Has anyone here had LASIK eye surgery?

[bubbiexo]

I've been wearing glasses since I was 3. Nearly twenty years... Now I know it's not that bad, but it's not fun either. I started wearing contacts when I was 10 or 11 and I was so grateful for them because glasses suck... They just do.

Recently I started having problems with my contacts so I went to my doctor and I'm apparently allergic to them... We are going to try daily wear lenses after I get the infection cleared up, but there is a chance that I will not be able to wear them anymore. So I am considering eye surgery.

So has anyone had LASIK? If yes, I have a few questions because I don't know much.
How was your experience with the actual surgery?
What was the recovery process like for you?
How were your results? Did your vision improve drastically? Do you still have to wear glasses sometimes?

Thanks everyone! If you haven't had LASIK feel free to share your experience with glasses and contacts.

[musicbrain5]

I'm not a candidate for laser eye surgery, but my dad had it done about 5 years ago. I remember he said it was quite expensive, but he is happy with the results. The procedure itself only takes about 15 minutes, for both eyes. They give you really dark sunglasses to wear afterwards. My dad said that he had a problem with dry eyes for about a year afterwards, but that is normal and can be managed with Visine artificial tears (that's what he used anyways). He was quite near sighted, now he says he can see like a hawk. Which is pretty important since he is a surgeon himself, gotta be able to see which organs you're working on, lol. He was 44 or 45 when he had it done and hasn't had any problems since.

They'll tell you everything you need to know at the initial consult, as well as give you a full eye work up to make sure you're eligible. I did a consult once but I can't get it done because I have strabismus and have already had two operations to fix the muscles around my eyes. I guess they can't touch my corneas and lenses because of that. Oh well. I also have astigmatism and a couple of other problems and have been wearing glasses since I was 2. My prescription is getting lighter as I get older though, hopefully in a couple of years I will be able to ditch the glasses. I found contacts to be uncomfortable so I don't wear them.

[bubbiexo]

Thank you very much! I'm sorry that you weren't a candidate... That's what I worry about. I am nearsighted with a slight astigmatism and a lazy eye (it's not serious- and has mostly been corrected over the years and it only crosses if I make it now). I read that they can do it if there is an astigmatism up to a certain point. Fingers crossed I am within range!

[musicbrain5]

My optometrist had told me that I probably wouldn't be a candidate, but I went to the clinic anyways just to make sure. Have you asked your doctor for his/her opinion? They can operate on most people with astigmatism from what I hear. I just have some physical problems with my eyes that would make it hard for them to work on.

[bubbiexo]

I have an appointment with my doctor next month... I wanna get this infection cleared up before I start asking about it, ya know? And that really sucks... Knowing my luck I probably will not be eligible. I just hope I can wear contacts.

[musicbrain5]

Yeah of course, your eyes should be healthy! My dad didn't think he would be a candidate either, but he was wrong.

[jenndrop24]

I did about 6 years ago, It wa the best thing i ever did for myself. I wore contacts and had glasses and hated them. I was farsighted so reading street signs and distance items was difficult. Just go for a consultation and see if you are a good canidate for it. And ask people locally who they went to and how it went.
My surgery went perfect, the over correct you a little and i no longer need any glasses or contacts at all. After the surgery you to put in drops for a while but it easy and well worth it.
The only downside is the cost, I paid about 3500.00 for it but that was 6 years ago. Let me know if you have questions.

[bubbiexo]

Thank you so much! How long did it take you to recover from surgery? I'm just curious about the time frame. And also, how long after your consultation did you go in for surgery? Thanks!

[jenndrop24]

I went to 2 different places and decided on the first right after I met with them. They scheduled it a few weeks afterwards. Recovery, you go home about an hour after, keep your bandages on all night and the next day I took off but you can go about your normal activities just no sports or anything like that so you don't hit your healing eyes. You put drops in your eyes for a few months.

[bubbiexo]

Okay, thank you so much. You've been very very helpful!

[jenndrop24]

Your welcome, if you have any more just ask! Good luck if you decide to have it done!

[jenndrop24]

Hey thank you for the MH. Did you make your consulation appt. yet?

