Lasik?

[k.hunter30]

Has anyone had a Lasik procedure? Or do you know much about it? Was your vision completely corrected? How much did it cost? Would you recommend it?

I'm contemplating having it done. The last two contact prescriptions i've had just haven't been able to completely help my vision, due to a small astigmatism. My opthamologist said if I don't adjust well to the last prescription he gave me last week, we could try corrective lenses for an astigmatism - though it would be more costly and may not be as comforable. I'm thinking about going the Lasik route if I have to go through the trouble of special lenses anyways. I'm just a little scared...

I also would have to save up for the procedure. I've heard it costs anywhere from $2000 to $6000. What is reasonable?

Any information or advice you can offer would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Master Yoda]

My wife had PRK done about 5 or 6 years ago. PRK is similar to lasik. As it was explained to us the main difference between the two is PRK is done directly on the eye where as lasik there is a flap cut and the work in done under the flap. This reduces the recovery time but if done on a person whose eyes dilate too much will cause the infamous night halo. When she went in for the procedure she had 20/600 vision. She now has 20/15 vision. We spent around $4000 for the procedure.

She absolutely loves the results and would do it again in a second. The best piece of advice I could give you is do not price shop. If you can not go afford to go to the best doctor with the latest equipment do not do it. Pretty much all of the places we contacted had little or no interest payment plans and I doubt that has changed.

Since you mentioned that you have an astigmatism I think PRK is still the choice for correction. The worst thing about the PRK was the lengthened recovery time which was about 2 weeks. My wife said it felt like she had sand in her eye and her vision was not instantly better like with lasik. That took about a month. But my wife is a very slow healer and I have no doubt that played a role.

The procedure was very simple. About the only thing that surprised my wife was the smell. You have to think...they are burning flesh and that does not smell all that great. She said that had she known that she would have been fine but they did not give her any warning.

To sum up I say do it but explore your options. Get evaluations by more than one doctor and check references.

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

Hi - I had Lasik done in 2004 (I was 23) here in Buffalo. I wore really thick glasses all my life (I had strabismus, double vision, so I had a ton of prisms in there too). About 2 years before I had the surgery, I went to a doctor who determined I "outgrew" the strabismus, and I could try contacts. After that, I decided to go all the way and get Lasik surgery.

Mine cost $2000 total for the procedure with the most respected surgeon here in Buffalo. I had cheap insurance, but a lot of health insurance policies will pay somewhere around $500 per eye, which helps a lot with cost.

Okay, to the surgery itself. You are awake and alert, which is not as freaky as it seems. You do not feel a thing, although, it is really odd to see someone folding over your cornea (I hope I'm not scaring you! It looks like you're looking through a kaleidescope -it's really not scary at all, and it goes by very fast). Oh, and I just re-read your post. I had astigmatism as well, and the surgery corrected all of my vision problems.

Immediately following the surgery, I could already read the chart better than before, although that's where the real "work" begins. The first day, after the initial drops from surgery wear off, you are a bit sore (your eyes burn a bit). I had a concoction of about 5 different drops I had to do at certain times (I needed more because i suffer from dry eyes). This lasted a few days, then I went for a follow up. I was really strict about getting the drops in properly, because your healing depends on it. You also have to wear goggles for a few days, so you don't accidentally rub your eyes (I was afraid I would accidentally do it when they were off, but I didn't....I'm just a bundle of anxiety ).

For a few weeks you will likely need to take care of some drops regularly (nothing like the first few days), and after about 8 weeks, I believe, you're considered "healed."

After my first "normal" eye exam 6-months after the surgery, my vision was 20/10 - better than 20/20. I wore "coke bottle" glasses my entire life, and now it's hard to remember what it was like wearing glasses, or having to squint to see the alarm clock in the middle of the night. It seriously is life-changing. And (I use this argument to try and convince my sister to have the surgery, but she's afraid), for the $2000 cost, I know I would have spent that in the past 3 and a half years on contacts and glasses, so the surgery has already paid for itself, in my opinion.

