| tim.s |
Hoping to hear experiences (positive or negative) from people who have had Lasik or have experience from an immediate family member.
I'm wondering what the post-op time is like in the days following the surgery (discomforts, recovery time, vision fluctuations, etc...).
Also wondering if anyone has had any complications or vision fluctuations longer term.
The most common complaint seems to be "starbursts" and poor night vision caused by the the microkeratome which creates the corneal flap. But the new "bladeless" process (IntraLaski) is supposed to prevent those sideaffects.
Thanks |
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| jay |
Had it done 5 years ago, and am super pleased at the result. The surgeon who did mine had done my optometrist six weeks earlier; I figure if my regular eye doc is gonna trust her eyes to this guy, that's good enough for me.
I'd worn hard contacts or RGP contacts for almost 25 years, so I had to go almost 5 months in glasses to give my eyes time to re-stabilize.
The "scratchiness" right after surgery was bothersome, but they prepare you for it, and in my case I was able to take a late afternoon nap through most of it. My vision quickly settled in, and has been the same for the last 5 years. The "starburst" effect for me was no different that what I'd become accustomed to with contact lenses, which was no big deal.
I had "dry eyes" even before the surgery, and that got a little worse for a while. I ended up having a full set of punctal plugs put in my tear ducts. They're silicone plugs that block the tear ducts to prevent them from draining wha tear production you do have away too fast.
I'd highly recommend you try to PM or email DanL, and get another view, though. His wife has Lasik, and it didn't turn out as well.
Good luck on your decision, keep us in the loop, and if you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask. |
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| MG Pilot |
I had LASIK performed in 7/99. The technology was not as good as it is now, but I have had no problems. I was 27 at the time and my eyes have regressed a tad. Hence, a fews years from now I will be faced with a choice...re-do the LASIK or wear glasses part time.
There was virtually no recovery time. In fact, I flew out to Washington for a climb just one week later. LASIK is pretty sweet, and with today's advancements, I would recommend it to anyone who was a good candidate. Let me know if you have any other questions. |
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| kemosabe |
tim.s: It's ironic that as I was reading your thread about Lasik, the banner above your post was about the exact same thing!!! :eek:
Coincidence or not? :8: |
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| BCinTX |
Had Lasik done 5 years ago. Dry eyes bothered me for a few weeks but no problem now. Like Jay, no worse starbursts or night vision. But for about the first 1/2 hour or so in the morning my vision is a bit blurry--takes more effort to read, and far vision isn't so clear either. Not so much as to affect driving unless I need to read street signs, but since I telecommute I usually don't drive right away anyway.
Overall I'm very happy with not having to deal with glasses and contacts anymore and satisfied with my vision. |
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| DanL |
quote:
Originally posted by jay
Had it done 5 years ago, and am super pleased at the result. The surgeon who did mine had done my optometrist six weeks earlier; I figure if my regular eye doc is gonna trust her eyes to this guy, that's good enough for me.
I'd worn hard contacts or RGP contacts for almost 25 years, so I had to go almost 5 months in glasses to give my eyes time to re-stabilize.
The "scratchiness" right after surgery was bothersome, but they prepare you for it, and in my case I was able to take a late afternoon nap through most of it. My vision quickly settled in, and has been the same for the last 5 years. The "starburst" effect for me was no different that what I'd become accustomed to with contact lenses, which was no big deal.
I had "dry eyes" even before the surgery, and that got a little worse for a while. I ended up having a full set of punctal plugs put in my tear ducts. They're silicone plugs that block the tear ducts to prevent them from draining wha tear production you do have away too fast.
I'd highly recommend you try to PM or email DanL, and get another view, though. His wife has Lasik, and it didn't turn out as well.
Good luck on your decision, keep us in the loop, and if you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.
How ya doin' Jay? Yes, it didn't turn out great for my wife even though she went to a great Lasik surgeon (the guy who did Tiger Wood's eyes, I believe). They did a follow-up Wave Front procedure last fall and there was no improvement. Turns out there's something weird about the surface of her eyes. She can still see but it's blurry and it's hard for her to drive at night to this day. Guess she's one of the unlucky few who had a negative experience, but the technology is changing rapidly so who knows. Glad we have the life-time guarantee.
Well, signing off in an hour or so for a nice three week vacation in California (SF, Yosemite, Sequoia) and Hawaii (Kauai) vacation. Wahoo! :2:
Hold down the fort Kemo! :cool: |
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| john802 |
DanL - Enjoy your vacation!!!
-john |
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| jay |
quote:
Originally posted by john802
DanL - Enjoy your vacation!!!
