My LASIK Experience Start-to-Finish

[No2rdame]

Damn I'm jealous of all of you. I can't wear contacts and glasses don't get me anywhere close to where I need to be. I tried getting lasik, had everything ready to go. Right before they started they said I needed one more test... My corneas were too thin.

It's at the point now where I have the wife read most signs and when I got my driver license I had to 'cheat' a bit. But, I'm not legally blind so I'm sol.

 

[SIGguy]

I really appreciate this thread I have been considering and contemplating lasik for years now but was unsure and there got frustrated from being un sure and said to hell with it but now after reading this I have reconsidered and have now started researching it some more......thanks

 

[No2rdame]

I've never heard anything bad about it and if I was a candidate I wouldn't have hesitated. I'm still bummed it wouldn't work for me.

 

[eatsnopaste]

I just read these posts...had to print out the pictures of your eyes...I get lost in them!

 

[ItIsWhatItIs]

I'm glad to see the positive comments here. I'm getting PKR on Thursday. Was already stoked and now I am even more excited. I've been told PKR is best for me, due to the dangerous nature of my job and the possibility of getting hit. Apparently LASIK has potential to backfire in that a blow to the head or eye can cause the cornea to tear where the laser cut the eye previously.

 

[esrice]

I just read these posts...had to print out the pictures of your eyes...I get lost in them!

Ok we just took a turn to Creepyville.

I've been told PKR is best for me, due to the dangerous nature of my job and the possibility of getting hit.

The first place I went to several years ago said they recommend PRK for military and LEOs for this reason.

PRK Surgery in Indiana - Price Vision Group Indianapolis

 

[iChokePeople]

I'm glad to see the positive comments here. I'm getting PKR on Thursday. Was already stoked and now I am even more excited. I've been told PKR is best for me, due to the dangerous nature of my job and the possibility of getting hit. Apparently LASIK has potential to backfire in that a blow to the head or eye can cause the cornea to tear where the laser cut the eye previously.

My surgeon chose PRK for me for the same reason, I get hit in the head a lot. FWIW, the scary stories about PRK were just that. It was no big deal, and my results are great.

 

[theweakerbrother]

I just read these posts...had to print out the pictures of your eyes...I get lost in them!

Why is that creepy, Evan? Our house is wallpapered with the same print outs. inside and out!

 

[Kirk Freeman]

I can't wear contacts and glasses don't get me anywhere close to where I need to be.

There is the Toric ICL which will likely fix your problem, or Keratacs. However, both of these implants are still under review by FDA.

Maybe you have check into surgery overseas?

 

[Movealongmovealong]

This is not medical advice, but I have family who are eye docs, and if you have anything besides a simple prescription and NO other eye health issues, I would think VERY carefully before getting LASIK. Things can and do happen.

 

[Liberty1911]

Thanks for posting this. I'm considering this surgery. Any updates in the last 5 months?

 

[esrice]

Thanks for posting this. I'm considering this surgery. Any updates in the last 5 months?

You're very welcome.

I had the procedure done back in March, so I'm about 10 months in. My 'new' vision has maintained quite well and I have no issues to report. All my old habits (like constantly adjusting my glasses) are gone and I feel like I've always been glasses-free.

This weekend I participated in a force-on-force training class and I was reminded of how awesome it is to put on the protective headgear without having to contend with prescription glasses. It's bad enough that I was having to deal with people trying to shoot me without having to also deal with my glasses falling down or becoming fogged. Also made me think 'What if my glasses were ever knocked off in the middle of a gunfight?'

I'm very happy with my decision and would recommend the surgery to others.

 

[87bluejay]

Agreed! I'd do it again tomorrow!

My review of my Lasik Experience...

Without a doubt best money I have ever spent in my life to date!

 

[forgop]

I paid to get my wife's done at 20/20 Institute across from the Fashion mall about 3 years ago in Indy. I think it was roughly $3500 for both with lifetime "touch ups" if needed rather than 1 year correction if needed, which was somewhere around $300 more I believe. She was probably like 20/200 prior to surgery if I had to guess as her vision was awful prior and came and has been 20/20 or 20/15 ever since. Best money we've ever spent medically.

 

[ATOMonkey]

This will be the first year that we fund the HSA above our max out of pocket limit.

A year from now, maybe even 6 months, I will have enough scratch to get my eyes fixed. Can't wait!

 

[PAMom]

Gotta reply

I have always wanted to have lasik and so in December I took advantage of a free screening locally. Long story short, I was not a candidate due to early cataracts. However, 10 days ago I had my right cataract removed and a multifocal lens implanted, along with the astigmatism correction. In 5 days, the other eye is scheduled. Went from 20/200 to 20/20 in right eye (left is just as bad). The vision these past 10 days has been challenging, what with the vision so different in my eyes. I am managing well, but my eyes get very tired and achy.

I do appreciate no longer wearing glasses or contacts.

I said all of this to say, LOOK WHAT YOU GOT ME IN TO!! I envied all of your good stories and results.

My experience has been good so far, but these lenses do NOT come cheap. I decided to go for the cadillac of lenses that provide correction for both close and distant vision. Thousands of dollars. OUCH!

 

[ATOMonkey]

I have always wanted to have lasik and so in December I took advantage of a free screening locally. Long story short, I was not a candidate due to early cataracts. However, 10 days ago I had my right cataract removed and a multifocal lens implanted, along with the astigmatism correction. In 5 days, the other eye is scheduled. Went from 20/200 to 20/20 in right eye (left is just as bad). The vision these past 10 days has been challenging, what with the vision so different in my eyes. I am managing well, but my eyes get very tired and achy.

I do appreciate no longer wearing glasses or contacts.

I said all of this to say, LOOK WHAT YOU GOT ME IN TO!! I envied all of your good stories and results.

My experience has been good so far, but these lenses do NOT come cheap. I decided to go for the cadillac of lenses that provide correction for both close and distant vision. Thousands of dollars. OUCH!

How many thousands? I may be in the same boat.

 

[PAMom]

How many thousands? I may be in the same boat.

$2500 per eye for the lens and $1000 each for the fancy LenSx laser. It is very interesting. This customizes the procedure for your eye. A very detailed, high resolution 'map' is created of your eye. The procedure is computer guided, like robotic surgery you may have heard of. Insurance covers the surgery but not the lens.

 

[esrice]

I do appreciate no longer wearing glasses or contacts.

Very cool!

 

[PAMom]

I am now three days post left eye surgery. 20/20 vision is awesome!

I have good vision in all fields, but near vision is not yet perfect( hopefully it will be eventually). I can expect improvement could occur for up to six months.

If I experience no further improvement, I can see well with no vision correction. I cannot explain how that feels after 42 years of glasses/contacts.