There are some minor "side effects" that the doctor went over with me before the surgery as possibilities. Sometimes in low light situations, when I'm reading a magazine before bed, for example, I'll see slight flickers in the corner of my eye. Also, do you know how with glasses (or contacts) you see slight "halos" around lights (especially street lights, for me at least). I still have those slightly now; however, I had them with lenses, and it is incredibly minor, so I don't have a problem with that at all.

One last (and very minor) thing. In extremely low light situations, sometimes I have a hard time. Actually, there's literally only one time where I've had a problem (and this won't come as as surprise on this forum). At night at MK I have a difficult time seeing in Frontierland. I've always thought it was too dark at night, but I've noticed since my surgery that it's a little bit harder to see in FL at night. This doesn't happen anywhere in "real" life, though .

I hope this helps (I know it's long, but I thought you might want as much detail as possible). Honestly, as I mentioned before, I'm kind of a hypochondriac and I was a bundle of nerves about my surgery - for no reason. The surgery itself was very minor and quick, and not painful at all. I had a great doctor (who actually let my mom watch outside the surgery room, because they tape the procedure and have it on a TV). I recommend you ask around your area for recommended doctors (beware doctors who have a "sale" on surgery!). Several of the doctors here have open houses where they actually perform a procedure and answer any questions. Perhaps someone in your area does the same.

Good luck, and if you decide to do the surgery, I think you'll be pleased. It really did improve my quality of life!

 

[k.hunter30]

Thank you very much for both of your input!!

As far as cost goes, if I do decide to have the procedure, I'll pay whatever it takes to get great care. If I needed to pay $6000 for great care, I would, but if the surgeons in the $2000 price range here will offer the same level of care, obviously I'd go with them. I'm in the Nashville area and the financial demographics here vary SO much! I wouldn't be surprised if the same procedure would vary by $3000 or more within a 50 mile radius.

Okay, so you're awake during the procedure. Do they give you anythig to calm your nerves? You're awake while they are working on your eye, what if you accidentally move? How long is the procedure?

Thank you for information on the recovery time. When would I be able to return to work?

What were your first steps when deciding to have this procedure (or, Yoda, in your case your wife's)? Did you first talk it over with your opthamologist and then did he/she recommend a surgeon?

Thanks so much you guys!!

 

[Laura]

I had lasik done a little less than 2 years ago. Best money I ever spent. I paid $1250 per eye and the doctor was amazing.

I have all of the gruesome details of the surgery in my journal. I'll find it and link you to it.

I was given valium before the surgery, but I think they gave me too much. I was very calm, but the problem I had was I was SO tired from the medication I could not keep my eyes open and focus on what I was supposed to. I think I'd have done better without the valium. They ended up needing to hold my eye in place with the suction device because I just could not keep it from rolling up into my head for the life of me.

I was fully recovered from the surgery and could see great by the time I went to bed that night. I had some red marks in my left eye for about a month afterwards from the extra suction they had to use to keep my eye in place (thanks to the valium).

I believe my vision is now 20-20 in my right eye and 20-30 in my left. I used to not be able to see 2 inches in front of me without a strong prescription, and I had astigmatism in both eyes.

Lasik was the best decision I ever made. I get emotional thinking about it because it completely changed my life.

 

[Laura]

Here's the journal entries I made about the surgery....

3/15/06

My journey through laser eye surgery
I figured I'd start an entry where I can record everything I go through with my eye sight. Kind of dorky, but I'm weird like that. I figure it will be good for future reference if I ever meet anyone else wondering what it's like to go through all of this.

Pre-surgery Evaluation
The first step involved in getting lasik is to stop wearing your contacts. You have to be in glasses for at least 2 weeks to have an accurate evaluation because contacts can temporarily alter the shape of your cornea. So February 23rd was the last time I ever wore contacts. It was so surreal when I took them out that night, knowing that I most likely would never put them back in for the rest of my life.