[bubbiexo]

Thank you for all of your help. Not yet. I'm gonna talk to my optometrist first since he knows my eyes... I've been seeing him for like 15 years. Then I'm going to go. I will keep you posted! Thanks again.

[jenndrop24]

Your always welcome honey!

[ClearlyCanadian]

So you have 20/20 vision now? You had to be awake during surgery didn't you? :(

[jenndrop24]

I might be very slightly under 20/20 now. You are completely awake during the procedure. It's really not bad, there is more time spent prepping you than the procedure. Once they put this devise that holds your eyelids it takes only mintues and then your done, they they cover your eyes.

[TadCurious]

I totally sympathize with your situation. I wear glasses and contacts, and have since I was like 10. I wear 2 week disposable contacts during the day, but once I'm home for the day I take 'em out and put on glasses to let my eyes breathe. I don't sleep in my contacts 'cause I don't think that's good for your eyes. About a year ago I developed what the eye doc called "epithelial edema" in one eye that was probably contact lens-related. It comes and goes, and my vision is sometimes not as sharp in the eye with the edema. Especially this time of year with all the pollen. I've also developed a skin allergy to the earpieces of my eyeglass frames. This is really frustrating 'cause the frames are of the highest quality titanium, and were really expensive. But I get this rash behind my ears from the skin allergy. It doesn't show of course, but sometimes it itches. So yeah, I can totally sympathize with your frustration. The questions you are asking are questions I have had, too, and I'm really interested in what the responses are. I wish I could help you out but I haven't had Lasik, but I've thought about having it done.

[bubbiexo]

That's so frustrating:( especially the part with the frames! I had acuvue oasys and for the longest time I wore them all day with no problem... Never at night. Recently I've only been able to wear them for 5 or so hours at a time... So annoying. Have you researched facilities near you? I think I found one here!

[TadCurious]

For years now I've worn Acuvue II disposables. They're a good lens. The eye clinic where I go for my exams has doctors who do Lasik. So that's where I'll go when/if I decide to do it. I would love to be able to wake up in the morning and be able to see clearly! LOL If you go through with getting Lasik done, I hope you'll let us know how it went. I'm sorry you have to deal with this and your other allergies.

[bubbiexo]

Awhhh to be able to see clearly in the morning:) I think many people take this for granted! Thank you, and I certainly will. In fact, you will now be the first person I message! I am sorry about all of your eye troubles too. I hope things improve and if you decide to look into LASIK, let me know too :)

[Yang-gwang]

I did. Look into my beautiful eyes.
The process is quick I can see nearly perfectly. Unfortunately my left eye is a tiny bit blurry but together eyes see everything clearly. I need to keep using eye drops which I haven't done in a while.
The actual surgery is two minutes there's no pain but it was definitely scary. I could not close my eyes during whole thing and had to watch them pry it open, put machines on it and stuff.

[bubbiexo]

Ahhhh! That's terrifying lol. Thanks for your help :)

[Hans222]

Unfortunately no experience to share (do it with glasses as well) but... really hope you get helped.
Story sounds painful so hopefully the do will bring good news. Courage and take care :-)

[bubbiexo]

Thank you Hans... Sweet as usual:)

[Hans222]

You're welcome - I like to be sweet to sweet people. And you're a textbook example :-)

[heavensgift2girls]

I haven't had it, but my dad did. He claims it was the best money he ever spent on himself.

[bubbiexo]

Thanks :)

[Metal189]

i agree, wearing glasses can be a pain however, i also think it's kind of attractive. I've thought of getting laser eye surgery myself, but not only is it expensive (spoiled brats get to do it) but also it's dangerous, i mean hell, you're putting something in your eye, that's not supposed to be there. maybe eventually but right now, i prefer glasses. btw, i dont wear contacts either, they just seem to be a hassle. id rather just wear the glasses

[bubbiexo]

Yeah, I'm just tired of glasses... Like I said, it's been 20 years. I just want to be able to see without all of this hassle.

[kalrodkal]

I haven't but I know people who have.

Generally the procedure is around 20 seconds per eye.

My friends had outstanding improvement in vision.

[bubbiexo]

Thank you:)