Post: #1

A couple months back I had an eye test and I asked the opthamologist if I'd be a good candidate for Lasek, she said that because of my astigmatism and farsightedness I would probably not be suited for the surgery.

A couple of weeks after my eye tests I did some research online. Many of the blogs/forums I perused gave me conflicting information: some said I would be ideal for Lasek, and others said that the surgery could be too risky/ineffective.

Some of the forums said that Lasek/PRK had similar outcomes to Lasik surgery with nearsighted patients. Others said that it could 3 weeks for your eyes to feel normal again after the surgery. They also mentioned that the results could be short-lived.

If anyone has had the surgery, were you satisfied with results? How long was your R&R period? Have you dealt with any negative complications after the surgery? What was the cost associated with the surgery?

My Farsightness ranges from + 3.00 - + 4.00 in both eyes. Meanwhile my astigmatism is x5.

Post: #2

(07-24-2015 11:41 PM)numanist Wrote:  A couple months back I had an eye test and I asked the opthamologist if I'd be a good candidate for Lasek, she said that because of my astigmatism and farsightedness I would probably not be suited for the surgery.

A couple of weeks after my eye tests I did some research online. Many of the blogs/forums I perused gave me conflicting information: some said I would be ideal for Lasek, and others said that the surgery could be too risky/ineffective.

Some of the forums said that Lasek/PRK had similar outcomes to Lasik surgery with nearsighted patients. Others said that it could 3 weeks for your eyes to feel normal again after the surgery. They also mentioned that the results could be short-lived.

If anyone has had the surgery, were you satisfied with results? How long was your R&R period? Have you dealt with any negative complications after the surgery? What was the cost associated with the surgery?

My Farsightness ranges from + 3.00 - + 4.00 in both eyes. Meanwhile my astigmatism is x5.

My cousin had the Lasik procedure done and was back to wearing glasses/contacts within 3 years. He had the procedure performed by a highly rated/recommended doctor. I don't know the specifics (like you listed), but he was also told he was a "good" candidate for the Lasik.

100% ask the doctor what the % of his/her patients is that have to go back to glasses/contacts after 2/3/5/10 years.

My cousin has said the whole thing was a waste of time & money.

Post: #3

An acquaintance of mine had it done. Middle aged guy in his early 50s. It worked for him, but he still needs reading glasses.

Post: #4

I had laser 3 years ago, I was -4,5 both eye. My eyes are 120% after the surgery (so better than normal, I can read under the red line), and no problems at all.

Post: #5

I am saving up for LASEK. My Dad had it done a long time ago and he is so glad he did.

Post: #6

I've gotten PRK surgery done to my eyes for $1400 total by a highly rated doctor I found on Yelp around late 2012 using the basic machine option the doctor provided (he had more sophisticated machines which cost more to operate). I chose PRK over LASIK mostly because I didn't like the risks associated with LASIK; accidental tearing/reopening of the surgical slit, etc.

I had acute myopia (nearsightedness) and slight astigmatism, not very severe but I had to wear glasses while driving, couldn't recognize faces from afar or read the board in class. I hated my glasses and wanted perfect sight, so I invested in it.

The operation is very simple and relatively quick, around an hour long in total. Afterwards, the doctor put some type of contacts on my pupils that I couldn't remove for about 2 weeks, and I had to sleep with a guard so I wont roll over on my eyes. I also needed shades to protect my eyes from the sun when I went out. Blurry vision and dry eyes (you need gallons of eye lubricant) cursed me for about 2 weeks total and I made regular check ups every other day. Once the contacts were removed, my eyes were still blurry but the following day was amazing. I awoke with perfect vision, I couldn't get over it, I was so happy to use my new eyes. I tested at 20/15 vision which was kind of cool. My eyes remained dry for about a month or two afterwards. I didn't make it to my last scheduled visit which was supposed to be the 'year after' visit but I was fine.

The only downside I've experienced so far is poor night/low-light vision and sensitivity to glare, but its entirely manageable for me. Other than that, there has not been any issues so far, it's been great!

Post: #7

I got PRK through the Army (for free!) back in December 2014. The procedure itself was painless though a bit uncomfortable for all but 10 mins. I started seeing clearly immediately after the procedure thought my eyes were a bit scratchy - it's kind of weird smelling your eyes cooking under the laser! Great thing about the Army is that they load you up with pain meds which I really didn't need because they my eyes were healing fine on their own and I wasn't feeling much pain at all.

