DRP976

Whats up folks, who here has had their vision problems (nearsight/farsight/astigmatism/etc) corrected by laser eye surgery? Now ive done my research and understand how the procedure works and what is to be expected and what not. My question is for those who have have it done and how long have results lasted? Have your eyes maintined good 20/20 vision or have they gone bad again? If so how much? Please fill out this question format for me.

Age i got lasik/PRK/laser surgery done:____________________

Surgery was to correct nearsight/farsight/astigmatism/etc (please state refractive error):__________________

Complications/side effects i experienced:______________________________

Current age:______________________

My vision has stayed the same, got just a little worse, got a lot worse(pick one or state your answer if its other):__________________________

*Now i understand once most people reach age 40+ their lenses lose the ablity to focus near objects hence they need reading glasses and thats something Lasik/laser eye surgery cant correct since the surgery reshapes the cornea and doesnt mess with the lens....so thats normal "old age vision" and they will need reading glasses but vision to see far/distant objects can and still will be good.

*Thanks for the input guys, much appreciation.

SirLance

Got it done last year at 49, to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism. I'm 50 and still seeing 20/20, 16 months down the road.

If you do it, follow the eyedrop regimen to the letter.

I'm glad I had it done, I had a great outcome, but I researched doctors like crazy. I recommend it, but don't go to a mill, go to a reputable provider.

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KirStang

Thinking about getting it done too. These BCGs are killing me.

Shagg

Age I got lasik done: 31

Surgery was to correct myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism. My last glasses rx was : right -7.00 -1.75 left -4.00 -1.50

Complications/side effects I experienced: halo's which diminished in intensity over time

Current age: 35

My vision has stayed the same

I spent 10 years working in optics. I had easy access to all the high end lens materials and the newest contact lenses. I had a heavy correction, but my glasses looked good. I have no regrets at all about the surgery.

Do the research, informed consent only goes so far. Bad things can and do happen (however rarely.) My halo's were pretty severe for the first few months and I definitely notice more floaters in my vision.

Check this website out: Lasik complication help, bad lasik results I had all my patients check this site out. If they were still interested after hearing about all the bad shit that could happen, then I set them up with a consult.

I wish this flowed a bit smoother, but I had a hell of a day at work and my mind is tired.

DRP976

Thanks for taking the time so share your experience/provide input guys. Im 23 now and looking to get this procedure done once my eyes stabilize and granted im a candidate.

Plan9

I'd recommend getting PRK over LASIK.

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noodle

S scheduled his PRK yesterday for 29 Dec. I'll let you know.

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Xazy

I had lasik 3 years ago, I was nearsighted, I am now 20-15. It was the most amazing thing waking up in the morning and being able to see the clock without leaning over my wife. Since then I can barely recall what it was like wearing contacts.

That being said a friend of mine also had Lasik, and she had Astigmatismin in her eye, she had a lot of discomfort needed up follow up procedures, and it took months for it all to be over. She also had a lot of dry eye, and other issues.

Sorry forgot, I was 32 then.

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fresnelly

My wife (35yo) had it done about 5 months ago and loves it. One of her eyes isn't 100% corrected but she doesn't need glasses anymore. She'll likely need a touch up to fix it for good but she doesn't have to pay for it.

So far she's very, very happy.

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rahl

I had mine done 5 years ago at age 24. Lasik.
I needed a touch up 1.5 years later in my right eye to get to 20/20. My left eye is slightly less than 20/20 and will likely need retouched in the coming years. Enhancements are free for life as long as I maintain a yearly exam with an approved provider. I did/do have dry eyes and need rewetting drops several times a day, depending on what I'm doing(reading, computer etc) but it's well worth it to be glasses/contact free.

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flat5

I had the lenses replaced. Everything went well. Cost me one Euro. I still don't know what for. A local hospital did it. OLVG. Vision is MUCH better. I don't need glasses now.
I wore them from age 6 to 61.

Shagg

Those of you recommending PRK, why?

Price wise, PRK is cheaper and if you are a military pilot for the US, PRK is the only refractive surgery that is (or was last I checked) allowed for maintaining flight status.

Recovery time for PRK is much longer, and a lot more uncomfortable. Dry, scratchy eyes are very common during PRK recovery.

All laser refractive surgery uses an ablative process to reshape the cornea. Essentially the surgical equivalent of sand paper. LASIK/LASEK vary in that one uses a microkeratome to fold back a portion of the cornea and then PRK is performed and the flap is folded back sealing the wound. The other uses a laser to create a flap in the epithelial layer of the eye, PRK is performed, flap is folded back sealing the wound.

I'll fill in some more info later. Typing this out on a phone is starting to annoy me.

SirLance

I also had halos which diminished, and I firmly believe its because I obsessively followed the eye-drop regimen. Didn't experience dry eyes at all.

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DEMOCRACY is where your vote counts, FEUDALISM is where your count votes.

greytone

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.

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gondath

I've been considering Lasik, but I'm worried about dry eyes afterward. Mine are already dry, so I'm not sure about about. I used to have a lot of problems even with contacts until switching to the hydrogels.

It would be nice to get into water without having to take contacts out though.

KellyC

I've had mine done about 4 years ago, when I was 21. It was to correct my severe near sightedness, which was a -6.5 on both eyes. Because it's my eyes I didn't want to take any risk so I looked around for the best doctor in the area. He charged more than other people but I didn't mind too much. Four years later and I still have 20/20 vision. Although some times I get really paranoid about my sight going bad so I had to check with other people, who also have 20/20. It was a relieve to know they can't see small letters across the room as well. I've had little to no problem with my experience. The eyes ached a little but I was fine after a week.

Bottom line: Best money I've ever spent.

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mcgeedo

I had RK in 1985, at the age of 34. I am fairly pleased with the outcome but I wouldn't want RK, even if they still did it. I have no experience with the newer methods.

Shadowex3

There was a huge thread about this over with the goons as well, and it seems like the general theme is that a reputable doctor (whether or not they do blade or laser flaps) will tend to be more expensive up front but also tend to offer free retouches back to 20/20 for life or an appropriately long period.

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EventHorizon

when you say BCGs do you mean the thick ugly brown deals with lenses thicker than coke bottles?

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