Ot - Laser Eye Surgery

[Eeyore's Pal]

I had lasik surgery in July 2005, and it is one of the best things I have ever done.

I had been wearing bifocal contact lenses for about 7-8 years. My vision was corrected so that I don't need glasses at all -- monocular correction.

I had dry eyes before, so I was prepared for a slightly longer recovery. My reading vision was perfect by the next day. My distance vision measures 30/20 but is still fuzzy due to dry eyes. But now that I started using Restasis drops, the fuzziness is literally diminishing every day!

I believe I paid $3100, which includes lifetime care. The custom wave-front (which they did not recommend for me) was about $600 more.

 

[JamieW]

I had Custom Vue Wavefront IntraLasik exactly a week ago.
I went to the MD that has done more than anyone else in the world.
To be honest, it is more of a pain that I thought it would be. I am pouring drops in my eyes constantly it seems. I have to wear goggles every time I so much as step a foot outside for the 1st week. I cannot even TOUCH my face for the 1st week. Not even TOUCH. Giant pain and I look a mess.
This guy is very strict and he does get the best results but I was not expecting to look dreadful for a week. You have to put this gel like stuff in your eyes at night and then tape shields over your eyes to sleep. Well, the next day you can't touch your face and it is all over your eyes. I had to go to my professional office looking very unprofessional. The funny thing was people came from all over the building to see how I looked - I have been the office entertainment all week.
My vision was 20/20 on Monday morning and they do expect it to get better to 20/16 when they "stabilized".
I paid $3500.00.

I do not mean to sound negative, there were just a lot of after-care kind of stuff I was not prepared for. I am sure the memory will fade and I will be ecstatic I did it.

Did you by any chance go to Dr. Boothe?

I had LASIK done 2 years ago (not by Dr. Boothe), and it's been great.

 

[mjh8955]

I had lasik surgery 6 years ago, at age 45. It was the best money I ever spent (actually part of an inheritance) and wish I hadn't waited so long. My vision has remained close to 20/20 ever since (used to be 20/400 with astigamatism). At my last check-up I saw a new optometrist who told me if I hadn't mentioned having the surgery she honestly would not have been able to tell, I have no scars whatsoever . She said she has never seen a lasik surgery result in no scars before.

I was terrified of having someone touch my eyeball but they were numbed and so was I, with valium and benadryl so I was about as relaxed as I could get and still be able to walk around. It took 15 seconds for one eye, 17 seconds for the other. I was loopy as all get out on the way home and a major source of entertainment for my husband.

I saw 20/20 the very next morning after the surgery and threw out all my glasses and contact lenses, and went to the driver's license place to have the restriction removed from my license. I had not been able to see a clock by my bedside in my entire life. What an amazing thing to open your eyes in the morning and actually see the world!

All the drops you have to do in the beginning are annoying, but it's only for a short while.

I did experience nightime "glare" but it has gone away or else I don't notice it any more. The best way I can describe it is that any and all lights encountered at night are more "spectacular" and "intense". The lights did not hurt my eyes. It was more of an annoyance when driving than anything else.

After the surgery I did not need to wear reading glasses for a few years. It bought me some time, that was just a little bonus, not a guarantee. That all has to do with muscles and as we get older all our muscles just lose a little elasticity, along with the eye muscles. I do not mind wearing reading glasses again for small print. When I am on vacation at a pool I can look up and see my kids ANYWHERE they are. I am amazed and thankful every day for my excellent vision.

When I got serious enough to check in to the procedure I scheduled free consultations with two lasik surgeons. One was 2 blocks from my house, the other was about 40 miles away. I chose the one that was more expensive and farther away and here were my reasons: He was meticulous, his office and waiting room were meticulous, his staff had all had the surgery, they TRIPLE checked every measurement (3 different people) every time I was there, and he had performed the surgery on several of the Green Bay Packers (we lived in Green Bay at the time). The other surgeon had a dirty lab coat on when we visited, he himself wore glasses, as did the others in his office, his office was on the shabby side, my records were misplaced once and I was contacted by mistake twice about the same thing. I figured it was my eyes, I wasn't taking any chances.

