Lasik Eye Surgery?

[goofy4prez]

I'm just wondering have any of you had Lasik Surgery? I'm planning on getting this done on December 26th and would like to hear from those who have done it.

What was the healing length of time? Did it meet your expectations? And would you do it again knowing what you now know?

 

[mfd25wife]

I had it done and would recommend it. I had surgery 8 yrs ago and am still happy with the results. I was able to read signs the next day. I believe they said that 80% of the healing is in the first 24 hrs. The only pain for me was that it burned like getting shampoo in my eyes, but it is only as they are actually cutting the flap. The instrument they use to prop the eye open is uncomfortable, but not horrible. When I did it in Memphis, they gave all their patients a valium and a demerol about 30 minutes before surgery. After the surgery, my eyes were kind of scratchy. The only issue I had at all was that my eyes were dryer, but it was worth it. My vision was really really bad at a -10. I barely qualified. Let me know of any questions you have.

 

[emer95]

I found the actual procedure to be quite frightening, but the healing afterwards was fine for me. I had zero discomfort, but I did have a bloodshot eye for two weeks after. That wasn't pretty.
I would absolutely do it again. I cannot stress enough how freeing it is to be able to wake up and SEE and not even have to think about it! For months after I would reach for my glasses in the morning out of habit- that's a hard one to break.
Good luck!

 

[LadyZolt]

I had it done four years ago using the "intralase" method -- felt absolutely nothing but a little pressure on the eye, like the kind you'd get if you pressed against your eye with your hand if your eye was closed. Like the previous poster, I could immediately see better -- like seconds after the surgery. It was like a miracle cure since I'd needed glasses for over 30 years before having it done. My vision continued to improve for the next six months. At first, I saw halos around lights, but I saw that without my glasses before so it didn't really bother me, but I did notice that by six months, that was pretty much gone.

I highly recommend this surgery for those who are extremely near sighted. For people with minimum correction, I don't think the cost or risk are worth it, but for those of us who are really unable to even see the clock on the nightstand without glasses, it's a Godsend. I wish you the best!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[mfd25wife]

I found the actual procedure to be quite frightening, but the healing afterwards was fine for me. I had zero discomfort, but I did have a bloodshot eye for two weeks after. That wasn't pretty.
I would absolutely do it again. I cannot stress enough how freeing it is to be able to wake up and SEE and not even have to think about it! For months after I would reach for my glasses in the morning out of habit- that's a hard one to break.
Good luck!

I was definitely nervous so I was more than happy for that valium. I have always hated the eye doctor. I would take the dentist any day. I am real squeamish about eyes, which gave them all a good laugh.

I was afraid I would forget and try to take out my contacts since I wore them for 16 yrs.

 

[Macca1111]

I'm doing mine on the 30th. Good luck OP, to both of us!

 

[Imzadi]

I had mine done exactly two weeks ago today. The jury is still out on mine, as my eyes are still healing and I notice them getting minisculey better every day. I'm interested, too, in knowing how long it takes to fully see clearly.

I purposely asked for my eyes to be under-corrected as my nearsightedness is (err - WAS!) so bad, 20/900, and now I have over-40 year old eyes, meaning I was heading towards bifocals or reading glasses in addition to my regular glasses. I could literally only see 6 INCHES in front of my face clearly without glasses. And I wanted to keep what clear near sight I had. (Most Lasiks for over 40 means having to still wear reading glasses, even if you get 20/20 distance vision.) You can read my own thread about it here:http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2016160

I got the new blade-less Intralase Lasik. It didn't hurt at all, because it was all laser, no scalpel. Although I too, needed a Valium before & during. There is that part of me that sometimes suddenly goes, "What the hell am I doing?!?"

They put numbing drops into the eyes right before the procedure. When the nurse put the second round in, I said to her that she missed the eye. She goes, "No, I didn't," but put in more drops, that I couldn't feel.

I said, "Oh, is it that my eyes are just too numb to feel it?" and we both laughed.

