Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Who has had lasik/laser eye surgery? Input wanted!

greytone · 12-03-2010, 07:03 PM

I had Lasik in 2002 or 2003. I am now 44.

I still think it was one of my better investments.

I still have dry eyes, but that is tolerable. It bothers me most when I am sleep deprived and at those times, it does make my vision worse.

I find it easier to use lenses (ophthalmascopes and binoculars) without glasses. I especially like being independent of my glasses.

I can fall asleep watching TV without worrying about my glasses. I can shave using a mirror in the shower and not have to worry about cleaning up the sink. I don't have to worry about losing my glasses or crushing them with tanks on a boat while SCUBA diving. I can see the beautiful scenery in and around the pool while swimming on vacation in great locations. For all those reasons I am glad I did it.

Now that I am 44 I am needing to use mild over the counter reading glasses. I can deal with that (like I have a choice).

There is a slight abnormality in the vision of the left eye. I don't really mind it as it is mild and is only a problem when my eyes are dry.

Use a reputable ophthamologist who does a lot of LASIK but I would avoid one that operates a pure LASIK practice in a strip mall and gives out coupons. Make sure they are on staff at a nearby hospital (so you know that there is oversight of their quality) even if the procedure is done elsewhere. Make sure they are using the more advanced laser systems that minimize the chance of complications.

In LASIK the front of the cornea is cut and a flap is opened. The laser reshapes the cut surface of the cornea before the flap is folded back. The flap eventually heals back but it is not secured with a suture. Therefore the procedure is not an option for those patients that could dislodge the flap in the months following surgery ( say a professional water skier). PRK is an older procedure and the laser simply reshapes the surface of the cornea. This leaves an open wound that is much more painful in the post op period. With LASIK you probably won't need any pain meds at all and you can see well the next day.

12-03-2010, 07:03 PM	#14 (permalink)
greytone Junkie	I had Lasik in 2002 or 2003. I am now 44. I still think it was one of my better investments. I still have dry eyes, but that is tolerable. It bothers me most when I am sleep deprived and at those times, it does make my vision worse. I find it easier to use lenses (ophthalmascopes and binoculars) without glasses. I especially like being independent of my glasses. I can fall asleep watching TV without worrying about my glasses. I can shave using a mirror in the shower and not have to worry about cleaning up the sink. I don't have to worry about losing my glasses or crushing them with tanks on a boat while SCUBA diving. I can see the beautiful scenery in and around the pool while swimming on vacation in great locations. For all those reasons I am glad I did it. Now that I am 44 I am needing to use mild over the counter reading glasses. I can deal with that (like I have a choice). There is a slight abnormality in the vision of the left eye. I don't really mind it as it is mild and is only a problem when my eyes are dry. Use a reputable ophthamologist who does a lot of LASIK but I would avoid one that operates a pure LASIK practice in a strip mall and gives out coupons. Make sure they are on staff at a nearby hospital (so you know that there is oversight of their quality) even if the procedure is done elsewhere. Make sure they are using the more advanced laser systems that minimize the chance of complications. In LASIK the front of the cornea is cut and a flap is opened. The laser reshapes the cut surface of the cornea before the flap is folded back. The flap eventually heals back but it is not secured with a suture. Therefore the procedure is not an option for those patients that could dislodge the flap in the months following surgery ( say a professional water skier). PRK is an older procedure and the laser simply reshapes the surface of the cornea. This leaves an open wound that is much more painful in the post op period. With LASIK you probably won't need any pain meds at all and you can see well the next day. __________________ I was there to see beautiful naked women. So was everybody else. It's a common failing. Robert A Heinlein in "They Do It With Mirrors"