LASIK - I can see!!!!!

[rebecca314]

Just wanted to let you all know that my surgery yesterday went well and I measured 20/20 this morning at the post-op check-up. I was 20/400 going in.

I was nervous but got through it, obviously. It didn't dawn on me how bad it would smell but the doc said that was the stench of cauterizing human tissue. (YUCK!)

DD is excited because now I won't need glasses when we get our next make-over at BBB.

 

[ScrapHappyMama]

Do you know what your corrective lenses were?? I don't know what 20/400 is, but I know my lenses are -7.5 and -8.5. I have been seriously considering checking into Lasik, but thought my eyes might be too bad. Did it hurt???

 

[skw444]

I just had my annual eye exam today and we were dissussing this. I think I'm finally ready to take the plunge...I'm still a little scared, but I'm going to do it. I like hearing these positive stories!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Congratulations! I had LASIK almost six years ago, after watching DH have his done two years before that. We have both done great! Best investment in ourselves ever!

 

[LasikExpert]

:It didn't dawn on me how bad it would smell but the doc said that was the stench of cauterizing human tissue. (YUCK!)

Yuck indeed, but it is not actually cauterizing. The excimer laser used for Lasik is a "cold" laser. The cornea's temperature is elevated about 11 degrees F. That is not nearly enough to cause cauterization.

The way the excimer laser works is to release the binding between corneal cells. Release of this binding causes the cells to expel rapidly. It literally looks like an A-bomb plume. It is these cells that you inhale and smell (double-yuck). Cells are also relased when tissue is burned and can be smelled, but they are released by heat, not cold laser disruption.

For all the details and even a photograph (yuck cubed), Google "Lasik smell". Our article should be number one on the list.

Glenn Hagele
USAEyes

I am not a doctor.

 

[WDWorBUST]

My husband and I both had Lasik done in December of 1999 - it was the best money I ever spent. My DH asked the doctor just how bad my vision was - his response....."that wall isn't big enough for us to get a letter E up there that she can see well enough to read". My vision was AWFUL!!

Oh....and don't forget some vision plans will offer a discount for lasik AND you can use your flexible spending account for it as well.

 

[dcforbreakfast]

I've often thought about Lasik, but I'm just so scared to do anything to my eyes. I just value my sight so much, I'm scared. Interested to hear from others how their night vision was impacted. I believe I've read stories that some people end up with "halos" is that true? Nighttime I ALWAYS need glasses for driving.

By the way, congrats on your successful surgery!!!! I'm jealous!

 

[Feralpeg]

Congrats! I had it done two years ago and have no regrets. I will be taking DD (age 19) in for an exam in December to see if she qualifies. She can't wait!

 

[disneyfan6301]

Had Lasik done about 5 or 6 years ago--wow, doesn't seem that long, but DS was not in school at the time, and he will be 11 this August! It was the best thing I have ever done for myself. My vision was not that bad, but my astigmatism was -5.5 in one eye and -5.0 in the other. I had to go to a specialist of the Lasik doctors (Dr. Woolfson in Atlanta). He is definietly the best. I actually had to have the touch up done because they could not get all the astigmatism the first time. To be able to see without contacts/glasses is unbelievable. I understand why people cry when they can see for the first time. I still have a hard time talking about it and not tearing up.

 

[LasikExpert]

I believe I've read stories that some people end up with "halos" is that true?

It is true that a relatively small percentage of Lasik patients have night vision problems. To some degree it can be avoided. Google: "Lasik pupil size" for our article about the issue.

Glenn Hagele
USAEyes

I am not a doctor.

 

[blessedby3]

Glad everything went well. I love the results from my Lasik surgery

 

[Avonlady1001]

Glad it went well!! I'm going on 2 yrs since mine!! Best money I ever spent too!

For those afraid of doing things to their eyes, I, too, had this problem! It took me 3 visits to the eye doc when I first started wearing contacts cause I couldn't touch my eyes to put them in Or take them out! LOL

Then my mother had it done (and she didn't qualify for the "easy" surgery - she had to do one eye, then wait 2 weeks for them to do the other eye. Her recovery was quite painful, too!) But when she said she would do it all over again, I made the decision to do it no matter what. And it's over SO quick, you barely have time to react to what they're doing to you as you lay there.

I don't remember a smell....guess I was so focused on staying calm & not moving my eyes, I didn't smell anything...I don't remember much either. LOL

I recommend it to EVERYONE who qualifies! It's the most amazing thing to wake up in the morning, open your eyes & SEE THE CLOCK w/out reaching for the glasses!!!

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
I'm happy it went well for you. I read your post before you had it done and was wondering if you were happy you had it done.

 

[Ms.Grumpy]

Can anyone tell me how much lasik costs? I do have astigmatism in both eyes and would love to have the procedure done. TIA

 

[Doc CW]

Glad the Lasik went well

 

[Avonlady1001]

Can anyone tell me how much lasik costs? I do have astigmatism in both eyes and would love to have the procedure done. TIA

I had astigmatisms in both eyes, too...I paid around $2000 per eye (in NY). Best $$ I ever spent!! Considering how much contacts & glasses were each year, I figure I'm saving money, right? LOL

I'm sure there are cheaper doctors, but mine was highly recommended...and you get what you pay for.

 

[LasikExpert]

Can anyone tell me how much lasik costs?

Some national chains advertise Lasik prices as low at $299 an eye, but a look at the financial reports of those same chains will find that the average Lasik cost is about $1,350 per eye. The price of Lasik varies from about $1,400 to $2,900 per eye, depending on the surgeon and technology, according to David Harmon, president of the St. Louis research firm Market Scope.

What you will pay will depend greatly on your unique circumstances and which procedure is recommended. Conventional Lasik will likely be less expensive than wavefront-guided custom Lasik. All-Laser Lasik will likely be more expensive than traditional Lasik. Some clinics charge extra for "lifetime acuity" plans that provide additional surgery if required later.

Nobody wants to pay too much for anything, but you are talking about microsurgery on your eyes. If you can't afford the best available surgeon, then you may not want to have Lasik at all . You need to focus (pun intended) on the quality of the surgeon and keep price secondary.

Glenn Hagele
USAEyes

I am not a doctor.

 

[steppie]

I had my eye surgery 11yrs ago and my vision is still wonderful...My vision was so bad it looked like I had glass coke bottles in my glasses.It was the best investment I ever did.I cannot tell enough people JUST DO IT.

 

[rebecca314]

I paid $3,950 for both eyes, which includes all post-op check-ups and an "enhancements" for a year following the original surgery. I was scared and for some reason HAD to do the blade-free ... not sure why I was so focused on that!


It has been 4 days and I cannot believe how cool this is. We are in Grand Rapids MI for a convention (DH's work) and DS3 climbed on me to wake up this morning - and I saw him! It was truly a tear-jerker experience for me.

I waited a while to go through with this and right now I would tell anyone to do it if you can.

BTW, my doc had financing available, charging $4,500 if you chose that option. We were lucky to be able to pay for the discounted service, but knowing what I do now, I think I might have financed it if I needed to.

Running with the kids and not having my glasses slide down my nose is TOTALLY cool.

For a peek at me pre-LASIK, and 40 pounds heavier, you can check us out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-A1ea7Z1sI

PEACE!

 

[iloveelias]

how much does this cost what is the healing time ?