Has anyone here had Lasik?

JustJazzie · Jul 14, 2014

Realized while driving on our road trip last week just how terrible my eyes really have become. I've talked about getting LASIK done for years (I had an appointment in fact, right before I found out that I was pregnant and had to cancel.) anyways, I either need to get new glasses soon, or save up and try to get LASIK next year.

I'm terrified that if I get eye surgery, something will go wrong and I will loose or worsen my vision. Anyways, just wondering if any fellow TPFers have taken the jump. If so, was it worth it?

SCraig · Jul 14, 2014

I haven't had LASIK however I will caution you to think long and hard about it regardless of what others have to say.

In late 2007 I had cataract surgery on my left eye. Everyone I talked to said it's no big deal, it will really improve your vision, and so on. I agreed to have it done, and a few days before the procedure a girl called from the doctor's office to talk about it with me. She asked if I was frightened and I told her, "Damn Straight!" I've never had any kind of surgery, and I've only got two eyes so, yeah, I was very apprehensive. She kind of pooh-poohed that with something along the lines of "We've done thousands of these without any problems whatsoever." So, I asked her if that was the case why did I have to sign so many waivers and disclaimers. She didn't have an answer to that. I found out why.

Bad things do happen. I don't know what, I don't know why, all I know is that for the following 2 years I could barely see out of that eye. I went to my regular doctor a half dozen times and he kept telling me how much better it was getting and how it would clear up in time. After 2 years I decided he was full of crap, fired him, and went to see another doctor. The one I went to is a close friend who had been begging me to let him look at it, but his office is about 120 miles from me. I finally relented, drove over there, and he took one look at it and said, "Oh, I see what it is." He fixed it with his laser in 5 minutes or so. I was lucky in that whatever the problem was it was repairable, and I was also lucky to have a close friend who is an ophthalmic surgeon.

In 2011 I had to have the same surgery on my right eye. Needless to say I was scared to death this time, and also needless to say it was a different doctor doing the procedure. This time I was in and out in less than 15 minutes and could see PERFECTLY out of my right eye.

Do your homework. Think long and hard about what you're doing and what the consequences could be. I don't know much about LASIK but given a choice, after the 2 years I spent looking out of my left eye, there is absolutely no way I'd voluntarily have it done if I could avoid it. Sure, it's a simple procedure, it's done all the time, could dramatically improved your vision, and things "Seldom" go wrong. But when you're one of the "Seldom" it's an entirely different situation and I've been there.

Msteelio91 · Jul 14, 2014

Scott, I get that you had a bad experience but talking like that can pollute the mind of someone who might seriously benefit from it. Sure, bad things happen. That could be said about literally anything. Are you not going to drive because you might get in an accident? Are you not going to take a trip because you might get hurt? You can't go through life passing on things that can lead to such hugely positive changes in your life just because something might go wrong.

Anyway. YES, there is a risk, as with everything. That said, I have talked to a couple hundred people, professionals and not, who have both performed or had this surgery done on them. This procedure has been developed and perfected since 1989 and has come such a long way since. Every year they get better and better at it and the procedure has now been performed millions upon millions of times by doctors around the world. If you're truly concerned, do some research and find a well-known and practiced surgeon in your area who can do what you want. Talk to them and see how you feel after.

I will be getting it done myself once my eyes stop changing.

IzzieK · Jul 14, 2014

My stepson has PRK not LASIK as he needed it to pass his flying exams. That was 5 years ago and he never have any problems with it, touch wood. He is now about to take his CFII exams so he can teach flying both visual and instruments. It is better than LASIK. His vision is 20-15.

sscarmack · Jul 14, 2014

I had PRK also, alternate to Lasik and it is the by far the best thing I've ever done in my life.

My vision is also 20/15 now.

SCraig · Jul 14, 2014

Msteelio91 said:
Scott, I get that you had a bad experience but talking like that can pollute the mind of someone who might seriously benefit from it. Sure, bad things happen. That could be said about literally anything. Are you not going to drive because you might get in an accident? Are you not going to take a trip because you might get hurt? You can't go through life passing on things that can lead to such hugely positive changes in your life just because something might go wrong.

Anyway. YES, there is a risk, as with everything. That said, I have talked to a couple hundred people, professionals and not, who have both performed or had this surgery done on them. This procedure has been developed and perfected since 1989 and has come such a long way since. Every year they get better and better at it and the procedure has now been performed millions upon millions of times by doctors around the world. If you're truly concerned, do some research and find a well-known and practiced surgeon in your area who can do what you want. Talk to them and see how you feel after.

I will be getting it done myself once my eyes stop changing.

Easily said. Until it happens to you.

mmaria · Jul 14, 2014

A while ago I posted a similar thread with similar question

Anyway... I've been wearing contacts for the past 17 years. My vision can't be corrected with glasses, so contacts or surgery are my only option.

As the time passes by my eyes are becoming more and more sensitive and my tear film is getting more damaged... they recommend me the surgery but I'm to afraid to do it...

JustJazzie · Jul 14, 2014

Thanks for all the replies! My husband had PRK before we were married, and he said its the best thing he has ever done for himself. I also know a family friend, who had cataract surgery and ended up loosing his vision in one eye. Some mess about a bad batch of medicated eye drops. Its a scary thought! I will definitely be doing a ton of research before I make a decision about it. However, 20/20 vision sounds like a dream! Ive worn glasses since I was 5 or 6, and my eyes get worse every year.

TheLost · Jul 14, 2014

I have horrible vision... and i've thought about it.

However:

i'm super cheap
My neighbor is a 'surgeon' at a local vision clinic.. and IMHO while he's a nice guy, i don't trust him mowing my lawn let alone work on my eyes (point: i don't trust dr's)
Having worn RGP contacts in the 90's and suffering horrible 'halo affect', the thought of having permanent 'Halo' freaks me out.
I'm to stupid to learn brail (worst case scenario)

runnah · Jul 14, 2014

Want to, can't afford it.

TreeofLifeStairs · Jul 14, 2014

Cataract surgery is different from LASIK though. You can't really compare the two. Yes bad things can happen in any situation but I think LASIK is safer. I can't say first hand though since I've never had it done but know people that have without issue. The shear volume of LASIK procedures done should make you feel more comfortable.

sscarmack · Jul 15, 2014

$2,500 a pop seems like a lot now that I look at it hahahahah

JustJazzie · Jul 15, 2014

TreeofLifeStairs said:
The shear volume of LASIK procedures done should make you feel more comfortable.

Not necessarily. They give you the same line when talking about implants and those things are scary!

sscarmack said:
$2,500 a pop seems like a lot now that I look at it hahahahah

Well- sure I suppose. But when you get new glassses every year at 3-500 each (I have to pay extra for thin lens's, anti glare , etc. And since I can't send my frames in I have to get new frames too) and replace sunglass lenses on top of that, long term cost isn't significantly higher.