Lasik?

cashidy

I am thinking about getting Lasik. Has anyone had this surgery, and how did it go for you? Was it worth it?

I hate working out and being limited by my vision. Glasses fog and fall off and I am so clumsy. I get migraines, however, and am worried about the effect lasik would have on that.

Any tips? Advice?

Thank you all

Stella3838

Got in in June 2012 and was a great choice for me. I was active with sports and general outdoor things, but always felt restricted needing glasses. The procedure was really quick. I think 8 minutes from the time I laid down in the chair to when I got up. Worst side effects were having a halo with bright lights (think headlights) for maybe 2 or 3 months and dry eyes for almost 4. But once that all cleared, it's been amazing and worth every penny to me. It really opened up possibilities. Also, I do get the occasional migraine (some with the halo effect at their worst), but in all honestly, I've had very few since Lasik. Not sure if it's connected or not, but for me it certainly hasn't been a problem. I would highly recommend it based on my experiences with everything.

Edit: Side note that I had tried contacts many times, but with my allergies they never worked out well. Non-issue now.

cashidy

Stella3838 wrote: »

Got in in June 2012 and was a great choice for me. I was active with sports and general outdoor things, but always felt restricted needing glasses. The procedure was really quick. I think 8 minutes from the time I laid down in the chair to when I got up. Worst side effects were having a halo with bright lights (think headlights) for maybe 2 or 3 months and dry eyes for almost 4. But once that all cleared, it's been amazing and worth every penny to me. It really opened up possibilities. Also, I do get the occasional migraine (some with the halo effect at their worst), but in all honestly, I've had very few since Lasik. Not sure if it's connected or not, but for me it certainly hasn't been a problem. I would highly recommend it based on my experiences with everything.

Edit: Side note that I had tried contacts many times, but with my allergies they never worked out well. Non-issue now.

Thank you! This makes me feel more confident in my decision.

Would anyone recommend PRK instead? I heard it is better if you like sports and scuba diving.

Bucknutz247

Damn I wish I could read this post.., oh well I hope it wasn't about lasik surgery

Unknown

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RunHardBeStrong

I haven't had it but work in the profession. Yes, it is worth it and a great option. I recommend Lasik over PRK.

jamcdonel

I had PRK n 1996. Vision hasn't changed since then, except now I am old and need glasses for reading.
I am also an Optometrist and have done hundreds of post LASIK exams. It is a good procedure and is very safe and effective.

Just make sure you go into it with reasonable expectations. It wil not necessarily make your vision perfect. That is the goal, but the idea is to make it better. So you can function without glasses or Contacts. Also, it will not stop your eyes from changing. Make sure your vision is stable before you have it done. As in NO change in glasses prescription for two or three years. Your surgeon should look at this and tell you "NO" if it isn't.

Price is not everything. Find a good surgeon. Not the cheapest, and not the guy who does the most. Find someone who is careful. Someone who is willing to say No to you. Your best bet is a real life, honest to goodness, fellowship trained, cornea specialist. Not the guy who spends the most on advertising or has commercials on TV. Ask your regular eye doc who they would go to. Things rarely go wrong, but when they do, you need someone who will take care of you. I worked with a cornea specialist several years ago who saw a significant number of people with botched LASIK. The original surgeon (who really wasn't very good, but he had the flashiest TV commercial and the lowest price) didn't want to take care of them because they produced no new revenue, so they sent them to us.

PM me if you have any questions!

Good luck

born_of_fire74

Go for it. Best money I ever spent was on LASIK.

amandaeve

I had LASIK in 2003. One of the best decisions I ever made. I was a -8 with uncorrectable astigmatism. After corneal ulcers I couldn't wear contacts anymore and my job and lifestyle required a lot of sweating and in/out of cold/hot places. My vision downgraded a little after 10 years. I started wearing glasses full time in 2015 and driving at night is really hard. I would absolutely do it over again. Life changing. My only suggestions: go to the most experienced surgeon you can find and wait for the Valium to set in.

sabulaboys4

I had lasik done. It lasted for 7 years for me then I had to start wearing bifocals. I myself wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

RunHardBeStrong

sabulaboys4 wrote: »

I had lasik done. It lasted for 7 years for me then I had to start wearing bifocals. I myself wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

Everyone has to wear reading glasses at some point. Lasik or not, it's not Lasik gone bad. Your doctor should have told you that at your Lasik consult.

sabulaboys4

I guess my bifocals do help me to read up close and far away

tgif47

I am a Lasik Coordinator and office manager of an Ophthalmology practice. Everyone that has Lasik surgery from us says why didn't I do it sooner. Just make sure you look for a good Doctor vs price. After all it's your eyes!

tgif47

Just a little info for the person that talked about needing bifocals. There is no way around that once you get to a certain age your eye focus shortens and you need Bifocals. The only way to get around having bifocals is to Laser one eye for distance and one for near. But it doesn't work for everyone. Lasik is still an amazing surgery.

amyk0202

I had Lasik done in 2000. It was the best! I don't remember what my prescription was. They had to switch to the big letters for my eye exams. I wasn't able to see the numbers on my alarm clock even 2 feet away. I wore contacts for years, but I have pterygium in both eyes & eventually it got so the contacts would not lay flat enough over the growths & I was stuck with glasses all the time. The surgery was so easy. For me, it was completely painless. The most uncomfortable thing about it was the clamp things they used to hold my eyelids open during the surgery. It was also very quick & I could see perfectly immediately. My combined distance vision is still 20/20, but one of my eyes has changed some so that it's not perfect on it's own anymore. Also, I'm getting older & am starting to sometimes need reading glasses for very small text. I would recommend it to anyone, especially if you're younger & can get a lot of years out of it before you have to start buying reading glasses. My oldest just turned 18 & his prescription was stable for several years, so I thought we would be able to get his eyes done when he hit 21, but it just got a little worse this year. Now the waiting period starts again .

jlr_405

I had Lasik 2 years ago and it was the best decision i ever made, i would definitely recommend it. The actual process took about 15 min, it was a bit uncomfortable because your personal space is being invaded and someone is actually working on your eyes. It was well worth it though. I was as blind as you could get and now i have 20/15 vision! It is an amazing service.

andersonjo0306

Had it over 10 years ago. It was amazing. I now need reading glasses but that is normal. I was wearing very thick glasses so even if I have to go back my prescription will not be as strong. Just remember to keep up with the annual checkups even if your optometrist does not remind you or you void your warranty....(at least that is the way it worked at the office I got done....)