anyone had LASIK or PRK surgery?

I had Lasik done a number of years ago. It didn't hurt at all. My mom drove me home and I stayed at her house for the night partly just to have help with my cats. I went back to normal activity the next day I think - it's been a long time. I remember having to put eye drops in periodically and I might have had a sleeping pill or something for that first night. After that I just had to wear special goggles anytime I went outside for maybe two weeks - and no makeup, but I didn;t really wear makeup anyway. One important thing when I had it done was that I had to have a prescription that hadn't changed (or not much anyway) for a few years or the doctor wouldn't do it. It is the best thing ever, to wake up and be able to see clearly! However, I do have a hard time driving at night. I've heard that they can correct that nowadys, but haven't actually looked into that to see if it's true.

I had PRK done close to 7 yrs ago and it was the best thing I could have ever done!!! I wasn't a candidate for Lasik so that's why they did PRK. It did not hurt one bit, plus they gave me some Valium right before the surgery because I was so super nervous. It didn't hurt at all! The worst part was when they put this wire thing around my eyeball, and tape my eyelid open. The wire thing reminded me of the thing you use to dip the eggshells in the coloring dish for Easter. Anyway, they did that, they said look at the red light, I felt a little rush of air and within 2 min one eye was done. Then they did the same with the other eye. They tried to make it a fun experience, they gave me a stuffed animal to hold (or in my case squeeze the crap out of), and took a picture of you with a huge pair of glasses on with a sign reading "the last pair of glasses I'll ever wear". I was really blind before the surgery, and could immediately see about 50% better as soon as I got up from the chair. The recovery was a bit longer than with Lasik. The lasik folks could drive themselves to the appt the next morning, I still had to use drops and dark glasses. However, I still see about 25/40 and haven't needed glasses since.

I do recommend you ask lots of questions, because I've heard of people that have had bad experiences. Make sure you're going to a good doctor that's going to check everything and make sure you're a good candidate. Overall I would recommend it. Nothing beats waking up and being able to see!

Good luck!

LASIK i am 34 had glasses since i was in 4th grade had it done at TLC in St. Louis. It was the best decision I ever made there is discomfort a few hours post op. but they gave me valium and I went home and slept my wife came in every few hours and put drops in. next day no discomfort except light sensitivity. I am now glasses free 20/20 left 20/15 right. But if at all possible do the bladeless lasik

YES - I had Lasik (Zyoptic (sp?) actually - it's a form of lasik and I had to go this route because my pupils were slightly larger than normal and this procedure reduces the chances of seeing "starbursts" at night).

It was the BEST decision I ever made. The day of the surgery was nerve racking but really, there is a bit of pressure on your eyeball and it's over in 5 minutes (maybe less) per eye.

Anyways, I was blind (-6.25 in one eye and -5.5 in the other) and when it was over I sat up and could actually see the clock on the wall (before I could barely see the alarm clock on my bedside table right beside me).

Exactly the same as everyone else. No pain at all. Slight pressure (feels like someones pushing slightly on your eyes when they are closed.) and you look at a light for ten seconds and its over. Best thing I ever did. Current vision is 20/15 better than perfect. Not exaggerating when I say best decision of my life. Paid to have my sister get it done for Christmas last year. If your prescription has stabilized you HAVE to do it!

I had PRK a week ago. It was over quickly and didn't hurt - I didn't enjoy it, but it wasn't painful at all. They have me vallium beforehand that took some edge off. I recommend having it done as late in the day as possible so you can just go home and go to sleep.

The night of the surgery was pretty uncomfortable, couldn't open my eyes without discomfort and I spent most of the evening on painkillers with a cold compress on my eyes. The next three days my vision was decent, some blurriness and some light sensitivity, general discomfort. I basically had to lay in bed with a cold compress and just wait it out - they had told me to expect this since the recovery time is longer.

With PRK they usually put non prescription contacts in as bandages - they stay in fr 5 days. Mine were cloudy and blurry by the 4th day, and made it harder to see. Not a huge deal, but annoying. I was glad to have them out.