2 weeks later, on March 10th, I had my evaluation. I was very anxious about this appointment because I was so afraid they would tell me I was not a candidate for the surgery. The appointment was 90 minutes long, and they did lots of different tests and measurements. The nurse took me into the operating room to show me the laser and then she did 2 scans on my eyes. Then we went into a typical eye exam room like you'd see at any other eye doctor's office. We did the whole "is this better or worse" deal where they figure out my prescription. Then she used this nifty machine to take zoomed in photos of my eyes (which was very cool). The pictures appeared instantly on the laptop which was connected to the machine. Then she dilated my eyes (I hate that), and she had to use this little metal wand thing to measure the thickness of my corneas. It was the most bizarre feeling. She pushed the wand on my cornea and it felt and looked SO strange! After that my eyes felt really really weird from being dilated.

Then the doctor came in and did the "better or worse" stuff again. And then he looked into my eyes with the bright lights and all that to make sure everything was healthy. After all this testing, I was deemed a good candidate for the surgery. He explained the risks. And then I went back with the nurse to schedule the surgery. This was actually the most difficult part of the whole thing because my reading vision had been temporarily obliterated from having my eyes dilated. So I was trying to sign forms and read when I couldn't see! My surgery was scheduled for March 16th, and the nurse gave me a zip up bag of all my prescriptions and sleeping goggles and sunglasses that I would need for the next week. Then I went and paid for it all in full (grand total $2790), and the receptionist took pity on my poor dilated, oversensitive eyes and gave me a dorky plastic thing to slip inside my glasses to block the sun so I could see to drive home.

Day before surgery
Today is March 15th, and I can't describe how strange it is to know that 22 hours from now I won't need these stupid glasses anymore. I'm beyond excited about having my eyes fixed. I'm also very nervous. I've been staring at pictures of the surgery online for days, so I'm pretty desensitized to the creepy stuff now. I'm just nervous about having to have a bright light shining in my eyes without being able to blink. I hope it doesn't make me freak out. But I'll be taking valium just before the surgery so hopefully that will help relax me. Today I had to start using 2 different kinds of eyedrops, which I use every 4 hours (4 times a day). They BURN! I also had to start my celebrex prescription today (I have to take 1 pill a day for 5 days). I just can't wait to get out of these glasses! I've been wearing them for almost 3 weeks and it feels like an eternity! The feeling I have now is similar to how I always feel the day before I go to Disney World!

A few hours before surgery
I feel so weird this morning. Ecstatic and scared to death at the same time. I just wish I knew what it was gonna feel like. I get knots in my stomach when I think about it. I just hope it doesn't hurt too much afterwards. I've been through a lot worse things pain-wise, so I don't know why I'm so freaked out about this. All I know is I don't want to wear these stupid glasses anymore! So I guess we'll see how it goes. Leaving in 3 hours. Eeeeeek!

Surgery
Surgery was freaky. I'm gonna try and remember as much as I can about it. But for the most part it's a big blur (no pun intended). I got there at 2 p.m. and the receptionist told me to take my valium a few minutes later. And then a couple minutes after that the nurse came and brought me back into the eye exam room. I had to put on one of those goofy surgery hats to hold my hair up and then she gave me a dose of numbing drops. Then the doctor came in a couple minutes later and gave me more numbing drops. Then he had to draw marks on my cornea. I thought it would hurt but I didn't feel it. Then we went straight back to the operating room. I never had to wait for anything, which made it even worse LOL. I was hoping to have some time to breathe deeply and relax, but they were really quick.

