I've read that the surgeon essentially creates a lens out of your cornea to correct your vision.  However, doesn't vision tend to deteriorate as one ages?  I've had the same prescription contacts for about three years now, and I think I need a stronger pair.  Does having this surgery avoid this problem? I just turned 24.  Is it better to wait until my vision "stabilizes", so I don't throw away all that money?
205294
Ok heres my story:\n\nI had -7 myopia. awfully thick glasses, pretty expensive too and I was virtually blind without them. my glasses were pretty much a part of me, the last thing I did before sleeping and the first thing I reached for when I woke up in the morning. I had astigmatism to boot, and contacts weren't an option. and to make things worse, I had to keep getting stronger pair every 6 months or so. \n\nI am glad I went and got my Lasik. Freedom.\nmy eyes havent gotten weaker, and I didn't need to get glasses. Apparently glasses and their constant moving towards and away from the eye have something to do with increasing power. Yes as I age, my eyes will get weaker in the close region and I might have to get reading glasses for hyperopia, it is not the same thing, and is much better than glasses 24x7 for normal vision.\n\nBe aware though that it isn't entirely a bed of roses. There are some small differences between perfectly normal eyes and lasik treated eyes. First thing you would notice after surgery is dispersion. Bright lights in the dark tend to spread a little, no a disability but is slightly annoying till you get used to it. (this might or might not happent to you depending on the power that you are corrected for). Another effect is a slight drop in contrast when ambient light is low, again not a real issue.\n\nYou should also be aware that not all people are eligible to get lasik. your eligibility is the thickness of your cornea. depending on the power for which your eyesight has to be corrected, your cornea needs to be of atleast a minimum thinkness before a surgeon can create a lens on it. thinning it too much is dangerous because the eye holds some fluids that are under pressure.\n\nThough the surgeon tries to bring the error to 0 Diopters, sometimes there can be a "residual" power left and you might still need to wear glasses after the surgery. But for somebody like me, wearing -0.25 glasses after surgery when i was wearing -7.0 before is perfectly acceptable and is worth the expense. It might not be acceptable for someone wearing -0.5 before the surgery. This is something for you to decide on before you go for the surgery.\n\n24 is a reasonable age to get your lasik. your vision "stabilises" once your growth stops. This is around 18-22 for most people. I'm 25 now, I got my lasik when I was 22.
558545
Because even though you have had the same prescription for ten years as you get older your eyesight does change. So you want to try and maintain good "eye" health. I would suggest about every two years to make sure you see the eye doctor. Because if you keep wearing the same prescription and there is a dramatic change with your eyesight...wearing the same eyeglasses can actually damage your eyes even more.
249043
I have worked with Opthalmologists and I can give you the low down.\n  As a general rule we all will get cataracts at one point in our lives,it's a normal aging process where the lens in our eyes gets dense making it harder for us to focus.\n  Most Dr's know that though it is a slim chance that infection will occur,they do not like to mess with the cataract until it has almost made the vision in that particular eye almost non-exsistent.\n  The theory to that is if your vision is almost gone in that eye because of the severity of the cataract,if infection should occur after surgery you haven't lost anything though the benefits far exceed the risk.\n  There is no guarantee as to whether you will need glasses or not.  Alot of it depends on how healthy your retina is and how sucessful your surgery is.\n  I have seen alot of patients who glasses prescription was lessened after surgery and in the same respect I have seen them be able to throw their glasses away and get by with only readers.(Still need the silly things for reading and doing up close work)\n  Sometimes after cataract surgery is performed. . .a very simple operation now a days,a membrane behind the cataract that separates the front of the eye from the back of the eye\nthat was left as a precaution to keep any infections in the front part of the eye from spreading to the back of the eye where the retina and optic nerve could be affected might become clouded. . .a kind of scar tissue. \n   It will cause some cloudiness similar to the cloudiness once noticed prior to the cataract surgery. \n   The cloudiness will generally be noticed with a few weeks/months after the cataract surgery.\n   When chance of infection is no longer present,the doctor can put a few shots of laser on that membrane to open it and eyesight should improve.\n    The laser procedure is PAINLESS and only takes a few seconds.\n    Hardly ever will a doctor do both eyes at the same time.\n    Theory on that is that doing both eyes at one time does really hinder the patient anyway not to mention that if one eye gets infected,as a general rule,the other eye will follow right behind the first eye and this is a risk that few doctors want to see their patients take.\n    If you have cataracts and are considering having them removed,I highly recommend that if your doctor gives you the go ahead. . .Do it.  You will not regret it.\n    I promise you it is as most all of our patients told us the day after surgery. . .That wasn't as bad as I had it figured it would be.
