25. you should try 20-200.

here, I can help you.
next time you take a shower, rub a bar of soap on your eyeballs.
then try to read a magazine. 20-200 is like that [but without the burning]

dang I am -7.5 both...so i guess they -can- correct 20-200 vision

I could not even see my alarm clock in the morning to turn it off. I had to search with my hand to find my glasses to turn off the alarm clock. The mrs. found that quite annoying.

A friend of mine also had Lasik, she said the biggest downside for her was finally being able to see the the mildew in the shower. :eek: :p

My wife had it done in February of this year.....she went from 20-bajillion to 20-20 in 15 minutes....

However, a few weeks after the surgery, she noticed that she still needed glass to read books up close....it hasn't changed since then, but she's a bit disappointed ..... she can read a bike license plate 8 miles away , but can't read her books up close without glasses now....

She's considering going back for a free "adjustment".....

There's no way in ***L I'd let someone touch my eyeball, let alone laze it! I have some type of "phobia" about eyeballs...and touching them.......I can't even put eye drops in because my lids flap so fast that everyone around me gets soaked.....it causes something in my stomach to "change" and I end up losing my lunch....

I had it done in April of 2001 and it was a miracle. I was wearing -7.5 (equivalent of 20/700) contacts in both eyes, and I now still see 20/30 to 20/40 without help from glasses and contacts. How does that verse go, "I was blind but now I see..." That is exactly how I feel/ felt.

I would recommend it to anyone.

A friend of mine also had Lasik, she said the biggest downside for her was finally being able to see the the mildew in the shower. :eek: :p

:roflmao:

My wife had it done in February of this year.....she went from 20-bajillion to 20-20 in 15 minutes....

However, a few weeks after the surgery, she noticed that she still needed glass to read books up close....it hasn't changed since then, but she's a bit disappointed ..... she can read a bike license plate 8 miles away , but can't read her books up close without glasses now....

She's considering going back for a free "adjustment".....

There's no way in ***L I'd let someone touch my eyeball, let alone laze it! I have some type of "phobia" about eyeballs...and touching them.......I can't even put eye drops in because my lids flap so fast that everyone around me gets soaked.....it causes something in my stomach to "change" and I end up losing my lunch....

Actually, my guy was quite upfront about the reading glasses thing. He said that for people my age (40), lasik is correlated with an acceleration of near-sightedness. I asked him, "Am I going to need some special high-tech reading glasses?"

He said, "No, you just go to Rite-Aid and buy the 10 buck glasses like everybody else."

Go for it. I got it in '04 and am glad I did. Find a good doctor and ask about the Wavefront method.

But your eyes do change with age. That's why we geezers so often need reading glasses or bifocals. One concern I've seen expressed is how having had LASIK done will affect that "normal" change. I don't think the questions about that have been answered yet...not enough LASIK recipients have aged enough, perhaps.

The average age of a LASIK patient is barely below 40, which means that many of them get normal presbyopia and require reading glasses after awhile unless they opted to get monovision (where one eye is corrected to see near and the other far. I know a number of people in their 50's who've had LASIK who still see great.

LASIK was the best money I ever spent. In addition to nearsightedness and astigmatism that made it difficult to recognize people across the table, my peripheral vision was hopeless. Glasses give great vision from straight ahead, but the correction gets progressively worse and goes to zero when you hit the edge of your glasses. LASIK corrects vision from any angle. For the peripheral vision alone it is worth it.

I was told I would get presbyopia and eventually require reading glasses (I did not want monovision). A few years after I got my LASIK, mild presbyopia set in as predicted, so now I have reading glasses. However, my distance vision is still 20/15.

The technology is better than it was at the beginning. BTW, one of the differences between cut rate LASIK and the more expensive operations is the equipment they use (which is very spendy). While there is always a risk, the odds are highly in your favor. Yes your vision could get worse, but this is highly unlikely if you do a proper evaluation first and follow instructions afterwards. Besides, we all take risks every time we ride our bikes.

Wow, I am surprised to hear all these horror stories. I wanted to get it for a long time and waited. About 7 people I know went through it with good results before I really seriously looked into it. I did a lot of research about risks, procedures, etc. Went to the 'free' diagnostic and researched the doctors in my area. In the end I went through with it and that was 5 years ago...... I can still say it was the best thing I have ever done. Went from -4.75 in each eye, astigmatism, and horrible night vision to 20/20 and slightly better night vision.

It isn't a one fit answer for everyone. Do some research, learn the risks (and if they apply to you), find the right doctor, and don't go cheap (i.e. it pays to pay for this procedure).

The idea of cutting a flap of corneal tissue, on the other hand, continues to freak me out.

I had it done 7 years ago and went from -4.00 in both eyes to a stable 20/15 still. I'd do it again in a hearbeat.

One thing, though, that would answer your flap issue is to get PRK; that's what I had done. While there's no flap, the alternative is equally weird and you still have to be awake. But, since they don't cut the flap, they don't weaken your eye.

PRK offers the same correction as Lasik but without cutting the flap. Nowadays, they call it things like ASA or LASEK.

By the way, as far as risk goes, my eyes were a requirement for my job (flying for the Navy) and I did it anyway. The Navy did mine for free, too.

Do it! I had it done over 2 years ago, corrected to 20/20 and 20/15. All laser intralase procedure. No $ is more important than your vision I feel.

I just had Lasik yesterday (2/28/08) afternoon. I did a lot of research online, as well as I read through all the horror stories at lasik-flap.com (http://www.lasik-flap.com/). Based on my experience and all my reading, I think there are 3 things to consider:
1- corneal thickness; you need to have a thick enough cornea to have a thick enough flap
2- maximum dialated pupil size. this will affect how it comes out in the end; if the treatment area (the VISX Star 4 laser, the most current, has a treatment zone of 6.5 mm + 1.5 mm blend zone = 8.0 mm total) is smaller than the maximum dialated pupil, then when the pupils are widely dialated problems will occur. Problems such as starring, halos, etc.
3- are you near or far sighted? lasik, for whatever reason, has a slightly higher success rate, with less need for future touchups, in nearsighted patients.

My vision is still fluctuating, as my corneal flaps are swelling and shrinking (the doc. said this would happen for 2 - 4 weeks). I was 20/20 in my right (dominant) eye, 20/30 in my left eye, and for some unknown reason, 20/15 when using both eyes. 20/15, by the way, was what I was seeing with my glasses (my best corrected visual acuity). I had the custom vue wavefront (the most expensive procedure) at Restore Vision (http://www.restorevisioncenters.com/). I got a $300 discount (negotiated through my insurance company as a benefit), so my cost was $2699 (this was an all-in-one price, including tax, exams, etc.). It was worth every penny! I was blind but now I see!