Have You Had Lasik Surgery?

My brother had it done while it was still in the trial phase by the doctors who originated it. He had BAD vision. It was great for many years, but now he's back to needing glasses. I just mention it because many people will not have had that length of post-op time. He's early 40s now and was probably mid 20s?? when he had it done.

I had it about 10 years ago, and I don't have a single complaint. It was quick, painless, and my vision went from half-blind (no joke, I had coke bottle glasses plus an astigmatism) to 20-20. Now that I'm getting a little older, I do need reading glasses to see the very fine print, but the doctor did warn me before the surgery that that would someday be the case. I would have Lasik again in a heartbeat, personally.

One recommendation I can give you is to really do your research in terms of which doctor to go to. I decided upon a doctor who also treats all the pro athletes in our area. I figure that if the team doctors for the Raiders, the A's, the Giants and the 49ers trust this guy with their star athletes' eyes, then he is an experienced doctor who knows what he's doing. (Also I had several friends who had gone to him as well, all with excellent results.)

I got it done 4 years ago on my 30th birthday. I gave myself the gift of sight for my birthday. My eyesight was horrible. I started wearing glasses in the second grade. I was nearsighted and had a bad astigmatism. I had 20/20 vision the day after surgery. And it has been that way since. I did not have any side effects from the surgery. No pain afterwards either. Just some mild burning that went away within about 4 hours. It was the best thing I have ever done!

I had worn glasses since age 10 and my eyes had gotten worse each year, until they were 20/400 or worse. I had Lasik surgery when I was 42 and it was like a miracle! I have never regretted it. I went without glasses for 4 1/2 years, then as a result of normal aging, I now have mild correction glasses that I wear for driving and watching movies. I still don't need reading/ computer glasses at 50, which is amazing.

The only "bad" things - because I had astigmatism and thin corneas, I needed a more expensive laser so I paid more for the procedure. I have eyes that tend to be dry, so after the sugery I used moisturizing eye drops for what seemed like a long time. But that need eventually went away. Where some people have "a little discomfort" the day of the surgery, I had pain for a while, but I went home and took a nap like they suggested and I woke up feeling fine, and being able to see!!

I had it done 7-years ago. Best decision ever! Before I had it done, without my glasses or contacts in, I was pretty much considered legally blinded. I could see but everything looked like I was looking at things through really, really cloudy water. Within 24 hours of having the surgery done, everything was crystal clear and it's been that way ever since. The procedure itself was pretty painless.

I would recommend going to a very well respected optomistrist who has a lot of experience with the procedure (check around for referrals) instead of going to those low-cost lasik clinics. I'm just of the opinion that you only have one set of eyes and that you really need your vision so this is not necessarily the time and place when you want to be looking for the best deal over quality of service and experience.

Hope this helps.

I first had it over 10 years ago and am so glad I did. I was VERY nearsighted! The halo effect someone else mentioned did go away for me after probably about a year as did the dry eyes. I had to have an enhancement treatment, (kind of like a redo) on one eye after about a year. My vision was near 20/20 for a long time. I think it has slipped a bit but I do not need glasses at all. The worst part for me was just being scared that things wouldn't go well. I was offered valium and took it both times and it did help relax me. Also, when they put the machine on your eye that cuts the cornea there is a LOT of pressure on you eye but it does not hurt. It's over very quickly, (and when I had the enhancement done they did not have to recut the cornea, they were able to just lift the flap...eeks!) and I could read street signs on the way home! You also have to wear protective goggles to bed for a week I think, so that you don't accidentally rub your eyes which would lift the corneal flap but they aren't too uncomfortable.

Yes, I did it and it was a great decision for me. My only recommendations 1. Do it when your eyes are stable (ie your vision hasn't changed). The reason people need to either do it again or get new glasses is because vision changes!! That's not lasiks fault that's our bodies' fault (just like when you get glasses and a year later you need new lenses). 2. Don't try to save a buck by going to the "on sale doctor". Find the guy who's been doing it forever, spend the extra money....It's your eyes!! I've heard horror stories of doctors messing up, but usually its the amaeteur guy. This is a place where you don't want to save a buck.

If figure even if in many years I need glasses or to do it again, NOT having to wear contacts or glasses NOW is grrreat!

PS Oh yeah, my one side affect is that sometimes at night I see "halos" (like a shadow around a light). Its very very minor and my other option was dry eye or complete blindness (without my glasses) so I think thats pretty damn good.

I took valium to relax and i practiced the day before so i would not jump.
It is now a third of what I paid. You must look at the light and not look away.
My cousin was nearly blinded because she was jumpy and not doing what the doctor said. Plus, she went to someone who was not experienced.
You must use eyedrops or your eyes will be too dry.
I had it 12 years ago and it was worth every penny. I had NO complications.
Even now, I don't need reading glasses.

I had the lasik surgery about 15 years ago. It worked splendidly - the next morning I drove myself to my follow up appt and had better than 20/20 vision. Although my prescription had not changed for years prior to the surgery (I would have considered my vision stable), I was one of those unlucky people who needed corrective lenses again for nearsightedness about 4 years later (but my vision is still 2X as good as original). My siblings also had this surgery and that did not happen to them - just happens to some people that their vision regresses. Since this was in the early years of Lasik, it wasn't common for the opthamologist to offer lifetime touch ups like they do now. My doctor only offered a deal up to a year later and my vision was still fine by then. I would have had to pay full price - 20% discount to have it redone by the same doctor :(
Lesson is - go with a respected doctor that offers a long guarantee for touch ups at a minimal price. I hope that is helpful.

I had it back in 1999, and I am so glad I did. My vision was 20/400 before the surgery. I went through a very reputable doctor. He is now a part of the TLC network, and I believe they guarantee their work for life.

I was one of those rare cases where I had to have the surgery re-done. After a few months, I went from 20/20 to 20/40. I think it was because very soon after the surgery, I took antihistimines to help me sleep. It dried out my eyes and may have changed the shape of my newly shaven corneas. Or maybe it was because I had to use the computer so much at work. Anyway, I had the surgery done again free of charge about a year after the initial surgery.

I still have 20/20 vision, although now that I'm getting older, I'm starting to get farsighted. I also have a harder time seeing things at night and differentiating slight changes in colors. I get dry eyes at night, and have to keep eye drops handy while I'm sleeping. But that's all the downside I can think of. If you have the means to do it, and you are younger than 35, I'd say it is well worth it.