corrective eye surgery (Full Version)

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azropedntied -> corrective eye surgery (7/9/2008 1:13:25 AM)

I am redoing my research on the laser and corrective eye surgeries as i am thinking of having this done to my peepers . And it has been several years now that this  has been going on and time has passed since last i looked into it .Any who have had this done could you please give feedback , what went right , any stuff go wrong , did it last etc etc and cost would also be nice to hear about . Thanks for the help . 



DiurnalVampire -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/9/2008 2:55:03 AM)

I had Lasik on my eyes when I was 22 years old. I am not 31, still have near perfect vision (We got 20/25 after surgery and I am still at about that.) Almost all of the complications afterwards were preexisting things that were magnified by the surgery, I have halos when I am out in the dark. That is getting better as the years go on and I learn to deal with them more. I had them before but with glasses and contacts they werent as noticable... hardly a major problem.
The ONLY downside is that (assuming they do it the same way) you have to make absolutely sure that you do not rub or get anything in your eyes during the healing period, becsaue you can shift the little flap they cut and cause scarring. This means, if you have pets they have to be kept away from you for 3-5 days until the doctor says your healed enough to be around them again. I stayed at an aunts house to avoid my dog, because I was worried that either playing somehting would happen or the fur and dander would get in my eyes when I slept. Manageable issue, but one to keep in mind that most people dont think about. Since my surgery was nearly 10 years ago, though, they may have different rules now.
I would absolutely recommend it, I went from being legally blind to having 20/25 vision in less than an hour. Best thing I have ever done for myself.

DV



d1ll1gaf -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/9/2008 5:26:01 AM)

I had lasik 7 years ago and it was truly the best thing I have ever done (cost over $2,000 due to how bad my eyes where). Went from 20/2500 to 20/12 vision overnight. Couple of things I noticed:

1. Immediately after the procedure it will seem like you are underwater (due liquied between your eye and the flap). My doctor told me to go home and go to sleep. 7 hours later it seemed like I was in a smokey room and the next day when I awoke my vision was perfect.
2. Stock up on eye drops and good ones (i.e. not visine). Under no circumstances can you rub your eyes for the first few months (even after the flap has initially healed it can still be dislodged during the first few months). My doctor recommended staying out of hot tubs, away from pets, etc. but also said that the only reason for this recommendation was to try and avoid itchy eyes. I was able to go on a ski trip the week after surgery (in the hot tub every night) and my dog was with me the whole time... but it was important that every time my eyes itched (and they really itched) I just put more eye drops in. Note: an hour after surgery the flap is stable enough to handle blinking & tears so any thing that gets in your eye can be washed out by tears / eye drops but it seems to take longer than normal.
3. You will have find that your eyes have trouble watering immediately after surgery (see comment about eye drops).
4. You must avoid head impacts (i.e. contact sports, boxing, face slapping, etc.) for months after surgury (I was told 6 months) because these activities have a small possibility of dislodging the flap.
5. Post surgery I found my eyes more sensitive to light than before, so buy a good pair of sunglasses!
6. I also had night halos (very common) and these have decreased with time.

End of the day I have no regrets and love not being forced to wear glasses/contacts!



wandersalone -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/9/2008 6:56:01 AM)

I had mine done when it was still a relatively new procedure here 20 years ago and have never had any problems.  



windchymes -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/9/2008 8:05:37 AM)

I have heard horror stories....but then again, you always do, and I'm sure the good stories far outweigh the bad ones. 

I'm not a candidate for it, I've been told, but I probably wouldn't undergo it if I was.  I love the idea, get rid of glasses and contacts for good, halleluja.  But the idea of something slicing through my eyeball totally skeeves me out.  I know that's a stupid way to feel, but.....

From what I've heard, you're better off going to someone in private practice as opposed to one of those "chains" who do it cheaply and in quantity.



abcbsex -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/9/2008 8:07:12 AM)

One of my goals is to have laser eye surgery before I'm 25... all these posts are giving me hope.



azropedntied -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/9/2008 10:15:39 AM)

Thanks A/all for the info real good info at that too . looks like i need to do further investigative  work on the topic and meet with the  docs . I wonder is there a way to check and see if there are complaints against the dr ?What was the freak out factor ?Pain factor?and i only saw one cost mentioned is it close to that cost these days ?
And this is why i  LOVE this community ask and  poof  insta feedback .



kyraofMists -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/9/2008 10:40:03 AM)

I had it done last November and I am so happy that I did.  I was legally blind without correction and contacts/glasses were just a pain in the ass.