It is extremely important not to rub your eyes during the recovery phase and to use all of the eyes drops that they tell you to use according to your prescription. All in all, 7-8 months out my vision is stellar now 20/15 - you can see the ugly girls before you mistakenly approach them at the bar (hahaha). I still wake up with eye dryness after sleep and I continue to use lubricating eye drops but other than that, I am so fortunate to have been allowed this procedure free of cost through the Army as much as I hate it.

Good luck, and I hope your experience is as good, if not better than my own!

Post: #8

I got LASIK in 2009, best money I ever spent. I have perfect vision now, I used to be very nearsighted. I had Halos around lights for roughly 3 weeks after the operation but that was it. I had to have my mom take care of me for 72 hours after the surgery, and sleep with eye cups (so I would not rub in my sleep), and you have to keep antibacterial eye drops in a refrigerator and put them in every two hours.

Get the surgery, it is worth it. Get it before you are 40 or they will not do it.

Post: #9

You may need an lens implant to correct astigmatism. You could always check around to other eye surgeons, sometimes they have free consultations to let you know. After your 60 or so you might get a cataract and they replace the lens than. Astigmatism (called toric) lens are very expensive.

If you need glasses after surgery (lasik only) its would be for reading, but if your astigmatism is high enough you might need to wear them all the time. Check around with other doctors for other opinions. Granted I'm not an eye doctor and if I was I couldn't diagnose over the internet. I work in the office of one, and talk to the patients and surgeon reps about it so I hear lot. Worse case scenario is you can't get free consults and are bound by your yearly insurance authorization to visit the doctor only than. That may take awhile than or you may have to pay more out of pocket if you want to do multiple paid consultations. Also don't go cheap on the surgery, you only have one set of eyes.

Post: #10

I'm strongly considering getting this done - PRK.

As mentioned above, if you're doing any sort of contact sport LASIK isn't the best idea because it leaves a flap...

The recovery period kind of scares me though. Walking around chaotic SEA with shit vision wouldn't be too fun.

Post: #11

I had it done. I suggest waiting until your prescription has been stable for a couple years.

(07-25-2015 12:17 AM)lex the impaler Wrote:  An acquaintance of mine had it done. Middle aged guy in his early 50s. It worked for him, but he still needs reading glasses.

These surgeries aren't going to take away the need for reading glasses with older people. I can't remember the exact science of it but that problem relates more to the age and isn't corrected in the surgery.

Post: #12

I had it in 2004, ended up with 20/15 vision. I loved it, best investment I ever made.

You want the doctor with the most years experience working on you. Mine was an easy case, if I had gone to a TLC (or any high-volume specialist) they would have had an entry level intern working on me. Instead I went to my local Opthamologist, he did surgeries for 10 years before striking out on his own.

As a difficult case you should go to a TLC type place, the head doctors love a challenge. Best-case scenario - they use you for teaching, then you have a really focused doctor.

If you are thinking of going the medical tourism route, look to China not South America. American doctors are in awe of the number of procedures their Chinese counterparts do. I would recommend Beijing and talking to an American at the Embassy, I hear they all use the same doctor.

It is probably not covered by your insurance, but your insurance has likely negotiated a group rate. Find the lowest rate you can get in writing, then any doc will match the price. Set that amount aside in Flexible spending with your work if you can, that gives you a tax discount too.

11 years later I am down to 20/20, but I would be even worse if I didn't get the procedure. I 100% have that black-on-black side effect the forums talk about, and let me say - I would have NEVER noticed had I not read the forums. It is possibly the most trivial side effect imaginable.

In preparation - stop wearing your contacts for as long as possible before surgery.

Post: #13

I had Lasik done about 4 months ago. So far it's been worth it, but the recovery period was not easy.

A couple hours after the procedure you will experience some intense pain. You also will need to use eye drops every day for probably 5 months. This is to combat dry-eye. You will also have trouble seeing at night for a couple months after the procedure, the lights will jump out at you. So I wouldn't recommend driving at night, at least for a while.