622275
No. Once the damage is done, it's done.  I had such bad vision and astigmatism for years.  My contacts had to be specially ordered at $500 a pop.  I gave in 5 1/2 years ago and had LASIK.  Let me tell you, it was the best thing I've ever done.  I can't tell you how great it's been.  But, I understand the cost can be quite intimidating.  I spent over $3k having mine done, but in the past 5 years, it has already paid for itself.  The technology keeps getting better, so you should seriously consider it, and look into financing options.
628059
Haha...yeah! I go to the doctors, and they say I have 20-20 vision...but I know for a fact, that when I look at things far away...they are somewhat blurry. My right eye is worse than my left. So I finally went to the doctor. And without straining I tried to guess the letters. I got one wrong and the guy was like..ooo! You need glasses! So I got a prescription with only the right eye...like, there are lenses, but only the right one helps me see better...if that makes sense. So yeah...I have glasses, but I don't use them.
116933
I have had glassses since I was 15 years old and I am now 40. I wasn't popular then but I still need to see! Contacts worked for awhile, but now I am thinking of Lasix.\n\nAm I popular now?..don't know about that but I am confident enough that people don't even say anything about my glasses anymore and the only reason I think of the surgery is I am just tired of wearing them.
264563
Go for it!  But let me tell you EXACTLY how the procedure will go down.  My husband had the surgery in 2000, and I sat in the waiting room and was able to watch the entire surgery on television live.  They take these clamps and pull his eye open, after he is giving a strong numbing agent in the eye.  Well, he cant feel the clamps. Then, the doctor cuts open his cornea just to the point that it hangs over.  He takes the exposed area and zaps the eyes with a laser. It took just a minute, and then he flips the cornea back into place, and taped my husband's eyes closed. Next, he did the other eye.  Well, he finished in less than five minutes. My husbands eyes were taped shut and these honeycomb looking things were placed over both eyes, along with those big huge glasses you see the elderly people wearing. And voila! That was it. He was given a sedative which helped him sleep when we got home.  He had to wear those honeycomb looking things overnight, but it didn't bother him because he was knocked out from the sedative. He also had plenty of eyedrops. Well, a week later he had a follow up appt. and his vision was incredible!!!!  I hope you decide to do it. And over the years, LASIK has become more and more affordable.  Here's to a speedy recovery.
488193
I have the same problem, I just found out I need glasses for it, but also for distance and stigmatism.  Nice combo, basically I need bifocals at the age of 25. :(  But the doc did say the computer is bad for the eyes, so every 20 minutes, you should look 20 feet away and look at that place for 20 seconds. 20/20/20.  It is supposed to help your eyes refresh.  Sleeping a full night helps too, don't forget to blink, use drops if needed.  The problem with computer screens is that each tiny pixel in the screen is moving on its own, almost flickering.  We can't see it because the flicker and pixels are so so small, but the eye needs to use more energy to focus on that screen, thus damaging your eye sight.  Get glasses, computer glasses, they are supposed to help, I am waiting to buy mine because I don't have eye insurance in 2006, but will sign up for it in 2007.
470678
There isn't anything that will keep you from becoming nearsighted.  It is all about the way the light reaches the retina.  Contacts work well, because the bend the cornea directly.  I have been nearsighted all my life.  It has progressively gotten worse with age.  I have worn contacts and glasses, but prefer glasses as contacts do not fit my lifestyle.  \nI am not so sure about Lasik surgery.  I have heard bad things about your eyes going back to the way they were or worse.  Not something I would look into doing.  But there isn't any food or exercises that will change the shape of your cornea, thus change the way you see.  Sorry!
75147
Your best start would be to find an Ophthalmologist that is specializing in this type of procedure. Definitely check out his references and history.  It should not be hard to find a reputable doctor and office.  Stay away from the discounted or heavily advertised ones.  You get what you pay for and expect it to cost around $4000.00.  Schedule an appointment to discuss it.  They will assess your correction and thoroughly discuss your expectations and concerns, if they are a good doctor.  If they don't, find another doctor. They will not pressure you to commit unless you are certain you are prepared and are a positive candidate for the correction.  Everyone isn't...if your correction is too severe.  This surgery is wonderful if it works right, but there are risks, as with anything.  Seek out as much information as you need and then make an informed decision.  Good Luck!