It only took about 10 minutes to do both eyes.  When they put me in the chair, I was not able to read the clock on the wall.  When they finished and sat me up, I could read the clock.  The first couple of weeks my eyes were a little more irritated, dry and sensitive to light.

Like DV mentioned, I have halos at night, so he restricts my night driving.  Right now that isn't a big deal because I don't think I have actually seen "night-time" for the last couple of months.  During winter it will be more of a challenge when we only have a few hours of light. 

Knight's Kyra



CalifChick -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/9/2008 10:42:20 AM)

I had it done about 10 years ago.  I can't give you an exact cost, because my mom had worked for the surgeon for years so I got the special "employee price" - roughly 50% of the regular price.  I want to say we paid about $2000 or so, so the regular price was $4000 or so.  This surgeon is the top of the line around here - the chains definitely do it cheaper.

I am very squicky about my eyes, so they scheduled me last that day so I wouldn't freak out the other patients.  At that time, they were using a blade to slice the flap. Now they use a laser, I believe. 

So I'm laying on the table, the retractor is holding my eyelid open, and the doc says "hold very still"... YEAH, RIGHT!!!!!!  Apparently against all odds I managed somehow to jerk my head during the nanosecond when the blade was slicing, so the slice was not perfect but had one tiny rough edge.  The rest of the procedure went fine.  I had better than 20/20 as soon as the procedure was finished.

That tiny rough edge developed a dry spot, so I went back about once a month for a year to check on it. He had not had that happen in quite a number of years.  It eventually healed correctly, but I used a lot of eye gel (like rewetting drops, but in gel form) that he gave me.  During the healing process, I only noticed halos around traffic lights at night, and that stopped as soon as my dry spot healed.

And sunglasses are a must! 

As far as complaints, you should be able to check the website for your state's licensing board, and you might need to call them. Sometimes complaints only become public record when the doctor is sanctioned or disciplined.

Ask all the usual questions... how many of this exact procedure do you do every month? What is the complication rate? What happens if I need a touchup (happens occasionally) - do you do that for free?

Oh, and he warned me that for some people, they need reading glasses because after the procedure they cannot focus well close-up.  I have noticed that my near-vision has become blurry until I get about 8 or 10 inches away from my face.  I first discovered this when someone was kissing me and then was saying something, still holding me close.  I had to pull back a little ways in order to be able to focus on his face.

Cali





d1ll1gaf -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/9/2008 8:37:02 PM)

In addition to my previous post I would like to add that when searching for a surgeon make sure you find the best (don't worry about cost, this are your eyes after all and you only get one set). Make sure to find people with references and question everything the doctor tells you. If you don't like the answers then move on to another doctor.

The surgeon I eventually settled on was very well referenced, and in fact had had the surgury done on himself with his own laser (obviously another doctor performed it). A few of the other doctors I spoke with where still wearing glasses and weren't able to answer my questions as well as I would have liked so I moved on.



lighthearted -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/9/2008 8:58:28 PM)

I wasn't a candidate for Lasik, for a number of reasons...the only option for me was total lens replacement surgery in both eyes - ie the same surgery they give glaucoma patients.  I went to an extremely reputable dr. and am very pleased with my results.  but...it was expensive ($11K), as my insurance didn't cover any of it.

with the lens replacement surgery, the dr. would not perform both eyes in the same day - the risk of rejection, etc.  that the was the biggest inconvenience.  a lot of the recovery is similar to Lasik tho...drops, halos that diminish over time, etc. 

my vision went to being at the point where I would have to wear glasses and contacts together to being slightly better than 20/20.  plus, I will never be at risk for glaucoma because my lenses are now artificial.  I kind of take the fact that I can see so well now for granted!



hardbodysub -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/9/2008 9:18:01 PM)

Something you might consider instead of the surgery: Orhtokeratology, also referred to as Corneal Refractive Therapy. You wear specifically designed rigid gas permeable contact lenses to gently reshape the cornea while you sleep. You take out the lenses when you wake up, and can see all day without glasses or contact lenses.

