Laser Eye Surgery

[danaeris]

I've always kinda wanted to get laser eye surgery. I'd like to be able to do away with glasses and contacts altogether.

I'd be interested to hear about other people's experiences with laser eye surgery, both good and bad. If you post an anecdote, please note approximately the year or how many years ago you had the surgery, as advances in techniques may be a factor.

Comments

[bk2w.livejournal.com]

Two of my friends, blk and tardis recently got lasik surgery done and both have very pleased with the results. They might be able to tell you more about their experiences.

I've not undergone it myself, however.

[japlady.livejournal.com]

DON'T DO IT!

Wait a little bit till they come up with a fully reversable surgery... right now they're not sure whats gonna happen to all the folks who got it when their perscriptions shift yet again in old age... its basically an expermental surgery that was not ready for prime time that a lot of shlock doctors started offering before all the long term data was in, and market demands sort of forced everyone and their brother to do it.

Do your homework...

[girlpurple.livejournal.com]

Reversible? Why in the world is that even important? Repeatable, yes -- if for some reason you don't get 20/20 the first time, it's important that they be able to do the surgery again to further correct it (which they can). The fact that LASIK allows for "do overs" -- unlike Radial Keratotomy which is a "one shot is all you get" -- was the deciding factor for me.

The "prescription shift yet again in old age" is due to changes in the flexibility of the lens, not the cornea (which is the part of the eye reshaped by LASIK). It's called presbyopia and, YES, if and when it happens, you will need reading glasses regardless of whether or not you have done LASIK.

IMO, an FDA-approved procedure that's been around for more than a decade hardly qualifies as "experimental surgery". Nor do I think my eye doctor, who's been doing LASIK since 1995 and has done thousands of surgeries, fits the label "shlock".

Then again, I've been enjoying my 20/15 vision for the last 9 months without any complications whatsoever, so I'm definitely biased.

As for making decisions about whether or not LASIK is a good idea for you, I recommend that you find a doctor who has extensive experience and references and talk with them. Good ones will do your initial evaluation for free and let you know frankly whether or not you're a good candidate. It's an expensive procedure, and the risks -- and benefits -- vary from person to person.

The technology used is also a factor. Depending on how bad your astigmatism is, you may not be a candidate for Wavefront (aka custom cornea ablation). The primary difference btwn "standard" LASIK and Wavefront is that the former applies a single consistent correction across the surface of the cornea, whereas the latter creates a topographical map of the eye and applies many prescriptions, allowing for finer corrections to different areas.

The doctor that did Wavefront for B and I came highly recommended, though he works out of San Jose/South Bay. If you're interested, I can ask him if there's someone he would recommend in the city.

my two cents

[greeklady.livejournal.com]

I am really torn on this too. Go to a free exam and let them tell you the pro's and cons like I did. I opted to not at this time. I have big pupils and see halo's around things as it is, especially at night. They said for me it could worsen the effect.

Also at my consultation they said they do not have proof that the lip the cut and fold back heals all the way.

I also am a big eye rubber. I personally am afraid I may rub my eyes in my sleep and damage myself. I know they give you goggles and such but it is my paranoia.

Another deciding factor is I was checking this out for January of this year and they told me I couldn't go snowboarding this season to ensure I didn't damage my eyes due to wind and tears. (yes that is an issue for me when snowboarding when kicking up a lot of speed). And if I did it in summer, no wakeboarding. I opted out.

On the flip side, I know many people who have had it done and wish they could have done it sooner. They love it and would never go back. Also many insurances pay for it and if not you have the medical reimbursement thing going. You are seriously looking at $3K or more depending on what laser technology they use ect. But again, for those having it done I haven't heard bad things.

[dazzlynn.livejournal.com]

I don't know the whole story.. but a friend had it done less than a year ago. One of her eyes got jacked, and she said it's like looking thru water. They did something to fix it and assured her with in a year it would be normal. I am not sure what the current state is.

[merovingian.livejournal.com]

Went perfectly! I feel like I'm a complete person again.

I got surgery this past year. It was expensive, but went without a hitch. Before the surgery, I couldn't see the E at the top of the chart. Now I have 20/15 (better than 20/20) vision! I love being able to wake up in the morning and see things right off the bat.

The surgery itself is a little freaky, but it takes about five minutes.

[perse.livejournal.com]

I saw my eye doctor about six months ago and he told me that he had the surgery about five years ago, that it was painless and they gave him Xanax for the anxiety. Things were a little blurry for the first couple weeks, but his eyesight has been 20/20 and holding. He also said it's much safer and faster these days given the advances in technology and he would highly recommend it for those who can afford it.

:)

[vvvexation.livejournal.com]

girlpurple had it done less than a year ago and seemed awfully happy.