Anyone else get LASIK eye surgery done? I go Saturday and I'm nervous...
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QuicheFontaine
Member
I had LASEK rather than LASIK. LASEK is where, instead of cutting a flap, they simply pour some alcohol in your eye and move the cells to one side before doing the laser. Recovery time was about 2-3 days of lying in bed listening to the radio. Looking at the TV felt like looking at the sun! The recovery time for LASIK is supposed to be shorter than LASEK, so you'll be fine. Don't worry about that.
Even so, I'd absolutely recommend it. The freedom of not worrying about bringing glasses / contacts with you on trips, falling asleep with contacts in, breaking glasses playing sports etc. is well worth it. Best £2000 I ever spent, and this was six years ago now, so I imagine prices have come down even further by now.
During the operation you'll be able to smell a sort of burning smell when they apply the laser. That's normal so don't freak out (they'll tell you this stuff anyway). One thing I did read online: if you think the nurse missed your eyeball when putting in the numbing eyedrops, tell them straight away! You don't want to go through it without your eyeballs being anaesthetised.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
Even so, I'd absolutely recommend it. The freedom of not worrying about bringing glasses / contacts with you on trips, falling asleep with contacts in, breaking glasses playing sports etc. is well worth it. Best £2000 I ever spent, and this was six years ago now, so I imagine prices have come down even further by now.
During the operation you'll be able to smell a sort of burning smell when they apply the laser. That's normal so don't freak out (they'll tell you this stuff anyway). One thing I did read online: if you think the nurse missed your eyeball when putting in the numbing eyedrops, tell them straight away! You don't want to go through it without your eyeballs being anaesthetised.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
My brother had an eye surgery a few years back. Lasik I think. He's been very happy with it. He was out for a 2-3 days but it wasn't too bad he said. Me and our dad took care of him.
I really want to get it done too, but I can't even wear contacts because anything in close proximity of my eyes freaks me out. And then there's the money issue.
I really want to get it done too, but I can't even wear contacts because anything in close proximity of my eyes freaks me out. And then there's the money issue.
TatteredHat
Member
Looking to get this done as well, just need to bite the bullet price-wise.
Lone Wolf
Member
I think this was just a simpsons quote
Souldestroyer Reborn
Banned
I'm looking into getting this done too OP. What I understand is that it's pretty pain free and really awesome once you heal.
My vision is like -4.5 on both eyes so it's expensive as fuck for me to get it done.
The killer though is having to not wear any contacts for a week before the surgery, I don't have glasses sonic basically be blind for a week :/
My vision is like -4.5 on both eyes so it's expensive as fuck for me to get it done.
The killer though is having to not wear any contacts for a week before the surgery, I don't have glasses sonic basically be blind for a week :/
MeshuggahMan
Member
Huh... This is one of the first times I've seen people say they wish they hadn't done it. Kind of a bit nerve racking.. But then again my mom and her neighbors have gone to this guy with great results so I guess I shouldn't worry too much.
Everyone always asks what my eyesight is but I can never remember. If my contacts are -7 and -8...what is that close to in 20/x?
Everyone always asks what my eyesight is but I can never remember. If my contacts are -7 and -8...what is that close to in 20/x?
Phat Michael
Banned
Me too. Looking at ultra lasik. Obviously a bit nervous but should really go for my consultation soon and get the ball rolling.
Shin Kojima
Banned
If I could afford this I'd do it in a heartbeat. What are the odds of them fucking up both your eyes? And if they fuck up just one, you get to wear a sweet eye-patch. Win-win.
My cousin, who is an ophthalmologist (he went to ucla med school), says a lot of cases that he sees are from people who have done LASIK and now their eyes are fucked up. He has told everyone in our family not to get it for now because it can majorly mess up your eyes. Says having a laser like that in your eye can cause major, major repercussions if they miss even the smallest amount while they're doing it
I've considered it. My eyesight isn't anywhere near as a bad some though. In fact, to my surprise, they're actually pretty good according to my doc. I've got -0.7 in my left and -1.01 in my right. I'm shortsighted, but I don't need my glassess to play sports or whateve. I only need them for distance. I've recently begun wearing contacts, I'm actually on my first week of trials, and though I'm still getting used to them, it's great to know what 20/20 vision feels like.
