Anyone have an opinion about LASIK?

[*Seanaci*]

As for myself, I wear glasses exclusively and have no plans of getting the surgery. It creeps me out.

I totally understand this part! The idea of someone sticking something in my eye (whether I'm awake or not) really creeps me out.

I went for a screening but was not eligible for Lasik because my corneas were too thin from years of wearing gas permeable lenses. They could have done more invasive surgery, but I opted to stick with my contacts. I'm glad I finally went for the consultation so I wouldn't always wonder "what if". Go for the consultation to see if you're eligible and decide from there.

Great advice!

Sorry, I didn't read most of the responses.

I talked about it with my eye doctor and he said that depending on age, you might not be a good candidate. As we age, most everybody needs at least reading glasses. His point was that I probably wouldn't get getting rid of the glasses for good. Just maybe 5-10 years, which I'd have to decide whether or not would be long enough to pay for the surgery.

Good luck with your decision!

Thanks for posting thing. I've been thinking about going for a consult...but even if I was elegible...I'm not sure I'd go through with it (not only because the surgery creeps me out) but because I'd have to spend money in the future on reading glasses at the very least. *shrugs*

 

[Vickibean]

Love it, Love it, Love it!

Had it done 8 years ago. Went from -7 and -9 to 20/20 and 20/30. At my 6 month checkup, the dr decided to do it again and got me to 20/15 and 20/20.


When you are factoring in costs of not doing it, don't forget to factor in costs of contact solutions, cases, and extra exam fees for contacts. I figured it would pay for itself in 10 years.

I made my decision one day when I got something in my eye at the playground with my son, and had to take my contact out and leave the playground to go home and put it back in.

 

[Marymom]

I had it done in May. I had no complications and love that I don't spend minutes of my day trying to find my glasses!

 

[dolfinjuls]

I haven't read other replies...

I work for a co-managing optometrist for Kremer laser eye center. Depending on your situation, I think Lasik is great! I would definitely not get it done in another country even though it's so close. When looking for a doctor or center I would defintiely check out their guarantees. For example, Kremer has a lifetime guarantee where as long as you go once a year for a routine eye exam after surgery they will do an enhancement surgery if your vision ever declines.

And don't forget that you'll never be out of glasses or contacts completely. Your eyes will eventually weaken and will need reading galsses at some point!

 

[princessmorgan]

I had it done 12 years ago when I was in college and still under my parent's insurance. My dad had it done, too and it only cost him a $10 copay for each of us! It was definitely worth that I will say my night vision has gotten worse. The halos around car lights glow so bright that it's hard for me to see, so I don't like to drive at night unless I know where I'm going. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[CC12005]

Lasik can be great. Most problems can be averted by choosing a reputable doctor whom has done many patients. This is the number one factor in determining your success. Yes, even with a great doctor you can have complications but if you research their complication rate it is miniscule and major complications are usually unheard of with them. Google & research with the state boards the doctor, center & trademark names for the company to see if they have any complaints or problems. Not just with patients, but with the practice too. Sometimes you will see they are being investigated for tax fraud. These centers usually have other problems because they cut corners in all areas including sanitation & they may pay for the cheapest new grad with the least experience. Don't choose the cheapest place that you see on a billboard.
One more important item to remember. Make sure you get the all-laser Lasik, even if it costs more. Some places call this custom-Lasik. A few doctors still use scapels to cut the flap, then the laser does the rest. This is a major reason for dry eyes.
A final point to remember although your vision is significantly improved right after surgery. It can take a full year or so to settle down. For months after I would experience some blurring or dry eye in one eye that couldn't be explained. Nothing that made me regret my decision, but just a minor complication. After one year those issues subsided.

 

[Praise2Him]

because I'd have to spend money in the future on reading glasses at the very least. *shrugs*

We get reading glasses at Dollar Tree for $1, so luckily you can get them and not spend a lot of money

 

[disney11fan]

I am thinking about having LASIK corrective surgery. I still have to go to be screened but if I am a candidate I think this is something I would really like to do. The problem is it can cost up to $2000, per eye, and it is not covered by insurance However getting new lens and contacts every year costs me a couple hundred anyways. So basically, I am asking if you liked it and are glad you had it done. My BIL had it done about 5 years ago, is really happy and now just has a little bit of dry eye in the spring with his allergies. I live 30 minutes from Canada, and I guess you can get it cheaper there, but it seems weird to me to go to another country for health care...

since you asked i tell you. don't do it. i don't want to scare you so i will stop here.

