Lasik Eye Surgery?

[Imzadi]

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.

Don't wait too long. If I had had the Lasiks even 2-3 years ago, before my eyes started heading towards the bifocal stage, I wouldn't be having the problems I am having now. The Dr. probably could have corrected me to 20/20 vision without a second thought. But, we both knew I have "older" eyes now, and we're working with what I have. And I got one of the best Lasiks surgeons possible in NYC, so his experience & abilities aren't in question for me.

It truly is a lot less than going to the dentist. At the dentist, there's a lot of drilling, vibration, needles & pain. This wasn't even a tenth of what being at the dentist is like.

As for being squeamish about your eyes. Remember, YOU aren't doing the work. The Dr. is. All you do is concentrate on focusing on the light and not thinking about anything else, and keeping your breathing nice & steady.

 

[LadyZolt]

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.

By four weeks, I think you will be fine! You'll still probably have some "halos" around lights at night, but it shouldn't be too distracting. You will likely still be using eye drops (get the "single use" ones -- they stay sterile and travel well. My doc required me to use this kind of drops because they are pretty much individually wrapped. LOL!) I would still avoid swimming under water because I like to err on the side of caution. Definitely wear sunglasses and a hat, too, to keep as much sun out of your eyes as possible (which, really, should be true for everyone all the time anyway, but I think it's especially wise after eye surgery). If you are like me and needed glasses to see things even 10 feet away, you will likely have a real sense of freedom at four weeks post-surgery. I think you're going to enjoy it. Have a magical time at Disney!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[LadyZolt]

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.

My DH was like this -- never wore contacts, didn't like *anything* near his eyes. Oh, and he's a Registered Nurse. LOL!!! Anyway, he really wanted the Lasik because his vision was as bad as mine was. I had it done first and he watched, then two weeks later, he had his done. He had told the doctor and staff in advance about his fears and the doc gave him twice the dosage of Valium that I got, they held his hand when he got all stiff and scared and gave him a foam ball to squeeze. They talked him through it and he did all right. For Lasik, it's usually something you're only going to do once, so just focus on what they are saying (like to concentrate on the light they want you to look at) and it's a pretty quick procedure. When it's over, you won't likely have to go through it again, so if your vision is bad, I think it's worth it. My DH is really glad he had the procedure done even though it was definitely not easy for him with his fears. Good luck!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[challer]

As an eye surgeon, I get this question all the time. "Can I do Lasik?"

First three things I say before the discussion begins:

1) I don't do Lasik surgery.
2) Your insurance won't cover it.
3) I wear contact lenses even though I have been offered free Lasik by multiple doctors.

Many times, this is the end of the discussion.

In short, the main thing I have to say is to make a smart decision. Make sure you know all the risks and the benefits and think to yourself, "Are the benefits I am looking for worth the risk?" While the majority of people say what people have said here already - "Best decision I've made in my life" - I am currently treating around 30 different people who have fairly significant complications, and many of them could have been avoided by a smart decision by either the doctor or the patient to say "It's not worth it."

Many people ask me, "Are you pro or anti-Lasik?" I respond, "I am pro-smart decisions whether to do or not do Lasik."

 

[T16GEM]

I had LASEK in August of this year, this is the blister technique with no cutting of the epithelium (the flap) with this technique the tip layer of the eye is peeled off with alcohol and the laser is then carried out, the layer is then replaced and a bandage contact lens is applied to the eye for 72 ish hours. I was allergic to these bandage contact lense and this was the only complication that I have had. It was uncomfortable for some time straight after the surgery and my eyes swelled quite a lot, I was pretty worried about it but my surgeon came to the clinic on a Saturday to check me over with no problem. I rested my eyes and was very careful about showering/ washing my hair etc not to get water in my eyes, I also wore the sleep goggles for a lot longer than I probably needed too.

I had my bandage lense out early as my eyes were 97% healed by the 3rd day. This particular technique takes less time for healing than the Lasik procedure, so this was one of the reasons that I went for this.

My eyes were nearly minus 5 in both eyes, I now have better than 20/20 vision and am extremley pleased with the outcome.

I was very worried about the procedure to start with, I am sqeamish with eyes and I didn't use any of the happy pills!

One thing I would say to you is not to expect too much to start with, as I read here (and previously when I was researching myself) that people could see 100% better straight after they cae out of the operating room, put simply I could not and I was concerned that something had gone wrong because of what I'd read - it depends how YOU react to the surgery - there is nothing to say that you will have perfect vision straight away.

Also, your eyes WILL fluctuate for weeks afterwards, seriously one day I could read the LCD display on the VCR the next I couldn't, no problem, it will all even it's self out over time.

Use your drops properly, many complications are from people not using their , medication and articfical tears properly. I am still using artificial tears now, and in the night my eye lids stick to the eye ball so I need to use a special ointment at night times.

