laser eye surgery

[speck]

has anyone here had it. what are pro con, personnal experiences. i am told i am a good candidate by my eye doctor, who stands to make no money, and i want more info that is not an advertisement. what about the occasional faceplant that currently knocks my contacts out? what type of laser exactly?

[tonydjd]

RE: laser eye surgery

Once done your eyes will be at risk fot the infamous face plant but 6 months down the road you wonder what took so long for you to have this done. I had the RK done in 93 before this fancy stuff best thing I could of done. The only negative would be your better off having this done in the winter time so your eyes have time to stabilize after having the work done. Best of luck!

[CHassmann]

RE: laser eye surgery

I had mine done two years ago and love it! No more contacts or really poor vision when skiing. My eyes are a little dry when I wake up in the monring. That is usually remedied when I take a shower. If I'm not going to take a shower right away, I will sometimes use eye drops.

I didn't get monovision, bu my distance vision isn't as sharp in one eye as the other. I'm pretty sure that is from my small son accidentally poking me in the eye during the healing process. They say that I will likely need reading glasses someday. So far, so good, but I do turn 40 this summer.

Just make sure you don't go with the least expensive doctor. Do some research to find someone that has a good reputation and has done "a lot" of surgeries. My eye doctor recommended a guy in Columbus, OH that worked out very well for me. His credentials were very impressive. It didn't hurt hat he had done surgery for many "high profile" individuals.

[81nautique]

RE: laser eye surgery

I had Lasik 3 years ago and I see better now than I ever did with glasses. Make sure you do your homework and go with someone who's done a lot of procedues and has a good track record. My doctor had done over 13,000 procedures and is one of the best in Chicago area. It's your eyes man you can't fool around.

I do think you should wait until after the season though. I did mine right before X-mas and I had a week off to just hang around and relax. honestly I was not satisfied until about 2 months went by, there is considerable glare while driving at night and the dry eyes are irritating. 3 years later I've forgotten I ever had it done and have better vision than ever.

One word of caution is depending on your age,I'm 45, you will realize that you need reading glasses and most procedures don't address that yet. There is a new procedure for that but regular Lasik to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism does not address reading vision, so don't think that you're completely done with glasses forever.

[jvuotto]

RE: laser eye surgery

I second all of the above, on my second year now (prceedure at 39) and have one eye a shade stronger on distance but that’s from something that happened years ago according to the docs. It really did take a year to get used to seeing again, I don’t ever remember this clarity as a young person.

[krs0394]

RE: laser eye surgery

My wife had it done 4 or 5 years ago and her eyes are still 20/25. Before the surgery she was 20/800. She could not see the big E on the top of the chart. Overall she is very happy with the procedure. It was worth every penny for her. Do not hesitate one bit to have it done.

[Tomfooter]

RE: laser eye surgery

Had P.R.K. (prelude to LASIK) in about '94. I had tried the "Floating Glasses" which were expensive and a joke! (Especially for a Barefooter!) As stated above, I have never regreted having it done. Before my P.R.K., I couldn't hardley see the the back of the boat, but after the surgery, I could see the speedos on the dash on a 45' line!!! WOW!! What a difference! I've been trying to talk my brother-in-law/ skiing buddy into having it done for two or three years, knowing he would love it, but he says he can't find the time (I think he can't get his nerve up). But as everyone above says, go to a CERTIFIED EYE PROFESIONAL! CHEAPER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER! It's the only set of eyes you have, so DON'T CUT CORNERS! Good Luck!

[CHassmann]

RE: laser eye surgery

there is considerable glare while driving at night

Sorry, I did forget to mention the glare from lights. It does get a little better as time passes after the surgery. It isn't too bad for me though to make it not worth having the surgery. I had glare with my contacts also!

[81nautique]

RE: laser eye surgery

Chassmann,

After three years I have no more glare problems and I never use eye drops unless I'm driving long distances which I would probably use drops anyway.

I can remember getting dropped off at the wrong dock many times before the Lasik. I think my buds used to do it on purpose. Heck, I met a lot of new neighbors that way.

[OKWAKEBDR]

RE: laser eye surgery

Had mine done 2 months ago! Well worth every penny! I would have paid twice as much. The only thing I can suggest is...find a good doctor. DON'T bargain shop this procedure. Many advertise $599/eye...but I paid $1500/eye for mine.

I also HIGHLY suggest "custom" LASIK. Again...extra cost, but...it's your eyes...you only get 2 of 'em, and the procedure is irreversible. The difference is, with "custom" LASIK, they actually make a map of your eye and then set the laser to shape your eye within 1/100th of a mm. "Traditional" LASIK will only get you within 1/4th of a mm. The biggest advantage of "custom" is that there is much less risk, and the side-effects that are common with "traditional LASIK are nearly non-existent for most people.

Not sure where you're located, but if you're around Oklahoma, I can suggest a great doctor.

Good luck.

[Onthewater]

Re: RE: laser eye surgery

Make sure you do your homework and go with someone who's done a lot of procedues and has a good track record. My doctor had done over 13,000 procedures and is one of the best in Chicago area. It's your eyes man you can't fool around.

Would you mind telling me who did your procedure. I have been thinking about it for a while. If you don't want to post it can you PM me? Thank you.

[81nautique]

RE: Re: RE: laser eye surgery

I had the Custom LASIK as well $2000 per eye. Worth every penny

http://www.doctorsforvisualfreedom.com/

Make sure you tell them you were refered and Pm me if you are serious about calling I'll give my contact info, I think a referal is good for a $500 discount or something like that.

[igkya]

RE: Re: RE: laser eye surgery

Had mine done 1 1/2 ago... why didn't I do this sooner? Like everyone else said, make sure you go to a 'good' doc, cheaper ain't neccessarily better in this case. Money well spent.

[speck]

thanks for the responses guys, really informative. two things, yes i plan to wait till next fall, and lasik is a trademarked name for the laser procedure, is there another option or is lasic (franchise locations) the only way to go? what is the scientific name of the procedure?

[81nautique]

Check out the link I posted above, they also perform PRK which is similar to lasik without cutting and peeling back the cornea. Might be a real option for contact sports, Ie; faceplants Yellow_Flash_Colorz: