Lasik!

[Pug]

Allright, I have an appt with my eye doctor (is that optamologist or opthamologist?) this comming Tuesday, the 14th. I really want to know if I can get LASIK, and after the exam, and if I can, she will refer me to another doctor that will examine my eyes again and then perform the "surgery". I have no idea if I can have it yet, so I might be jumping the gun a wee lil bit, but has anyone here had LASIK? What should I really expect. I've read internet accounts, but those come off as being either too gushy about the place it was performed (like an advertisement) or cold and sort of discouraging.

Now, if I can't have it done. I will give contacts a serious try. When I was 16 or so, I tried them, but was very half @$$ed about really trying them, and let it slip and stuck with glasses. Glasses are a pain right now. I honestly hate my glasses.

Other info before anyone asks: I'm 26, male, have myopia (nearsightedness) that isn't too bad. When I don't wear glasses I can see things up close allright, but anything far away has increasing blur. I have no other problems that would prevent me, except for what could be wrong with my eyes, ie; thin corneas etc.

[jenn_jeffery]

If I remember correctly, once you have Lasik done, you can't have it done again. I've heard you need to wait until your vision stablizes (quits changing yearly), and then have Lasik done. This could be old info though.

My cousin and his wife both had it done about 6 months ago, and are happy with it, though when you have it done, you can't drive or work for a few days while your eyes are adjusting...

You may want to google for more info on it...

[Pug]

Oh, I've Googled it and all, I know about it and such, but I'm sort of looking for end user, err, people with direct experience to relate how it was, and what it was like, etc. I've had the same glasses script for the past 3 years now.

[sirenofthestorm]

I've never had lasik, but I too would like to have it done. As for contacts, I have had them since I hit high school more or less, and some good and bad experiences with them. I would not recommend the permanent ones, but the monthly disposable ones have been pretty good to me as long as I get the ones that fit my cornea.

Personally I much prefer contacts to glasses, I don't like not having a 100 % field with glasses, and contacts also give me a more "3D" perspective. I also am nearsighted, but have an astigmatism too, so I now wear toric lenses because my astigmatism is noticible now.

[Pug]

If I have to rely on contacts, I'm probably going to try gas permiables this time. One of the reasons I didn't put much effort into my first experience was that I didn't like the "fullness" of the larger soft ones. Either way, I need to ditch these glasses, and your reason for not liking them is something I have issues with too. Whenever I look with my eyes faster than my head can turn, I lose focus a bit, partly because the lens doesn't cover the whole of my eye, like a nice pair of prescription goggles would :)

[jenn_jeffery]

I actually prefer the gas permeables. I'm currently wearing the two week disposables since having babies has screwed with my vision, and they're cheaper, but when everything is back to 'normal' I'll probably go back to the GP's. My vision was clearer, and once I got used to them (took a few weeks) they are actually more comfy to me. The only real problem I ever had was when they would pop out for no reason, and I couldn't always find them...

[sirenofthestorm]

Originally posted by Pug
If I have to rely on contacts, I'm probably going to try gas permiables this time. One of the reasons I didn't put much effort into my first experience was that I didn't like the "fullness" of the larger soft ones.


Have you ever seen the shelves full of different types of contacts at the optometrist's? LOL they go on for days. If you didn't like how the first one fit, you can always go back and ask for a sample of another brand, the places I've gone have always been very helpful about that. But I hope you do qualify for lasik, how wonderful would it be to not have to worry about swimming underwater or getting foggy glasses... I can only imagine.

[cricket]

I had my surgery 6 months ago and would reccommend it to anyone and everyone!

My vision was -400 in both eyes with a slight astigmatism. My vision is now 20/30!

I had my lasik done where they used the "old fashioned" way to cut the flap whereas they actually use a "tool" to cut the flap insted of the new way, which is to cut the flap with a laser. The laser was $400.00 more per eye so I opted for the "kinfe".

The surgery was a piece of cake (they gave me a valium before the surgery) and I drove the next day. The only trouble I had driving was at night for the first week. I had a hard time at night and if it was raining I could not drive at all. Streetlights, headligts etc gave off a bursting glare.

