Lasik (Laser) Eye Surgery....

Magick1 · #1 01-19-2005, 11:31 PM

Has anyone with an astigmatism/nearsighted ever done the eye surgery?

My hubby's been rattling this idea around for a couple of years, but has always been terrific of a major muck up.

He went to an open presentation by one of the dr.'s that performs these, and felt really great about what he heard.

I would just love to hear someone's experiences, if there are any out there.

*emeleel* · #2 01-19-2005, 11:38 PM

I have a friend who had hers done in China a few months ago and is very, very pleased with the results. I would love to do it myself, but don't have the money for it.

bonniesayers · #3 01-20-2005, 01:44 AM

I have read some descriptive postings on the mother site. There are seven essays:

http://www.epinions.com/What_You_Should_Know_About_Lasik_Eye_Surgery_Over_the_Counter_Medicine

Bonnie

**lynnzop**[$] · #4 01-20-2005, 09:02 AM

Everyone around here who's had it done has loved it. It's come a long way from it's infancy, even a couple of years ago.

I'd do it myself if I were a candidate.

Lynn
who hates her glasses

**mtomm**[$] · #5 01-20-2005, 10:08 AM

I had a work up done several years ago and I ended up like Lynn, not a candidate! My corneas are too thin, too many years in hard lenses.

My only advice would be to go to a VERY reputable doctor and clinic and not the cheapest price.

Lynn, we'll hold out for IOLs:

Lens implant surgery has become so advanced in recent years that its benefits have been extended to healthy eyes. Phakic lenses (implanting an IOL without removing the eye’s natural lens) are an option that will soon become available to young patients who may not be candidates for other refractive surgery options. And CLEAR, a procedure available today, gives patients over the age of 40 the option to improve their vision without glasses and avoid cataract surgery later in life.

My sister had one eye done last summer. It was a bitch! But she went from a -19 to a -1. She still has issues and is deciding whether to do the other eye but for those of us without that incredibly bad vision (I'm a -5 and -6) this will be the alternative to lasik!! It is coming, I'd say not more than a year or two away. So start saving your $$.

**theworm**[$] · #6 01-20-2005, 10:37 AM

I really want it, but I'm a big chicken about having someone cut my eyeballs. I just can't get myself to do it. My X-husband used to work at the top eye hospital in the country and I could have had it done at a discount by a top sugeon and I was still chicken.

I do have many friends that had it, and they all swear by it. They claim no pain. For a day or two after, their eyes were dry and a bit itchy, but not really bad. Their eyesite was instantly better. Two friends had to go back for minor adjustments, but they all recommend it.
I do have one friend that had complications. The lens edge shredded, and it didn't fuse right immediately. For a few weeks she had to wear those huge dark glasses, and they weren't sure if her site would be ok, but after the 2 weeks she had 20/20 vision, and even she recommends it and says she would do it again.

**theworm**[$] · #7 01-20-2005, 10:38 AM

Oh! And I had discussed the lens implant thing with an eye sugeon. He does not recommend it. Implanting a lense under the cornea (or whatever) is asking for additional infections. He says its better to reshape your own eye than to surgically implant a foreign object into your eye.

**mtomm**[$] · #8 01-20-2005, 10:49 AM

But it is also reversible, if it doesn't work out you can take out the lens if there is an infection.

I also agree, however, that if you are candidate for lasik then that would be the way to go.

**Helen_B**[$] · #9 01-21-2005, 02:18 AM

My sister ended up with one nearsighted eye, for close work, and one farsighted eye, for walking around and driving. The good news is she no longer needs to wear glasses with thick lenses. The bad new is that she expected both eyes to have the same vision. When she complained, the doctor said he had explained he was going to do beforehand. It's always good to ask lots of questions, and bring someone else with you to take notes before you make a decision like this.

murasaki · #10 01-21-2005, 01:11 PM

I'm on the waiting list here for Lasik. I probably should call and let them know that I'm no longer pregnant and nearly done with nursing...

The opthamalogist here does dozens of lasik surgeries on the cadets every month and has had a very good success rate (we're required to attend the information briefing before getting on the wait list). I'd feel pretty confident having it done.