PRK eyes surgery check in.

[zokudu]

Glad to hear things are coming along nicely iGas

 

[mizzou]

just had all laser LASIK done yesterday and woke up today.

I feel that both eyes should be at minimum 20/20 and are probably 20/10, maybe a slight edge to my left eye.

Going in for my appt., will do my best to keep the face sanitary

 

[wwswimming]

before you let someone point an extremely high power pulsed UV laser directly into your eyes, do a web search for "UV radiation burn eye symptoms" ... then compare those symptoms to the side effects you hear about, in some cases from the LASIK surgeon, in most cases from the patient.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=UV+radiation+burn+eye+symptoms&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=

 

[mizzou]

1st post op visit, I could easily read 20/16 lines with each eye. Fingers crossed I can stay stable over the next few weeks and don't have any issues with corneal tissue healing. no real dryness issues....then again I'm comparing that to constant contact lens wear

 

[Capt Caveman]

Bump. Interested in knowing how iGas, mizzou and anybody else are doing post surgery?

Looking into it for next year, as I need to decide on how much to put in my HSA for next year.

 

[ichy]

My sister recently had PRK (she wasn't eligible for LASIK.) The first few days after the surgery sucked, but a week later she's doing fine and can see perfectly.

 

[slag]

Bump. Interested in knowing how iGas, mizzou and anybody else are doing post surgery?

Looking into it for next year, as I need to decide on how much to put in my HSA for next year.

Post surgery, I was a mess. Couldn't drive for almost a week, couldn't focus on a computer screen worth a crap for a few weeks, but gradually everything got better and I'm 20/20 corrected. Prior to my surgery, I was blind, couldn't even see the blob that made up the eye chart. Contacts dried my eyes out and I had an astigmatism.

That was 6-7 years ago. Today, no problems at all.

My eye doctor can barely see the scar where my flap healed, and I have no issues with night vision or headaches or anything.

 

[SnipeMasterJ13]

I wish I could say mine went as nicely. So far I've had 4 surgeries...

Surgery 1 - LASIK CustomVue on both eyes. Right eye 20/20 with slight astigmatism. Left eye 20/25 and far sighted. Pain-wise wasn't bad. Slight discomfort, but drove myself to follow up appointment next day.

Surgery 2 - PRK enhancement on left eye, but it ended up going 20/25 NEARSIGHTED. Also, pain was ridiculous on this one. The bandage lens they put in was too tight and irritated the entire eye. Hurt like hell, couldn't open my eye at all for that first day, until they put a different contact lens in the followup day. Eye was super sensitive to light, etc. and I couldn't see clearly for a couple months.

Surgery 3 - Lasik enhancement on left eye. No clue what the vision was because it never stayed stable. Pain was ridiculous again, because even though they re-lifted the flap, the top layer of the eye didn't stick like it was supposed to. I couldn't open my eye for 3 days, even after they put a bandage lens in.

Surgery 4 - My vision was fuzzy and I had bad halos because the regrowth of the top layer had gotten up under the flap and was growing across my eye, and started dissolving the edge of the original flap. They scheduled a surgery 2 days later to avoid losing more of the flap and causing big problems. They lifted the flap and cleared the regrowth out, but didn't laser anything away (to change prescription).

I can see 20/15 out of my left eye now, but do still have slight halos, especially at night. It turns out the regrowth they originally cleared is not there, but NOW it's regrowing under the flap in a different spot. It's currently only .75mm in, and they don't get concerned until it gets to 2mm, but they are watching me super closely just to be safe. I went back to back weeks without it moving any farther in than .75mm, and am currently waiting to go back after a couple weeks in between. That's this Thursday.

The first surgery was last June. Good times...

 

[ViviTheMage]

What kind of vision did you guys have? Just near/far sighted, or did oyu have an amblyopia?

 

[Spydermag68]

I had -6.0 and -6.5 for my eyes.

I had PRK done just over 2 years ago and see about 20/20.

The healing process for PRK is about a week before I could look at a monitor for than a few minutes, but the first 3 days, Fri to Sun, I had to be in dark room with as little light as possible. Not reading or watching TV. I resorted to a blanket over the tv and listening to what channel I was on.

My wife had LASIK done. Next day was driving her car.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I do not know what -6 and -6.5 is.

 

[Aikouka]

The healing process for PRK is about a week before I could look at a monitor for than a few minutes, but the first 3 days, Fri to Sun, I had to be in dark room with as little light as possible. Not reading or watching TV. I resorted to a blanket over the tv and listening to what channel I was on.

Reading all of this makes it rather tempting. I don't mind fumbling for glasses (never really liked contacts much), but it would be nice to have the benefits of decent vision for the first time in about 20 years (been wearing glasses since 5th grade).

It sounds like a lot of people here went for the PRK over LASIK. Has anything really changed since then?

 

[Krazy4Real]

I really want to get a procedure done, but I am just maybe overly worried about screwing up my eyes. Am I paranoid thinking that if I wait 5 or 10 more years, the technology will be better? My eyes are my life you know.

 

[rcpratt]

I do not know what -6 and -6.5 is.

Then look it up. It's nearsighted, approximately 20/500.

I'm -7.25/-7.75, sadly...