Lasik is not a flawless procedure, far from it. If you aren't a perfect candidate then I would not even consider getting it done. The procedure involves cutting your eye and there have been some bad complications in the past.

I had mine done about 4 months ago and I still have dry-eye, but that's it. So I feel fortunate that it worked out. It cost $3900 for the surgery. Add on $100 for prescription eye drops that are used before and after the procedure. I was lucky that my insurance paid for this. And about another $75 for over the counter eye drops to combat dry-eye.

Post: #14

98% of patients are candidates, I was one of the 2% who did not qualify.. thin corneas. I asked around and there were quite a few in my network who had done it. All said they had no regrets but it took longer than advertised to fully heal.

Post: #15

I was told my eyes are too pretty to operate on.

Sad day, but at least I have all those girls who love deep eye contact.

Post: #16

(07-24-2015 11:41 PM)numanist Wrote:  If anyone has had the surgery, were you satisfied with results? How long was your R&R period? Have you dealt with any negative complications after the surgery? What was the cost associated with the surgery?

My Farsightness ranges from + 3.00 - + 4.00 in both eyes. Meanwhile my astigmatism is x5.

First, find THE BEST person in your area and have them do a run down on you. I was in the Navy at the time, and the fine taxpayers of the United States paid for my surgery.

I went to San Diego thinking that I was going for Lasik. I deferred to the best eye doc in the Navy at the time and let him tell me what he thought I should do. So many people go in thinking they know what they would be the best candidate for and they have no idea.

He suggested that I get PRK. I did that. My results are phenomenal. I'm turning 40 this year. I had it done when I was 28. My eyesight is STILL better than 20/20. I was an Air Traffic Controller at the time. I was down for 3 or 4 months until my eyes fully corrected.

The "R&R" time to heal was about a week. It's painful. Very painful. And you may become highly light sensitive. I was for about a year. So, I wore sunglasses ALWAYS.

It is by far the best procedure I have ever elected to have. Changed my life.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Post: #17

Got PRK done in the Air Force for free, in 2011. Vision was 20/400 without glasses. I couldn't do anything without them.

Vision is 20/15 now--better than "perfect"--but my vision at night really sucks. I see starbursts from lights and halos as well. Think road lights and things like that.

Besides that its been great. The procedure was painless. At one point I started feeling discomfort--not pain--and the doctor gave me more numbing eye drops and it was easy going after that.

Took 5 days to recover and was doing jiu-jitsu 8 days after the operation. Very, very worth it and changed my life.

Post: #18

(07-28-2015 12:17 AM)Checkmat Wrote:  Got PRK done in the Air Force for free, in 2011. Vision was 20/400 without glasses. I couldn't do anything without them.

Vision is 20/15 now--better than "perfect"--but my vision at night really sucks. I see starbursts from lights and halos as well. Think road lights and things like that.

Besides that its been great. The procedure was painless. At one point I started feeling discomfort--not pain--and the doctor gave me more numbing eye drops and it was easy going after that.

Took 5 days to recover and was doing jiu-jitsu 8 days after the operation. Very, very worth it and changed my life.

I had the halos and the spots for a while too. Can't recall exactly. They got better for me. Hope they start clearing up for you. They sucked. Especially after getting out of a pool or the ocean at night. Jesus. Looked like fireworks were surrounding street lights.

@Numanist, This is a common side effect, as well. Even with them, it's worth it.

Post: #19

I was considering lasik but changed my mind after finding this site:
http://www.lasikcomplications.com/risks.htm

It's just scary, check out the reasons not to do it:
http://www.lasikcomplications.com/TopTenReasons.htm

Especially this:

3. The cornea is incapable of complete healing after LASIK
The flap never heals. Researchers found that the tensile strength of the LASIK flap is only 2.4% of normal cornea.(2) LASIK flaps can be surgically lifted or accidentally dislodged for the remainder of a patient’s life. The FDA website warns that patients who participate in contact sports are not good candidates for LASIK.

LASIK permanently weakens the cornea. Collagen bands of the cornea provide its form and strength. LASIK severs these collagen bands and thins the cornea.(3) The thinner, weaker post-LASIK cornea is more susceptible to forward bulging due to normal intraocular pressure, which may progress to a condition known as keratectasia and corneal failure, requiring corneal transplant.