So I sat in the operating chair and it was really comfortable lol. The valium started kicking in so I wasn't so shaky anymore, but my heart was POUNDING. After I was situated in the chair they rotated me underneath the laser. It was about 2 inches over my eyes and I felt claustrophobic. I was expecting a million needles to come out and stab me in the eye or something (must be the valium messing with my head). He went to my left eye first, and I was so freaked out because there was a shiny thing on the laser which allowed me to see my own reflection. So I actually watched him put the eye opener thingy in my eye, which made me wanna puke. Then I had to start looking at the orange light. The stupid orange light. But it really wasn't too hard. As I looked at the light he put the keratome in my eye. I HATED that sensation. It felt like he put a metal suction cup on my eye. Then they turned it on and it was the most terrible pressure, I could feel it all through my head and my vision went black. I've never felt anything like it before. And then he turned on a machine that sounded like a saw, and I could feel him cut the flap off. But because of the numbing drops it didn't hurt. It just creeped me out big time. Then I'm not really sure what he did. I think he pulled the flap back and then put it back on. Then he covered up my eye with something, and then repeated the entire process on the right eye.

He did the laser first on the right eye, which really wasn't bad at all. The hardest part was after he moved the flap away I couldn't see anything. So I could barely even make out the light I was supposed to be staring at. So I tried my hardest to look at the barely visible light, and concentrated very hard on looking straight ahead. It wasn't too bad really. The laser was very strange, it felt like there were electrical sparks hitting my eye. They'd use the laser a few seconds, then take a quick break, then use it a few, and take another break. And the nurse would count down how many seconds were left. It was pretty quick and painless. Then the doctor put the corneal flap back on. I really hated this part, because he had to rinse out my eye, and smooth out the flap, and it felt like my eye was being rinsed with bleach. It burned pretty bad. And sometime during the process of him gluing my flap back on the valium kicked in big time and I started falling asleep - NOT GOOD!

So then he takes the clampy thing out of my right eye and moves it over to my left eye and I just can't keep my eyes open. I've never felt so tired in my life. Even with the clamp holding my eye open I could still feel my eyes rolling back into my head and my vision kept going black. The doctor would tell me to look at the orange light and I'd try SO hard but I just had no energy to do it. I'd catch a glimpse of the light for a second, and then pretty much black out. And I wanted to tell the doctor that I couldn't look at it because I couldn't stay awake any longer, but I couldn't even muster up enough energy to speak. I tried with all my might to look at that darn light, and I did good for about 5 whole seconds while he did the laser, but then I just blacked out again. So the doctor had to put that keratome thingie back into my eye (the thing that feels like a metal suction cup) in order to hold my eye in place because I just couldn't do it. And then they turned on the suction and my vision went completely black, but I also felt the sensation that my head was about to explode. I was completely out of it at this point and I remember that I couldn't even tell if I was awake or asleep, or if my eyes were open or shut. All I remember is he did the laser all at once, no breaks this time, because he wanted to hurry and get it over with so he could take the pressure off my eye. And I remember the nurse counting down from 17 seconds and it was the longest 17 seconds of my life. I could not see anything. It's insanely scary to know that your eye is wide open and have no sensation of it being open. So the laser part finally finished and he was able to take the suction thing off my eye and put the flap back on. When he did that I could start to see the orange light again a little bit, but I was just unbearably tired. And my left eye was starting to get sore so when he had to rinse my eye out and smooth out the flap it stung like crazy. I just wanted to die.

I remember laying there and wondering if I'd ever see anything again because I really couldn't see anything except white light and the occassional glimpse of the orange light. So then he's all done putting my eye back together and he takes all the stuff off my face and tells me to blink repeatedly. And the more I blinked the more my vision started to come back. But the lights in the room were overpowering, and I could only hold my eyes open for a split second before I'd have to shut them again because of the lights, plus the fact that I was just so tired and my eyelids were heavier than ever. They had me get up and go sit on a stool and the doctor looked into my eyes to make sure everything was ok, and ended up finding some sort of debris under my left flap. So he had to lift the flap up again and get all the debris out, rinse it, and put it back on. This was very uncomfortable, but I was so tired I didn't even have the energy to flinch. I kept telling him "i'm falling asleep, I can't stay awake any longer". I felt really doped up LOL. They took me out to another room and let me sit down while a nurse told me some stuff, but I couldn't concentrate on anything she said and I couldn't keep my eyes open to look at her. She put some drops in my eyes and gave me my sunglasses and walked me out to the main waiting area, where I immediately threw my glasses into the lion's club donation box. It took so much strength for me to keep my eyes open long enough to hit the 'down' button on my cell phone to get to Andy's name to tell him to pick me up. And I know there were other people in the waiting room, but I honestly didn't give two craps about how horrible I must have looked. I just wanted to sleep.

