Lasik (yes or no)...

[Drekce]

I did LASIK July 9 of last year. I love it. Do it.

 

[Connoisseur]

Been a couple of years since I had it. My vision is about 20/15 now (Had a power of around -5 on average for both eyes). I see perfectly in the daytime. I have some halo-ing issues in high contrast situations (headlights/streetlights at night for ex.) which i'm going to go see my doctor about. I can certainly deal with it but for the money I spent, I'm going to see if they can make it even better. Be aware of, and willing to take, the potential risks no matter how "error-free" people say it is.

Also, if you're an extremely active individual, discuss with your doctor about PRK vs LASIK. The difference is that PRK shapes the top layer of the cornea (by cutting away specific portions) and LASIK actually cuts a flap in the cornea and shapes the portion underneath. LASIK has a faster recovery time but PRK is supposedly better in that there's no risk of the flap re-opening in high intensity situations. I believe that's the reason the military only allows their soldiers to get PRK surgery. It's usually not a problem unless you're in violent situations (i.e. getting hit in the face) but it's something to consider.

 

[SS Trooper]

I had it done at 19. It was expensive back then and I paid for it 100% myself. I recommend everyone to check it out, no harm in looking (haha see what I did there?)

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I've debated it but I wonder what, if any, the long term effects are. It's pricey but given how overpriced glasses are, it seems worth it. I haven't been at my current job long enough for vision benefits to kick in. I should see if they cover part of it. Since I'm in Toronto, there's lots of reputable doctors around. Though the part where they peel your eye like a grape.

The last pair of glasses I got cost a whopping $45 from 39dollar glasses.com I had that set for probably 4 years (used at night after taking out contacts)
I had flapless Lasik done. The whole process for me took maybe 10 minutes counting walking from the waiting room to the procedure room, and back.
Totally worth it if you wear glasses/contacts full time.
My vision was pretty bad, I don't know the number, but at a regular distance from a computer monitor I couldn't read the text without corrective lenese.
I went from that, to being able to read a letter stapled to the ceiling of the procedure room in literally the blink of an eye.
If you were contacts, you will have to stop wearing them for 2-3 weeks before the procedure.
After the procedure, I was in some major discomfort if i had my eyes open. Forget looking at a computer or TV. I basically laid in bed the rest of that Friday sleeping. Sat things were still really bright, but i could watch TV from a distance. Sunday was a lot better. Monday everything was normal. It's been a year now and my vision is still perfect.

 

[marmasatt]

There are guys now who have done literally like 50,000 surgeries. For instance, the 3 guys at Boston Laser I believe. Just don't go to like "Bob's LASER Surgery" and you'll be fine.

 

[rsutoratosu]

asian, had it since april of 2001, 0 problems. currently at 20/30. I did it during spring, and my allergy was so bad so it wasn't comfortable after the surgery.. i would opt for cooler/fall weather to operate on.

always get multiple eval from different doctors, make sure they're consistent and pick the one you like

 

[olds]

Gawd no.

 

[Onita]

2 years ago for me. Best thing I've ever done.

 

[shabby]

Just don't go to like "Bob's LASER Surgery" and you'll be fine.

But its only $499 per eye at Bob's...

I've been contemplating it too for a while, don't really care of the costs, you only have one pair of eyes and if a complication comes up you're screwed for life.

 

[vi edit]

I've been thinking about it for years. What worries me is that like every 2 or 3 years they come out with a *NEW AND IMPROVED!!!* way to do. At some point the tech will stabilize and I'll feel more comfortable about it.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

I believe that's the reason the military only allows their soldiers to get PRK surgery. It's usually not a problem unless you're in violent situations (i.e. getting hit in the face) but it's something to consider.

Air Force will do either, but the way the positive and negatives were presented to me PRK seemed the way to go. Takes longer to recover, but once you do you're more completely healed.

I ended up not being able to get it because the Air Force won't do it on people with auto-immune diseases. They're much stricter than civilian doctors so I hear although I don't know which criteria exactly. From what I understand, it's more than just violent situations. Being exposed to harsh pressures can cause problems too (mountain climbing/diving/etc (not completely sure how true)).

 

[IronWing]

I'd poke an eye out within a week of such a procedure. My glasses => my windshield.

