Implantable Contact Lens (Intraocular Surgery)

[Barkeep49]

I have never been interested in LASIK as I would still have to wear glasses due to the severity of my nearsightedness. Until recently I had also been diagnosed with astigmatism which further meant I was a poor candidate for LASIK.

I recently got some "found" money (not the $500 check either) and so I am interested in finding out if anyone here has any experience with this procedure and what the cost was.

[CraigSca]

I've never even heard of this.

[aran]

I have not heard of this either. Must be rare/really expensive/potentially dangerous.

[st.cronin]

I have heard of this, and thought it sounded safe enough. I say go for it.

[Barkeep49]

I have not heard of this either. Must be rare/really expensive/potentially dangerous.
Actually the FDA has done a 5 year study and the results come out much better then 5 year studies of LASIK with 95% having 20/40 or better vision and 97% saying that they would do it again. I fear that it is rather expensive though, which is why I thought I would try and tap this board's collective knowledge.

[terpkristin]

I've heard of it and heard it has fantastic results, but unfortunately I have no idea on cost. I think it costs an arm and a leg but MIGHT be covered under some insurances (depending on how blind you are).

Sorry I can't be more help.

/tk

[Drake]

My ex-wife's hubby just had this done. He had something like 20/400 vision and other than a minor issue with lens size in one eye (which was uncomfortable* for a day, then they plucked it out and slapped in another one), he loves it.

Of course, he's only had it for a month, so I have no anecdotal evidence to add on long term results.





*When I say "uncomfortable", I mean it felt like he had a hot poker rammed into his eye socket. I had a corneal ulcer when I first started wearing contact lenses. I imagine it felt something like that.

[Drake]

dola...

I should also add that I was trained to ram hot pokers into my eye sockets while I was in the circus. Some people might find it more objectionable than I do. YMMV.

[JeeberD]

*When I say "uncomfortable", I mean it felt like he had a hot poker rammed into his eye socket. I had a corneal ulcer when I first started wearing contact lenses. I imagine it felt something like that.

I was thinking about getting contacts when some money frees up, but after reading this post I'm thinking it may not be such a good idea...

[Drake]

Nah, Jeeber. It's actually fairly rare to get a corneal ulcer. I've been wearing contacts for 15+ years now without another one. I wear the disposable ones and haven't had any other problems -- and I'm a *bad* contact lens guy. Meaning: the disposables that you're supposed to wear for a week, I wear for 4-5 months without ever taking them out.

[stevew]

I was thinking about getting contacts when some money frees up, but after reading this post I'm thinking it may not be such a good idea...

It was horrible for about 24 hours, but after that it was okay. It really just depends on what your type of prescription is, and what type of lenses you could wear. Think of no more eyeglasses fogging after you run the glasswasher at the bar at work, that'd be a big plus.

[Anthony]

i wear contacts and don't feel them at all.

[JeeberD]

Think of no more eyeglasses fogging after you run the glasswasher at the bar at work, that'd be a big plus.

Holy shit, have you been spying on me? It's even worse after I come out of the walk-in freezer...

[Barkeep49]

Just to be clear: While known as implantable contact lenses what I'm asking about here aren't similar at all to contact lenses. It's actually much more similar to glaucoma surgery.

[stevew]

Holy shit, have you been spying on me? It's even worse after I come out of the walk-in freezer...
In and out of the freezer totally blows. I used to put away our trucks, and it was horrible. I'd usually just take off my glasses and fly blind.

[stevew]

I know this is some huge delayed bump. Anyways, I know a lady who had this done recently and said it was borderline life changing. I was just curious if Barkeep actually had it done. I think she said it was like 1500 or so per eye. Something I may consider doing at some point down the line.

[Barkeep49]

I didn't. My eye doctor likes to point out that right now my vision is correctable to 20/15 which would be at risk with surgery. Since it is elective I've erred on the safe side and not had it done.

[Barkeep49]

Dola would love to know what found money I had 6 years ago.