250519
Okay... Pros and cons coming up!\n\nContacts allow a huge amount of freedom in your lifestyle - but you may need to play around with the different types e.g. one day lenses, 2wk replaceables, one month replaceables...  You will need to consult your opthamologist as to what will be best for your eyes.  \n\nNow...The longer your lenses last before they need replacing, the thicker the material used.  My eyes are very sensitive and I can only wear the one day lenses as the other ones are all too thick, so you may need to try a couple of types before settling on one choice.  Your opthamologist should be able to provide you with "testers" - one set (or strip for one dayers) of lenses in your prescription to try so you can see how your eyes react to them.\n\nIt will also depend on whether or not you have astigmatism in your eyes - this will make your lenses more expensive, especially if you get one day lenses.\n\nAlso remember that it takes time to get used to contact lenses - you're generally encouraged to wear them for only a few hours at a time when you first start out and slowly build up to wearing them full time.  It also takes a bit of time to get used to the feeling of poking yourself in the eye!  It's very easy once you get used to it, but it does take a little time to learn not to flinch or blink!\n\nHowever, the downside of contact lenses is that they can stop your eyes from breathing - especially if you get ones that you can sleep in.  It's very tempting to leave them in all day - and more often as not, most people do! - which can restrict the oxygen to your eyes and can cause problems.  However, I believe that the main problem is caused by the lenses that last for 30 days and can be slept in.  Soft lenses can also split on rare occasions - I've found it's more common in thin lenses.  But there is either a flaw in the lense to begin with, or you've rubbed your eyes REALLY hard!  They can some times pop out if you rub your eyes and cause your lense to slip out of place.\n\nAs for glasses... They allow a LOT more oxygen to go to your eyes, they are lot easier to care for than contact lenses. \n\nThe main downside is that you don't have as greater freedom of lifestyle - you can't wear sunglasses unless you're lucky enough to get a pair that has a clip on sunglass attachment, or get prescription sunglasses made or get those ugly sunglasses that go over the top of your regular glasses.  You also can't go swimming and see clearly, and sports are a little riskier if you get hit in the face!  \n\nGlasses need constant re-adjusting to keep them fitting to your face, but you can get bifocal lenses if you need glasses for both general sight as well as reading, where as with contact lenses, you'd need reading glasses as well.\n\nFor me, contact lenses are the best option as I work in catering and my glasses would be constantly covered in grease, dust and sweat - which wouldn't be very nice.  So, despite my sensitive eyes, I'm still better off with contact lenses.\n\nDepending on how old you are, it may be worthwile to investigate laser surgery.  From what I've found, it costs about $7000 (depending on your eyes personally) and gives you results pretty much instantly!  \n\nIt sounds expensive, but when you consider that contact lenses cost in hundreds of dollars (depending on the type you get) for a six month supply and that glasses can cost several hundred dollars for the frames alone and then still more to get your lenses cut and put in (and that's not including any tints or special coatings you may want!), $7000 works out to be pretty good in the long run!\n\nHowever, most doctors won't take anyone under about 23 years old. You need to have a long period of stable eyesight (however poor it may be!) for them to agree to your surgery and in most people, it seems settle down by then as the body has stopped growing etc.\n\nDepending on the condition of your eyes,
334190
I wore contacts for about two years, and I had horrible habits with them; I had the "Night and Day" kind, but I would keep them in for up to two weeks at a time. I used the "No rub" solution, but barely cleaned them, and didn't put fresh solution in the case.  I ended up getting multiple ulcerated corneas in each eye, and can no longer wear contacts for more than one day out of every two weeks at the most.  I also have at least three scars in each eye, not to mention the extreme pain and light sensitivity I experienced when the infection was still there.  However, I'm lucky to still have my vision and the ability to wear contacts, no matter how infrequently.  Basically, keeping your contact lenses absolutely pristine is extremely important.
332364
i know Lazar eye surgery, but i don't know your full situation. go to other optometrists to get another opinion. ummm, carrots help your eyesight in the dark.. have fun, don't know much about this subject but good luck
423098
johnpaul_ is revealing his own lack of education in his answer.\n\nYes, it is possible for glasses to give you better than 20/20 vision. The 20/20 number is a comparison between two people... the first number represents you, and how close you have to be to see a given object clearly. The second number represents a person with "normal" sight and how far away they have to be to see that object clearly. For example, if person who has 20/200 vision (legal blindness) has to stand 20 feet away from an object in order to see it clearly, a person with normal vision can stand 200 feet away and see the image as clearly.\n\nSo there is nothing special about 20/20 vision. It is just an aribitrary standard based on the average range of vision (which was established many years ago, an may not be reflective of the current US population). So, good glasses will not necessarily "correct" you to 20/20 vision. They may be "over prescribed" and land you at 25/20, or under-prescribed and land you at 20/25. There is nothing wrong with the eye chart. If you are too over- or under-prescribed, you may experience a lot of eye strain. If that happens you need to get a new pair or you may get a lot of headaches.
429373
Lasik eye surgery helps cure astigmatism by reshaping the cornea.\n\nI just had it about a month ago, very amazing stuff.
609163
How long has this been going on? Has a retinal specialist told you the retina is torn/detacted? \nAs for surgery,which you may/or may not need, don't let fear keep you from trying...\nCertainly anything is better than losing your sight\nLet us know please...
507143
I have quite a few friends that have had the surgery.\nThe longest has been 10 years ago.  None of them have loss any vision since the surgery and they are all very pleased with the outcome.