OK...with the positive reviews aside, now it's time for the negatives.
As with most things, there are always two sides...
It's a hard decision!
I know several people who had Lasik done who swear it was the best thing ever. One of the nurses I work with had Lasik done and had minor complications that caused her to have blurry vision for about a month (she's fine now but it was frustrating for her).
I'm terrified of Lasik!!!! I'm a surgeon so if anything went wrong it would end my career right then and there. I personally won't do it. (I'm also far-sighted and not near-sighted so it's more complicated in me anyway.)
Good luck with your decision! If you hate wearing contacts/glasses, go for it.
Amanda
It really makes me pause when medical doctors aren't in favour of an elective procedure.
That should tell you something, right?
Geez...you're terrified of Lasik as a doctor. I thought I was just terrified because I didn't know enough to know how safe it was...guess not.
But unlike you, I am near sighted, not far sighted. And having to wear reading glasses or bifocals in future (even though my close up vision is currently great) is really not an issue for me. I don't care if I have to wear glasses at my desk or on a computer, or having to put them on to read a menu. I just don't want to have to wear them to see the alarm clock, drive, go down a waterslide, ect, ect. It is the ACTIVE things in life that I want to be able to do without glasses or contacts. If I am sitting down trying to read, I can deal with having to put glasses on.
Arrrggghhhh...decisions, decision!
That IS a tough decision! I have thought about getting it done myself, but like you, I'm too nervous about the procedure and possible complications to take that leap. There is a lady here on the DIS that had it done and now has issues adjusting to changes in light and she can't see well at all in low lit areas, wish I could remember her name but it's escaping me......anyway, I'm sure that would be me if I had the surgery, that's just my kind of luck
Yep...that's just the type of story that scares the you-know-what outta me.
And I have also heard of retina detachments too...fun times!
Sooner Girl & DRMom of Three, I wouldn't do it either because of the same reasons. I'm too afraid of messing up my vision. A friend of ours had it done & it didn't go well. He had the starburst effect, did get some repair work done, but his eyes didn't get totally back to normal.
My BIL had it done & is very happy with the result. So it goes both ways like everything.
That is really the problem, isn't it? The fact that it goes both ways. Some people say it was the best thing they ever did. But then one or two horror stories are always there too. That is what makes the decision so hard for me...there is so much to gain, and a majority of success stories, but a couple of real horror stories too.
I have to admit, if you already have dryness issues as you describe, even if they say you are a candidate I would be very very cautious as it's known to make it worse.
I know I am not a candidate for that exact reason. Frankly I'd never considered it for a number of reasons. Primarily as ex#1 is an ophthalmologist and even he isn't/wasn't sold on it. Your eyes continue to grow/change shape as you age and while it can be great for many for a while, it's still early days in terms of knowing how long it lasts and any long term complications. I do know people that have had to have it done again, already.
For me, on top of that, I have severe dry eye. I don't make tears and am not a candidate for duct surgery so it's not an option that is even on the table if I wanted it to be. It's been hard as as my eyes have dried up, so has my ability to wear contacts. At first it was anything longer than 12 hours, then it decreased quickly to about 2 and now, not at all. I used to experience many of the conditions you describe (contact washing out while riding my bike, skiing...severe tearing in windy conditions, very dry and itchy at the end of the day) and it progressed into something really awful until we figured out what it was.
Not a fun adjustment but a really good pair (or two) of prescription sunglasses does ease the pain quite a bit. I am lucky enough that I can get by without glasses for basic things and given that as my eyes age (I mean I age) and I've had to move to progressives I'm very grateful I was never tempted before the condition developed.
The hardest part was vanity. I didn't like seeing myself in glasses 100% of the time. I've always had them but they were for the 20% of the time that my eyes were tired, not the majority of the time. It's been an adjustment to say the least.
I do know that Lasik doesn't keep most folks from needing reading glasses so if you do get it, bear in mind that eventually you may still need those, many of my girlfriends who've had it, do. Most of them are glad they did it. One has had mild complications. She's also the one who's on her second round.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
Funny you should bring up "your" ophthalmologist who isn't keen on Lasik. I remember chatting with my ophthalmologist about the procedure about 10 years or so ago. She was running through all the pros and cons of the procedure with me, and then it struck me...she was wearing glasses.
I really wish I was like you and could get by throughout my day without glasses or contacts 24/7. I went 24 years with perfect eyes, and then 3 years of law school killed them.
I DESPISE glasses. I don't even like wearing them in the house when I am all by myself, so even though I don't think I look good in glasses, it really isn't a vanity thing. I just plain and simple hate wearing glasses. You lose your periforal vision (which I hate), and I have yet to find a pair that is comfortable or stays on my face. And I already explained why contacts haven't been working for me so well.
I don't have exceptionally dry eyes, but I have noticed a little less tolerance for contacts in the last few years. I will certainly be sure to research this post-op dry eye side effect a little more carefully. However, as crazy as it sounds (and I know it sounds crazy) I would almost rather be able to see without glasses or contacts even if I ended up with drier eyes and had to use moisture drops going forward (which I don't, by the way, ever use now).
I am really trying to make a rationale decision, but I am so done with glasses and contacts.
That said, your post (and the others above) really has me second thinking this Cynthia. Earlier this morning, I was pretty sure I had reached a decision. I was sitting down with a client preparing for a day-long deposition. Of course, like all other days, I had my contacts in, but I must have gotten a piece of dust in one of them. I kept trying to discretely rub the dust out of my lens without dislodging my contact but every attempt was unsuccessful. I had no lens solution with me, no extra pairs of contacts, and no glasses. And I was just about to start a very long workday, and needed to be "on". There was no time for fooling around with wayward contacts.
Fortunately my client had flown in from Toronto, and just happened to have in her purse her airport security bag containing all of her "liquids and gels", including some saline solution. Luckily I was able to borrow some and fix my eye so I could get on with our meeting. But even so, I took it that this little incident was a clear sign (on the last workday before my consultation) that I should take the plunge and have the procedure.
Now, once again, I am rethinking.
I really, really appreciate everyone's imput to date.
If anyone else has any thoughts to offer, I am (pardon the pun) All Ears!
Plus, I always worry I will be one of the small few people to have a complication.
I haven't heard of one person who was sorry about it! I don't wear contacts or glasses, but I know I need reading glasses now....getting old I guess
Overall we were thrilled he did it. He had to wear very expensive, irritating hard contacts. My mom had some minor difficulty due to the fact she still needed bifocals, but all went very well. After reading your experience with contacts, I would say go for it! I would make sure you tell the doctor of your apprehension about the procedure and concern about people near your eyes, I'm sure that is a common complaint and they will be able to address it during your consultation.
If only you were guaranteed to be a success story, right? It is just so hard to take the leap of faith!
Not to worry....you aren't late, and really haven't missed anything yet. While I have been back to WDW twice since our family trip in May 2010, our next family trip isn't for a couple of months.
Also loved your visit to the theme park there, looks beautiful! Sounds like a fun weekend! We are off to the beaches of Lake MI 
today for the holiday, fireworks tonight. Last year all 3 of the kids made comments on how the local fireworks just aren't the same since we've been going to Disney!!!
Oh, I loved it! Have a great day!
He couldn't figure out why there were fireworks but no MK castle! This year, we were sitting in the boat watching the fireworks and DH busted out singing "Wishes"! I cracked up laughing! NOT the same!