-john
Ditto, wish I could go along.:p |
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| FLPilot |
I had mine done 10/00 and it has been the best investment I have ever made. Being that I work midnights in S. Florida with the high humidity, it was hard to see at night. I would be driving around with the A/C on in the car. Get out to stop someone and the glasses would fog up.
I have 15/20 where I used to have 200/20 vision. First few hours were probably the worst where my eyes were itchy, but I just went to sleep with those plastic covers for your eyes. The weird part was the next morning when I went to grab my glasses and they weren't on the night stand. I purposely moved them. I opened my eyes to find them and I could see perfectly! I was like :eek: WooHoo!
I have had no problems at all with night driving or any thing else. Good luck with your decision. |
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| jay |
quote:
Originally posted by FLPilot
I had mine done 10/00 and it has been the best investment I have ever made. Being that I work midnights in S. Florida with the high humidity, it was hard to see at night. I would be driving around with the A/C on in the car. Get out to stop someone and the glasses would fog up.
I have 15/20 where I used to have 200/20 vision. First few hours were probably the worst where my eyes were itchy, but I just went to sleep with those plastic covers for your eyes. The weird part was the next morning when I went to grab my glasses and they weren't on the night stand. I purposely moved them. I opened my eyes to find them and I could see perfectly! I was like :eek: WooHoo!
I have had no problems at all with night driving or any thing else. Good luck with your decision.
Glad you had a good result. My vision started out at 15/20 or better, and settled in to 20/20. Like I told my optometrist, when I'm standing in aisle 1 in the grocery store, I really don't need to know that (by reading the sign) pancakes are in aisle 10. Or to use anothe analogy, I really didn't need to be able to count the hairs on that flea. :p
Working with computers all day long, I'm happy that my intermediate vision settled in such that I can see the screen unassisted. :D |
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| Stevie B |
| A friend just had it done last month and is seeing perfectly. I believe he said there are follow up visits in the future but otherwise he's very pleased and doesn't miss his glasses one bit. |
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| tim.s |
Good stuff everyone, thanks.
I'm currently considering having just the left eye done first and then waiting a few months before having the other done. It lengthens the recovery time, but it splits up the risk some. |
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| RedWingJohn |
I had Lasik done about 6 years ago, after having worn contacts for over 20 years and glasses for 5 years before that. The correction got me from a minus-40 to a zero (20/20) on the vision scale. In other words, I was in coke-bottle territory before surgery. I had absolutely no complications, a quick recovery, and my vision held up very well.
BUT... late last year I noticed I was starting to squint to see clearly, especially at night. I got checked out, and my optometrist measured me at a minus-4. According to the doc, I'm just a victim of the aging process, and it was nothing to worry about. I now have a pair of glasses I wear for night driving and whenever I really need to see clearly in the distance (like when I slice my golf ball into the trees!).
Bottom line: am I glad I had Lasik - you bet! I would even consider having a second Lasik procedure to get me back to 20/20 or better. |
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| tim.s |
Well, I got it done this morning - both eyes - about 10 hours ago. Had quite a bit of hazing which decreased through the day as the flap has sealed.
Vision is pretty normal now - no as good as with contacts yet, but I still have the clear bandage contacts in and the correction is still settling down.
I'll let you know what it's like the next couple weeks as it gets more constant.
Thanks for all the replies and messages. |
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| jay |
quote:
Originally posted by tim.s
Well, I got it done this morning - both eyes - about 10 hours ago. Had quite a bit of hazing which decreased through the day as the flap has sealed.
Vision is pretty normal now - no as good as with contacts yet, but I still have the clear bandage contacts in and the correction is still settling down.
I'll let you know what it's like the next couple weeks as it gets more constant.
Thanks for all the replies and messages.
Best wishes! Here's to future lifetime of good unaided vision.:7: |
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| Ziploc |
Gee, this has been a real interesting thread for me. tim.s, I'll be anxious to hear how your vision settles out---good luck.
I think a big consideration in deciding whether to have Lasik done is your age. If I were in my 20's or 30's now, I don't think I'd hesitate in going for it. But, with the vision changes that take place at my age, my optometrist warned that achieving the best surgical correction becomes much more problematic and, as RedWingJohn has found, unlikely to last, although the rate and degree of change will vary with the individual.
For me, if chances are good I'll have to revert to wearing glasses (again) within as early as a couple years, even part time, I just can't see taking the risk (and there still are risks).
All you baby boomers out there who (like me) hate bifocals--let's just hope that, somehow, technology will continue to improve to where Lasik surgery becomes less problematic and more feasible for us in the not-too-distant future. |
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| tim.s |
I'll be happy to answer questions about the procedure and post-op care (probably better to do it while it's fresh in my mind).
