LASIK

[altiain]

OK, I wear contacts, and I've got seasonal allergies. The older I get, the more these two facets of my life seem to conflict.

I've thought about getting LASIK for years, but the lack of really long term data (like, will I go blind in 30 years? ) on the procedure has kept me from looking into it seriously. The way my allergies (or my eyes, or both) are getting as I get older, I'm almost willing to tolerate blindness in old age if I can trade that for being able to see and itch my eyes without scratching my corneas right now.

Glasses aren't really an option because: A) I'm damn near legally blind without corrective lenses (worse than 20/450 uncorrected in both eyes), and even with all of the latest lens lightening technology, my prescription glases are really heavy, B) I've been previously diagnosed as extremely light sensitive (maybe I was a vampire in a previous life ), so sunglasses are a requirement for me, and carrying around two pairs of glasses, or a set of clip-ons, or wearing those photo-sensitive old-people glasses aren't appealing options, and C) I'm as vain as they come, and I really don't like glasses, even without A) and B).

So... anybody here ever have LASIK or one of the derivatives? How did it work for you? Any problems or side effects, how close did you get to 20/20, what type of procedure did you have done, etc.?

[Checker]

My wife had it several years ago & loved it. She says it's one of the BEST things she's ever done. Quick & nearly painless. Almost 20/20, well they say it is 20/20 but I can see "sharper" than her ... but people tell me I have hawk eye vision.

I have personally never heard of anyone having a bad experience & the prices are getting pretty competitive. :)

[Treibenschnell]

Tons of folks here at the station have had the LASIK procedure... and none have yet to complain.

I've looked into it for years... but I always worry about the after affects even though I've seen differently.

[onething]

I stopped wearing contacts and went back to glasses because of allergies. My eyes bug me just as much with glasses as they did with contacts -- I thought it would get better

A coworker had his first eye done and everything went great. His second was not so great. He put up with fuzzy sight for a couple of weeks, it never improved so they redid the surgery - much better, but still not as good as the first eye.

I'm used to hauling around the extra pair of glasses, like my CB status, and value my sight too much to risk it. Just my humble opinion.

[Kags1969]

I got my eyes fixed in Lubbock about 2 years ago, except for the stabbing pain behind my right eye, its great.... joke. It has been absolutly wonderful. No regrets at all. I went to the best Dr. in Lubbock he was an MD and PHd, I wouldn't try to go to the cheapest place around.....


Chris

20/20 20/15

[POS Racing]

I went to the best Dr. in Lubbock he was an MD and PHd,

I don't care who you are that's just funny!

[Kags1969]

Keep laughing four eyes

[altiain]

Keep laughing four eyes

I don't care who ya are, that's funny!

Onething, did your co-worker have RK, Lasik, or intra-lasik (however it's spelled)? From what little I've read on the subject, the current state-of-the-art actually uses LIDAR or a similar technology to take a 3D topographic map of your eye, and then the laser "scalpel" custom burns a new refractive surface to desired specs based on that map. Older procedures used the laser to burn a predetermined surface instead of a custom one based on eye exams and other not-so-precise eye measurements, and the really old procedures used a blade ( ) to actually cut a new refractive surface (the mere thought of which gives me the willies).

Kags1969 - any problem with dryness or increased light sensitivity? I've heard that these are two of the more common side effects, although most people have no side effects at all. Any other drawbacks at all, besides the initial cost?

Thanks for the feedback, guys. My uncle had lasik a couple of years ago and swears by it, and I figure with the cost of the procedure coming down, it's to the point where it will likely pay for itself in redcuced optometrical costs over a couple of years. I just still have reservations about risking the only pair of eyes I've got.

Keep the feedback coming. This won't be the only research I'll do on the subject (obviously), but I'm curious to hear some unfiltered opinions form you guys.

[POS Racing]

Keep laughing four eyes

Hey now!

I have had glasses since I was a 7 so I've grown quite accustom to them, and I also value my sight too much to risk it, even if the best Dr. in Lubbock was performing the procedure.

On a serious note: My question has always been what are the long-term effects of the Lasik? Don’t your eyes change, as you get older? I go to the eye Dr. once a year, and every few years the prescription may change, how does this Lasik surgery address this????

[channelmaniac]

Keep in mind you will still need reading glasses to focus on things up close as you get older... The lens in your eye loses elasticity.

But still, reading glasses beats bi-focals.

On a serious note: A lot of folks at work have been getting this done over the past few years. They all seem to have the same advice about what happens after you are done: DO WHAT YOUR DOCTOR TELLS YOU. Don't skip or be a CB when it comes to post-op care. You DO NOT want an eye infection, lesions, or other problems to prevent proper healing.