There's a lot of eye drops (I had 3 different ones for the first week). The cold compresses were essential for the first few days - we just put a big bowl of water in the fridge with wash cloths in it.

I was told to sleep in sunglasses for the first few days to make sure I didn't rub my eyes - I tried but I kept taking them off in my sleep. I used a sleep mask instead and that worked better.

8 days after, my vision is good - not crisp yet, but good. I can see to type this, but the text is a little blurry. The blurriness comes and goes, eye drops help for a bit. All of this is exactly what I was told to expect so while I wish my eyes would finish up, it's ok. I can still work, I just can't drive yet. I can do everything else as normal.

All in all, they told me up front to expect 5 days of discomfort (they give you painkillers) and that it could take up to a month for the very finest points of my vision to settle in to 20/20. My eyes were terrible before and I had a terrible astigmatism - the eye dr had reached a point where he was having trouble finding contacts that would fit and be effective, so he told me to get laser correction if I wanted the best possible vision.

The cost was about 2100 for the surgery and another 250 for the eye drops. With the cost of my contacts and glasses, it will pay for itself in less than 2 years. I've worn glasses since 3rd grade, so this is kind of a big deal. I would do it again in a second

Edited to add that I had to be out of my contacts for 3 full weeks before they could do the procedure. That might have been the worst part

I had lasik done 1 year ago. My vision is 20:15 now, before, I was -1.7 and -1.8 with astigmatism. I ad double vision in my left eye due to an accident (a car hit me 12 years ago). I love it. I don't need reading classes. It did not hurt. It took 2 min each eye. I did 1 the one week and the 2nd one the next. I could see right away, and even regretted that I didn't do both eyes at th same time. It changed my life. I don't think I've ever seen that good in my life. I recommend a reputable eye surgeon in your area.

I've worn glasses since I was 8, and now I'm 27 and have had enough.

I booked a consultation at a clinic for next week, but I am wondering:

Has anyone had LASIK or PRK done?
What was your experience?
Did it hurt?
How long did it take to heal and return to normal life?

Please let me know, even if your experience was a bad one....
(but I especially hope to hear good things!!)

I had PRK 2 years ago a regret that I didn't do it 10 years earlier. With all the working out I do, my glasses got fogged up a lot. No More!

Just one thing.......................make sure to take the pain killers after the surgery if you get PRK. I tried to MAN it out............wrong move. I was like a little beyotch the whole night and couldn't sleep. Once I got the prescription for the pain killers and took them I was fine.

I had LASIK done last October. BEST THING I EVER DID FOR MYSELF (and working on losing weight is the 2nd). Like the other posts, I had a valium to calm, there was pressure on the eyeball area from the lasers, was given numbing drops over the eyeball, and had to wear goggles to sleep, to protect the eyes. My recovery sucked because I get motion sickness from car rides/carnival rides and not being able to see clearly while walking around made me extremely nauseated. But the benefits are tenfold, especially waking up first thing in the morning and being able to see clearly.

DO IT!!!!

I've worn glasses since I was 8, and now I'm 27 and have had enough.

I booked a consultation at a clinic for next week, but I am wondering:

Has anyone had LASIK or PRK done?
What was your experience?
Did it hurt?
How long did it take to heal and return to normal life?

Please let me know, even if your experience was a bad one....
(but I especially hope to hear good things!!)

I had PRK done in the end of March. My experience was great, the overall surgery was a little bit scary but you do not feel a thing. When the laser is actually going all you smell is burning hair. I could see clearly immediatly after the surgery, the overall healing process was one week and I just had burning eyes sensation a couple of days after the surgery.

It was the best decision I have ever made, other then slight halos when driving I am super happy with the results.

My son had it done a year ago (age 23) and he says it was the BEST money he has ever spent and would do it again in a second! He had to use several eyedrops a day leading up to the surgery. The day of surgery, he slept pretty much the whole day and then when we went out that evening he wore sunglasses. He went back to work the next day, after going back to the eye doctor. He had to use drops several times a day for a couple weeks. I've considered it, but I have bifocals in my contacts, and considering my age, I'm just not so sure it's worth it! The procedure has improved so much recently there's very little to no room for error. Best of luck to you!