I was more worried about what I could see right afterwards. Everyone I've always talked to said how next morning when they woke up, they could see the clock across the room. But it made me wonder about that night. It's not like I could put on my old glasses again. And they certainly didn't have a bunch of glasses with different prescriptions in a drawer, to help those of us who are extremely nearsighted, get home.

The nurse told me I would be able to see 65% right after the surgery. I thought, what does that mean? Instead of seeing 6" in front of me, I'll see 2 feet? But as soon as she said, "You can open your eyes," after it was over, I could fuzzily see a cabinet across the room!

But, having under-corrected eyes, is presenting it's own problem, especially with such bad eye sight to begin with. The doctor did say before the procedure that he may have to tweak my eyes in 3 months (when my eyes stabilize enough.) I had read up enough on this, so I knew to expect it.

My sight is sooo much better than before. I am not fully dependent on glasses like I used to. I can see across the room, (not in sharp detail,) & indeed read a store sign down the block, BUT, my eyes are still blurry both near and far. I went shopping yesterday & when I went to pull a shirt off the rack to look at it, I couldn't see it clearly at all. It was like looking at something underwater. (THIS was why I wanted to preserve my close & mid vision.) I needed to put on the generic reading glasses I bought from a drugstore, (while waiting to see what vision I will eventually have.) When I looked up, across the aisles or on the wall to see what else was there, without the reading glasses, my eyes were too blurry to see details sharply. I really don't have clear vision at ANY range. I need the reading glasses just to clearly see the plate of food I'm eating. I can't see anything below 14 point bold fonts yet. But I am noticing it's getting minisculey clearer every day. 3 days ago, I couldn't even see that.

I was crossing the street, and a car whipped around the corner toward me, and I literally didn't know which way to jump out of the way. If the driver wasn't quick enough to stop, I would have been hit. I couldn't see the subtle direction of movement of a CAR clearly enough to know which way to get out of the way.

I fear I will never have good enough vision to not need glasses MOST of the time, doing average, everyday things. And this was not what I wanted.

Sure, now I can actually buy an $8 pair of glasses from Zenni Optical, rather than having to pay for the super high-index lenses for $78. But, for me, a $3500 surgery to be able to trade down to cheaper glasses, may not be worth it in the end.

 

[bumbershoot]

Had it, won't do it again. Will get glasses instead.

At first it seemed fine. But a big reason I had it done was so I wouldn't be chained to glasses. Ah, but you become more chained to SUNglasses.

I often have to wear sunglasses indoors, because I have such light sensitivity now. Let me point out that in live in the great Pacific Northwest. CA or TX it's not, in terms of sunshine.

I have a big bloodshot vein that's been there since I had it done, and it's ugly AND hurts. Hurts my eyes and the inside of my eyelid.

I have enormous problems seeing into dark rooms if I'm in a lighted room. Can't see into light rooms well if I'm in the dark. Am often nearly blind in dim light, and although I've never been good at turning off lights when I leave a room, I *have to* have lights on even on sunny days, because it's just too hard, sometimes, to see without the extra.

I *still* need eyedrops more often than I was led to believe I would need them. I had it done in '00.

I have basically had all of the problems that MANY not-quite-qualified but-are-accepted-anyway patients have had, and my symptoms are why the, hmm, FDA? something like that, organization is looking heavily into it. I should not have been accepted by the ophthalmologist, but I was, and I didn't know an exception was being made for me. Incidentally, I had two separate ophth's say I was a great candidate for it.

So I can't recommend it! I do definitely wish anyone luck if they are getting it, because I wouldn't wish my combo of symptoms on anyone.

 

[minniemomof3]

I had it done almost 5 years ago and it was the best thing I ever did. I've been free of glasses and contacts and love it!

The only discomfort I had was dry eyes, I had extremely dry eyes for almost a month after the surgery. I had to carry drops with me everywhere and apply it hourly. Having said that, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

had in done right after Christmas five years ago. felt like I had a little dust in my eye for a day or so (scratchy) then went away. totally corrected, no ill effects.

