Laser Eye Surgery

[jackson11]

Well it is time for me to get my eyes checked again and time to start looking for new glasses. I have been wearing contacts or glasses since I was in my teens and anyone that wears glasses or contacts can give you a long list of hassles of wearing glasses and contacts. I am beginning to think that maybe laser surgery may be an option I should begin to look into. A friend of mine has done the surgery with good results and seems happy. However their prescription was not as bad as mine. I have been trying to do as much research as possible on the topic but there is tonnes of information out there. It looks like most of the "horror stories" that people experienced during the first years that laser surgery came out are not an issue any more (or were lies to begin with) however after reading hundreds of webpages including information on Laser Eye Clinic/ Doctor's own sites they do have lists of possible risks. Also after reading pages of information costs seem to vary greatly.

Just want to see if anyone has ever had laser eye surgery (or know people that have) and willing to share their experience.
What were the risks
Are your eyes better or do you experience any pain, itchiness, dry eyes etc.
Is your night vision affect
What is price range or cost
Any good recommendations on a Laser Eye Clinic
Or any other information you can share

I am getting to a point in my life where I would love to not have to depend on glasses or contacts so any information anyone is willing to share is appreciated. And before anyone points out the obvious I will be going to my eye doctor later this week and will ask similar questions however would be nice to have some information from people who have had the surgery

 

[nobody123]

My mom had it done last year. First one eye, a coupla (few?) months later, the other. No complications. She's pleased as punch about it. Got no recos since I dunno the doc. Sorry.

 

[stinkynuts]

I know some friends who had good results, but I also know a professor who did it, and there were complications. His eyes are fucked up, and he now requires frequent eye drops daily.

Your eyes are so important to your life. I personally would never risk the health and functionality of my eyes for cosmetic purposes. I wear glasses, but sometimes wear contacts. Never had any real problems, and want to keep it that way.

 

[TESLAMotors]

A big suggestion, DON'T read any horror stories or look at videos, just go and do it. I did and canceled the first time around, then a friend talked some sense into me and I went ahead and did it.
I'm glad I did and never looked back (pun intended). It's quite a weird experience though, but they gave me some pill (valium or ativan) to calm my nerves down before the procedure.
Just make sure you follow the after care instructions.
Good luck.

 

[fuji]

Get a good opthalmologist first, get a complete eye exam done, not just the cursory check that optometrists do when you go in for a new prescription. Your opthalmologist will advise you of the likelihoods of complications and check whether there are any underlying conditions that might be a factor.

Don't ask medical advice on terb.

 

[TESLAMotors]

Fuji is right, these are your eyes, so definitely do the proverbial homework.

 

[Terminator2000]

apparently there's stem cell treatments to be soon available on the horizon, but that's probably in the next 20-30 years.

 

[fuji]

apparently there's stem cell treatments to be soon available on the horizon, but that's probably in the next 20-30 years.

And may depend on your parents having had the foresight to set aside some stem cells when you were born.

 

[Terminator2000]

And may depend on your parents having had the foresight to set aside some stem cells when you were born.

i aint even going to bother posting the link to the article where i read this. they keep bringing up promises of revolution groundbreaking discoveries of new treatments blah blah. why they advertise this shit and its 20-30 years away is beyond me. whats the point?

 

[nobody123]

i aint even going to bother posting the link to the article where i read this. they keep bringing up promises of revolution groundbreaking discoveries of new treatments blah blah. why they advertise this shit and its 20-30 years away is beyond me. whats the point?

Oh, I love reading about this kind of next-gen shit! Even though I will likely be dead and gone before I can take advantage of things like vat-grown organs or replacing teeth by regenerating new ones... it's still pretty fucking cool. It's nice to read about researchers doing wicked cool shit like this instead of building bigger, better ways to kill each other.

 

[Terminator2000]

Oh, I love reading about this kind of next-gen shit! Even though I will likely be dead and gone before I can take advantage of things like vat-grown organs or replacing teeth by regenerating new ones... it's still pretty fucking cool. It's nice to read about researchers doing wicked cool shit like this instead of building bigger, better ways to kill each other.

yeah. in the next 50 years.

