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shivermetimbers -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/14/2008 10:05:07 PM)
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I had Lasik done in April. It has been a godsend to me. I have wore glasses or contacts for 33 years. It's like freedom. I found the procedure comfortable, and well informed on the outcomes, what could happen, etc. The halos around lights have already just about totally disappeared, I was told that it could take a year, and possibly never. I was also told I could have dry eye syndrome, which is the biggest complaint right now to the FDA. If people looked at the numbers of procedures, and the actual number of complaints, it falls in line with the percentages they give you from the start. That's why it's ELECTIVE surgery. Those who say that the Lasik surgeons gloss over the possible side affects should go to where I went then. I followed the course of care given to me to the letter. I went home, took a 4 hour nap to rest the eyes, as recommended. When I awoke, my 20/400 vision was gone, it was now (as verified by my next day follow up appointment) 20/15. I went to a baseball game that night, and watched one for the first time in 33 years without glasses. All they asked is even though it was at night, to wear the wrap around sunglasses.
Every time I hear about complaints, I take them with the same grain of salt as I do the claims of any drug or medical procedure. I still have some dry eye, especially when waking. I might use rewetting drops twice a day. I know a few other people who had Lasik done, and their vision was great, but they complained about a lot of things, like the dry eye. I asked if that was in the literature, they said, "Yeah, but the docs should focus on it more." Well, you went to them with a vision problem, not a lecture on dry eye. And you had well over a week to read, and ask questions. They also never did their follow ups after the first one.
In this litigious society, and the boom in Lasik providers, no surprise it is now being demonized. Screw the naysayers, I say go for it, anyone that is a candidate. Remember the ultimate outcome is like mine, which is the case for 98% of all Lasik customers. If anyone says they know of someone who was "blinded" by Lasik, I'd really like to meet them. Seeing as there are at best a couple hundred cases, finding 10 people who personally say they know someone blinded certainly defies the odds.
Blindness, worse vision, double vision, dry eye syndrome, infections, no correction, all that can happen. It's like anything else, you must weight the risks. I have to use 1.25 power reading glasses for fine print. I was already needing that wearing glasses, even being nearsighted. I golf better, bowl better, and driving at night is much more comfortable. I was willing to buck those 2% odds that I would have a less than a positive outcome.
Now, I only have to remember where the hell I left my car keys. Before, I also had to find my glasses too.
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