Lasik

[CamEdwards]

I think somebody posted a topic about this the other day, but I'm too lazy to go look for it.

Anyway, I had my surgery today. WOW! My vision was really blurry right after it was done, but I went home, took a nap, and when I woke up a couple of hours later my vision had already improved to the point where I could go back to the vision center, pick up my car, and drive myself home.

They say you'll REALLY notice a difference on the second day, so I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

I don't have any pain in my eyes, they don't seem to be drier than usual... all in all just a great experience.

[Hammer755]

It's great at first, but you know at the ten-year mark your eyes fall out. ;)

[Ksyrup]

How much was it? I'm afraid I'd have to go far out of town to get it done. The only guy that does it around here was represented by my former firm, and let's just say I know enough to know that I shouldn't go to him!

[bigdawg2003]

My father had this procedure done a while back and it seems to have improved his vision greatly. Are there any long term negative effects?

[CamEdwards]

Ksyrup,

The place I went to costs $699 an eye. It's here in Oklahoma City, so you probably wouldn't want to make the trip.

There were a couple of things that made me feel more comfortable. One, the guy who had his procedure right after me actually worked there. If the employees trust the doctor, that says a lot.

Two, I went in four times before the procedure was done. Every time I was there, people were coming back for post-op checkups. And every person I talked to said their eyes were great.

Long term negative effects... not really. It's not a permanent procedure. I might have to get glasses again in 10 or 15 years. There's a slight risk of dry eyes, a slight risk of droopy eyelids. The list of possible side effects is actually like 3 pages long, but the actual possibility of having one of the side effects is really low.

I don't know if my doctor could recommend someone in your area Ksyrup, but you can call him at 866-751-4774. His name is Doctor John Belardo.

Just tell 'em Cam Edwards sent ya. :)

[Blackadar]

I've had it for a few months. It cost me about $2k for both eyes and it's the best money I ever spent.

20/20 in one eye, 20/25 in the other...from 20/400+.

[sabotai]

I'd like to get it done, too. But isn't that only for near sighted? Isn't far sighted either not done, or cost a lot more? (My right eye is near sighted, my left eye is far-sighted)

Eh, besides, wearing glasses is just my look. I dunno what I'd do with my...look...the ladies love it.......I'm living in a dream world. *sigh*

[bigdawg2003]

Glasses make you look smarter, and you can do the dramatic "Taking off your glasses" move.

[CamEdwards]

if you're serious about Sabotai, I'd check into it. There seem to be a number of different procedures for different ocular maladies. However, I believe LASIK can be performed on both near and far sighted eyes.

[bosshogg23]

How long does the procedure actually take? Do you really have to hold your eye completely still on a specific point while they "work" on it?

I become very nervous when it comes to my eyes......

[CamEdwards]

bosshogg,

The entire procedure, from the time you walk into the operating room until you walk out is about 15 minutes.

The only time you have to hold your eye completely still is when they cut the corneal flap... but your eye is being held still by some gentle suction, so it's not hard to do.

The laser they used with me came with "eye tracking", where a computer follows the tiny movements of your eye. The laser itself only takes about twenty seconds, so it's not even that difficult to hold your eye still.

Trust me, I was nervous about this as well, but it wasn't difficult at all.

[bosshogg23]

Cam, thanks for the info. I have considered the procedure and am still considering it.

When I was fitted for contacts and they blow that damn puff of air and I lose focus..........just irrates the stuff out of me. I guess like anyone else, I worry that they will fuck up and it will be my fault because I cant keep focus on the "point" long enough.

I didnt realize that your eye is held somewhat in place by a gentle suction, that certainly has to help matters.

[Ksyrup]

So not only can you see better, but it comes with gentle sucking on the 'balls? Where do I sign up?

[CamEdwards]

LMAO

[illinifan999]

How old does one have to be to get this thing done?

[Balldog]

I had Lasik done two years ago next week and I have zero complaints. The first couple weeks suck because you have to be so careful not to do certain things to your eyes but after that its a breeze.

[cartman]

Another satisfied LASIK customer here!

I had it done on both eyes in January of 2000. I wanted to make sure the Y2K bugs didn't affect the computers running the lasers! :)

I had 20/70 and 2/80 before, and now I'm 20/10 and 20/15! Too bad I can't go back and join the Air Force Academy! I had problems with night vision, even with glasses, but didn't have any problems at all after the procedure. I had to wear those funky Yoko Ono sunglasses for a day, but I was back at work the next day.

But that said, LASIK isn't for every one. Since what they are doing is using a laser to reshape your eye, the more reshaping that needs to be done, the greater the potential risks.

[Swaggs]

My wife is a fourth year medical student and recently came off a rotation in optometry (sp?). Since we both have horrible vision, I asked her a little bit about it.

She indicated that most of the patients that suffer side effects are those that were poor candidates to begin with. I guess it is important to find out if your doctor feels you are a good candidate and to not go to a doctor that pretty much passes anyone through to make a buck. That said, most of the side effects can be repaired with another procedure.

[sjshaw]

For those considering LASIK, I had it performed about a year ago and it was the best thing I have ever done.

That being said, I went to an extremely gifted doctor who works with my cousin, an eye surgeon, so I knew what I was getting in terms of medical care. LASIK is not something that you want to look for the "best deal." Generally avoid getting your eyes lasered in a mall. :)

Also, you want to make sure that the doctors say you are a good candidate for the surgery; i.e., your eyes have stopped changing and your vision is stable. They should check you around 3-6 months prior to the procedure and then the day before to make sure your vision is "set."