Recovering the next few hours after surgery
So Andy got there to pick me up and I somehow managed to find the van in the parking lot, it was like walking around in a big fog. The little vision I had was so cloudy I couldn't see anything but lights really. As soon as we got home he walked me into the house and I collapsed on the couch. My eyes were in AGONY. It seriously felt like they had been soaking in bleach. They burned horribly. I put my goggles on, and then put a dark towel over the goggles to block out any possible light. Even with my eyes shut the light was unbearable, so the towel helped a lot. I had Andy get me some vicodin out of the medicine cabinet. However, he had no idea what the word "vicodin" looked like so he couldn't find it. So then he had to grab all 10 prescriptions out of my cabinet and read them to me so I could tell him which was the right one. I finally took the painkiller, put my ipod on, and laid there suffering for a while. I wanted to open my eyes just to see if I could see anything, but I didn't have the strength. After about 30 minutes of pain, the vicodin finally kicked in and I went right to sleep and slept about 90 minutes.

When I woke up I wasn't really in pain anymore, but the bright light was killing me so I put my sunglasses on and went into my dark bedroom. FINALLY I was able to open my eyes, and surprisingly, I could see the clock on the other side of the room! That was very exciting. So I called my mom and let her know how everything went, and I texted Benjamin. Using my phone was tricky because I still couldn't see anything up close and I was still having trouble opening my eyes for more than a second at a time. So I decided it was pointless to try and be awake so I took another vicodin, turned the old ipod back on, and went back to sleep for the rest of the day, and didn't wake up till 8 p.m. This time when I woke up it was amazing. I felt no pain and my eyes weren't sensitive to the light anymore. And I could see - great!! So now I'm just totally ecstatic. The only un-perfect thing right now is my left eye feels like it does when I sleep with my contacts in - and it's a little blurry and cloudy. I imagine the left eye will take longer to heal than the right since we had so much trouble with it during the surgery. But even if I shut my right eye I can still see the numbers on the clock across the room with my left eye. And the vision in my right eye is phenomenal. I can't believe I can see this good without contacts or glasses!! It's all very surreal. The surgery felt so traumatic to me, and I can't believe after having my eyes so mutilated that I am able to see this well this quickly. It's AWESOME! I'm so glad I did this! My left eye looks pretty icky, which doesn't surprise me, but oh well. I'm sure it will clear up soon. Tomorrow morning I go in for a check up to see how I'm doing. I'm so excited!

Day after surgery check-up
Happy St. Patrick's Day! I'm home from my post-surgery eye exam and things are looking great. They told me they don't expect anyone to see better than 20/40 the day after surgery, and I'm seeing 20/20 in my right eye and 20/30 in my left eye! It's unbelievable. I feel like I'm dreaming. I go back next Friday for another exam and I can't wait to see if it improves even more.

Two days after surgery
Everything is going so great. Yesterday I didn't feel like I even had lasik done because my eyes felt perfectly fine and I could see clearly. I have to constantly remind myself that I can't touch my eyes. It's hard to remember that you just had surgery when you don't feel any discomfort! I did experience my first "symptom" last night though, when I was driving back and forth to home group. There was really bad "haloing" around all the lights. But it wasn't debilitating or anything, just annoying. I'm sure that will go away over time. And even if it doesn't, I'm still thrilled about everything! I just love this!