Ziplock, while doing research for Lasik, I did run across descriptions of the new corrective procedures in development. For example, a new type of procedure actually places a plastic corrective lens on the cornea under a flap like the one for Lasik. I guess it would be like having contacts implanted. One benefit is that it can be removed and replaced if the patients vision changes later. Who knows what great things are around the corner. |
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| jay |
quote:
Originally posted by tim.s
I'll be happy to answer questions about the procedure and post-op care (probably better to do it while it's fresh in my mind).
Ziplock, while doing research for Lasik, I did run across descriptions of the new corrective procedures in development. For example, a new type of procedure actually places a plastic corrective lens on the cornea under a flap like the one for Lasik. I guess it would be like having contacts implanted. One benefit is that it can be removed and replaced if the patients vision changes later. Who knows what great things are around the corner.
So, while it is fresh, why not tell us about it. How was the flap cut, did they do a corneal topography, how many followups and with whom, how long start to finish, how much has it hurt today, why the contact bandages, do you have to wear "goggles" while you sleep for a few days, and last but not least, did I ask enough questions in one sentence? :p |
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| kemosabe |
quote:
Originally posted by jay
So, while it is fresh, why not tell us about it. How was the flap cut, did they do a corneal topography, how many followups and with whom, how long start to finish, how much has it hurt today, why the contact bandages, do you have to wear "goggles" while you sleep for a few days, and last but not least, did I ask enough questions in one sentence? :p
At least jay didn't ask for pics of the procedure with his usual... :needpics: |
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| krygny |
quote:
Originally posted by kemosabe
At least jay didn't ask for pics of the procedure with his usual... :needpics:
Is there any anesthesia? |
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| rockman19762001 |
Had lasik on both eyes about 3 years ago.
The best practice I can say is have the doctor give you a very very strong sleeping pill. I sleep for the first 18 hours after my lasik, woke up went in to the doctors office, tested 20/20 and went merrily on my way with no complications. Also have doctor prescribe a good antibiotic drop and use a very good natural tear eye drop and wear your eye night guards every night for 30 days and every thing will go with no problem. An good quality doctor will do this with out having to tell them. My wife also had lasik same doctor, same program no problems. She went from legally blind without lenses to 20/30. |
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| tim.s |
quote:
Originally posted by jay
So, while it is fresh, why not tell us about it. How was the flap cut, did they do a corneal topography, how many followups and with whom, how long start to finish, how much has it hurt today, why the contact bandages, do you have to wear "goggles" while you sleep for a few days, and last but not least, did I ask enough questions in one sentence? :p
Sorry, I was just too busy yesterday. I'll try to put it all down tonight. But to answer your immediate questions:
The flap was made with system called IntraLase which uses computer controlled femtosecond beam pulses to create the flap. The flap thickness is more consistent (than the mechanical blade histrorically used) and this helps prevent some complications like star bursts.
I had a 24 hour checkup, another this Friday, and then I think the next is 90 days and then one year. More will be scheduled if necessary. All followups are will the same doctor.
The "contact bandages" are non-corrective contact lenses worn for the first 24 hours to help hold and protect the corneal flap.
I have to wear racket ball type goggles (but tinted) when I go outside for the at least the first week. I have a different set of over sized goggles to sleep in. The night goggles are larger to prevent them from shifting and pinching the eye while sleeping.
krygny, the only anesthesia is in drop form to make the procedure more comfortable (no needles). Oh and I did get something to "relax" me. |
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| allanbiats |
quote:
Originally posted by tim.s
I'll be happy to answer questions about the procedure and post-op care (probably better to do it while it's fresh in my mind).
Ziplock, while doing research for Lasik, I did run across descriptions of the new corrective procedures in development. For example, a new type of procedure actually places a plastic corrective lens on the cornea under a flap like the one for Lasik. I guess it would be like having contacts implanted. One benefit is that it can be removed and replaced if the patients vision changes later. Who knows what great things are around the corner.
I just read about a procedure that does this. The product is called 'Crystalens', and it's advertised as 'No Glasses, No Lasers'.
The short version is that it is used like the Cataract surgery procedure, except it is a flexible lens that adjusts with your eye as your eye focuses. It is supposed to be able to give you crystal clear vision both near, far, and everything in between.
Here's a copy and paste from their website:
Made from a proprietary and specially formulated solid silicone Biosil™, Crystalens is a cataract replacement lens that works naturally with your eyes’ muscles to give you the quality of vision you enjoyed when you were younger.
