LASIK surgery - any horror stories?

[kasar]

I'm pretty much convinced that I'm going to bite the bullet and have the LASIK surgery in the next next year or two. I know that anyone that's had it done says it's the best thing they've ever done and I just know that it's going to change my life for the better. I also know that there is very little risk of anything going wrong.

However, I like to be fully informed about anything major that I do and I realize that there must be SOME negative stories. I'm not going to change my mind but if there's something out there that "could" happen I'd like to go over every scenario with my doc. So, any negative reports? Hazy vision? Halo effect? Thanks for being honest - sometimes everyone's so caught up in the positives that they overlook any possible negatives (and that's the stuff that has me worried a bit).

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

Just don't go bargain hunting when it comes to doctors. The only problems I heard were when people found a "deal".

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Oops, I meant to do a new thread since I'm thinking about having this done and have some questions about picking out a dr. Will be interested to read your replies, though, too!

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

My husband just had it done (a great success) and used the doctor recommended by his eye doctor. He told us there was only one guy he liked and we have always trusted his judgement so that's who we went to. It was about $4000 all told. I'm not sure if that's wildly expensive, but I've heard of people having it done for a lot less.

 

[Nancyg56]

Just don't go bargain hunting when it comes to doctors. The only problems I heard were when people found a "deal".

What she said! I am very happy with my results, but I would never have gone to a Dr who was undercutting the competition. Please do your research, and get references. While complications are rare, they can happen. My DD was just telling me that her coworker has had some issues for two months now, and is very sorry that she went to the Dr on her insurance plan. She would have been happier if she paid all OOP and went to mine.

Best of luck!

 

[Microcell]

I work for an Ophthomologist and get ready to use rewetting drops often during the day. That has been the most common side effect we have seen with it.
There also are more people than you think that still need glasses after having Lasik.

Good luck!

 

[DawnCt1]

Yes. I had an employee who probably shouldn't have had the procedure done, I think because she had an astigmatism, although I am not familiar enough with that to say for sure. Anyway, they decided that she was indeed a candidate and would benefit from the procedure. She developed terrible halos and that has left her completely unable to drive at night. I know that she initially had some complications that were vision related that affected her during the day as well but that was eventually resolved. I should add that she was a bright woman who did her research ahead of time, got a second opinion and her husband had a high profile job so they should have been able to access the best care, and perhaps they did but sometimes things do not go as planned.

 

[lovedvc]

I have nothing negative to say. I had mine done 2 1/2 years ago for $3800. I have yet to find anything to regret about it. Had it done on a Friday and by Saturday morning I was driving myself to the doctor for a check-up. I haven't used rewetting drops in 2 years. All I can say is have the dr explain the procedure step by step before it is done. There were a few surprises during the surgery. The drops that they used to numb my first eye did not work at first. When they went to touch my eye I could feel the whole thing and I was fighting them. My eye socket was a little sore the following day.

When they tell you it takes 20 minutes they are not kidding. In and out.

 

[disneyaggie]

Please make sure the doctor you chose is actually the doctor who is going to perform the surgery.

A friend of mine went to a reputable doctor and the day of his surgery, some other doctor stepped in to do the procedure. He actually had some issues for a while until his eye settled down. I can not remember what went wrong, but I do remember he had quite a bit of difficulty after the surgery.

I have considered LASIK myself, but am too chicken. I also consulted with my contact specialist, who works for a very reputable opthalmologist and she won't have it done either!

I have heard so many wonderful success stories -- I guess you just have to weigh the odds and decide what is best for you. I wish you all the best!

 

[adamak]

I finally bite the bullet myself last summer. But the result wasn't as close to 20/20 as I want. My right eye was 20/40, and had to be re-done, 6 months ago. Both time, my right eye took over a week to heal. The first couple days was extremely blurry, even worse than before. I was told that my cornea was 'wrinkly' and there were growth underneath it. The doc told me it happens to about 1% of the people. And the blurriness went away both times. My left eye was fine, it heals about 1 day later. Now both of them are 20/25, which I was told will continue to heal. It's great. I used to be legally blind before, now I can wear normal people's sunglasses.

My recommendation, other than the usual find-a-good-doctor, is to take the valium a little earlier. For me I got to the office, signed the paper, took the pill, walked right into the surgery. I don't think my medication has kicked in yet, and I was very nervous.

Oh, also, hold your breath when they're doing the actual zapping. I didn't know I would smell it, and that freaked me out. The actually lasik surgery was actually kind of cool.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

Going to a well respected, full price Doctor. Had the surgery in June, had an enhancement in March, now waiting to see that i don't have epithelial ingrowth where some cells grow into the eye as it heals. There was a tiny spot of growth or scar at the 1 month checkup. Hope nothing more at the 2 month.

one small study showed people who had the LASIK done during summer more likely to need the second surgery enhancement. They think the higher humidity might interfere with procedure. Complications like epithelial ingrowth are more likely with enhancement surgery.

Heard of one person at a different Dr. that developed a Staph infection and it took 6 months to resolve.

I was horrified at having the procedure, Valium was absolutely NOT enough. Nothing given for the enhancement as DR. thought it was such a minor procedure.Sheer terror kept me frozen. Wish they had IV sedation or Nitrous Oxide for the cowards like me.