The actualy surgery was no big deal, just concentrated on the light. They do give you a happy pill before, and use a drying eye drops and numbing agent, etc. nothing that can't really be endured, when the end result is that you are free from having to wear glasses! (oh, and I was in surgery for MAYBE 20 minutes)

I do wear sunglasses, but I did that before surgery, as everyone should wear them during the day. (UV can get through clowds and overcast!!)

 

[Cindy B]

Hubby had it done in July. He had the bladeless. His eyese were bad, and the vision is still changing. He had a longish healing process such as wearing different googles in the shower and different sleeping googles. He still uses a ton of different drops.

 

[goofy4prez]

Thanks everyone for the input. I should say that I will be going with the Custom Wavefront and the IntraLase Laser procedure. My prescription is a -4 and was told that I have great eyes for this procedure.

One big concern is that I will be leaving for WDW four weeks after the procedure. They tell me that I should be fine at that time. Let's hear it from those of you who have had it done on this one.

 

[Cindy B]

Thanks everyone for the input. I should say that I will be going with the Custom Wavefront and the IntraLase Laser procedure. My prescription is a -4 and was told that I have great eyes for this procedure.

One big concern is that I will be leaving for WDW four weeks after the procedure. They tell me that I should be fine at that time. Let's hear it from those of you who have had it done on this one.

DH had his done in late July and we went to WDW in late August. There was still some discomfort and he JUST finished all the crazy google business before we left. --2 weeks shower googles, 2 weeks sleeping googles. He was still doing drops all the time -- he had drops with him when he went to the parks and stuff. He was still paranoid about swimming so he was extra careful about getting water in his eyes. I don't think he went "underwater" at all-- just to be safe.

His drops are expensive as well-- like $11-12 per bottle.

 

[crz4mm2]

I had it done last feb.
I was nearsighted, but also wore bifocals. I had tried monovision contacts etc with out luck. My doc offered to do different corrections on each eye to try and prevent me from having to wear readers all the time, but since I had such bad luck with monovision contacts, I wasn't interested in that option.

I thought the procedure was very fast, painless but very frightening. I had a panic attack when I realized I was momentarily blind (even though this had been explained to me). I had to sit up and take a few moments to get myself under control (and yes,I had valium too!).

I went home and went to bed as instructed. I had to wear goggles the first few days at night (although my doc told me the following day after surgery that there was virtually nothing that I would be able to do to dislodge the "flap").
I had lots of drops for the first few days.
My eyes felt full of sand for the first few hours afterwards and then just "dry". I used artificial tears for several days- maybe 2-3 weeks afterwards.
I saw halos too. I was very disturbed by that (although I knew it was a possible side affect). I think I still see them, but I don't notice them any more.

I have GREAT distance vision. I can see for miles and miles Near, not so much. I wear readers for everything. I have those little cheapo readers stuck everywhere.

I knew I would "probably" have to wear readers all the time, but was hoping maybe I wouldn't have to But, it's ok. I wore glasses ALL the time before that so readers when I am doing close up is ok.

I wear sunglasses outside all the time, but I always did.

You will be FINE by 4 weeks
You'll love your new eyes.

 

[freckles and boo]

I had custome wavefront May of 2007 and went on vacation the next month. I am still very, very satisfied. It was definitely a freaky experience but well worth it for me. I was more or less healed in about three days.

 

[wdhinn89]

I had it done almost 5 years ago and it was the best thing I ever did. I've been free of glasses and contacts and love it!

The only discomfort I had was dry eyes, I had extremely dry eyes for almost a month after the surgery. I had to carry drops with me everywhere and apply it hourly. Having said that, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Same here.

Lasik surgery was the best money I ever spent. I felt born again. I was blind and now I could see.

