Lasik

[Giggles]

Has anyone had this done? I'm thinking of doing it this summer and wanted some opinions..............what is the cost? Is it worth it? I'm so tired of contacts popping out, running out, cleaning them, irritated eyes. I just want to have the surgery and not deal with it anymore.

I had the consultation once and they said I was the perfect candidate. I'm slightly near sighted.

 

[Dawn]

I had it done 5 years ago and I've never regretted it! I was very nearsighted. I had worn heavy glasses or contacts since 6th grade and you will be amazed at how free you feel when you don't have to deal with the am and pm contacts hassle. Swimming and exercise are such a breeze after Lasik.

I found a big lasik center in a large nearby city. They were cheaper than the small eye doctors in my smaller home town. This place had a deal going and it only cost $500 per eye. The procedure was quick and painless (they offered a valium while I waited "on deck." I had to wear dark glasses and rest the remainder of the day (sleeping with this heavy eye cover) and I was pretty much totally over it within 2 days. It is so worth it!

My favorite part is that I can go to the mall and the air doesn't blow my eyes dry. That was the WORST about contacts!

 

[Suzanne]

Hi! I had lasik (Zyoptix) about 3 years ago and it's the best decision I made. I live in Northern NY. I had a choice of driving an hour south to Albany, or north about 2.5 hours to Montreal. I chose to go to Canada because they have been doing lasik surgery longer, and it was much less expensive. I have thin corneas (it's the only thing thin about me, go figure), and there was a good chance I would have needed a different procedure called PRK. I was glad I didn't require that as they said there would be some discomfort involved, and a longer recovery time.

The surgery took about 5 minutes, total. I could see immediately. I went back to the hotel and slept for a few hours. After a few hours I was able to go out to dinner!!! I couldn't believe it! (I still can't believe it!).

I was very nearsighted and because I'm in my 40's I was just at the beginning stage of needing reading glasses. Now I don't need anything! It's incredible.

Good luck to you! I highly recommend it!
Suzanne

 

[TeachingSarah]

Prk

I had PRK surgery. It was the best devision I ever made! I love the results!!! I live in Canada and it cost me $2000. It was the best money I spent! A friend of mine paid less then $1000 for hers but did not research the company that did it. She had a lot of difficulty with hers and was not given the proper supplies when she left. She was in a lot of pain!! (I left with eye drops, pain killers...which I never needed, steroid drops etc.

I spent a lot of time researching the company and doctor that did mine so I was very confident in my decision.

I would get it done again in a second. PRK is takes longer to recover from, 3 days, but I slept the entire 3 days. (I was told I would, but figured there was NO way I would sleep for 3 days straight...I was wrong).

My advice.....research and ask questions!

 

[bamagirl]

I had Lasik eye surgery in June 2004. It cost $1500 per eye plus $100 for the pre-op consultation. Total=$3100. This was by far the best money I have ever spent!!! This cost also included all my follow-up visits for 2 years, medicines/supplies needed after surgery (eye drops, steroid drops, pain killers I didn't need, eye patches), and any enhancements needed for 2 years (if I needed to have the surgery again because one or both eyes weren't sharp enough).

I was very nearsighted, and I had wore glasses since 5th grade. Around March 2004, I began having severe eye irritations from my contacts. My opthamologist (sp?) said I had developed an allergy to my contacts. Being 24 years old and having to wear my glasses for several weeks (I take a LOT of pride in my appearance), I was fed up with my eyes. My doctor couldn't be sure that I would ever be able to wear contacts again. He said I could try it, but there was a chance I would develop the same problem again. My question to him was...how soon until I can get Lasik??

I did a lot of research on the Internet, talked to my opthamologist, and talked to others who had the surgery. I finally made the decision to use a doctor about an hour from where I live. He had been performing Lasik for several years, went to medical school with my opthamologist, had the newest equipment, provided references for former patients, and had even performed the surgery on most of his office staff.

The surgery did not take long at all. My husband and mom went with me, and they watched the entire surgery on a TV screen just outside the operating room. I was beginning to read road signs on the way home! I went home and slept for a few hours. Every hour my vision seemed to improve. I could not wear any eye make up for 2-3 days (that was a bummer for me...but worth it!).

My vision did fluctuate in my right eye for about a month. On my follow up visits they said this was perfectly normal. However, after that my vision was 20/15 in both eyes. I never needed any enhancements.

Go for it...you'll love it! It is so amazing to wake up in the mornings and be able to see the alarm clock without squinting. Or...to be able to lay in bed at night and watch TV while going to sleep. I have been trying to talk my husband into having it, but I think he is scared of someone doing something to his eyes!

Let us know what you decide!

 

[Jess]

I had Lasik

I had the surgery last summer when I was 25. It cost about $3000. The surgery was quick, 5-10 minutes, and I also was given Valium. There was slight discomfort, but it was minimal. I was beginning to be able to read immediately after surgery, and had to sleep only 2-4 hours afterward. Before surgery, my eyesight was so bad the nurse called it 20 and count fingers. After the surgery my eyesight is 20/25. The doctor said that he would touch up one of my eyes if I wanted it done, but there is one additional risk to having the surgery done twice. He said skin could grow under the flap that is cut; it only happens about 5% of the time I believe, but I chose not to do that. I am very pleased with my results, however I see halos around lights when I'm outside at night so I don't like driving at night anymore. According to the doctor, that may or may not go away. I would definitely recommend Lasik though!

 

[Giggles]

Thanks

You guys have definitely convinced me. I think I am going to try to do it this summer while off work. I looked into it about 3 or 4 years ago and that's the only bad thing I ever heard was about halos.

So, even with the halos and all - it's still worth it? That's the only thing that worries me - I don't want the aftereffects to be worse than what I put up with now.

 

[Jess]

Halos

I think even with the halos it's still worth getting Lasik. I love being able to wake up and read a clock and not have to worry about glasses or contacts. If you decide to have the surgery done, I hope you enjoy the results as much as I have.

 

[Miller]

I'm glad to read this thread. I just talked with my optometrist about this. My concern is the halo's and dry eyes. I heard that goes away, but I, too, am sick of having to put glasses/contacts on to see TV or my beside clock.

Once I have children, I don't want to worry about fumbling for my glasses in the middle of the night. My quote was a little over $1800 for both eyes.

 

[Mom4a_and_c]

Coincidence

My husband and I have been talking about this recently. I am looking into having this done this summer. I feel you folks gave me the push to call on Monday to get a consultation.

Marie from PA