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I have a pre op appointment on tuesday to see which procedure is bbest. Couldnt beleive all the people around me telling me to find a cheaper doctor, i have zero issues paying 2x more for the best doctor in my area

I had the flapless LASIK done June 30th.
I've seen the ads for "discount" lasik" or We'll beat any price LAsik. I picked a guy that was more expensive, had a nicely decorated office and wasn't shuttling through as many people as he could on rented equipment.
My doc had his own equipment, and when I was there, there was 1 other person there getting it done. I went in and was under the laser for maybe 5 minutes tops for both eyes. Put on my sunglasses, GF drove me home and I slept all day. The next day I could open my eyes and see, but had to crank the brightness down on everything.

Best money I've spent.

 

[Aikouka]

My doc had his own equipment, and when I was there, there was 1 other person there getting it done. I went in and was under the laser for maybe 5 minutes tops for both eyes. Put on my sunglasses, GF drove me home and I slept all day. The next day I could open my eyes and see, but had to crank the brightness down on everything.

Best money I've spent.

Wow... that sounds like a pretty good experience. If you don't mind me asking, how much was it? Was the doctor up front on whether or not you'll have to have corrective surgery in the future?

 

[iGas]

Bump. Interested in knowing how iGas, mizzou and anybody else are doing post surgery?

Looking into it for next year, as I need to decide on how much to put in my HSA for next year.

It took about 2-3 months before the vision is clear. My vision is not perfect yet but it is damned good in the day time. Still have some minor glares from lights at night while driving.

Both my day time vision and night time vision still aren't as good as my eyes were with glasses, but it is more than good enough for water sports with out the need for prescription goggles.

 

[roguerower]

Glad to hear some positive experiences. I just finished my benefit enrollment for next year and have $5k set aside for laser corrective surgery. Yes, that might be a lot, but it's my freakin eyes and I'll gladly pay. I'm sitting at about -2.25 & -2.5 and based on my last 3 eye exams, nothings changed and I'm a good candidate. I'll be getting it done in or around D.C. and would appreciate any comments or recommendations if anyone lives in those areas.

EDIT: How did you guys go about choosing a doctor to perform the surgery?

 

[Special K]

I had PRK done in early September. I was -6.5 in both eyes, with about a diopter of astigmatism in each. At my most recent follow up visit a month ago, I was 20/15 in my left eye, 20/20 in my right eye, and 20/15 using both eyes. I can tell now that the vision in my right eye has improved since that visit, so it may be close to 20/15 now as well.

Right now the only trace I really have of the procedure is that I get a bit of the halo/starburst around some types of lights at night, but it certainly isn't anywhere close to interfering with my ability to drive or anything. Plus according to my eye doctor the healing process isn't complete yet and the lighting artifacts will likely go away over time. Sometimes my eyes are a bit dry, but again it's not really distracting and it's not even as dry as my eyes would get after wearing contacts for 12+ hours straight. The doctor said the dryness would go away over time too.

I didn't experience any discomfort at all the first few days after the procedure, although I did stay home and anything that would have required fine vision would have been out of the question, including driving and working on the computer. It was about a week before I felt my vision was good enough to drive, but this varies from person to person.

I can give you much more information about the procedure and my experience if you want. I could also periodically post back as I go through the recovery process since it's still pretty recent for me.

 

[mrblotto]

I'd love to get something done to my eyes, but I'm nearsighted in one and farsighted in the other, plus I have a small cataract as well......

Maybe I could just get one done and get a monocle?

 

[dawks]

PKR is creepy for me.. they literally scrap tissue from the eye.

I had the newer Lasik done where the flap is cut with a laser instead of a blade. After the procedure as they walked me through the office to a machine where the Dr could check the flap, although things were kinda fuzzy, I noticed a change already. I went home and slept for about 5-6 hours. Kept my eyes closed as much as possible. You want to let the flap heal back into place as quickly as possible. Last thing I'd do is try and type on a computer. The healing process in the first few hours is critical. It can have a huge effect on the overall outcome. Not something I'd chance.

I had some really bad burning in one eye, felt like there was a 'large' hair in it.. but that subsided. Wasn't offered, didn't take, or need any pain meds.

I had the procedure done at 1pm on a Friday, went back to the Dr. Saturday morning, and he cleared me for driving by 8:30AM. The first week was a little awkward, but once things heal it gets better.

For those wondering.. This computer screen I'm typing on would have been a complete blur for me. To read anything, I'd have to be about 4-5" from the screen without glasses. Now I have about 20-20 vision.

 

[Imported]

I just had my consultation (second) this morning and will be getting PRK done in March as I don't qualify for LASIK (cornea strength is on the bubble).

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Wow... that sounds like a pretty good experience. If you don't mind me asking, how much was it? Was the doctor up front on whether or not you'll have to have corrective surgery in the future?

He told me I most likely would need either correction 10+ years for now or have to wear reading glasses as I aged.
Seeing as how I've work glass or contacts for the last 24 years, I'm happy to be out of them for 10 years.
I spent $3400 for my procedure, which includes all the exams, follow ups, and corrections. Would I have prefered to spend less, sure. Was it worth it. ABSOLUTELY!!!

 

[Capt Caveman]

I have a consultation next week. They told me it would take 2 hours. We'll see what happens.

 

[Stiffe]

Igas

Did you go with Clearly Lasik and the surgeon was Joeseph King in victoria?