The surgery did not hurt, nor was their any pain or discomfort after the sugery. The only thing I had to be careful with was you had to sleep with eye sheilds on for 3 days and they drove me nuts.

Also after 6 months if you are not happy with the results you can have your eyes done again for a fraction of the cost. They have new "enhancing and reshaping that they can do if the first surgery does not take well." or atleast that's what my Dr. says. I am happy at 20/30.

Hope this helps.

Tracey

[Pug]

Thanks for the replies, I just got back so I'm a little sensitive to light still, from having my eyes dilated. I qualify for LASIK. My corneas are thicker than average and they would like me to see another doctor for another checkup to figure out why in the heck my old doctor gave me bifocals. The eye exams I was given showed no need for bifocals and since I'm young, the doctor I saw would like me to see the expert across the hall. If all goes well, and it should, I'll be able to have LASIK sometime in October. If all does not go well, then I have no idea what will happen. Of course, I'm hoping for the best.

[Pug]

I forgot to add, that based on the initial consultation, they're sure that I can drop down to 20/25 or 20/30 at the most. My left eye is great, but my right eye is where the really bad nearsightedness is. My appointment with the other doctor is next Friday the 24th. All of the possible side effects, interactions and possible problems were explained thoroughly and they answered all of my questions. The Dr. I saw has perfromed over 10,000 surgeries and has been in practice working with eyes and lasers for over 25 years. If/when I can have it done, I'll discuss in further detail, the types of surgery available. "Touch ups" are free here, but you must wait 90 days for your eyes to heal and the Dr. Must feel that another pass will improve the outcome.

[geckosurfer]

Mine told me I didn't qualify, but everyone I knew that had, LOVED it. So I did my own research, found out what the follow up care was and made a decision (I primarily looked at locations that had sufficient follow-up and a good "ambiance").

The place I selected worked on someone I knew and they were very happy. It is a choice I am very content with. Did I have problems? Yes, but not with my vision! It was the fact that I had chronic dry eyes--I had blamed contacts for that! Once I had "plugs" put in, all was well. I am at 20/25 in both eyes and couldn't be happier. Oh---and my "eye doctor" said I wouldn't qualify, either. I think it was the loss of business that did that.

The doctor you work with should be able to answer EVERY question and should give you a step by step explanation. You should also be able to watch a surgery (as I did) to make sure this is what I wanted.

Before I forget, mine "undercorrected" mine, so if an adjustment needed to be made, it would not be a problem.

Good luck--life is even more of a treat with good eyesight!

Julie

[sirenofthestorm]

Originally posted by Pug
I qualify for LASIK.


Awesome, congrats!!!!! Keep us updated on how it goes for you once you have the procedure done :)

[Pug]

Allright, here's the latest news as of right now. I had an appt on Friday but the doctor had an emergency and was called out, they cancelled and gave me a new one for 8 this morning. When I got there, they said the doctor I was seeing wasn't in, as it was his day off. The receptionist from the LASIK side (I was on the optamalic side to see this other guy for the reason why I am wearing bifocals - supposedly to help corrent my doublevision) came and got me, and then we figured out that the computer software glitched and accidentally re-aligned me to an earlier appt and uh, nevermind this (I used to work in a medical office, happens all the time when using cheap software). Anyway, I got in to see Dr. J. He did the same thing the last doc did and then told me that not only did I qualify, I'm free to have the surgery any time I want. He also said there's a procedure that can be done to strengthen my eye muscles so that my double vision can be corrected (I'm a bit too old for the bifocal therapy the last doctor had me on cause my eyes are stable and probably won't change much more). I was then ushered to the appointment scheduler (for lack of a better definition and that is her sole job!). I now have a packet and whenever I want the surgery, I need to schedule. Todays consultation is good for 3 months.

I'M NERVOUS and I CAN'T FEEL MY FINGERS!!!! I know "there's noting too it" but I can;t help it, I'm always nervous before surgery, and I've had quite a few. At least I get valium for the surgery.

[Pug]

Oh and this doctor says I should be 20/20 in both eyes, easily. The last one said 20 in the left and 25-30 in the right.

[Xelda]

I'm 22 and would like to do LASIK some day. I figure by the time I can afford it (waaaay down the line), there will be newer, more advanced techniques for correcting vision.