Maybe one day I'll get LASIK. Hopefully by then the technology behind it will be perfected and the procedure will be cheaper.
Maybe one day I'll get LASIK. Hopefully by then the technology behind it will be perfected and the procedure will be cheaper.
Same here. Got it done in 09. My eyesight was terrible like almost blind without contacts or glasses bad. (-11) prescription for contacts.
What methodman just posted does scare the shit out of me.
ShadowgeistX
Member
Surgery is like 10 mins, tops. Unnerving to have someone slice open your eye though. Recovery was pretty much a day, but I could watch TV and stuff after. They gave me polarized sunglasses that I had to wear for a week or 2, but I could work almost right after.
Also, the moment you reach for glasses and realize that they're not there...that moment alone is totally worth it. My only complication was dry eyes, but I can live with having some extra eye drops around.
That moment for me was overnight when I woke up, needed to check the time, and reached for my glasses only to realize I could see everything clearly
This is total bullshit. It's not like the surgeon is manually controlling the laser with his hands. With modern methods, the laser tracks your eyeball 4,000 times per second and adjusts itself to perfection.
p_xavier
Authorized Fister
Lol, no. I had major issues, and the success rate is about 95%, far from perfection...
LilWayneSuckz
Member
This thread made me schedule a LASIK eye exam....but now I think that might be a huge mistake
The dry eye problem sounds terrifying, someone mentioned being blind in one eye, and another mentioned winning a settlement from a botched operation....
There seems to be way too many asterisks and I can barely even get eye drops into my eyes when my contacts get dried out
The dry eye problem sounds terrifying, someone mentioned being blind in one eye, and another mentioned winning a settlement from a botched operation....
There seems to be way too many asterisks and I can barely even get eye drops into my eyes when my contacts get dried out
SatoAilDarko
Member
I really want to do this because I prefer not wearing contacts on glasses whenever I can.
The first problem is of course I'm afraid I'll be in the few percentage points that has problems and messing up my eyes is incredibly serious.
The second is that I'm very concerned about the long-term consequences. I mean yeah it's been fine for the twenty or so years it's been around but that only lasts me to my forties. I'm very cautious about this stuff.
While I dislike it I'll probably stick with my glasses for regular use I can take off and one-a-day contacts for recreation.
The first problem is of course I'm afraid I'll be in the few percentage points that has problems and messing up my eyes is incredibly serious.
The second is that I'm very concerned about the long-term consequences. I mean yeah it's been fine for the twenty or so years it's been around but that only lasts me to my forties. I'm very cautious about this stuff.
While I dislike it I'll probably stick with my glasses for regular use I can take off and one-a-day contacts for recreation.
There might be a million reasons why you had a bad experience. Outdated tech, shit doctor, etc. No reason to scare everyone into not doing it.
I mean, if someone botched your surgery 4 times, have you considered that maybe it wasn't the best idea to go to them?
I'm going for my surgery this Saturday. Really nervous but also excited.
I'm getting the all laser LASIK and I've researched the doctor. He's done over 12,000 of these procedures so I feel comfortable, but its still working on the eyes.
I'm ready to see clearly. I've had glasses since 2nd grade (24 now).
I'm getting the all laser LASIK and I've researched the doctor. He's done over 12,000 of these procedures so I feel comfortable, but its still working on the eyes.
I'm ready to see clearly. I've had glasses since 2nd grade (24 now).
Out of curiosity how much is it going to cost you?
$3850 for both eyes and a months supply of the tearing drops.
exmachina64
Banned
Your eyesight naturally degrades as you age. Most people need some form of vision correction, at least for reading, by the time they get into their fifties.
http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-pub...-age/adult-vision-41-to-60-years-of-age?sso=y
Same for me 3.
Just make sure you go to a reliable surgeon and make sure you have someone around to help you with eye drops, painkillers, etc.
That sounds doable. My parents are actually trying to persuade me to do this procedure. But I'm scared of things doing things to my eyes yo! Seriously, it makes me freak out just thinking about it.