 

[GoodFairies]

I was definitely nervous so I was more than happy for that valium. I have always hated the eye doctor. I would take the dentist any day. I am real squeamish about eyes, which gave them all a good laugh.

This is what's keeping me from going. I keep saying I want to get it done but the thought of the actual procedure makes me ill. I won't even do contacts because the idea of something in my eye freaks me out. I said I would get it done this (past) fall. It's December and I'm still wearing my glasses.

 

[Miz Diz]

I had Lasik about 5 years ago and have no regrets, except I wish I would have chosen a doctor closer to my house.

My first surgery was in January and they did not get me 20/20. They could not do the enhancement surgery until they got consistent readings on my vision. I had to go back every month, until my eyes were at the same vision back to back. The readings kept changing and I didn't get my 2nd surgery until November.

The first surgery did not hurt at all. The 2nd surgery hurt and the doctor did not warn me. After I yelled at him, in pain, that he didn't give me enough drops, he told me that it is supposed to hurt because he was lifting the old flap that was already healing.

When we went to WDW, my dh could see my cut marks when we rode Peter Pan.

 

[sand2270]

I had it done about 10 years ago. I had worn glasses since 3rd grade and was legally blind in my left eye. Best thing I ever did. 10 years later I still go to the eye doctor once a year (hard to break a 30 year habit) and he has said maybe in a few years I might need some reading glasses but overall he has been pretty impressed with the surgery I had done.

I had it done while it was still in a somewhat experimental phase. Our companies medical plan offered it for $5 an eye through the University medical program. After hearing the many, many, many positive results from coworkers I decided to have it done.

The surgery itself is weird. They put something on your eyelids to keep them open and you have to look up the whole time. It is kind of freaky, but I didn't feel a thing. Had to keep my eyes covered until the next day.

My only complaint...I was always able to cut onions without crying . Now I cry buckets. I am assuming it is because I always had something covering my eye...glasses or contacts since I was a small child.

 

[Imzadi]

OP, if you have -4 vision, and youngish eyes, you will probably see perfectly afterwards. Going to WDW, 4 weeks out, you should be fine. You may need drops all the time, being out & about. And you may not be able to drive at night because of the halos.

I had it done last feb.
I was nearsighted, but also wore bifocals. I had tried monovision contacts etc with out luck. My doc offered to do different corrections on each eye to try and prevent me from having to wear readers all the time, but since I had such bad luck with monovision contacts, I wasn't interested in that option.

I have GREAT distance vision. I can see for miles and miles Near, not so much. I wear readers for everything. I have those little cheapo readers stuck everywhere.

I knew I would "probably" have to wear readers all the time, but was hoping maybe I wouldn't have to But, it's ok. I wore glasses ALL the time before that so readers when I am doing close up is ok.

crz4mm2 <sigh!> You had posted on my thread about this possibility. I too, couldn't deal with monovision contacts, but in the end, decided to have one eye's prescription made farther for Lasik. Apparently, I didn't need to, because I, too, could read a store sign TWO blocks away clearly, but I can't see 2 feet in front of me, or even 10 feet clearly. That may be because of getting both monovision & undercorrecting. (Although I think he overcorrected me, if I can see two blocks away clearly. )

My first surgery was in January and they did not get me 20/20. They could not do the enhancement surgery until they got consistent readings on my vision. I had to go back every month, until my eyes were at the same vision back to back. The readings kept changing and I didn't get my 2nd surgery until November.

The first surgery did not hurt at all. The 2nd surgery hurt and the doctor did not warn me. After I yelled at him, in pain, that he didn't give me enough drops, he told me that it is supposed to hurt because he was lifting the old flap that was already healing.

Ack! I did not need to know that about the second surgery as I will probably be having to go back, too. But, then again, thanks for the warning.

Also, I really hope my eyes stabilize before 11 months. I can't even see the screen on my cellphone when I flip it open, unless I have my reading glasses on already. What a pain. I have my second follow-up appointment tomorrow. I'll see how it goes.