Right now I'm fine with wearing contacts. I've only started wearing them for about a year, and have only really needed to wear glasses for the last two years. I didn't like contacts at first. I spent the first year wearing Accuvue 2 disposable lenses; those would make my eyes sore by the end of the day. Now I use the Accuvue Advances lenses now, and they're fantastic. I can wear them for 12+ hours without even feeling I'm wearing them.

[robin d.]

don't be nervouse be happy!!!!!! i wish i could qualify for that unfortunately not. My corneal specialist does LAZIK... unfortunately my only option is corneal transplant (both eyes) but im waiting till i can no longer function with the litited vision i already have.... lots of problems can occur with corneal transplant so i figure when "i cant lose" i will get it done... lots of time out of work... stitches in eyes, preseasure behind eyes, anti rejection drugs and dry eye... i dont think i want to mess with that right now
Good Luck!! Be glad and i am sure all will go well.

[Pug]

Well, I've decided to call back and schedule the surgery for the 8th of Oct. I'm super happy, yet nervous at the same time. The doctor I want to perform the surgery has done them since it first came out, and pretty much has everyone whose had it in this city under his belt. Le'Chuck (Beardy) and Boo (Pug) must think I'm nuts, I'm prancing around and I can't wipe this grin off my face.

[sirenofthestorm]

Great news!!!! I hope it goes smoothly and you make a speedy recovery.

[Pug]

Lastly, I'n not getting basic Lasik, but the newer Custom Lasik instead. That will allow them to make a 3D map of my eye and use as the basis to correct more of my issues, like helping reduce halos and glare.

[zayelskeeper]

Sorry i didnt see this Thread earlier...

Im very proud of my Mom and Dad for there achievements to advance this technology..as long as the Doc uses the B&L Zioptic laser..you should be fine...i got it done and its life changing

[Sasheena]

I got it done in 2001. Before i had it done I had coke-bottle-lenses... I couldn't SEE the eye chart much less read the top letter...

After the surgery, I test at 20/20 vision.... for both images.... yep... uncorrectable double vision... now I can drive, but I can't read signs, I can see two perfect 20-20 images overlapping. I've stopped driving except in the most familiar circumstances. When I try to drive long distances (I've driven across the country several times before the surgery) my eyes get tired and go "funky" stop being able to focus... it's like instant blindness. When I go out to enjoy the natural world (as a lot of herp-lovers enjoy) I have highly acute motion detection, but no details... so I see tons more lizards than I saw before, but I can't make out their details. I can read a computer screen and teach my classes, but enjoyment in driving and in seeing the natural world is completely shot for me. The worst part is that there is nothing that can be done. I traded my correctable vision and glasses, for un-correctable vision.

I wouldn't do it again if I had the chance/choice.

In the meantime, I live with my handicap.

[Pug]

I decided to skip LASIK late October. The doctor was the biggest A-hole I've ever met in my entire life! I'm only 26, but I've got some other problems/disabilities, so I've been around lots of doctors and none were as bad as this guy, though some have come close. He kept accusing me of lying when I said I don't have an autoimmune disease or deficiency. Even the bloodwork backed me up, but he "pretended" it didn't. He liked to mumble "better to have glasses than to be blind" every few minutes. I'm not going to let him anywhere near me, so I might look into it again in the future, or not. I'm really iffy right now becuase of a double vision problem I have. The other doctors said it's noting to reallly worry about, but I notice that I practically live in doubles, and I always notice myself doing it. I don't think I'm taking care of it, but there's nothing that can really be done because my eyes have stopped changing and surgery is risky. That's the biggest fear I have about LASIK - that I might not be able to stop the double vision because it might get much worse. I am looking into extended wear contacts. All I need to do is keep my glasses and try out contacts for real this time. When I first tried them I didn't like them, so after I wore them home I took them out and never put them in again. :look:

[sirenofthestorm]

I've been on extended wear contacts for a few years, and they're working out pretty well for me, even with the astigmatism. One caveat is don't buy a year's supply right away, try different brand samples for how they fit your cornea. because at the end of the month if they don't fit well, its noticible and uncomfortable.