I have absolutely NO regrets. Find the best surgeon you can and do it!

 

[m&m's mom]

Did you by any chance go to Dr. Boothe?

I had LASIK done 2 years ago (not by Dr. Boothe), and it's been great.

Yeppers.

 

[brettb]

My vision is normal, but this can be a good tip for any elective medical expense.

If your employer offers a health care spending account, do a little pre-planning and take advantage of it! A woman here at work had Lasik done a few years ago - in December. I asked her if she used the HCSA.... "The what?" she said.

At my company, you have to choose how much money you want put in the HCSA in November. That amount is then deducted out of your paycheck on a PRETAX basis in equal installments the following year. So right there, you get an discount on the procedure equivalent to your tax rate. Plus, you can usually request reimbursement out of these accounts before all the money is withheld. So if you have the procedure in January, you'll spread an effectively discounted price out over the whole year!

 

[kellydizfan]

I have an appointment next Saturday for the exam. I have worn glasses since I was in 2nd grade and will be 40 in June. I can't wait to see what they say. I know quite a few that have had it done and love it. I hope I can have it done and hopefully no glasses before I go to Hungary in April and Disney in August.

 

[WonderWomanDC]

I got the surgery done in September at the Wilmer Clinic, one of the top laser eye centers in the country. It cost $5300 and it was worth every penny to have it done there and to have 20/15 vision after wearing glasses since third grade (I'm 29 now)! It's awesome.

 

[jenr812]

Loved reading this thread, as I am hoping to get this done after I graduate My mom had it done a few years ago and is very happy. I love reading more experiences!

 

[Jewel1310]

I had LASIK done 3 weeks ago. I went to a great MD that completed the procedure on my eye doctor. One of the questions I read and asked was "what do you do if there is a complication" as I heard that can be critical. My doctor said he knew what to look for and they treat it aggressively. He indicated that he has never had anyone lose vision due to a complication but they do come up and the key is recognizing and treating them.

I am glad I asked as I was one of the few who developed inflammation (per my research on the internet the cause is not known and it is not possible to predict who will get it) and a small amount of blood under the flap. My MD found the inflammation on the visit the day after my surgery (Friday). He immediately gave me higher steroid drops to use every hour and saw me on Sunday and then again on Tuesday. Things were clearing up by then and I was transferred to my reg doc for follow up. She saw me on Thursday and then a week later. The inflammation is gone (never really felt or saw differently when it was there) and the blood has mainly disappeared (that also did not affect my vision) I go back next week for the regular 1 month post op. Their continuous follow up (esp on a Sunday) gave me the confidence I needed in a somewhat scary time.

I selected monovision as I am 42 so one eye is 20/20 (and I too could not see the E on the chart) in my dominant eye. I am 20/40 or 20/60 depending on the visit in my other eye. I was able to try glasses that simulated this for a while in the doctor's office to ensure I felt comfortable with this option.

This allows me to see well in a distance while avoiding reading glasses. I was told that if I went 20/20 in both I would be in reading glasses right away. I believe that as when I close my one (close up ) eye it is a struggle to read the computer, although still possible. My eyes are adjusting to seeing differently but it was a good choice for me. I am glad I made the selection I did. My cost was $3400 for custom LASIK and that was with a 15% discount due to my company's vision plan. I used my medical savings plan so the dollars were pre-tax.

Make sure you find out what happens if complications due occur. I think if I had gone to a cut rate facility it might have been a very different outcome. Good luck in your decision making!

 

[lisabarr]

Had it done last January and it has been the best money I have ever spent aside from my laser hair removal!
While the gooey ointment isn't pleasent you really dont notice it and after wearing contacts for 20+ years and always waking up with crusty eyes, this feels soooooo much better!
I do have some night vision halos where the lights look like cotton balls, but my dr. told me to check that out prior to the surgery and see if I had it and I did. Most people don't notice it because you are so used to it.
Anyway, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Mine was $4800 but I went to the absolute best guy. He holds several of the patents for the machines. But I wasn't going to screw around with my eyes, after all you only get one set

 

[Jsme]

Has anyone ever had laser eye surgery? Good or bad results? I am considering it, but I will still have to wear reading glasses, but to be able to see otherwise would be fantastic. Price is quite high.