It's the best thing that I ever did, but not something to be taken lightly.

Good luck, and if I can help you with anything please feel free to PM me!

Gems

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

This is interesting to me, because I would really like to get this done in 2 or 3 years when I'm done with law school and out in practice.

I am a -9.00 (EXTREMELY nearsighted), and my vision is still worsening around 1 diopter each year , so obviously getting LASIK would be dependent on my eyes stabilizing. (I had an eye doc who told me "when you turn 18, you'll stop", and another say "when you're 22 or 23, it will stop", and I've passed those milestones, and, ummm, still getting worse! )

Anyone had it done who was this, or more, nearsighted (since I've got another year of school left, I anticipate I'll get worse) and had good results? It just seems like the complications and issues increase dramatically with worse vision. Also, I have terribly dry eyes right now and I'm worried that would get so much worse as to be intolerable.

Interesting to read about everyone's experiences!

 

[goofy4prez]

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 wish I had young eyes. I don't have any stigmatisms(sp),and am beginning to enter that phase in life where up close is getting a little more difficult. I have no interest in trying monovision. There is no way I could stand one eye for up close and one eye for distance.

I should say that my eyes are 44 years old.

 

[mfd25wife]

This is interesting to me, because I would really like to get this done in 2 or 3 years when I'm done with law school and out in practice.

I am a -9.00 (EXTREMELY nearsighted), and my vision is still worsening around 1 diopter each year , so obviously getting LASIK would be dependent on my eyes stabilizing. (I had an eye doc who told me "when you turn 18, you'll stop", and another say "when you're 22 or 23, it will stop", and I've passed those milestones, and, ummm, still getting worse! )

Anyone had it done who was this, or more, nearsighted (since I've got another year of school left, I anticipate I'll get worse) and had good results? It just seems like the complications and issues increase dramatically with worse vision. Also, I have terribly dry eyes right now and I'm worried that would get so much worse as to be intolerable.

Interesting to read about everyone's experiences!

Mine was worse. I was -10

I did have an enhancement dones, but I also had a bout with meningitis that messed up my eyes some. They did the 2nd procedure for free even though my PCP thought the meningitis caused the problem. The 2nd one did not hurt any more than the 1st one to me, but the 1st was uncomfortable. It was not horrible, just uncomfortable. Your eyes may dry out more. I ended up having my tear ducts plugged, which they also paid for. I still do not regret having it done. It was one of the best decisions I've made. I was like you and blind as a bat. I had trouble finding my glasses in the morning. I had to feel araound for them.


I was very scared. I literally hate dealing with eyes and everyone knows it. I could put in and take out my contacts as long as I didn't use a mirror. if I saw what I was doing, it would make me nauseated.

 

[Mrsduck101]

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?

I had mine done in 1999 and have absolutely no regrets, some of the best money I have ever spent and I would do it again in an instant.

 

[brand new eyes]

I had the intralase lasik treatment done on Dec.15. The proceedure was painless and really quick. I had read a lot of posts on various sites where people were reporting horrible experiences. Don't read the blogs. You are going to get the worse case senerios and you don't know if they went to a good clinic. I went to Lasik Plus Vision Center.
I was very nervous when I arrived because you can see people actually having the treatment done while you are in the waiting room. Watching it was the worse thing I could have done. Even though people were having the treatment and literally walking out of the office smiling, watching it increased my anxiety to the point that I was getting ready to walk out. I talked to a few patients and the dr and went through with it. I was told that I would feel pressure. I did not feel a thing and it literally took a minute per eye. I went home and went to bed. I returned the next morning for a follow up and I was seeing 20/20! The worse thing was the sensitivity to light for the better half of the second day. The drops are annoying too! 4 days later, I just have some sensitivity in my right eye, which is getting better by the day.

 

[challer]

I had the intralase lasik treatment done on Dec.15.

That's quite an inaugural post, especially considering your boards name...

 

[goofy4prez]

I can't believe I didn't chicken out. The whole procedure was not that long at all and I had absolutly no pain and very little discomfort at all. The ride home was the worst. My eyes were very watery and light sensitive.Again no pain though. Once I got home I went to sleep for about 3 hours and when I woke up what a difference.

Once I woke up the only thing I experienced was some cloudy vision and halo's around light. Again, no pain. By the end of the day the cloudiness was gone and I was actually watching tv.

The next morning(today)unbelievable. My vision was sharper than yesterday and I've gotten most of my up close(reading) back. The follow up exam was great and I was reading the chart with 20/20 vision and no glasses or contacts.

All I can say is WOW.

 

[Graeme]

That's quite an inaugural post, especially considering your boards name...

All I can say is WOW.

That's what I thought when I had mine done.

 

[challer]

Wonderful news. Enjoy your new eyes.

 

[mfd25wife]

Great news! I'm glad you did so well.