RJ

[Kags1969]

Well, your eyes still change and as you get closer to 40-50, I will probably need reading glasses, but I shouldnt be near-sighted again. They have been doing this type of eye surgery for 20+ years and I think if you are going to have problems, it is gonna happen initally.

No problems with dryness, but I do have to wear sunglasses or a baseball cap when driving the miata (as do most I think). I have some staryness around lights at night, but it's hardly noticable anymore. I was near-sighted enough that I couldnt read street signs without my glasses until pretty close and then squinting.

I value my sight as well and appreciate not being teathered to glasses in order to see. Its all risk/reward, and I think the risks are pretty low.

PLUS I had a really hot nurse who held my hand through the whole proceedure....

Chris

[black roadster]

So how much can one expect to pay now a days?

[Titus]

So how much can one expect to pay now a days?

For Kags Hot Nurse?

[Dave04]

Unfortunately, I'm just outside the amount they can "safely" correct...

Has anyone heard of/know someone who has had this "Crystal Lens" procedure? It's where they go in and actually replace the lens. They correct just about anything AND no cataracts when you get older.

[sammm]

My wife had it several years ago & loved it. She says it's one of the BEST things she's ever done. Quick & nearly painless.

Ditto that. My wife had it done 5-6 years ago and still raves about how great it is. When she had it done, it was when they actually used a 'micro-keratome' (sp?) and cut the eye-flap with an actual blade! I was watching her surgery on a huge monitor while it was happening.

I'm still on the fence for myself. I wore contacts years ago, and decided they were more trouble than they were worth. I'm already to the point when I'd need reading glasses if I had it done. Since I'm nearsighted, I can read fine without my glasses, but need them for everything/anything else.

[Kags1969]

They physically cut my the flap on my eye as well. They have a small vacum device that holds the eye in place and they run a blade on "tracks" to cut the flap leaving it attached at one point. Flip the flap. CLICK CLICK CLICK the laster does its 15-20 seconds of work and you are done.

They gave me a valum and want you to sleep and keep your eyes protected for the first 24 hours, then go back the next day to have them looked at. I did it on a Friday and was at work on Monday, no issues.

Money well spent.

Chris

[Mathews2004]

If you are light sensative, lasik might make it worse. My wife and I both had ours done at a very good doctor here is Dallas. I would avoid any doctor that advertises on TV.

[Kags1969]

Hi Everybody!

[nivek2002]

My cousin had it done and he loves it however one eye was not as good as the other one so that continues to irritate him, especially at night. Good luck if you go ahead with it!

Kevin

[Billy Blaze]

hhmm interesting topic.

Well I got my first pair of glasses the day I turned 10 months old, I have been a certified Optician by the American Board of Opticianry for several years, and have been a practicing Optician for 15 years.

Some people have great results some are screwed for life, remember you only have one set of eyes.
That being said I value my vision above anything else and would not risk it.
The people who rushed out to get RK make a mistake, heres why...
RK is done with 8 incisions 500 microns deep, this weakens the cornea and can result in the lens colapsing or worse leaking vitreous.
I had a patient once who had a botched RK procedure and in 3 years I made her over 50 pair s of glasses because her lens fluctuated on a daily basis since the cornea was weakened.

Lasik on the other hand is a single incision 50 Microns deep and has mutch better results. some patients complain about auras and dancing light in their vision....I will say this there is such a high demand for this technology that it vastly improves with each year, there is always something around the corner being developed that is better and safer.
Do your research and find a great Dr.
I would be happy to give you some recomendations for pre and post OP care that is very important too.

As far as the glasses, (I am assuming you are myopic) and depending on your age (38-42) Presbiopia developes.
Presbiopia is when the natural lens on your eye begins to harden and does not flex to accomodate for close up vision...ie need for corrective lenses, Lasik does not correct this problem so you would still need reading glasses at best.

I would be more than happy also (another option) to escort you to an Optical shop to purchase a pair of glasses,...the state of Texas is not licensed for Opticians so there is no set requirements for people who sell you your eyewear.
What this means is that if someone has not done their homework and had proper training you the patient suffers from being poorly framestyled, which will result in a heavier prescription and thicher lenses.
I know how to do the math to get the thinnest, lightest eyewear you can get,... most dont, ask if the person who is making your eyeglasses and selling them to you is ABO certified.
Remember they were flipping burgers before they got that job...lol

Well there is my two cents,...PM me if I can assist you with answering any questions or if you need some further recomendations.
Billy Blaze,ABOC