Anyone had LASIK eye surgery?

abbadoodles · July 2009

abbadoodles · July 2009

I'm considering it after all these years but would like to hear how others have fared.

Anonymous · July 2009

Tina

I would be interested in hearing about this too as I have been thinking of doing it as well.

I have astigmatisms so have worn glasses since about 7 th grade. I have tried contacts a couple of times but my eyes are so sensitive that I can never get use to them since I have to wear the hard contacts.

Sure would be nice to be able to strut around in some of those cute sunglasses!!!!!!!!

abbadoodles · July 2009

Oh, wouldn't it?

I've worn contact for a million years but the past few I have a hard time seeing anything because of age-related presbyopia. Can't see up close with contacts in! I have bifocal contacts but I'm getting ghosting of the two images and I really cannot see for s--t. Won't drive with them. I've now gone to one contact strictly distance and the other one bifocal. I can see to drive but up close is not great. Yell

I know that if I have Lasik I will have to wear reading glasses. Same as using two distance contacts. I don't know if it's worth it and I'm hoping to hear from others. Also, about possible side or adverse effects.

And, like you, I have wicked astigmatism.

Anonymous · July 2009

I had the prk (similar to lazik) surgery about 5 days after my diagnosis...I know, stupid. We had set up the appointment and in keeping in line with a positive attitude, I went ahead with it. Shortly after that, I had my SNB and partial mastectom followed by rads.

I believe I am the worst case scenario, so don't just listen to my story, but my eyes never healed to 20/20. It took them a whole 3 months to finish healing and until that time I couldn't see; nor could I use my old glasses because by rx had changed.

So...I went through the first three months of my new bc life not being able to read...watch tv...drive...you get the idea.

I really believe the healing issue was due to everything else going on. Would I do it again? I would have the surgery again but not while other crap is going on in my life. They would have repeated the surgery 6 months later but I was not up for it, and was afraid of not seeing again for 3 months.

Once my eyes settled into their normal vision (not 20/20) I was able to get new glasses which I now use only to watch tv and drive.

Like I said, I think I am the poster child for "worst case scenario"...but I am glad I did it!

Good luck,

Peggy

JapanLynn · July 2009

I had LASIK almost exactly 8 years ago, and I can honestly say it was the best $$ I ever spent. I'd worn contacts--hard, soft, gas permeable, etc., etc.--for 30 years, and was so ready to be rid of them. My recovery was no problem...I actually could see pretty well the same day, and great the following day.

My surgery was done at TLC in White Plains, NY. They offer free "touch up" surgery as long as I see them once a year for a check up. That's a nice perk...my left eye had to done again as it regressed a little.

My advice...do your research and don't cheap out. There used to be lots of fly-by-night operations in malls, etc.; not sure if that's still the case. Anyway, good luck!

Lynn

Member_of_the_Club · July 2009

I did it about 8 years ago as well and was thrilled with the result. I was extremely nearsighted -- never mind the big E on the eyechart, I couldn't see the eyechart. After the surgery I was able to toss the contacts, though I do still sometimes wear glasses when I am driving at night. A few years after the lasik I developed the need for reading glasses but my corneal surgeons says that when I have cataract surgery (which I will need in a few years) she can use a lense that will eliminate my need for readers.

I agree that it is important not to cheap out on this. You need a highly skilled and experienced doctor who won't be reluctant to tell you if you are not a candidate for the procedure.

abbadoodles · July 2009

bump

pattybelle · July 2009

I had LASIK in 98, was very myopic (-10.75 what eye chart?),and they weren't sure if they woulld be able to correct my eyesight... It was an absolute frickin miracle! I had a touch up surgery a year later. I had worn glasses (coke bottles) since 3rd grade, contacts since 9th. This surgery set me free! I can now swim unafraid, and everything athletic is easier. I'm 45 now, and I went with monovision a couple of years ago (wearing one contact) to deal with the need for some help reading. I've adapted to that well, and am totally happy with my vision. LASIK was easy, virtually painless, and the best gift I have ever received. DO IT!

Anonymous · July 2009

Hi Patty

Did you have your surgery there or some where closer to me??

Im going to call my insurance company later this afternoon to see if they cover any of it...they use to but Im not sure now if they do or not.

How are things going for you??? Hope you are back to life as normal and having a ball!!!!

Jule

pattybelle · July 2009

I had the surgery in Reno. My insurance at the time did cover it, and I know if you have a flexible spending plan (medical) with your employer, that money can go towards LASIK. Things are great, and I am sure my 3 month re-check will be good. I hope you are doing okay! I'll be up that way next month. Take care.

crazy4carrots · July 2009

I've also investigated lasik but my ophthalmologist says my astigmatism is too severe. I wear glasses for distance, but have to take them off to read. I refuse to wear bifocals -- I can read perfectly well wothout. And, my eyesight has actually improved slightly over the last few years -- go figure!!

But, if lasik would work for me, I'd definitely go for it.

abbadoodles · July 2009

My situation is that I've been nearsighted as long as I can remember but had perfectly fine close up vision until the old age syndrome started creeping up. Actually, I can see great with distance contacts or glasses but when I have either on I cannot see up close. My opt says this is because of the age-related presbyopia/short arms. LOL Because my distance vision is so bad, though, I can see up close fine without any glasses or contacts at all. One sort of counteracts the other. When I'm wearing distance contacts or glasses, they make my presbyopia manifest itself. That's the way it works.

So, right now I take off glasses to read for a long time, not during the day for normal office/household/shopping, even though I do use progressives. I can still see better up close without them. My dh and a friend do what lindasa does which is to wear distance glasses and take them off to read.

My astigmatism is very bad, too, but my opt says I am still a good fit for LASIK. The big problem is that, once my distance vision is fixed with the LASIK, I would need reading glasses to see anything close up. I don't know if I could handle that as now I can see without them. Six of one, half-dozen of the other.

Of course, the opt says if I wait long enough until I have cataracts which need fixing, that will fix the whole shebang, no glasses needed for anything! I was hoping to enjoy better vision in my younger years, though. I'm "only" 61 and may not need cataract surgery for 10 years. Yegads.

So, I'm tossing this around in my mind. Stay with glasses and contacts for mostly everything or have the LASIK and be dependent upon reading glasses for not only reading but shopping as I cannot see the printing on supermarket packages without them! What would you do???

And then, there is the possibility of problems with the LASIK surgery. I'm a bit nervous.

Member_of_the_Club · July 2009

Hey, if you take tamoxifen you might accelerate cataracts and speed up the time before eliminating the need for reading glasses. So woo-hoo for tamox!

abbadoodles · July 2009

LOL! Honey, I'm too old for tamoxifen. Anyway, I did that years ago during my first bout in1992. Not a candidate for AI's because of thin bones. Damn. I'll just have to wait.

And, yes, nearly everyone needs reading glasses when they get older. The question is: Do we have to like it?

Anyone had LASIK eye surgery?

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