Laser Eye Surgery

[T16GEM]

So yesterday I went for my operative consulatation for my Laser surgery. It was so strange! They numbed my eyes and poked them with a probey thing to see how thick my cornea was and I didn't feel a thing - I didn't even flinch at it which I though was rather odd! They dilated my eyes too so that they could do other tests on my eyes to make sure that they were suitable and that my prescription has been stable for long enough.

Anyway I am suitable so now I am just waiting for an appointment, I don't think I will have it until I get back from Jersey as you can't swim for a month with it but I am so looking forward to not having to wear my glasses anymore. I am having LASEK surgery done btw. My best friend had hers done 3 weeks ago and is now able to see with near on 20/20 vision. The Professor laughed at me when I said the reason I want it to be done is so that I can see when I am on the roller coasters at WDW !

One bad thing that they found though was that my current prescription is over 0.75 too strong for what my eyes actually need. No wonder I have been getting so many head aches recently!

 

[mandymouse]

Ooh, my eyes are watering just reading about your tests yesterday Gemma

I hope enjoy seeing all those drops on the rollercoasters

 

[rangermom]

I had PRK (eyes were to strong for LASIK) here in the states 1.5 years ago. It was the best thing I ever did. I had an extreme astigmatism with severe nearsightedness. I know have 20/15 vision.

I too wanted to be able to ride rollercoasters without taking my glasses off. I had a blast at WDW and DLR this last year. October I will be trying out a waterpark vice glasses for the first time.

Good luck with yours. It didn't hurt during the procedure, but some sensitivity to light for about a week.

 

[T16GEM]

Ranger Mom - The Lasek that I ma having is a derivative of PRK, I belive - they don't have to actually cut the eye to carry out the procedure so I am pleased about that! How long would you say that your recovery time was?

 

[Pinky166]

That's good news Gemma....my DH had his done 6 weeks before we went to WDW in 2006 and he loved it. Especially swimming & being able to wear nice sunglasses not horrible prescription one's.

 

[Belle68]

Great news, you are so brave, I cant stand the thought of anyone touching my eyes, ut if it makes a difference to your life good luck to you

Have fun on those roller coasters

 

[rangermom]

Ranger Mom - The Lasek that I ma having is a derivative of PRK, I belive - they don't have to actually cut the eye to carry out the procedure so I am pleased about that! How long would you say that your recovery time was?

They did PRK on me so the wouldn't have to cut. I had plenty of cornea, but if they cut they would have to cut a lot and it could cause problems later in life. Since my eysight was very nearsighted I was under the laser a little longer than planned 60-70 sec on each eye. There was no pain at all. I had to wear the protective contacts for two week instead of 1, but they did not bother me a bit. I had legal driving vision when I left the day of the surgery and had my 20/15 within 2 months.

Somedays one eye would be a little blurrer than other, but I could always see. After 3 months they cleared me and now I only have to go to yearly appointments.

 

[irongirlof12]

glad it all went well

 

[Girlsontour]

I had this done 5 years ago, ready to go to Florida! It was really great and my eye sight is still 20/20. I had the one that you can't drive for a week (always get the two procedures mixed up).

 

[Strommie]

Glad it went well Gemma. I am seriously considering having laser surgery myself. My DBF had his done 5 years ago and says it's one of the best things he's ever done. My friend has got a consultation on 1st August to see if her eyes are suitable for it

 

[TokiDoki]

I had it done a year ago and it was the best thing I have ever done and spent a chunk of money on.

I found the whole procedure to be fine. More uncomfortable and irritating and really no pain.

I could see the same day almost 20/20. By my first check up 2 days later in was spot on.

BTW wearing the goggles evey night was too funny. You keep the marks for hours LOL

 

[Mrs Hobbes]

I would love to have this done but I think I would be too afraid. I am extremely short sighted and can not see anything without my contacts or glasses.

I wear my contact lenses from the moment I open my eyes to the time I go to bed. When DD was born I had continuous wear lenses that i could sleep in so that when I got up in the night to her I could see what I was doing! I loved these lenses but after a while they gave me an ulcer on my cornea

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

I'm considering having this done at Accuvision in Solihull. I work with two people who have had it done and sing their praises. Just a bit afraid of taking that first step to ringing for a consultation. Feel a bit selfish spending all that money on myself but would love to be able to go to Disney next year and go on the rides and waterparks without strapping on the specs so they don't fall off!!!!

 

[pandv_2000]

I had mine lasered 10 weeks ago and I love it. My eyesight was extremely poor (-6 in each eye plus I had an astigmatism). I now have better than 20/20 vision and am due my 3 month check soon. It was uncomfortable for about 4 hours after surgery and I couldn't see very well at all that day. I noticed my vision was a little hazy for a couple of days after but that was because my eyesight was so bad.

They used a laser to cut the flap in my cornea as I didn't like the thought of a blade near my eyes.

I had worn glasses since I was 6 and I still wake up some mornings and feel for them on my bedside table before I even open my eyes.

Good luck with the surgery - you won't regret it - it's costly (mine cost £3200 ouch) but most places offer interest free credit.

 

[Graeme]

How long would you say that your recovery time was?

Mine was LASEK, and I had the protective lenses in for about a week, then the comfort drops for about a fortnight more. There was only the day I had it done though when I would say the itching and gritty feeling was almost unbearable, but even then it wasn't painful, it just drove me mad until I got the valium down and went to sleep. I remember sitting on the settee with my eyes literally streaming with tears and wondering how I was going to put up with it. The next morning I was fine-ish, and could see perfectly!
They give you three bottles of eye drops, one of which has a mild anaesthetic added to numb it slightly for the first week.

 

[Graeme]

If you think the test was odd btw, just wait til you see the top layer of your eye being peeled back Now THAT was a strange sensation. (You can't feel a thing, don't worry)

 

[Frances999]

I'd highly recommend Ortho-K as an alternative to laser eye surgery. I considered Laser surgery over and over again, but decided I didn't want to take the risk. Ortho-K is a great alternative, and has completely changed my life. It's very simple - you just wear some rigid contact lenses whilst you sleep each night, then take them out when you wake up in the morning. They work by gently re-shaping your cornea to the correct dimensions; with the pressure of your eye-lid providing the mold. I have 20/20 vision now, and no longer need to worry about glasses or contacts. In addtion, I don't have any of the halo or blurring problems that many people who have laser surgery experience.

The treatment is completely reversible (i.e. - stop wearing the lenses for a few nights and your eyesight returns to normal), and has also been proven to stop your eyesight worsening any more. The lenses are comfortable to wear and get replaced monthly. The cost in the US is around $50/month, and my friend in Bath pays £35/month.

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

If you think the test was odd btw, just wait til you see the top layer of your eye being peeled back Now THAT was a strange sensation. (You can't feel a thing, don't worry)

You should have kept quiet about that, its put me right off now!!!

 

[Minniespal]

My eyes are watering reading this thread.

Glad everything is going okay.

 

[Ware Bears]

My eyes are watering reading this thread.

Mine too!

My niece had her eyes done a couple of years ago and has never regretted it but I'm much too scared to have it done, I think I'll stick with specs and lenses although I do like the sound of Frances's Ortho-K. Hopefully that will become more popular and the price will come down, then I'd consider that.

I think you're extremely brave Gemma, good luck and just think of yourself on those coasters with no worries of losing your specs!