OT-Anyone have LASIK surgery before?

[jcpuppy.com]

I did search on the net for this, as my hubby has bad vision and is a trucker, so it would be nice for him not to need glasses.
i was concerned as many sites i came across spoke about "halos", "blurred night vision" and lines thru the vision field.
I told hubby he should do just one eye at a time, least you still have one left if they mess up.
He opted not to do any. Make sure you review many testimonies and make sure they are from folks that have had the surgery for many years, as it seems some problems occur after like 2 yrs, not right away.
It was nice to see all these positive reports, so maybe the sampling I read was warped.

 

[DreamDelta]

Almost the same thing happened to me Carol, except I did have to call for help! My glasses fell behind the bed and I couldn't find them. DH, who is a police officer and works 12am-8am had to leave his shift at work and come home and find my glasses! That was so frustrating!

 

[midwestdee]

To sallysmom - I really wouldn't consider flying somewhere to get cheaper Lasik. you can start calling places - make sure they are board certified - check around for results - DH spent around $4000, I think - his eyes were very bad and he went to a top notch person in Oakbrook - outside Chicago- he is one of those people that figures the more he spends the better it will be - worked out okay - probably could have had it done for less - but your eyes are not something to be cheap about - good luck!

 

[dimimi]

Lasik has been wonderful to me. The best thing was being able to see the alarm clock. The doctor has to evaluate you before he can give you a price. Check references and you'll be fine. It is important to sleep when you get home...then you'll be fine. I love it!

 

[DreamDelta]

Thanks for your input Diane!

 

[DreamDelta]

bump

 

[J Lynn]

I had LASIK about 4 years ago with good results. I wore glasses since the 3rd grade and hard contacts off and on during my teenage years since I had an astingmitism (sp). Pregnacy really worsened my eyesight. So once I knew I didn't want any more children, I went for it. I did have some trouble seeing at night.....kinda like when I wore contacts at night. The headlights from cars seem to spread out...it's hard to judge how far away a car is when you have to pull out of a parking lot. So, I avoid driving at night when possible. But if you get yourself a weak pair of glasses to drive at night, that should help with the glare.

 

[draw]

Had it done 6 years ago. The halos lessened about 6 months after surgery. My only side affect is dry eyes. I have to put in natural tears first thing in the morning. No big deal. Love it!!!!!!!

 

[disgal1]

my experience will give you a little perspective on the very rare cases of trouble.

first, let me say that I love my new vision, and even after the inconveniences , I would do it again! and am so happy with it.

I had worn glasses /contacts since 5. I was legally blind my vision was so bad. The doctor( who did Tiger Woods, and several of the astronauts) told me I may need a "correction" or fine tune after the initial surgery.

The surgery went very well, but only corrected me to 20/50. so I had to get a new pair of glasses. We scheduled the correction for 3 months later. so unfortunately, I didn't have my perfect vision for my cruise that year.

Time for the correction. left eye great. 20/20. right eye got some kind of irritation in it. I went back every day for eye wash and exam trying to find out the problem for 4 days. it was very uncomfortable, and blurry. Finally with the help of some really strong steroid drops, it cleared up.

The vision in that eye is 20/30. but considering what I had before, I love it!

I need readers for up close, I need glasses to help the rt eye for night driving. so I am still carting 3 pair of glasses with me on vacation.,

So mine wasn't perfect, and can tell you what could happen. But I would still recommend it , I LOVE my new vision.

 

[LorieR]

My DD had it done about three years ago at the age of 25/26. She had worn glasses/contacts since 7th grade and was having problems with her contacts, i.e. infections. Her vision went from 20/200 to 20/20 in each eye and 20/15 overall!! She did have a problem the first day with a lot of pain but that was supposed to be highly unusual (she was told there was a problem with the anesthetic?). I believe she paid approx $3600 going back then.

I have always had good eyesight but need reading glasses, which is annoying! Hate anything to do with the eyes, but would have LASIK surgery if it were available for this condition!!

Lorie

 

[mouseRD]

I had Lasix surgery done in Feb 2001 @ age 38. I had been unable to wear contact lenses for several years due to allergies/eye irritation since moving to SC. One of my eyes actually took quite a while to get rid of the "gritty feeling" & I still use thick eye drops for eye dryness (often have to use an antihistamine which can exacerbate the feeling of dryness).

My eyes initially were 20/15 & 20/20, but actually when they "settled", it was at 20/25 & 20/30 (slightly undercorrected). I could have had an enhancement done for free during the first year, but with the issue with the eye dryness & my right eye taking longer to feel better (~ 1 month), I was hesitant. Also, I was a little more nervous after having been through the procedure; there is an unusual smell associated with it.