 

[hulagirl87]

DH and I both wear glasses and we have most of our lives, since we were kids. I would love to have the surgery but had a consult about 10 years ago and was not a candidate. I know that they have another option now and I might be a candidate now. I would do the surgery in a heartbeat. DH talks about it at least once a day. He just got a job in a field where glasses are a hindrance so he is definitely thinking more and more about it each day. Plus with DD I would love to not have glasses each day. The smudges alone! One of my best friends had the surgery about 7 or 8 years ago and she just mentioned that she is going to be needing reading glasses but she hasn't regretted the surgery for a minute. I can't imagine not needing to put on my glasses and being able to see! It seems like the smallest thing but it would mean the world.

 

[bucket o' butter]

I got LASIK in 2003 and have never regretted it at all. I had extremely poor eyesight. My contacts strength were -10. My glasses resembled the typical coke bottle stereotype, so I wore contacts as much as possible. I had no bad side effects from the surgery at all. My vision in both eyes was 20/25 post surgery. It is so nice to be able to see as soon as I wake up in the morning and to not have to take out my contacts when I go swimming. I could list so many other reasons too! My doctor did say that by 40ish I would probably need reading glasses. I am 44 now and only need them for extremely small print. My husband, who has had perfect vision his entire life, needs reading glasses a lot more than I do! Yes, it was a bit salty, but so worth it. I highly recommend it!

 

[bettyann29]

DH had his done about 9 years ago I believe.. its been the best thing he's ever done..

However it does look like he will be needing to have it done again.. his eyes have changed and he is having problems seeing again..

 

[sunnyday123]

I was going to have it 6 years ago, and had it scheduled with a reputable Dr here. The day before, I called my regular eye Dr and asked for his opinion. He had the Lasik Dr fax over the paperwork for him to review.

He called me back and started asking me a bunch of questions-what did the Dr say to me, did he recommend the surgery, etc. He told me in no way was I a candidate for the surgery, and if I had it done, I wouldn't be able to drive at night-ever. Apparently your eyes have to dialate under a certain number, and mine were way over. He was really upset the Dr. told me I was fine to have it, and called him.

I'll stick with my contacts. As wonderful as it would be to wake up and be able to see, it's just not a risk I want to take.

 

[DIS_MERI]

I had all laser PRK instead of LASIK (because I would be that person with flap failure...I just have that kind of luck) almost 3 years ago and it was some of the best money I ever spent! I had 20/400 vision before and 20/15 after. I think it was about $4600 and I used the care credit 0% offer. I don't care if I need glasses at some point, at least I can see the floor now (and I'm only 5'1" so its not like it was far away to begin with)! And, I did have light sensitivity (that has vastly improved) and some night glares and halos, but I had those before the surgery....my night vision is better now than before the surgery. I also needed eye drops for a few months, but that cleared up too.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I was told even if I did it, I'd still end up with glasses for reading/computer work/cross stitch in a couple of years. I think it's because of my age.

So no Lasik for me - I'll stick with my contact and/or glasses for now.

 

[DisneyTexan]

I had it done with the flap about four years ago, and love it. I could see immediately after surgery, and went back to driving and my office job the next day.

My husband recently went to the same doctor for the so-called "better" and more expensive surgery without the flap. He was in mild pain for the first few days after surgery. It has now been a month, and he still can't drive late in the day. His eyes are in good condition when he wakes up, but they deteriorate as the day goes by. The doctor finally admitted that recovery can take six weeks or longer, so we are patiently waiting for the final outcome of the surgery.

Make sure you completely understand the expected recovery time for your type of surgery. My husband has had a friend driving him to and from work for the last month because he can't drive late in the day.

 

[ChisJo]

I have to agree with most other posters. I had mine done in 2007 and haven't regretted it yet. I had it done in Edmonton, Canada. Each eye was $1500. My sister just got her work up done, and she was $2200 per eye, so no, Canada is not cheaper.

I went to a pricier place than others, but the place I went to has a very good reputation, and I didn't want to mess with my eyes. I am so happy with the results. I just had an eye exam the other day and the optometrist said that whoever did my eyes did the best job she had ever seen

I love not having to deal with glasses when I work out, or drive, or watch tv lying on the couch, or, well, you get the picture. The best thing about not having to wear glasses is that I get to wear cheap sunglasses...I now own plenty! My eye sight is still perfect, 4 years later, and I have never had ANY problems with it.