Having Lasik surgery tomorrow...what should I expect?

[pkasbohm]

I am having Lasik surgery tomorrow and very nervous! What are some of the things that I should expect? What things to look out for, and how long did it take you to recover?

Thanks!

 

[mom2rb]

It is so cool!!! It is a little bit uncomfortable, but not bad. Right afterwards you have to keep your eyes closed and put drops in every few hours. After that you can see. I went from 20/450 to 20/20. I had to have it redone after 3 years because my eyes had gone back to 20/40, but that was just as easy.

 

[andromedaslove]

I remember when I had my lasik surgery. Everyone told me that it wouldn't hurt at ALL and that it wouldn't take very long. They LIED!! I was in ALOT of pain, although my doc said that most patients aren't as uncomfortable as I was, but there are a few. After they made the incisions in my eyes it burned sooooo bad. I was just miserable. They were constantly putting these numbing drops in my eyes because I couldn't stand it. The good thing is that it didn't take very long at all. Once the surgery was over I spent the entire day sleeping, and the only problem I have had since the surgery is that my eyes are really sensitive to the light. That being said, it was definately worth it, and I would still do it again even though it hurt like it did.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I had Lasik a few years ago, and there was no pain involved. It was a little uncomfortable when they used these metal things to hold my eyelids open, but I wouldn't call it painful. And aside from my eyes being a bit on the dry side, I had no pain or discomfort after the surgery either. Right after the surgery, which took maybe 15 minutes, I had to wait in the lobby for 30 minutes. Then they checked my eyes to make sure the flap was where it was supposed to be, put in some drops, taped these plastic shields over my eyes, and sent me home. I wasn't supposed to, but I peeked at things on the way home, and I was amazed that I could acutally read the license plates of cars in front of us! The next morning I was able to drive to the eye doctor on my own, without glasses - something I couldn't have done before. It's an amazing procedure and you're going to be thrilled with the results!

 

[Colleen P]

I had it done 2 years ago, can't believe I waited that long.

Things to be aware of - the thing that freaked me out the most was when they brought me into the room, put the chair back, and 2 or 3 sets of hands immediately started taping my eyelids open. Would not have been a big deal, but I was not expecting that many hands. The second eye was a piece of cake because I was expecting it. Afterwards they have a regime of drops. Follow this, and they say you can add the unmedicated drops as needed. I used lots of this type, so have a bunch handy. I had it on a Friday, went to finish some shopping immediately afterward and had lunch out with my family (they had to read a bit of the menu as with all the drops it was a bit watery), and was driving and going out on my own on Saturday. There is an irritated feeling, but as long as I used the drops it was very tolerable.

Good luck, and it will be worth it!!

 

[lovetheparks]

I also had Lasik done two years ago and had a co-worker that (unbeknownst to us at the time) that had it on the same day.

The biggest thing that will help you is to go straight home and to bed. The facility we used was about 1.5 hours from home and since we had to go back the next day, DH & I just stayed over in a hotel so I was able to go and laydown and rest my eyes ASAP while my co-worker drove back home. He said his eyes burned alot.

Good Luck! I went from 20/400 to 20/20 and don't regret it one bit.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Not to freak pkasbohm out, but I head there's a chance that you can loose some of your night vision from lasik. Is this true? And does anyone know of anyone who has?

 

[imsorry]

I had it done a year ago. I went from 20/225 and 20/250 to 20/20 and 20/25.
I was 48 when I had it done, so they under-corrected one eye so I wouldn't need reading glasses, or glasses for my computer work.

Unlike most people, I had halos/blurry vision for the first few days. It took me a few months for the halos at night to clear up - again, no one else I know had this problem. Also, my eyes were VERY dry, had to use drops constantly. I did not find the procedure itself to be uncomfortable - stay calm and it goes very quickly.

Would I do it again - YES!! No more switching between regular glasses and prescription sunglasses every minute at Disney! I can see in pools and at the beach now.

Good Luck I'm sure you will be happy with the results!

 

[FergieTCat]

I'm having a consultation this afternoon.

I am nervous about the surgeon I've chosen. He sounds like he's very competent, and I'm trying to convince myself that if he weren't competent, it would have been on the news by now. New York City is a small place!!!

Wish me luck!!!

 

[DisneyJen0504]

It is one of the best things I ever did! I had mine done in 2003.
No pain, just a little uncomfortable the day of, vision went to 20/10 the next day!
The doctor gave me xanex to relax me and they completed the surgery in minutes! I left the office with big sunglasses and could immediately see. Once the numbing drops wore off, I was a little uncomfortable b/c of the excessive tearing but I went home, and went to sleep. Had to put medicated drops in every few hours and that was it. The best thing you can do is sleep it off the day of b/c by the next day you will feel great!!

 

[wvjovifan]

My Dr's office gave me a Valium before the surgery to take the edge off and
gave my 2 Tylenol PM to take on the way home. They advise you to sleep for a few hours right after the surgery and upon waking absolutely no pain!!! Had 20/20 the next morning! Used the eye shields at night for about a week to prevent rubbing your eyes in your sleep. After that, no problems at all ! Of course, I'm 50, so I just need the Walmart reading glasses for tiny print.

 

[lovetheparks]

I'm having a consultation this afternoon.

I am nervous about the surgeon I've chosen. He sounds like he's very competent, and I'm trying to convince myself that if he weren't competent, it would have been on the news by now. New York City is a small place!!!

Wish me luck!!!

Best advice I can give you is to get 2 opinions. I *almost* had it done by a quack of a Dr. went to consult, testing appts, etc and was told I was a perfect candidate, etc. I so much as had an appt and drove there to get it done, then they said there was one more test, turns out I didn't have enough cornea and he wanted to do prk and something else right then and there. I was like, um no way I am letting you touch my eyes now pal.

Turns out I needed to have intra-lasik because I needed so much correction. I ended up spending alot more money but had excellent care and results.

Good Luck!