Post # 1
Member
3788 posts
Honey bee
I have always said that it is a question of when, not if, I will have this surgery, assuming that my eyes meet all the requirements. My regular eye doctor was able to say that I pass the first two of three indicators, but I’d have to go to the specialist who does the procedure to find out if I pass the third indicator.
I would just like to hear others’ experiences. It is kind of scary, but I need to do it. My vision is so bad that contacts and glasses run me about $800.00/year if I replace my contacts as recommended (that is to say, I wear really old contacts for a really long time). Also, since my prescription is so bad, the difference between contacts and glasses is huge and I can’t switch back and forth for even a day without feeling sick and headachey. I have no peripheral vision in glasses. I lost a contact over the weekend, and it was hell. I have to hold my glasses up against my face when I am reading; I should probably get a strap for the back of my head but my pride won’t let me. They’re THAT thick, and that is after paying the damn surcharge to get them compressed already. I always see the commercials for cheap Lasik, but for how bad my eyes are, I am looking at upwards of $5k, which I hate to pay up front but considering the cost of my yearly maintenance, I know it will pay for itself and the sooner the better. My prescription power is -10, if that means anything to anyone.
Have any of you or someone you know had this done?
Post # 3
Member
1756 posts
Buzzing bee
I had it done when I was 17, which was almost 16 years ago. My prescription was not all that bad to begin with, so I’m not sure if my situation is comparable to yours. However, my doctor said I was basically an ideal candidate, as my prescription hadn’t changed in a long time (I think I was steady for about two years, but I’m not certain) and I was young enough that there would be a long interval between the surgery and age-related changes, so I’d be able to enjoy my 20/20 vision for a long time. To date, my vision has remained 20/20, and the only adverse effect I experienced is really mild dry eye, so I use eye drops each morning. If I don’t use the drops, my eyes sting and it’s uncomfortable, but it’s not as though I cannot go without them.
Post # 4
Member
3788 posts
Honey bee
@redherring: My eyes only stabilized about 2 years ago, and I am 25 already! But I know that is one of the main factors. I hear that sometimes it slips later, but even if I got as many good years as you have had, I’d be happy! I think I could handle eye drops compared to the contact case, saline solution and spare glasses I have to haul with me everywhere now in case of emergency.
How was the experience of the procedure itself? I know they say recovery time is minimal. Was it uncomfortable? I hate the idea that I will see them working on me.
Post # 5
Member
6244 posts
Bee Keeper
I have! Here’s a thread I and others commented on that I think is really helpful. 🙂
Post # 6
Member
3788 posts
Honey bee
@MapleMoose: Thanks for the link! Reading that pretty much confirmed that it is the right thing to do. I googled a center and called before I could think myself out of what I was going. I have a free consult at a place 5 minutes from my house for Monday already! They are the official partner of my university’s athletic department, so I trust them to be pretty legit. 🙂
Post # 7
Member
340 posts
Helper bee
I had it done almost 5 years ago. It was the best decision ever. No regrets.
Post # 8
Member
379 posts
Helper bee
I’m sure that this has been addressed a few times but here’s a recent post on the same topic:
http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/has-anyone-ever-had-lasik
Post # 9
Member
10355 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
My husband had it done about 6 years ago, and he swears it was the best quality of life bump he’s ever had! Also, remember that you can use flex spending accounts (if your employer has that benefit?) to reduce the cost by a lot, if you plan ahead with the contribution and enrollment.
Post # 10
Member
180 posts
Blushing bee
I have mine scheduled for 6/28! I am so excited. It’s very expensive, but I know it will be worth it. My only hesitation is my glasses are kind of my security blanket right now – I feel so naked when I don’t have them on! I rarely wear contacts because my eyes don’t like them.
Post # 11
Member
158 posts
Blushing bee
I had it done about 10 years ago (I was probably 22 at the time). My prescription was similar to yours with astygmatism. I did have some complications (google DLK), and it was pretty scary. HOWEVER! That was 10 years ago and I’m sure things have gotten better. In the last couple of years I’ve gotten glasses for driving at night and now I’m starting to get to the point where I need glasses again full time (I’ll be 33 in a couple of weeks). Would I do it again 10 years ago? Yes. Saved me lots of money in contacts. What do I say now when they offer it to me? No thank you. Then they look at my chart and say “Oh yeah. I can understand that.”
My mother has had it done with no problem and my brother is mad that his eyesight is too bad to have it done.
Post # 12
Member
94 posts
Worker bee
I’m hesitant to do it…the procedure looks like something I’d never want to go through! I hate wearing contacts/glasses though.
Post # 13
Member
145 posts
Blushing bee
Best decision I ever made. My vision was previously -5.25 contact perscription. I don’t even remember what glasses/contacts are like anymore!!! Sometimes I have the “halo” effect when driving at night, but it’s nothing that causes any major problems.
The procedure itself DID hurt more than I expected…when the clamp/suction the eye. But the whole thing is 10 mins and totally worth it.
Just make sure you do your RESEARCH!!!!!! Don’t go for any “deals”.
Post # 14
Member
3788 posts
Honey bee
@Lames: I have astygmatism, too, but my regular doctor said that wouldn’t rule me out. Sorry about your complications, though.
@crayfish: I’m a grad student. We don’t get that. 🙂
@la boome: Good luck with yours! You’ll have to come back and update.
Post # 15
Member
3788 posts
Honey bee
@Schrutebeets: I feel confident the place I am going isn’t a cheap lasik factory or anything. I go to a really well known university, so if this place is good enough for my school to send their prized moneymakers, I mean, athletes, I am sure they will take care of my eyes, too.
I get a very slight halo effect right now when I drive at night, so I sort of feel like I can’t get much worse at this point. It would be a lot of money for nothing at worst.
Post # 16
Member
2142 posts
Buzzing bee
FH got it his sophomore or junior year of college and thought it was the best decision ever- however he was maybe -1.25 at worst. My dad was looking into it last summer and his are only slightly worse than mine (-7.5, -6.75) and they told him they would not be able to completely correct his vision.