Trojita
Rapid Response Threadmaker
Yeah, people getting laser eye surgery that gives them perfect vision now may still need to get reading glasses when they get older. The eye itself might not get worse, but the muscles that assist your eyes will.
GodParticle
Member
Had it in '07 and it made my eyes horribly dry, which is very common. I'd stick with contacts if I could wear them. Plus my vision just keeps getting worse again (not presbyopia) so I'm back to like -.75 in both eyes. Regression is very common also, especially if you have a high prescription
Oh, and don't pass off dry eyes as just needing some drops now and then. That shit will fuck your eyes up to the point of being miserable every second of the day
Oh, and don't pass off dry eyes as just needing some drops now and then. That shit will fuck your eyes up to the point of being miserable every second of the day
LilWayneSuckz
Member
I had the free LasikPlus eye exam earlier this month, they did a couple of tests on my eye to see if I was a candidate, one of the tests measured the size of my eye, and another measured the dryness (or wetness) of my eyes. Then a final test happened with an optometrist to see how far my prescription had changed within a year. She couldn't quite determine whether or not my prescription had changed (drastically) over the year so she scheduled a follow up appointment in early March.
I pretty much missed my window for a deal that my insurance was offering, however the optometrist said that if she sees that my prescription hasn't changed over the month, I can have the procedure done.
I pretty much missed my window for a deal that my insurance was offering, however the optometrist said that if she sees that my prescription hasn't changed over the month, I can have the procedure done.
Had prk in 08, worst decision of my life. Theres a lot of misinformation being posted in this thread or people regurgitating marketing jargon.
I've posted about my experience and answered a bunch of questions before so if you want to know more search my post history for prk or LASIK. I DO NOT recommend it to anyone.
I suffer as well. I use restasis drops twice a day(prescription needed) and refresh lacri lube before bed. It's cost me more every year than buying new glasses yearly but this combo has made the pain manageable most days.
I've posted about my experience and answered a bunch of questions before so if you want to know more search my post history for prk or LASIK. I DO NOT recommend it to anyone.
I suffer as well. I use restasis drops twice a day(prescription needed) and refresh lacri lube before bed. It's cost me more every year than buying new glasses yearly but this combo has made the pain manageable most days.
exmachina64
Banned
I'm going back through your post history and it seems the only major problems you have are the severity of your dry eye condition and the loss of perceived contrast.
You come into these threads, almost without fail, and resort to fearmongering.
I'll link your most prominent posts here:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=19019320&postcount=50
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=25744477&postcount=87
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=44899894&postcount=65
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=125592518&postcount=107
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=125859809&postcount=131
I'm sorry you're not happy with the results of your surgery, but you're blowing this out of proportion.
I've never had eye surgery. However, I suffer from halos, glare, starbursts, floaters and ghosting also, but these issues haven't ruined my life as they seem to have ruined yours. Those issues are minor annoyances, like so many other things in life, but they don't affect my enjoyment of it.
Did anyone guarantee 20/10 vision to you? I've seen/heard statements by doctors and in marketing materials about the level of vision quality you'll have after surgery and they aim to place you near 20/20. With 20/20 unassisted vision, you're at the level of normal people. I've only met a handful of people who have 20/10 vision naturally and the only people I've met who talk about 20/10 or "HD vision" are those with glasses.
In the U.S., the implanted lenses you mention as an alternative to laser surgery aren't likely to be covered by insurance, if I'm searching correctly.
What's the average loss in perceived contrast by those who undergo laser surgery? I didn't bother to search for this information, but your loss of 30% sounds like an outlier. However, if 30% falls within the average and many individuals don't notice a significant loss in perceived contrast, perhaps you're blowing the issue out of proportion again.
But perhaps you're right and everyone in this thread with a positive experience is lying to those who haven't undergone the surgery and is brainwashed by marketing materials.
Lastly, you describe your PRK surgery as "the worst decision of your life" virtually every time you mention it on NeoGAF. With the amount of other shit and poor decisions that could happen in your life, you sound relatively well-off to count your botched PRK surgery as the worst. After all, you were able to afford premium surgery at a facility you describe as the best clinic in Canada.