One week post-op check-up
8 days after surgery my vision has improved a little more. My right eye is 20/20 and my left is up to 20/25. I'm just a hair away from having perfect eyesight! My left eye is still red and gross looking, which is getting on my nerves, but the doctor said it should start to fade in about another week. I was also given the go-ahead to stop all the eye drops! So that's 24 less eye drops per day that I have to use. What a relief! I'm also allowed to play sports, exercise, wear makeup, basically resume normal life!

 

[Master Yoda]

Thank you very much for both of your input!!

As far as cost goes, if I do decide to have the procedure, I'll pay whatever it takes to get great care. If I needed to pay $6000 for great care, I would, but if the surgeons in the $2000 price range here will offer the same level of care, obviously I'd go with them. I'm in the Nashville area and the financial demographics here vary SO much! I wouldn't be surprised if the same procedure would vary by $3000 or more within a 50 mile radius.

Okay, so you're awake during the procedure. Do they give you anythig to calm your nerves? You're awake while they are working on your eye, what if you accidentally move? How long is the procedure?

Thank you for information on the recovery time. When would I be able to return to work?

What were your first steps when deciding to have this procedure (or, Yoda, in your case your wife's)? Did you first talk it over with your opthamologist and then did he/she recommend a surgeon?

Thanks so much you guys!!

It was a pretty quick conversation. My wife was about ready to go to the eye doctor to get a new exam, glasses and contacts. I knew by the end of all that we would more than likely have a $500 + bill to go along with that only to repeat this same procedure every 18 months or so for the rest of her life. I already knew the best lasik surgeon in North Florida, Dr Schnipper, so I told her to go there and get an evaluation. She went, liked what she heard, liked the doctor, etc so she made an appointment. Best money we have ever spent.

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

Okay, so you're awake during the procedure. Do they give you anythig to calm your nerves? You're awake while they are working on your eye, what if you accidentally move? How long is the procedure?

Thank you for information on the recovery time. When would I be able to return to work?

What were your first steps when deciding to have this procedure (or, Yoda, in your case your wife's)? Did you first talk it over with your opthamologist and then did he/she recommend a surgeon?

I don't remember having anything to relax me, but my doctor did a great job of quelling my nerves (he really took the time to talk to me before the surgery and after). I was nervous about the not moving thing, but there are nurses who kind of hold your shoulders, and your head is kind of held in place by a pillow (it may even be more sophisticated in these few years since). Like I said, I was very nervous, but I didn't move. In cases like that, it's like your body knows what it needs to do, even though your mind is scared as heck .

I had the surgery on a Thursday, took off the next day, and returned to work on Monday (no more goggles by then, except to bed. Just bring your drops with you.).

At the time, I worked at a radio station and the two top Lasik providers in the area advertised with us about their open houses (which I mentioned previously). I spoke to both of the account executives who handled them for their opinions, then went with Fichte (they were more established, and Dr. Fichte was one of the first doctors in the country to perform the surgery, and with the latest equipment - I did my research, and my co-worker had the surgery from Dr. Fichte as well). They did very comprehensive testing on my eyes and explained everything fully to me so I could make the decision, with their input based on the tests, whether to have the surgery (they told me upfront they would not perform it if they did not feel I was a suitable candidate, which I considered a very good sign).

Hope that helps, and if you have any more questions, let me know

 

[PineapplePrincess]

I had it done 2 years ago, and it was the best thing I did! My doctor worked with TLC (The Laser Center) here in Michigan. It was not inexpensive, but they offered financing. The first time we went to WDW after I had it done, it was so great to not have to pack contacts, saline solution, and glasses. I could also see at the water parks! I would do it all over again. BTW my vision is still great after 2 years although my doc. says I may need reading glasses someday.

