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I would wait to get lasik because I know an old co-worker of mine who was 23 when she got it done and had complications from it. Now she has to go back to wearing glasses again for vision and has to wear specific corrective lenses for night since she sees spots while driving.
I heard from a news article they had on tv that candidates shouldn't get lasik before the age of 25 since their eyes are still changing and haven't fully developed.
Well I'm just curious, how did you know it has stabilized?
I was thinking of having the surgery ... I did it when I was entering highschool ... obviously we weren't thinking my sight would change ... but it has and now I need a "tune up" ..
I would have something called "surface surgery" or whatever ... but I decided to wait! It is around the same price. I will do it after the wedding + honeymoon and technically you're not supposed to fly after the surgery for a certain amt. of time and my surgery would take weeks to heal.
If I had to pick... I would wait. How long until you get married?
I had Lasik about a year ago and I'm so glad that I did. Now I don't have the fuss or expense of glasses/contacts. My eyesight is actually 20/15 which is really nice. I didn't get that good of vision with contacts.
Some places will let you finance it. That's what my SIL did. So she had it done prior to the wedding last year and paid it off about 4 months after the wedding.
Really only you know your $$. I also went in with my dad on mine. He got his done 2 weeks before me. So they gave us a family deal so mine was 3500. You might look into that.
That is what I will do ... I have an apt. pending to see if I'm allowed to wear contacts- since I already had lasik and altered my eyes ... you just have to not wear contacts for a few weeks before the surgery
Well unfortunately everyone's eyes will continue to change. So no this isn't permanent. For some people their eyes won't change for 20 years and others they may change in a few years after the surgery. You don't know because we are all different. My doctor said that most people stabalize in their late 20s early 30s. They will hold steady in their 30s. Then some people will begin to change mid-40s to early 50s. That's when you lose the upclose reading vision.
So for me I did the math. I'm 30 years old now. I pay x amount of $$ a year on contacts/lenses/exams. Then I muliplied that by the number of years until I reach 40. And also times 50. So bascially even if my sight changes at 40 I'm still coming out cheaper then paying for lenses. Not too mention the hassle of exams/putting lenses in/glasses etc. etc.
I had lasik about 10 years ago and it was the best money ever spent! I have perfect visiona nd was liberated from the contact lenses, cleaning, saline, glasses, perscription sunglasses, etc.! It made a huge difference in my confidence level. If I remember right, I financed mine at either 0% or very low interest and paid it off early.
Hmmm interesting question. I wear contact lenses everyday and have thought about getting Lasix too... but I'm too chicken! I know there are millions of success stories, but I have some close friends who did not get great results. Two of my friends are addicted to lubricating eye drops now and they both had to get tubes put in because their eyes were so dry after the surgery. And even now, their vision is not perfect. :(
I'm not trying to scare you, just giving my 2 cents. So... I say if you can live with contacts or glasses, save your $$ or put it towards your wedding. :)
I agree it is worth not having to put in contacts and mess with that ... my eyes just changed a little bit ... and I can see ... just not as sharply as before when my eyes were better than perfect (after lasik in my teens - forget the number) ...
I love that I had lasik done. It is one of the best things I did. However, right before a wedding ... it wouldn't be my first priority.
Thanks bees!
MsHymanRoth - You'll know it's stabilized when your vision hasn't changed as drastically as before and is only a slight increase during your annual eye exam. My Opt and I have been monitoring this for a while since he knew how much I wanted to have it done. Everyone who I know that's had it done said it was the best thing they did for themselves.
hhcheung2000 - I've heard of this too... I'm a lil past 25 and my Dr. is saying I'm finally OK to have it done since everything has finally stabilized.
I've worn glasses since I was a kid and contacts for a few years now, but would absolutely love to be able to wake up and see w/out the hassle of the whole contacts routine 
I just feel selfish for wanting to have this done when we should be saving for wedding stuff. Maybe I will wait...
How long would the wait be?
... and I'll add that you should know that you'll have a billion and one things that you'll want and need for your wedding!
My dad did experience for almost 1 1/2 years the dry eye and had to put in drops. Now he doesn't. I didn't have any problems. We had the same prescription and stigmas only difference is he was 25 years older then me.
I too was a chicken and wouldn't have done it except that my dad had this deal worked and I thought now or never.
You just have to go in and talk with them and go through all the screenings to make sure that you are indeed a candidate. They do more through screenings then your regular check-ups. Then decide on your own what is best for you.
Another thing is, I'd have to get this different procedure called PRK done - which takes a little more time to heal cause my corneas are too thin to get the regular lasic done (I had a consultation exam a few years back and they measured it). So, I'd need to take a few days off from work - that I should probably also save for the honeymoon, wedding and other wedding events...
Maybe waiting one more year isn't so bad... Looks like it might be best to leave the vacation time and $$ in the banks...
