Anyone had LASEK surgery?

[MouseClubMom]

My friend just had LASEK (the EK not the IK) procedure done today and he called and said he is in ALOT of pain despite the Valium, Motrin and Percoset he is on.

Just wondering - how long does it take until you start to feel better? How long before he can drive? He of course (being male) thinks he can drive home tomorrow. The doctor said NO.

 

[chadfromdallas]

oh no, pain?

I'm about to start researching lasik, bec ause I'm getting it for my 21st birthday. I figured there wouldn't be any pain as you hear about people being fine the following day

 

[cepmom]

my DH had LASEK in one eye and LASIK in the other eye...he was in some pain the first day. He took some percocet and slept for a long time. The DR told him to use the drops (he had several types) and keep his eyes closed for several hours after the procedure. He was better the next day (pain wise) but I can't remember if it was the LASEK or the LASIK procedure where he couldn't drive the next day. With one procedure the recovery time was significantly longer than the other. He is doing great now ~ both eyes are 20/20, although he does have dry eyes fairly often and needs to use eye lubricating get most nights at bedtime.

 

[pattyT]

I hade Lasik in Canada
and drove home 2 days later
(I recall driving the next day to go eat too)
and that was 3 1/2 years ago
There was a lot of discomfort the first day and night

sorry can't help you with the Laseks - just didn't want chadfromdallas to be scared off - its worth every ounce of discomfort!

 

[krissy3483]

without getting really technical, what are the differences between LASEK and LASIK? I didn't realize there were two

 

[cepmom]

I just checked with DH and he said that LASEK is where they laser the cornea (sort of like shaving it down) to correct the vision and LASIK is when they cut open the cornea, flip it back, use the laser to correct the vision, then flip the cornea back into place. LASIK is a higher risk of infection since they actually cut the cornea, but DH thought it was a much easier recovery than the LASEK. You have to be really careful not to rub your eye so the cornea can heal the right way.

He could not drive after LASEK for maybe two days, but he was fine the next day after the LASIK surgery. The eye that had the LASEK is the one that still gives him trouble with dryness. Hopefully your friend will feel better tomorrow

Chad ~ don't worry about having the LASIK done! DH says he would do the LASIK again in a heartbeat. It is so worth it!

 

[aprilgail2]

I had LASIK and didn't need anything for pain, there was NO pain....and I drove to the Dr for the next day check up the next morning on my own!

 

[chasbos]

No pain here with the Lasik. Could not drive myself though for a couple of days - the valium or whatever they gave me knocked me out cold!

I am actually going for an enhancement in one eye next Thursday.

No regrets at all here - it has been a great 5 years.

 

[deba]

I had Lasik over a year ago. Some pain and dryness for the first few days...took a couple of weeks for my vision to be good enough to drive...a combination of dry eye in spite of permanent tear plugs, and age (almost fifty). I quickly and loudly tell anyone that will listen that it is SO worth any discomfort and cost. I am still amazed and thankful everyday that I open my eyes and CAN SEE!

BTW~ That first visit to Disney after correction is absolutely awesome!!!!

 

[Feralpeg]

I had Lasik two months ago. I had no pain. I didn't even take the valium prior to the surgery. I just went home and slept for about five hours. The next day, I drove to the doctor's office. No problems.

If your friend is still in pain tomorrow, he should call the doctor. That seems wrong.

 

[chadfromdallas]

Chad ~ don't worry about having the LASIK done! DH says he would do the LASIK again in a heartbeat. It is so worth it![

sorry can't help you with the Laseks - just didn't want chadfromdallas to be scared off - its worth every ounce of discomfort!

Whew

Thank y'all

 

[mtblujeans]

.....and how old are you people when you are having these procedures done? I did not realize there were 2 procedures....my dr told me she might consider referring me for one of the procedures the next time I get my eyes checked ~ I am 49. I understand the procedures "hold" your vision steady for about 20 years.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

My bosses both had the procedure on the same day last year. They both had both eyes done. They arrived home in the late afternoon (4 or 5 PM) and went straight up to bed. They were both in EXCRUCIATING pain. I ended up staying overnight to take care of the babies because they (the parents) couldn't see and they needed a ton of meds for the pain. The next day was MUCH better (I went home at around 3 PM) and the day after that they were pretty much back to normal.

They were both really, really shocked at the intensity of the pain. It was not what they expected. But now neither one has to wear glasses or contacts and they are VERY pleased with the results. I think if your doctor agrees you are a good candidate then go for it, but understand that it may be very painful for the first couple of days.

They are both in their mid-30's, for what it's worth.

 

[mountaineer]

I had LASEK but I don't remember a lot of pain. Every person is different. The bandage contact lenses were a weird feeling. I had those for 2 weeks. I have really dry eyes and had to use salt drops after I had some swelling around the corneas. That was the worst part of the whole thing, putting salt in. It took me about a month to see perfectly clearly all the time. But that was part of the severe dry eyes. I would do it again when I needed to.

 

[Muffin]

I had LASEK in February.

I didn't have any pain, just mild discomfort. The contact bandages didn't bother me because I had worn contacts for years before the surgery. I didn't drive during the day for 5 days and at night for about a month. I probably could have driven sooner, I just didn't have the need because my husband drove me around. There's no way I could have driven the next day or ever the day after that.

My doctor told me that they are finding LASEK patients are having better results than ones who had LASIK. I asked why then they don't do LASEK on everyone, and he said people want immediate results. I have to admit that the recovery period was harder than it would have been with LASIK.

mtblujeans
I'm 43. They gave me monovision (slightly different prescription in each eye) in hopes of holding of reading glasses. I can see close better now that I ever could with contacts.

 

[Feralpeg]

.....and how old are you people when you are having these procedures done? I did not realize there were 2 procedures....my dr told me she might consider referring me for one of the procedures the next time I get my eyes checked ~ I am 49. I understand the procedures "hold" your vision steady for about 20 years.

I just had mine done and I am 53.

 

[mtblujeans]

This is interesting info....I am glad this thread was started. I was excited at the prospect of getting rid of glasses but I did not realize some of this info posted here! Thanks!!

 

[Albertan mom]

I am 30, just had Lasik done two days ago.
No pain, just feels kinda scratchy.
The hardest part for me is not 'squeeze blinking' and no rubbing

 

[mtblujeans]

I had an eye exam yesterday and DR told me I had too much astigmatism to have this surgery done. He said I would still have to wear glasses for near vision because it would all but take my near vision away from me. **sigh**

 

[Feralpeg]

I had an eye exam yesterday and DR told me I had too much astigmatism to have this surgery done. He said I would still have to wear glasses for near vision because it would all but take my near vision away from me. **sigh**

Did you go to a doctor who does Lasik? I had astigmatism and had Lasik with no problem.