 

[Lummex]

I'd really, really, like to. I would if not for these factors:

-I am too poor
-My eyesight gets worse every year, literally (i usually just do a yearly appt. for my eyes)
-I am a very dry person (unless it's the summer, then I'm somewhat normal). My eyes are naturally just very dry in most seasons. Lasik may make that worse?
-I'm obviously a little nervous about it
- whenever i wear my glasses i feel tired. For some reason, I think I've gotten used to the feeling that when my contacts go on, i just feel awake.
-glasses are cute nowadays

 

[the DRIZZLE]

Air Force will do either, but the way the positive and negatives were presented to me PRK seemed the way to go. Takes longer to recover, but once you do you're more completely healed.
.

That's my view as well. I will probably get one of the different versions of PRK in the next 12 months. I'm -0.5 in one eye and -1.25 in the other, so I'm inclined to just get it done in the bad eye as it doesn't seem worth the risk such a small correction.

 

[nanette1985]

is it safe for diabetics with retinopathy?

I've spent many years as a stage dancer - oddly, there are a lot of diabetic ballet dancers. Lasik is common in the dance world - The usual precautions apply - check with your endo and your opthamologist and make sure your surgeon has lots of experience with diabetic eyes. I don't know of any problems with dancers with Lasik.

For me it's Lasik "no" I'm scared to even think about wearing contacts. Plus, I have lupus, and the doctors won't do lasik on someone with lupus (autoimmune).

 

[Druidx]

I had it done about 5 years ago. I went from 240/20 to 20/20 vision.
A lot of the earlier problems don't apply to the newer lasik procedures. I just wish they made some more advances for near vision because I can see mine starting to decline as I age.

 

[Poulsonator]

Had it done in November of 2000, when I was 26. Need corrective lenses for 12 years up to that point. Surgery was fast and simple. Still have 20/20 vision to this day, and see an eye doctor yearly for check-ups.

My eyes were dry for a few months afterwards, but zero problems since.

Well worth it. I paid $998, lol.

 

[meloz]

Answer no only if you are strongly opposed to the idea of Lasik.

Voted no.

I looked into Laser eye surgery / correction some time ago. As part of my research I looked online and found a place where people who had their surgery gone wrong shared their horrors. Sadly I cannot find it now, my google-fu seems to be going weaker or google search results are getting shittier.

Anyway, reading about other people's horror was enough to scare me away. Does not matter if 99 out of 100 get a flawless result, with my luck I know I will be the one getting the 'oops' result. And this is eyesight we are talking about.

Nope. Never.

Nothing wrong with eyeglasses. Or contacts if the wearing prescription glassware bothers you.

 

[trmiv]

I had it done about seven years ago. One of the best things I've ever done.

 

[Baked]

I was gonna have it done, did the whole consultation and eye check up to make sure I'm qualify to go through the procedure. But I pulled out last minute 'cause I don't wanna add another monthly payment.

 

[dawks]

I've been thinking about it for years. What worries me is that like every 2 or 3 years they come out with a *NEW AND IMPROVED!!!* way to do. At some point the tech will stabilize and I'll feel more comfortable about it.

They are slowly improving it (faster computers, better sensors, more accurate lasers), but it's great now... I had the procedure 2 years ago and it's been great for me. They used to cut the flap with a metal razor blade (see YouTube) but they do it with a laser now (more accurate, cleaner, faster healing).
I had it done on Friday afternoon, and had the restriction removed from my license Saturday morning. I haven't really had problems with dryness since a few months after.
I'd say my main issue is with computer screens. Sometimes the contrast of white and black is kinda wonky. Can't explain it, but it's gotten better.
I was pretty worried about the procedure, my eyes don't like being touched but I decided to suck it up and go for it. Took about 5 minutes each eye. In the room less than 20 min I think.

 

[RaistlinZ]

I had PRK done about a year ago. Best money I ever spent. My left eye is about 20/20 and my right is closer to 20/15.

 

[tommo123]

i went for microsurgery around 2000 instead of laser - laser affected your night vision i was told and meant in theory you couldn't drive at night (maybe different to lazik). i went for the scalpel slicing your eyeballs instead (12 slices i think in the left and 7 slices in the right).

oddly you felt it slice through but it only stung a little. i think it's been replaced entirely by laser/lazik now.

p.s for the curious, this is what it was like (i think - i was on the receiving end).
DON'T CLICK IF YOU'RE SQUEAMISH!!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2273/2051633818_e43c28f467.jpg

on the plus side - i still don't need glasses. will need to do lasik eventually though.

 

[Rage187]

2 years ago and love it.

 

[KidNiki1]

I really want to get this done, but I'm so scared.

this is me as well.