I had dry eyes for a couple of years as well but it went away. I also had a problem with bright lights at night and my eyes being light sensitive in general. They tell you it might get worse after surgery. Well, mine got better!
I don't know what you are doing for your honeymoon, but the timing of my surgery was decided by my 1st wedding and we were going to be scuba diving and snorkeling and I didn't want to worry about contacts or glasses. That and the fact that I got a really bad infection from my contact lenses:-(
It is by far the best money I have ever spent. I'd do it again and again and again. Personally I had more dry eye problems with contacts then I did after the surgery.
ArizonaBride - That is something to consider! (things are starting to tilt in favor of getting it done now hehe). I've had to put up w/ saltwater eyes and all the discomfort of swimming w/ contacts when we've traveled before. We'll be honeymooning in St. Lucia and we'll definitely be doing lots of watersports. Plus, during allergy season, dealing w/ contacts is such a pain...
Personally I'd say wedding: don't touch laser surgery unless you REALLY hate glasses and REALLY hate contact lenses. Arizonabride is quite right with the warnings she was given: drier eyes, glare at night and there will be little that can be done to fix that problem when it's been burned into your cornea. SHe's very lucky that it went the other way!
If your vision is that bad, PRK won't be for you, they won't be able to correct your vision enough with how the surgery is done (it is also an old way of doing the surgery, some in the UK don't even do it anymore). LASIK covers a broader prescription range.
It's your eyes, if you're going to have laser surgery pay for THE BEST. Don't cut corners. I certainly wouldn't. Wavefront LASIK is the utmost in technology and will be the most precise if your prescription is complicated compared to regular LASIK.
It depends what your priorities are. If you are definitely going to get it done, I'd say do it now so you can enjoy it now (although it would suck if you end up having complications--as with any surgery, there are possible risks). I got custom Lasik done 3 years ago at the age of 25, and I love it. If I had had to pick between getting Lasik done and cutting back on the wedding budget a little, and keeping the wedding budget and waiting on Lasik, I would've gone the Lasik route--I absolutely hated wearing contacts (always irritated my eyes) and glasses (gave me headaches).
I also feel the need to mention both the good and bad I've heard/experienced about Lasik... I had dry eyes for the first 1.5 years after, but now they are fine. You will also see some halos/glare for the first several months. This cleared up, and I only see a little bit of halo/glare now. However, I have a friend who has very bad halos/glare after Lasik that hasn't gone away (this can happen if you are having a large correction and/or large pupils). But, I also know several other people who have had Lasik done (my sister included) who love it.
thanks for all the info!
thing is, i'd love to get wavefront lasic, but both optometrist/lasic evaluations i've been to & that have done the pre-surgical consultation said i'd have to get PRK because my corneas are too thin to handle lasik. i'd definitely not cut corners and the one i'd see out here comes highly recommended and i've done research on the doc, though pretty pricey... that's where the guilt kicks in 
i'm nervous about the halo & sensitivity effects, so maybe i'll wait it out another year since i've been able to hold off for this long... hopefully, i'll have even more info by then.
just realized i accidentally posted this in emotional - sorry!
have a great weekend everyone! 
what a hard choice! Personally, I would pay for the wedding with it, or do BOTH if I could find a low 0-1% financing plan and discuss it with my fiance. Chances are with a combined income, it would be feasable to do it later / save up again after the wedding. If you can get good financing, do it.
I would wait, really. Weddings = more expensive as planning gets more in depth. Eyes= change, and like everyone has said, alot of doctors recommend waiting.
Lasik. Hands down some of the best money spent (yes, even better then money spent on our wedding). Yes, Lasik isn't perfect...there are risks and your eyes will continue to age as any normal person's eyes, but the vast majority of surgeries turn out fine (make sure you go to reputable place). Marriage is forever, Lasik is forever, a Wedding is a day.
I do think the decision of whether to wait or to get PRK now is up to you. But I will advise you to time it carefully. My friend just had PRK done for the same reason your doctor is suggesting it to you, and it took over a month for her eyes to adjust and heal. And during that time they were VERY dry and she was constantly having to put in eyedrops to keep them from being irritated. She also said it was worth all the trouble, but that the trouble of having to deal with the recovery was much more than she expected.
I had LASIK done about 4 years ago (I was around 20) and had 20/15 vision as a result. I was so tired of dealing with contacts and glasses, but my situation was a little different. I worked at the ophthalmalogist office where I had it done, so I got a really great deal on on my glasses and contacts and an amazing deal on LASIK. I highly recommend it and would have done it as soon as I had the money, even if I hadn't had a discount. Little things, like waking up in the middle of the night and being able to see the alarm clock clearly or being able to wear super cute sunglasses when I wasn't wearing my contacts (b/c you can't get prescription lenses in all frames-especially those with a decent amount of wrap), made me so happy. Seriously, I would wake up in the middle of the night and look at the clock and just start smiling. I still catch myself comparing my vision then and now sometimes, and smile when I think about how much money I saved by not having to buy glasses and contacts. I had a great experience and highly recommend it, but you should consider your own finances and discuss it with your doctor. (You may want to consider checking into part-time employment if they offer an employee discount! )
Best money I spent on lasik (9 years ago!) and now I'm recommending it to you to look at it like an investment...you'll be saving tons of money down the road on contact stuff. I haven't even seen an eye doctor for 8 years (not sure if that's good or not but I've been fine). Anyway...you can find ways to pay for the wedding with the wedding money and kind family and friends, perhaps ...cut corners there, but not with your eyes.