The main advantage over laser surgery is that it's completely reversible.

[edited to correct typos]



tifffy17 -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/9/2008 9:49:18 PM)

I had it done last August, only in my right eye, it was 20/100, i can see perfect out of it, except, it still feels like i still predominantly see out of only my left eye. But when i go to take eye tests, it's amazing to see how much better my right eye is. My left eye is about 20/25. It cost me 2300. Yea make sure you wear sunglasses and stay off the computer for a day or two after.



Termyn8or -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/10/2008 6:38:36 PM)

My sis had it done and was sorry. She didn't go blind or anything, but she was nearsighted like almost everyone else in the family, and is now 20/20 for distance, but now needs reading glasses.

So for six of one instead of half dozen of the other, she paid up. The usual problems did exist right after the procedure, that was not the problem. At her age (44) she now needs reading glasses, and of course she uses a computer at work, so it is not that there were problems, but the trade off was not all that good.

T



opensoul -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/10/2008 8:38:49 PM)

 i don't know if anyone has said that the FDA is looking into this surgery for alot of the problems that are happening. Halo's, poor results, people having dry eyes all the time. And many others. Now they are looking into the lens replacement like they do for cataract surgery. I had it done in both eyes, The surgery is not in the line of vision, far less problems like scarring, I have been told that it probability will be the way to better eye sight soon.



pissdoll -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/10/2008 9:09:19 PM)

i had lasik with wavefront a little over a year ago.  i paid $3600 and it was worth every penny!  i am now 20/15.

my surgeon did the procedure herself  (i refused to go to a "laser center") and has an amazing reputation...she's the eye surgeon to a sports franchise in L.A.

my eyes were dry for several months- so much so that she put plugs in them to produce tears.  that issue resolved itself in time.

i never really had a problem with night vision- the sunbursts....that only happened to me one evening.

i DO need sunglasses...never needed them before.

all in all...choose your surgeon wisely, and don't go for a "deal."



CalifChick -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/10/2008 9:50:22 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: opensoul
i don't know if anyone has said that the FDA is looking into this surgery for alot of the problems that are happening.


Is this the same rumor that has been floating around in some form since LASIK was first approved? Or is this something else? There is nothing on the FDA website about it.

Cali



camille65 -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/11/2008 8:10:12 AM)

I've wanted this done for years. Decades even. I started wearing glasses at age 5 and dream of being able to buy funky cheap sunglasses.

How bad is it, laying there and seeing something coming RIGHT AT YOUR EYEBALL? Honest to god I don't know if I could do that without flinching! Just thinking about it makes me physically shudder [:'(] but wow, to only need reading glasses would be so cool.

Right now I have:
Reading glasses
Distance glasses
Bifocals
Sunglasses (distance)

I will have to wait because it seems my astigmatism is pretty awful and the few that I have spoken to said it would be a bad idea for me, but I still dream of being able to wake up and see the clock.
Being able to shave in the shower and see!
Able to swim, without that horrible feeling of being lost. Unable to find the pool edge then the hell of finding my towel once I'm out of the pool.



CalifChick -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/11/2008 11:48:56 AM)

Camille, you are super-dilated, so it's not like you can focus on something coming AT your eye.  And once they make the flap and peel it back (ewww, I'm squicking myself), you cannot see anything except blurry light, so you cannot see the rest of the procedure.

I left out the part where, when he said "hold still", I said, very loudly, "are you OUT OF YOUR FREAKIN' MIND???"  Yeah, that's why they scheduled me last.  He hands me a teddy bear and says "hold this"... yeah, like THAT makes a diff.

Cali



sweetwenchie -> RE: corrective eye surgery (7/11/2008 12:12:06 PM)

~taking careful notes~

i have wanted to have my eyes fixed for a long time, but am such a chicken shit the thought of having a flap cut in my eye squicks me completely.  Instead i only wear my glasses when there is the potential for my blindness to cause actual harm to myself or others. 

Now if the Doctors would only let me have a couple of tequila shots before slicing into my eyes i might actually be able to do it.[;)]

~keeps stalking and perving all over Cali's avatar~ 



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