 

[Feralpeg]

Yes. I had an employee who probably shouldn't have had the procedure done, I think because she had an astigmatism, although I am not familiar enough with that to say for sure. Anyway, they decided that she was indeed a candidate and would benefit from the procedure. She developed terrible halos and that has left her completely unable to drive at night. I know that she initially had some complications that were vision related that affected her during the day as well but that was eventually resolved. I should add that she was a bright woman who did her research ahead of time, got a second opinion and her husband had a high profile job so they should have been able to access the best care, and perhaps they did but sometimes things do not go as planned.

I had an astigmatism and I had it done. No problems. It is one of the best things I've ever done.

As others have said, go to the best doctor you can find.

 

[tinkerbell of winter]

I had my lasik procedure done in Kingston, Ontario in January of this year and it has been a good experience so far. It cost me about $1500 US and that included a 3 year vision care plan. I had traditional Lasik, and I now have 20/15 vision in both eyes, and only use the rewetting drops occasionally. I can see great at night, initially I experienced some "starbursts" around bright signs at night, but once the extra water in my eyes reabsorbed I didn't have that problem. I am really glad I had the procedure done, my vision wasn't that bad (20/80, 20/100) but it is so nice to know I can kayak and whitewater raft without contacts or glasses! Water activities and glasses don't mix.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My husband paid extra for the lifetime guarantee--he can go in for "touchups" if his vision worsens and Lasek can correct it again.

He just had his a few weeks ago and still seeing a little fuzzy--he thinks one eye will not come as far as the right eye--but it is still good vision.


When he goes outside--it still makes him do a doubletake as he waits for his glasses to tint to sunglasses. then he realizes he doesn't wear those glasses anymore.

Hubby also had astygmatism.

I agree with going to the best doctor you can find. I don't care how simple it sounds--you are letting them touch your eyeball.

My biggest fear was that he would go blind.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I work for an Ophthomologist and get ready to use rewetting drops often during the day. That has been the most common side effect we have seen with it.
There also are more people than you think that still need glasses after having Lasik.

Good luck!

Really any good doctor should advise you of the possibity of still needing glasses depending on your vision beforehand. Also as far as the artificial tear drops, that usually goes away after a few months. Again a good doctor would advise of any side affects.

I had Lasik in June 2002 and did an extensive amount of research beforehand so I was very well prepared. I went to 20/15 vision and as far as I know I am still there, I have not noticed any changes in my vision. I also have the lifetime guarantee so if my vision should ever change I can get an enhancement. My doctor also informed me that after I turn 40 this will not prevent me from possibly needing reading glasses. Not a big deal to me. Having Lasik was the best decision I have ever made, I highly recommend it but I do advise you to do your own research and look for a great doctor. My doctor took care of my eyes doing regular check ups for a year after the procedure. Some doctors will send you off to an Optomologist for that and that was a big turn off to me for some of the other doctors I checked into.

 

[Nancyg56]

I had an astigmatism and I had it done. No problems. It is one of the best things I've ever done.

As others have said, go to the best doctor you can find.

That is what I did. I had a severe astigmatism, and had a very strong prescription. I also needed bifocals because ,oh you know, I'm over 40. Anyway, My Dr was one of the best in the area, and charged $5000, with touchups for life. He was able to undercorrect one eye so that I do not need reading glasses. Friday I went for my checkup with a new eye Dr who my DH has been going to. SHe took a scan of some sort of my eye and said that there was no scarring, and that after 3 years my vision is still 20/20. She then told me the surgeon that I went to was the only one she recommends.

I know that if I could not have gone to the best I would not have had the procedure. Once again, best of luck.

Nancy

 

[Ronda93]

Okay, I'll be the downer. Things can and do go wrong.
http://www.surgicaleyes.org/

 

[sajetto]

Here comes another downer......

My mother had it done 3 years ago. I'm not going to drag this story out, but she had to go back and have more of the cornea removed, and then again b/c she still wasn't seeing as well as she should. Well, now her vision in her right eye is even worse and they can't do anything further b/c too much of the cornea has been removed. If they took anymore she would go blind in that eye. She had a wonderful doctor in Atlanta so its not his fault, its just something that can happen.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

My not so DMIL had an astigmatism which would've called for progessive bifocals. As a Christmas present a few years ago, DFIL presented her with a gift cert to get LASIK done with a very popular eye surgeon here in the DFW area. DMIL got it done and now she's wishing she hadn't. It's been nothing but a nightmare.

Somehow, they managed to mess up her tear ducts so that now she doesn't produce tears, but instead has to constantly wet her eyes with eyedrops. She's had to have several 'corrective' procedures done since then to try and fix what the doctor screwed up.

TOV

 

[NJBlackBerry]

They absolutely can and do go wrong. That is why you choose an experienced specialist who has done at least 1,000 LASIK procedures.

I had mine done over 5 years ago. 20/20 then and 20/20 now. No eye drops - no drying at all. "Healing" time - I can't even call it that - was non existent. I had it done on a Thursday, took Friday off (because my eye doctor suggested it) and was back to a normal routing Saturday.

I actually know two people who had problems. One should never have had the procedure done - her vision was still changing, so it didn't "work". The other had a problem, but never went back for a correction.

And I don't recall any smell.