Also, check if there is a flexible health spending account you can sign up for that takes pre-tax (No Taxes!) dollars to pay for your lasik. (Ours is called Islandflex)
and....just think, you can wake up in the middle of your wedding night and see your new groom up close and personal!!
I would do the lasics. That was the purpose for which you set aside the money, and it's good to take care of yourself and your health!
Wedding budgets can always be trimmed (trust me - I'm living proof!), but it might be awhile to save up that kind of money towards surgery again.
Have you talked to your FI about this? What's his perspective ?
For those of you who had lasik, how was your eyesight before you had it done? Mine's pretty bad
daydreamwanderer - i've talked to the fiance about it and he'd like for me to get it done, since he understands what i've had to deal with and how excited i was to find out my eyesight had finally stabilized! but - he's also seen the unexpected cost changes that we've encountered through the wedding planning process... plus, we've still got time and we're both afraid that those costs will continue to grow... so, although he supports me getting it done, he's also a lil nervous about needing the money for other things.
It's up to you--- but please don't feel bad about using money on yourself rather than the wedding! Lasik is an investment in your quality of life. A wedding is wonderful and important, but it is just one day.
I'd get a second opinion but also remember this. Could you enjoy your wedding more if your vision was clearer? I'd rather have less $ to spend on a wedding and have a lifetime of memories I saw clearly imho.
Maybe its because I'm in healthcare or maybe b/c I had a huge wedding when I married my x, but I realize that while a wedding is a terribly important day in your life, it is just that..a day. You have the rest of your life ahead of you after that vow is said and I'd choose my vision and health over a wedding. But that's just me.
Wishing you the best.
If your doc says it's ok (and check) and you have saved up for it, DOOOO IT.
My husband got lasic at 24 before he got deployed. His eyes are 20/20 now and it's the best money he's ever spent. I don't care that he spent 5K on that instead of the wedding or a car or my ring or anything--his eyesight is much much more important! Glasses were a major hinderance to him (he can't wear contacts easily) and it's been a couple of years. The doctor said you can't even tell he had it done unless you know. Medicine has come a long ways. When my dad had it 10 years ago, they almost ruined his eyesight by cutting so much eye off it caved. Look into it and don't get too chintzy--it's your eyes after all
I would definitely put the money towards the wedding, and forego the Lasik for a few years. However, I can't totally relate and understand what it is like to deal with contacts/glasses as I have neither. It depends how much it bugs you... is it worth the $5k to you right now or is your wedding more important? Are you a practical person or is your heads usually in the clouds? A practical person wouldn't spend a lot on their wedding to begin with and see that the Lasik is a more cost-effective way to spend $5k while a dreamer will see "ooooh WEDDING! I don't care that the $30k I have saved up years for is being blown on 1 day... it is my wedding, damnit! And it only comes around once in a lifetime!!" So who are you?
I would wait!! You have no idea what types of expenses can sneak up on you especially the closer that you get to the wedding. The last thing that you would want is to spent the $5000 thinking that your budget is flawless and you'll never need it. If it's still there after the wedding, let it be the first thing you do!!
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">temmylove - I consider myself a very practical person, I'm always looking for deals and never splurge on material things. While I'm trying to save money where I can, in regards to the wedding, it's tough cause our guestlist is pretty big! (300+) So, even if we book/buy items that are fairly priced, once you multiply it by our amount of guests, the price of everything climbs!
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">NotQuiteK - I hear ya, it definitely would make for a better quality of life. I'm just afraid of those unexpected costs that I know can easily add up... like what <span style="text-decoration: underline;">FutureMrsBLT said.
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Here's what FI & I have decided, with help from the hive!! : I've cancelled the appointment to have the lasik surgery done next month and will wait to see what my bonus looks like in January. If it's great, I'll put it towards having it done... and if it's OK, i'll hold off until after the wedding. This way, the money will stay in reserves for the wedding and if the economy gets better and I get a bonus - I'll put that towards getting lasik sometime next year after the numbers of our budget really get finalized, so I can have it done - guilt free 
Thanks for all the advice - it really helped!!
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Hey Hive!
My eyesight's pretty bad and I've been saving up and have always wanted to have lasic corrective surgery, but had to wait until my eyesight stabilized... and now, it finally has! But - I feel guilty using $5K from my savings account to do it, when I know we may need it for the wedding.
What would you do?