Lasik Surgery

[disneysteve]

My belief as a physican is that you should never have any surgery that isn't medically necessary. This includes Lasik, cosmetic surgery, etc. I think all operations have risk and unless there is some significant medical benefit, it isn't worth the risk. I've got glasses. My wife and daughter both wear glasses. My ophthalmologist wears glasses. Both eye doctors that I routinely send my patients to wear glasses.

[terri77]

I had it done and it was the best thing that I ever did. I'm not endorsing it, just saying that it was a positive experience for me. I had to go in the next day because I displaced my flap, that was one minor complication that was easily fixed. My night vision was bad initially, but after a few weeks it was okay. I also took the eye drops to shrink my pupil and help my astigmatism. They say that my vision is better than 20/20 now. I don't miss all the problems I had with contacts and I very much disliked wearing glasses. It's nice not to have to rely on either to see.

[thekingofmygirl]

Hi i found this information at wwwDOTmy2020DOTcom and i hope it helps you even in a little way "At some centers, a lower price for LASIK comes at the expense of patient care or surgical experience. In other words, you get what you pay for. According to a Market Scope study (March, 2003), surgeons who claim to charge less than $1000 per eye account for less than 3% of all LASIK procedures nationwide. Your procedure will change your vision for the rest of your life, so price shouldn’t be your major determining factor when choosing a surgeon. The least expensive surgeon is not always the best choice – you want to find a surgeon who provides you with the best overall value. Ideally, you want a surgeon who not only has the finest technology, but also a wealth of experience, a dedicated staff, all at a great price." Ohh just try to check their site because they have this limited offer going on right now. Too bad i can put a link here but just try to type that one.

[Snowgirl]

I got it 4 years ago, I was around -6/7 on both eyes, plus a bit of astigmatism. It changed my life! Getting up at night and walking around without glasses, going to the beach and being able to find my boyfriend even if the umbrella is down, ...

However I thought about it for a long time, and when I had the money, I still thought about it for a year weighting risks/benefits. I didn't go for the cheapest place (no price shopping on that!), but for the place with many solid recommendations: many friends, a lawyer working in malpractice suit told me it was the best, many professional athletes went there as well, and my own surgeon was operated by his coworker. Really go for a well qualified surgeon, is my advice, you only have one pair!

At the time, I went for the latest technology (Wavefront LASIK), and paid a whopping 3500$ for both eyes. The results were great, even if I was borderline because my corneas are thin, and I am now at 20/25. I have halos at night, but nothing worse than with glasses, and have trouble with some fluorescent lighting. So even if it is not perfection, I'm very happy.

As far as pregnancy, I can't say since I haven't have kids yet, but I didn't want to wait after that, since it could be far away. The most important is not to go when you're pregnant or soon after delivery.

[jasanderson]

I have always had extremely bad vision and pregnancy actually helped mine ---- inititally. AFter two kids it actually got a little worse. I would definately wait until you are done having kids.

My uncle first had it done when they used the scalpels instead of razors and 10+ years later he loves it. His eyes were -6 ish. My brother was -3 and had it done as well for his job and he has had no problems.

I am -7.25 and -7.5 and have been told it's more risky. My doctor recommended waiting as well for more advancements to be made. 10 years ago i was told i could never have it done - now i'm told i can but with caution. Personally I can't afford it with 2 small kids it's a luxury wish list item but I would go for it. Wouldn't it be nice to wake up in the morning and be able to see your alarm clock or not stub your toe on the way to the bathroom because you can't find your glasses? I have had to get my kids to find my glasses for me when they fall off the dresser because i can't see them.

Keep in mind that as you get older you will still need glasses for bi-focals. That can't be corrected.

[jodi]

I had a cousin who got this done many years ago, when it was still a knife and not a laser. He loved the results. I was seriously considering this, but then I found Night and Day contacts. I wear them for 30 days straight, then throw them away and get a new pair. I never mess around with glasses or contact solution anymore, so it's basically like I have perfect vision. I just have to be careful to put my eye drops in each night and when I go swimming. Anyway, just mentioning this as a cheaper alternative for those of us who are visually impaired
That's not to say that I won't ever do Lasik. Last time I asked about it, I was a marginal risk - I didn't get enough reassurances from my eye doctor to move forward (-6.25 and astigmatism). I would still consider this in the future, but at this time, the contacts are working out great for me. I thought it was only $1-2k per eye when I looked into it, but I could be wrong. It was several years ago. Good luck.

[cicy33]

I am still considering it. I also have available fsa at work and if I do this, I will put it on that and have it taken out of my paycheck. free interest loan! What could be better. But I am still looking into it. and I will probably have my exam this year to see if I am a candidate. The only problem I have with that is that they require contacts to be out for at least a week in order to do it and I really hate glasses. they give me headaches.