Are you in the US? When I had mine done I asked the obvious question of how often does it go wrong and my doc said it never has before in 1st world countries. The only horror stories you hear about are in third world countries using dodgy equipment and practices. He said there had been no cases of anyone going blind or anything in the US from it.
Best thing I've ever done in my life. My eyes weren't overly bad but I had been wearing glasses/contacts since the 6th grade. Waking up and seeing the alarm clock is like the best thing ever.
I highly recommend it to anyone who can afford it. The procedure was pain free, the only hard part was the drive home. It was winter here and a super sunny day right after a snowstorm so everything was super bright. Even with the special sunglasses they give you I couldn't open my eyes til I got home and went to a dark room.
Then it was just dealing with dry eyes for a month or so but they give you drops.
I don't remember what my eyes were before but after I got to 15/20 vision so better than 20/20. It's been 4 or 5 years now I think and things are still crystal clear. I can't imagine having to go back to wearing glasses/contacts now. Luckily the place I went to gave me a lifetime of free updates if I did happen to need them.
They did say when I get to be around 40 or older I'd probably still need to get reading glasses though.
I'm not blowing it out of proportion. I have far more problems than dry eyes and the expected loss of constraint. Maybe if you experience what I have you would understand.
Those can be far for minor annoyances depending on how severe you have them, especially if you didn't have those problems going in but have them after on top of others. I don't think you understand ghosting, think broken kaleidoscope. Starburst/halos anyone with a prescription can have the difference is it can be corrected with glasses. The Post surgery version often can not be and can effect you even during daylight.
20/20 is the goal of vision correction, it is not the standard of uncorrected vision. Many people without the need of correction see better. Yes obviously I knew that laser aims at 20/20 with a lesser chance of hitting around 20/15. I expected the results to be clean not riddled with visual defects.
None of the vision correction surgeries are covered in canada. If you're making your choice based on price you shouldn't be getting any surgery period.
25-30%. Probably the easiest side effect to get used to. It's like changing the setting on a TV you notice it but adapt quickly. The only time it really is a problem is driving at night. Still I would take full contrast over reduced.
The marketing is misleading, research it yourself and ask for the waivers to read the fine print.
Yes if the surgery goes well for you then not having glasses is nice, i understand the appeal, why else would i have gotten it otherwise. However ive experienced both sides of the surgery and the complications can also be life changing. This is a permanent non reversible surgery thats not worth the risk. that's why I only recommend implant lenses If you must get vision correction.
The complications of laser surgery effect me every day and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. It is not something that can be fixed, I don't see how that it shouldn't be considered my biggest regret.
Ophthalmologist told me today that once my keratoconus is healed or better say stabilized with surgery, only possible method to fix my sight is with lens implant.
I had halos at night and feeling of dry eye (or better described sawdust in my eyes after long contact wear). I thought that my contacts are making this, but nope, it was due keratoconus. Ghosting is also one of the possible warning signs for this condition
MeshuggahMan
Member
Just got lasik done this past Friday. It was insane how fast it was. In fact it still hasn't sunk in yet because I still have to wear some stupid goggles at night/close my eyes in the shower/feels as if I had contacts in for a long time. So far so good though.
Question for those who've had it done. As far as seeing far away, my left eye seems to be much further along than my right. Tends to give me a headache because they're not in sync. I know it will take a bit for them to be to their optimal sight, but anyone else experience this?
Question for those who've had it done. As far as seeing far away, my left eye seems to be much further along than my right. Tends to give me a headache because they're not in sync. I know it will take a bit for them to be to their optimal sight, but anyone else experience this?
BeforeU
Oft hope is born when all is forlorn.
Here is my experience from last month, when I visited India. I was so convinced that I wanted to do it. Found the best doctor around, the price was 25k rupees (around 500$ CAD). I booked my appointment, they took 500 rupees consulting fee. Did all the check ups, met doctor. Doctor himself wore glasses. and then I was like nope, fuck it I am not doing it.
