Lasik Surgery? Would You Do It Again?

[christineann]

I had it done in 2000 because I could no longer wear contacts, which were -6.5. It cost about $5500 for both eyes at that time. My son is going to become a police officer this year, and I gave him Lasik for his college graduation gift (he was -4.25). We went to the same surgeon, who was very carefully chosen, and both of us are now 20/20. The fee for my son's surgery was about $2600 with the BCBS discount.

These are your eyes.....please choose your surgeon because of his skills, experience and reputation, NOT because of the price. I know at least 3 people who got the cheapest deal they could find, and they did not have good results. Get the quality surgeon, not the high volume one.

 

[NCRedding]

I had Lasik done on my eyes in 2000. It cost me about $3000 for my opthalmologist to perform the surgery. I would do it again, and still think it is the best money I've ever spent.

I was very nearsighted -8.75 in one eye, and -9 in the other, with some astigmatism. I was legally blind. I had worn glasses/contacts for 30 years--never got great vision with glasses, and was starting to have problems wearing contacts for long periods of time. The day after the surgery, I was at 20/50 and thought I had made the worst mistake of my life. It took 3 weeks for my vision to get to 20/20 where it remains today. I do have the sunburst effect at night, only mine is fairly mild, but have no other side effects. I have recently needed to wear reading glasses at the mildest level, but my Dr. had told me that I would as I aged (I'm now 44).

 

[debbi801]

I had Lasik done on my eyes in 2000. It cost me about $3000 for my opthalmologist to perform the surgery. I would do it again, and still think it is the best money I've ever spent.

I was very nearsighted -8.75 in one eye, and -9 in the other, with some astigmatism. I was legally blind. I had worn glasses/contacts for 30 years--never got great vision with glasses, and was starting to have problems wearing contacts for long periods of time. The day after the surgery, I was at 20/50 and thought I had made the worst mistake of my life. It took 3 weeks for my vision to get to 20/20 where it remains today. I do have the sunburst effect at night, only mine is fairly mild, but have no other side effects. I have recently needed to wear reading glasses at the mildest level, but my Dr. had told me that I would as I aged (I'm now 44).

Thank you. I am at -8.5 in both eyes, so I am close to where you were. And like you, I cannot see as well with glasses as I could when I was able to wear contacts. Exactly what is the sunburst effect? Does it effect you being able to drive at night? In the 3 weeks until it got to 20/20, did you need glasses, or were you able to get by without them? I'll be 42 in April and have been wearing glasses and/or contacts since I was 5. This is the only "cosmetic" surgery I would ever be interested in having.

 

[Jerseylicious]

Mine will be 5 years next month. I have *NO* regrets!!! I was severely near-sighted with astigmatism in both eyes. Blind as a bat, PLUS my outer cornea was so thin that I couldn't even wear contacts, which was the clincher for me.

It's so weird to think what I went through (the actually surgery), but I am 100% glad I did it!

 

[Tinkerbelle'sMOM]

It's' been 2 years and my vision is still20/15 both eyes. I agree with the other poster.....don't go for the cheaper....go by reputation and skill. I had mine done at Cleveland Clinic and yes it was more, but I felt very confident going in there. I had severe astigmatism was very near sighted and they corrected it all.

To the other poster about the dry eye....it wasn't a screw up, that is one of the things that can occur after and people are told that. My one eye that had the highest correction does get dry sometimes, but I just use drops.

 

[DisMN]

I've heard that the surgery sometimes leaves you with blurry vision that can NOT be corrected with glasses or contacts. Has anyone experienced this? That's one of the only things that keeps me from doing it......no way can I deal with uncorrectible fuzzy vision. That would drive me bonkers.

 

[cquick]

I just had one eye done on Dec. 2, 2006. I needed glasses for distance, but my close up vision is fine. I didn't use my glasses for the computer, reading, sewing, etc. I had dry eye before, and I am using drops now. I had a very good experience. I used Dr. Filutowski's here in Orlando.

Since I am over 50 years old, I will eventually hve to wear reading glasses or have my other eye done.

I love not having to wear glasses! But I've lost 2 pairs of sunglasses already!

 

[PrincessBelle23]

Is there a any particular reason why the price varies so much? All the posts seem to be between $1000 and $5000, so why such a range? My dad is has mentioned having an interest in this, so thanks for all the helpful info!

 

[torinsmom]

Well, costwise mine was done 7 years ago, and it was an introductory price for the clinic I went to. The clinic was new, the founding company and doctor were not, so I got a quality procedure for a good price. My sister and BIL got theirs done around the same time and they have had great results as well. The doctor who did ours also has an optometric office, so he still checks our eyes. Just check out the doctors and clinics you are considering. Pay attention to how many procedures they have done and any complaints filed against them.

Like someone said, my biggest problem now with my eyes is losing sunglasses! LOL Sure is nice to be able to wear them though.

Marsha

 

[NCRedding]

Thank you. I am at -8.5 in both eyes, so I am close to where you were. And like you, I cannot see as well with glasses as I could when I was able to wear contacts. Exactly what is the sunburst effect? Does it effect you being able to drive at night? In the 3 weeks until it got to 20/20, did you need glasses, or were you able to get by without them? I'll be 42 in April and have been wearing glasses and/or contacts since I was 5. This is the only "cosmetic" surgery I would ever be interested in having.