20 years ago. they had library books saying that by 2015, we'd have a space elevator that touched down on earth and took people straight to the moon's surface.

oh and a city on the moon's surface too.

 

[Mikehorn]

I looked into it once a few years ago, and I'm a good candidate, but my wisdom teeth needed to be removed so that came first. By the time I reconsidered I had changed my mind.

My eyesight is already compromised. I know how it feels when I can't find my glasses. No chance in hell I'm messing with what little eyesight I have left. And now I need reading glasses anyways and lasik can't fix that.

Besides, my optometrist & ophthalmologist both still wear specs. Makes me wonder.

Agreed. Oh, and thanks for the mutually blurry sex!

 

[40micmic]

Had it done 5+ yrs ago. Had PRK done vs lasik because my corneas were too thin. Well worth the money. I think it was 4k+ but well worth it. Had the surgery done at TLC but i had consultations with several of the major clinics before choosing TLC.

My prescription was not bad at all. i think -250 & -200 or something like that. No dry eyes or itchiness but at nights it feels like headlights and street lights have a gently haze. However, to be honest I couldnt tell you if it was something I have always experienced even prior to surgery.

You cant imagine how it feels to not have to reach for your glasses or take out your contacts before you sleep. Its awesome.

 

[out4fun]

I had it done about 10 years ago after having worn glasses since high school. Had it done one day through LASIK MD, at about 10am, was home by noon, had a nap, woke up a few hours later....20/20 ever since...never a moment of pain or discomfort. My regret was waiting so many years to get it done.

 

[tml]

i aint even going to bother posting the link to the article where i read this. they keep bringing up promises of revolution groundbreaking discoveries of new treatments blah blah. why they advertise this shit and its 20-30 years away is beyond me. whats the point?

They do it to try and raise funds for their research. Part scientist part snake oil salesman.

 

[ms9795]

Did it like 3 years ago. Very pleased with the results. Went to a few places for initial consultations - TLC, Bochner, Herzig. Felt the most comfortable with Bochner so went there. From what I recall Bochner and Herzig were the most expensive (about 5k at the time) but Bochner made me feel the most comfortable. I felt the additional cost was worth the peace of mind since you only have one pair of eyes. I definitely recommend it. I've always had dry eyes so needed drops once every couple weeks or so (usually when staring at a screen for hours) even before the surgery and that is the same now. I get mild halos around lights but very minimal. Nothing to really worry about - one eye is 20/20 and the other is better than 20/20.

 

[wigglee]

When I read the waiver they asked me to sign stating that they were not responsible for a host of horrendous possible outcomes, I walked. It seems like a bit of a rip off too. They advertise 500 per eye, but who gets it done for less that 3 grand? For a 10 minute procedure??????

 

[Keebler Elf]

Do a search. This has been discussed before.

 

[TESLAMotors]

Did it like 3 years ago. Very pleased with the results. Went to a few places for initial consultations - TLC, Bochner, Herzig. Felt the most comfortable with Bochner so went there. From what I recall Bochner and Herzig were the most expensive (about 5k at the time)

Herzig, try $6k, that's who I went with (the namesake himself).
Herzig if I'm not mistaken is one of the pioneers of the LASIK procedure and in from my understanding, the people from TLC Laser Eye Center in Washington D.C. sent a few people up to Herzig to learn a little more and were then going to do Tiger Woods' eyes (for free) as he was going to be a spokesperson in return.

I felt the additional cost was worth the peace of mind since you only have one pair of eyes.

That's exactly why my friend went to Herzig and I followed suit. You have to go with someone reputable and pay more in my opinion.

 

[bestman007]

There's a guy at Pacific Mall who is apparently really good. Prices start at $20 an eye. Insurance does not cover it but with his prices so low - who cares? I think his name is Dr. Ling.