There are lot of people do it, its literally few seconds of work. Less than 5sec. I don't know exact reason why I didn't go through with it. But I just had bad feel about it lol. But I personally know lot of people who have done it.
There are lot of people do it, its literally few seconds of work. Less than 5sec. I don't know exact reason why I didn't go through with it. But I just had bad feel about it lol. But I personally know lot of people who have done it.
Mikey Jr.
Member
For 500, you know you're getting quality.
...
Anyways, best decision I ever made. Once in a while, for no real reason, I'll just get extreme sharpness. Like today, I was walking in a factory, and I was looking at a far away wall. I could see every little detail. It was pretty crazy. Felt like I had Eagle vision or some shit.
I had LASIK done in 1998 with initially great results. The procedure went well, and I recovered quickly. My vision was 20/20 for about 10 years. Unfortunately, I started slipping back into nearsightedness and now need to wear glasses to drive and see far away. My vision is not nearly as bad as it was prior to the surgery, but it's a bummer that it didn't last.
My eyes are healthy, no issues that would cause the decline in vision. I've had a few optometrists say that I probably did LASIK too early while my eyes were still changing. Just prior to getting LASIK my contact prescription was -4.75 and -4.50 for reference.
The biggest recommendation I would make is not to get it done too early.
My eyes are healthy, no issues that would cause the decline in vision. I've had a few optometrists say that I probably did LASIK too early while my eyes were still changing. Just prior to getting LASIK my contact prescription was -4.75 and -4.50 for reference.
The biggest recommendation I would make is not to get it done too early.
lowhighkang_LHK
Member
So, seeing this thread being bumped back up I might as well chime back in.
Ultimately, I can say this is the best choice I have ever made. My eyes are fully recovered, and I see better than 20/20.
Halos, or star bursts or any of the annoyances you see at night are not any worse than wearing a pair of glasses at night.
I now only need to put in eye drops once in the morning. Hopefully it gets to the point where I don't need to do that. The eye dryness as been improving slowly bit by bit.
Ultimately, I can say this is the best choice I have ever made. My eyes are fully recovered, and I see better than 20/20.
Halos, or star bursts or any of the annoyances you see at night are not any worse than wearing a pair of glasses at night.
I now only need to put in eye drops once in the morning. Hopefully it gets to the point where I don't need to do that. The eye dryness as been improving slowly bit by bit.
I got it done Saturday. Went back today for my one day check up and have slightly less than 20/15 vision. They said it'll continue to improve as it stabilizes the next couple months.
I've worn glasses since 3rd grade (turning 24 in two weeks) and contacts since 9th grade. My prescription has been practically the same since 2008. -5.50 in the right eye and -4.00 in the left (they got me at -5.75 in their tests).
All I can say, its freaking amazing waking up and being able to see my alarm clock. Best money I have ever spent.
I do have sunbursts at night, but its the same as it was when I wore my glasses. I can deal with that. Eyes haven't been dry or hurt at all since the surgery, but I have been following my doctors orders of putting in the Blink Eyedrops ever hour.
I've worn glasses since 3rd grade (turning 24 in two weeks) and contacts since 9th grade. My prescription has been practically the same since 2008. -5.50 in the right eye and -4.00 in the left (they got me at -5.75 in their tests).
All I can say, its freaking amazing waking up and being able to see my alarm clock. Best money I have ever spent.
I do have sunbursts at night, but its the same as it was when I wore my glasses. I can deal with that. Eyes haven't been dry or hurt at all since the surgery, but I have been following my doctors orders of putting in the Blink Eyedrops ever hour.
Mikey Jr.
Member
How old were you?
p_xavier
Authorized Fister
Do you think I would be stupid enough to go to the same doctor every time? (The answer is no)
p_xavier
Authorized Fister
No I'm in Canada. Your doctor was lying to you then, since there is a relatetively high failure rate with Lasik. These doctors are basically eye plastic surgeons, they're far from being world experts in ophtalmology.
I got mine done on Monday. Glasses are dumb.
In fact, give me your lunch money.
I got it two days ago. It's amazing so far. Stil have a week or so left of settling.
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