The starburst is sort of a halo or sparks around bright lights at night. It does not affect my driving at all. I notice it much more in the dark (like when I wake up at night), when looking at a clock light, something where there is great contrast between light and dark. It probably has more to do with astigmatism than anything else.

For the three weeks after, I bought a pair of reading glasses (lowest magnification) at the dollar store, and used them for driving, and watching TV--I don't know that I needed to do that, but it made me feel better.

Do check with the person doing the surgery--I was told my chances of getting 20/20 with my starting vision were only avbout 30%. I expect the technology has improved in 2000, but you might want to make sure.

 

[Jerseylicious]

The starburst is sort of a halo or sparks around bright lights at night. It does not affect my driving at all. I notice it much more in the dark (like when I wake up at night), when looking at a clock light, something where there is great contrast between light and dark. It probably has more to do with astigmatism than anything else.

I had astigmatism and I too still have the starburst, after 5 years. I can still drive fine at night, and to tell you the truth, you get used to it. It's not that bad to begin with, and unless I'm REALLY tired then I don't notice it much at all. STILL is worth it to get the lasik done!!!

 

[druidia]

I work with 3 people who had this done back in 2000 and by 2002 they were all 3 back in glasses (not for reading) AND have to use the drops constantly AND cannot wear contacts any more. They went to different docs. What are the odds of that happening to 3 people you know?

This seems like a lot of money to spend for something that you might have to redo. Can you even do that? They cut a flap in your lens and it heals and probably leaves some type of scar tissue. What do they do...open the same spot again to touch it up, then you have more scar tissue when it re-heals?

I personally will be happy to keep my 20/20 in contacts until this method is a little more permament. I know that there are risks and rewards with all surgery, but my eyes are too important to me for what-ifs.

Maybe the procedures have evolved considerably since my friends had their surgery?

 

[LindaR]

I had mine done 1.5 years ago and my daughter had her done two weeks ago (one of her 18th bd presents). We both are huge fans of this procedure!!!!

VERY IMPORTANT: Do research....lots of research! You will find that cost is directly related to how experienced your surgeon is! This is NOT an area that you want to skimp or "save" money on. The more experienced the doctor is, the more the surgery will cost.

I was very afraid. I have major phobias about people getting too close to my eyes and so I researched this procedure to death! And researched my doctor! He is one of the top LASIK doctors in the country (and does alot of teaching to other docs). (Coleman Vision Center) is a huge office that specializes in Lasik. There is a lifetime guarantee. If, IF I needed any further corrections (which I don't because my vision is now better than 20/20) they would be done for free. I had major astigmatism. And I don't need to wear glasses for reading (when you are over 40, Lasik does not fix this usually) which is rare. If I am reading for hours (book that I can't put down) I do wear some over-the-counter reading glasses just to make the print a little bigger!

Wonderful procedure if you have a top doctor and very worth the money (around $4500 total). BTW, there are places (CapitalOne, for instance) that do financing for this procedure.

 

[DisneyDreamer8]

I to did a lot of research especially since it was so cheap. The clinic we went to in Canada had (at the time) three Doctors who had done over 10,000 eyes each with no complaints. Two of those Doctors have now opened up their own Lasik clinics around Vancouver. Canada was doing Lasik WAY before our governtment approved the procedure (you know how long they take to approve stuff). Plus at the time the exchange rate was very favorable for us.

But like any surgery you need to go with who you are comfortable with.

 

[keishashadow]

Another Question or 2 i thought of:

do they do both eyes @ the same time? trying to figure how much time he'll need off work (has a CDL, steelworker; needs to be able to see lol). Worried as to "blurriness/sensitivity to light". Probably should schedule a vacation week for recuperation time?

so nice to be able to read all your comments...DH is wavering .

realize it's his decision, just want him to have all the facts.

imo, being able to wake up in the am & not have to worry about glasses would be such a godsend. The safety glasses he has to wear for work are so thick & heavy (due to strong Rx); just awful imo.

will def ask as to BC/SC discount. Not that we have the money stuffed in a sock or anything , but when it comes to a health issue i don't see why he's hesitating to spend the money (even if we have to borrow it?). Figure we'll always have some sort of bill each month to pay.

think i'm just going to drag him to the surgeon @ eye dr practice we patronize & go from there.

 

[torinsmom]

My surgery was inexpensive compared to some others, but I researched my doctor and he had done 5,000+ procedures and had no complaints against him. I truly don't think that more $ means more quality. I had a great result in both eyes and so did my sis and BIL from the same doctor.

I was a little freaked to have someone that close to my eye, but when they get the laser close to your eye, you can't even see it anymore, although you hear and smell the laser(I know that sounds weird) I went back to work as a teacher the day after and other than using rewetting drops for a week, I didn't have any problems. I haven't worn glasses since the day I had the surgery 7 years ago.

Marsha

 

[christineann]

unless there are complications, you can return to work the day after surgery. I went to my post-op checkup and then to work.