Thanks

YES!! and it was the best money I have ever spent. I have had terrible vision all my life. So much so that I am still not 20/20 in one of my eyes but it still was worth it to me. I did know going into the surgery my right eye would not be 20/20, the surgeon did not try to cover that up. I love it!! It is wonderful not to have to wear contacts or glasses. I can see under the water. I can see on roller coasters. It is just great. The best thing was when I first woke up after my eyes had healed and I could see go on waking .... Wonderful

 

[dennise]

Thanks for all the input. I think my mind is made up. I'll let everyone know how I make out. wish me luck!

 

[dennise]

Had my assessment yesterday and am all booked for Wednesday, can't wait. Wish me luck, the way mine has been going i will need all that I can get.

 

[ohiomom28]

I was scheduled to have this done in 2002. Something came up and I didn't get it done. I just recently went to have an eye exam and the doctor said that my prescription changed so much in the last 4 years that I would be back in glasses full time now. You can't wear contacts anymore.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My hubby is in the process of scheduling his. He is going for the pricier option--his dad is supplementing (they did $$$ for all the kids and in-law kids last year). He is getting it with a lifetime guarantee--so if at anytime his vision deteriorates but is still correctable with lasik, they will do a touch up.

His dad, my sister has had it done as well as has a friend of mine. They both think it was totally worth it and my hubby cannot wait to not wear glasses anymore.

 

[mseg16222]

I just had my surgery down the week before Thanksgiving. I was scared to death. I was just for my 3 month check up Friday!!! Perfect vision. I am 30 years old and I have had either glasses or contacts since I was in 3rd grade. My etes were -6.25 in each eye. I won't lie the first 2 hour afterwards I was in such pain. But after going home and napping for an hour or two I wke up and could see!!!! It was amazing. Good luck to anyone who decides to get this done it was well worth it to me.

 

[staceyfe]

Had custom wave-front intralase (the bladeless kind) a little over 1 month ago. Love it so far. Immediately after surgery I could see, but it was like I was seeing in a fog. Could see 20/20 the next day. I paid a little over $4000, to a very reputable opthamologist. My optomotrist said at my 1 month post-op appt that the bladeless procedure allows the cornea flap to readhere so much better than the procedure that uses a microkeratome (blade) to make the cornea flap. I decided on the bladeless procedure per his recommendation. It was about $500-$900 more, depending on which doctor you choose. I see halos/glare around headlights, and that is pretty much the extent of my side effects now. Eyes were pretty dry up until about 1 week ago.

 

[Niagara2]

I had this done about 7 years ago and I love it!!! Still at 20/20 and they didn't even give me an eye chart prior to surgery. My vision was that bad. They held up fingers in front of me and walked closer and closer until I could tell them how many fingers they held up. I just went for a consultation on the newer procedure for reading. I was too far gone to get that done so will continue with the reading glasses for now. There is a new surgery like cataract surgery that puts a lens in your eye. It is very pricey but you will never, ever, need glasses for far or near. They tried to talk me into it but it was like 16,000 dollars! It is riskier than laser too. The Lasik was great so far. Go for it, the freedom of no glasses when you get up, swim. shower etc is well worth it.

 

[VSL]

I was scheduled to have this done in 2002. Something came up and I didn't get it done. I just recently went to have an eye exam and the doctor said that my prescription changed so much in the last 4 years that I would be back in glasses full time now. You can't wear contacts anymore.

But would your vision have deteriorated like that if you had had laser surgery?

I haven't had it myself - just wondering!

 

[kellydizfan]

I have my lasik scheduled for next Saturday at Lasik Plus. Follow-up on Sunday and then again on Thursday. I am a little scared but I birthed 3 kids naturally - I think I can handle 5 minutes - they told me 2 1/2 minutes each eye it would take them to fix my eyes. In a way I can't wait to get rid of the glasses. The contacts have been bothering me, so I haven't worn them in awhile. (this is what I will look like after as they give you very dark sunglasses to wear)