 

[MsSnuzi]

I had the surgery a couple of years ago and I also live in Buffalo. I went to a surgeon in Canada though. The procedure was very similar to what others mentioned. I went with my niece and her fiance at the time - my niece went first, then her fiance and then me so I knew the progression of what to expect. Nothing to relax us though - we were offered it but kept each others spirits up. Just think how much fun my sister had trying to get back over the border with the 3 of us not being able to see. It was a day to remember!

The best part of that was the burning sensation stopped after about an hour for my niece so I knew how long before my eyes would feel better and falling asleep when I got home and waking up to be able to see! It really seemed like a miracle - I had worn glasses from 8 years old.

The worst part is seeing clearly in the shower - some things are better left blurry! :ROFLOL:

Because I'm "older" the doctor said I may need reading glasses after a while but the results should be good for 15 years or so. And I'm a candidate to re-do it at that time if I am still interested.

Good luck - I really believe it was the best thing I ever did!

 

[k.hunter30]

Thank you all so much for your information! Laura, though your journal entries made my heart pound, thank you so much for sharing them. I feel good knowing about every little thing. Do you still have as much of a problem with the "halo" effect at night as you did right after the surgery?

MsSnuzi - that's good to know that they told you your visions should stay that way for at least 15 years. I'm 26 and have been wearing glasses and/or contacts since I was 8. I don't mind having to get reading glasses or something as I age, but I would want the correction to last a good amount of time.

Okay... I'm supposed to call my opthamologist tomorrow about the contacts he gave me last week. They're definitely not completely correcting my vision... I think I'll mention Lasik and see what he says.
*deep breath*

 

[MsSnuzi]

My niece is closer to your age and they didn't give her a time frame, that it was a permanent change.
I'm at an age where the shape of my eye starts to change so that's the reason they said put a time on mine.
I also did mono vision correction - one eye for distance, one for reading. I'd been wearing my contacts that way for years so it wasn't an adjustment for me. They also said if I wanted to have the left one re-corrected for distance, I could. But I didn't want reading glasses right away, so I opted for this and, as I said, I am thrilled!

 

[joanna71985]

I'm interested in getting Lasik too. I have been wearing glasses since 5th grade (I'm a senior in college now). My glasses drive me crazy, and I can't wear contacts. I have been wanting to become a character performer at Disney, and it's not really a good idea to wear glasses. Anyway, my eye doctor said at the last appointment that if my eyes haven't gotten any worse since then, I will be able to get Lasik! Now, to just convince my parents.

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

I'm interested in getting Lasik too. I have been wearing glasses since 5th grade (I'm a senior in college now). My glasses drive me crazy, and I can't wear contacts. I have been wanting to become a character performer at Disney, and it's not really a good idea to wear glasses. Anyway, my eye doctor said at the last appointment that if my eyes haven't gotten any worse since then, I will be able to get Lasik! Now, to just convince my parents.

I was only a little older than you when I had my surgery, and my parents were all for it, although they hesitated about me spending that kind of money on surgery. When I showed them how the surgery would pay for itself in a few years and that it would be a good investment for me in the long run, they came around (although they never actually opposed it or anything, they were just concerned about the money).

Good luck if you decide to go ahead with it !

 

[Laura]

Thank you all so much for your information! Laura, though your journal entries made my heart pound, thank you so much for sharing them. I feel good knowing about every little thing. Do you still have as much of a problem with the "halo" effect at night as you did right after the surgery?

MsSnuzi - that's good to know that they told you your visions should stay that way for at least 15 years. I'm 26 and have been wearing glasses and/or contacts since I was 8. I don't mind having to get reading glasses or something as I age, but I would want the correction to last a good amount of time.

Okay... I'm supposed to call my opthamologist tomorrow about the contacts he gave me last week. They're definitely not completely correcting my vision... I think I'll mention Lasik and see what he says.
*deep breath*

I don't have any trouble with my vision at all. Night vision and everything is fine. I only had trouble at night for a few weeks after the surgery.

I am also 26 and had glasses since I was 8. I had the surgery when I was 24.