The revolutionary design element that makes Crystalens the state-of-the-art replacement lens are “hinges” which are designed to allow the lens to move, or accommodate to focus on objects near, far and all distances in-between seamlessly.
Unlike old-style fixed focal lenses, which didn’t move, Crystalens has the ability to move, thus focusing as your eye’s natural lens did when you were younger. Your ophthalmic surgeon will take precise measurements to ensure the correct lens power selection for your eye.
end of copy and paste
It does appear to be an interesting solution for those of us with 'mature eyes', and it should be a lasting solution. The website mentioned that many insurance companies cover the cost of the cataract surgery but not the full cost of the Crystalens. Personally, I would think it was a bargain to add a little of my own money to get long lasting improvement to my vision. |
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| FLPilot |
quote:
Originally posted by Ziploc
All you baby boomers out there who (like me) hate bifocals--let's just hope that, somehow, technology will continue to improve to where Lasik surgery becomes less problematic and more feasible for us in the not-too-distant future.
If not, try to see if you all can get a group rate on your bifocals. |
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| Ziploc |
quote:
Originally posted by allanbiats
I just read about a procedure that does this. The product is called 'Crystalens', and it's advertised as 'No Glasses, No Lasers'.
The short version is that it is used like the Cataract surgery procedure, except it is a flexible lens that adjusts with your eye as your eye focuses. It is supposed to be able to give you crystal clear vision both near, far, and everything in between.
It does appear to be an interesting solution for those of us with 'mature eyes', and it should be a lasting solution.
Very interesting, allanbiats. I'll ask my optometrist about this on my next visit. It does seem that there are real possibilities under development for the bifocal generation so that we may not always have to have something hanging on our face.
P.S. I wore soft, extended-wear contact lenses very successfully for many years until the so-called middle age vision change got underway. Then, I went through a "mono" vision stage, wearing (soft) contacts of different prescriptions in each eye, making the eyes work together to give you the best possible clarity at a given distance. But eventually, I couldn't see well enough to read using this method and decided to try soft, bifocal contact lenses. But, to date, I haven't been able to achieve a satisfactory correction with the bifocal contacts. So, for now, I'm stuck with progressive bifocal glasses, which I don't like, either, but until something else comes along...... |
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| jay |
| tim.s, how's it going now, a week and a day later? |
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| tim.s |
So so:8:
The constant medicating and artificial tears has been hard to keep up with, not to mention the sleeping goggles - yuck. I start a different (less frequent) medication today.
When they say "1 to 6 months" for vision to stabilize, I guess they mean "1 to 6 months before you adequately focus near AND far".
My vision is far from "stabilized" (I hope). I drive and work fine, but actually reading street and highway signs is another story. My distance vision is currently about 1/4 of what it was with contacts.
Each day gets a bit better, but the incremental improvements seem to be getting smaller. I have to just keep waiting for the next day and hope to have some more improvement in my distance vision. |
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| jay |
quote:
Originally posted by tim.s
So so:8:
The constant medicating and artificial tears has been hard to keep up with, not to mention the sleeping goggles - yuck. I start a different (less frequent) medication today.
When they say "1 to 6 months" for vision to stabilize, I guess they mean "1 to 6 months before you adequately focus near AND far".
My vision is far from "stabilized" (I hope). I drive and work fine, but actually reading street and highway signs is another story. My distance vision is currently about 1/4 of what it was with contacts.
Each day gets a bit better, but the incremental improvements seem to be getting smaller. I have to just keep waiting for the next day and hope to have some more improvement in my distance vision.
I hope it works out for you, and that you end up as happy with your post-op vision as I am with mine. |
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| tim.s |
Well another week sure made a difference. Actually, things started getting better during the middle of last week. My prescriptions changed last Tuesday, but it took another day or so for the old medication to wear off.
One of the side effects of the first week's medication is blurred vision - doesn't exactly help when trying to focus. The new medication has the same side effect, but for the past week I've only had to use one type of drop instead of three different ones.
Still having some unstable distance vision, but that is supposed to clear up too when I get totally off of medication next month.
Still haven't driven at night, so no info yet on any changes to my night vision. |
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| jay |
quote:
Originally posted by tim.s
Well another week sure made a difference. Actually, things started getting better during the middle of last week. My prescriptions changed last Tuesday, but it took another day or so for the old medication to wear off.
One of the side effects of the first week's medication is blurred vision - doesn't exactly help when trying to focus. The new medication has the same side effect, but for the past week I've only had to use one type of drop instead of three different ones.
Still having some unstable distance vision, but that is supposed to clear up too when I get totally off of medication next month.
Still haven't driven at night, so no info yet on any changes to my night vision.
Good news. Keep us updated on your progress. |
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