Anyhow, I adjusted to my new vision & loved not having to wear glasses, wearing regular sunglasses, etc. However, my vision continued to deteriorate each year a little bit & in August 2005, I started wearing glasses again, albeit a much reduced Rx (- 1.5 as opposed to - 4.5 before my surgery). I friend of mine also had to have one of her eyes redone at 5 years postop. I would still do it again - loved not having to wear glasses for 5 years!

 

[Nancyg56]

I am happy that I went ahead with my surgery. I had monovision done 3 years ago, and still have 20/20 vision. I also can read withput glasses. I paid $5000 for the surgery, which may be high, but I wanted a specific Dr to perform it. I can go for a "touchup" if I ever need to. Good luck to you!

 

[RebelHawk]

.
Just to add to all the good stories here, I had LASIK 4 years ago and have been singing its wonders ever since. I started wearing glasses at age 8 and by my teenage years I just barely missed being legally blind by a little. I now have 20/15 vision and the $3000 I spend has been worth every single penny.

I have been trying to get my DW to have the surgery but she made the mistake of watching my procedure on a closed caption monitor and was pretty freaked out by the end so she would rather deal with contacts then have it done. I have since watch shows on TLC about it and yeah it looks a little scary but is so completely worth it I would do it again in a heartbeat if I needed to.

-Tom in SC

 

[DreamDelta]

I'm counting down the days! Everyone has been so helpful with all their stories. Thank you so, so much!

 

[Albertan mom]

I had it done last June.
I LOVE IT!!

Best things about it:

-I can fall asleep in the car, or middle of the day without worrying about drying out my contacts.
-Swimming is soooo much better
-I can see the alarm clock in the middle of the night!
-I can see my kids in the middle of the night if they come into my room upset.
-No more spending time cleaning contacts at the end of the night
-No more itchy dry eyes (and I have dry eyes!) barely have to use drops ever
-I can see in the shower to shave my legs

I could go on and on and on!!!
I love it!
You will too!

 

[KimberlyC]

I had lasix in 1999 and it was one of the best things I ever did - more expensive then but well worth it. My sight wasn't that bad but I suffer from migranes (have since I was 7) and the strain on my eyes was making them worse. Glasses were for distance but I couldn't take them off in class to read a book when I had them on to read the blackboard. I was fine the next day. Woke up and could see great.

In 2001 my DH (then fiancee) had lasix. He had a bad astigmatism and wore thick glasses sine the age of 4. I took him to my doctor after another had said he couldn't do it. The day after he woke up and for the first time ever he could see me without glasses. He does have dry eyes but that is most likely from the medication that he takes.

I can't say enough good things. Find a great doctor with excellent references and tons of experience and you won't regret it.

 

[JerkyNic]

I had mine done about a month ago. I am glad I did it. The only weird thing that I found kind of cool was the smell of you eye burning for the 28 seconds the laser was going. It was the same smell as being at the dentist. I laughed when it was happening. Call me strange if you must. After the surgery I had trouble focusing on objects when my eyes get tired. They were so use to using glasses that I had to re train my eyes. That only took about 3 weeks. No "starburst" around lights or anything negative to report.

Happy Eye Cooking!


Don't know what the rates are in your town but the guy who did my in Jeffrey Singer in Meterie, LA ( New Orleans). It is $699 per eye for the basic procedure and $999 for the enhanced. I opted for the enhanced (my mom offered to pay for it) and I am 20/20. You can find him at jeffreysingermd (period) com. You can even do your pre and post op visit with a local doctor then get him to do the surgery. It might be worth it if you live in a state near here and your local doctors charge an arm, leg or TRADE FOR A TANK OF GAS!

 

[futurerosenberg]

I had mine done in January and it's wonderful..the procedure did freak me out a little bit....but it was worth it. I paid $4300, but that was the interlase where a blade never touches your eye..it's all computerized...that includes all my follow-ups, any adjustments after 6 months, and if I ever need to have the procedure done again for any reason it will be half price. I did have some halos for the first couple of weeks, but no problems now. I now have 20/15 vision. I do not regret it at all.

 

[DreamDelta]

Keep the stories coming! Only three days left until my surgery!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I too had mine done in Oakbrook, IL back in Nov 2004. It was my 30th bday present!!!!!!!!!! I was a nervous wreck and I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad I did it!. It cost $3200 but we financed it over 12 months interest free through the eye care center.
I was scheduled for PRK because I have thin corneas and was switched to Lasik the morning of once the surgeon saw me under the machine. I vividly remember staring at the red light, not seeing the red light, and suddenly being able to see the red light again, but it was crystal clear! I took my requisite 4 hour nap and woke up and everything was crystal clear.
I used the drops every hour for about a week and then twice a day or so the week after and then I was fine.
They were aiming for 20/40 vision and I got 20/15 in 1 eye and 20/10 in the other!!!!!!
DH is going for his consultation this winter!
Good luck - you'll do great!!!!!!!