Is laser eye surgery worth it?
455259
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.
40123
I just had Lasik surgery about 3 weeks ago. I see so clearly now. It's great!!!! They give you a valium about 30 minutes before the procedure and they put numbing drops in your eyes too. It doesn't hurt, but it's a little uncomfortable. I was more nervous than anything else, but all went well. The only part I didn't care for much was when the doctor put the speculum on my eyes to make my eyelids expand and also so I couldn't blink. That was probably the most "pain" I felt. After it was all done, my eyes were and still are very sensitive to light. They're also dry, so I have to use drops. They said it was "normal"\nTry Lasik Plus Vision Center. They have great prices(I paid just under 2400.00 for both eyes together) They have payment plans too.
1099447
I had a tear in the retina of my left eye 20 years ago.  I had laser surgery to "spot weld" the area around the tear to keep it from spreading.  I have had no further retinal problems.
1113028
Go to an eye doc first and find out if you are really myopic. Even if you are don't despair, lasik surgery is very evolved and you can regain perfect eyesight. Give your eyes a lot of rest and look away from the screen every half an hour. Also eat carrots and green leafy vegetables, your eyes will feel better.
303252
I work for an optometrist that also comanaages laser patients. I've probably met at least 150 people that have had it done. That vast majority love it and have had excellent results. Usually, the worst I've seen are cases of chronic dry eyes. That doesn't mean there aren't risks, they are just low. Do your research to find a good surgeon and ask lots of questions. Remember you may need touch-ups and if you are young, you will need reading glasses at around 40-45 regardless.
745738
Sorry about your misfortunes with the surgery. After the lensectomy your vision shouldn't be changing, however that surgery does not correct astigmatism so you could do a LASIK retreatment to get rid of the astigmatism. If the surgeon did both your LASIK and lensectomy and you are not happy with him/her, you should get a 2nd or even 3rd opinion - maybe with a more experienced surgeon. Good luck.
872439
Be happy with the eyes God gave you!! Most people want eye surgery so that they can SEE! If you're just going to waste all that money on a surgery that cant even be preformed, than you shouldnt have all that money in the first place.
627029
Absolutely!  I just had it in Feb and it's the most amazing thing in the world to be able to see normally without glasses or contacts.  Do your research first and find a board certified surgeon - this is not the time to look for sale prices.  There is nothing to be scared of, it does not hurt at all and it's done in like 2 minutes per eye.  Good luck!
1139854
I'd prefer the surgery stayed expensive...  The cost goes to pay for expensive quality equipment and good doctors who have done this surgery a lot.  I would be wary if the doctor did it for cheap!\n\nInsurance doesn't cover this because it's not required for good health-- in most cases you can wear glasses or contacts and still see well.
643470
I had lasik done last year, at 42, for moderate to severe (20/675) myopia.  I'm a hair away from 20/20 now, and am very pleased.\nIf you see an experienced surgeon and are screened for risk factors for the surgery, there should be very little risk of a bad result.  Of all the people I know, only one has had a problem afterwards, and that was chronically dry eyes.  However, she had it done 6 years ago with a blade, not laser, and was told she was borderline (too flat an angle) for the surgery anyway.  \nThe lazy eye can be done if the laziness is not too severe.  You'd have to be examined by the doctor to know for sure. \nI don't know where you are, but I had my eyes done in Canada.  They are 5 years ahead of the USA as far as lasik experience, and it cost half of what it would have cost here.
42707
Expect to pay 1000 - 2000 dollars.\n\nIf it sound too good to be true (like these 200 dollar deals) it probably is. Eyes are very precious and it is important to get the surgery done by a reputable clinic.
217159
I had mine done years ago and I love it.  However, not everyone who gets it done comes out perfect, my mom is having trouble with her peripheral vision and she gets bad night reflective glares, but the rest of my family are fine too.  Lasik technology has also gotten much better these days though.  \n\nIt's such a quick procedure, like 10 minutes, and you don't feel a thing except afterwards it stings for a day or two, it feels like you have something stuck in your eye or you scratched it, cuz it's your cornea healing from the incision, but they give you eyedrops and painkillers for it.
1141269
I had lasik about 3 years ago.  I was a great experience.  I did not feel a thing.  They give valium before hand and they put eye drops in your eyes that completely numb them.  Also, the room that you are in is completely dark, so you don't even have to see what's going on.  I had 20/20 vision within 24 hours of my surgury, and still do today.  I would recommend it to any and everyone!  I got mine done at Henry Ford Optimeyes, and I would absolutely recommend them.
562997
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.
477490
Most laser refractive surgery is recommended with people of 6.00 or less.  So, this makes you on the edge.  Lasik and other refractive surgeries or PRK or corneal rings are very safe. The best thing you can do if you are thinking about laser surgery is to really research the doctors in your area.  Stay away from the people who claim it's so easy they can do it over your lunch break.  There are some risks as with any surgery. Most practices have someone in charge of marketing and would be happy to either set you up with a free consultation with their corneal specialist or send you more information than you could ever dream of.\n\nAs far as cost, my practice charges just under $1,300 per eye. Pain is minimal and I have mostly heard it described as annoying achiness.  There will be eye drops for a while afterwards, make sure you are okay with that.\n\nAlso keep in mind that not everyone is a good candidate for surgery.  There are several tests required in determining whether you can have surgery. You have to have enough eye tissue, no dryness, etc.
388561
Ive been looking into lasik lately and I believe it's primary purpose is for nearsighted (or folks you can't see very far) vision. \nDon't quote me. You can use that link to learn more.
1097016
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.