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Author	Topic: Lasik eye surgery
Karen G Moderator TUG Volunteer Posts: 3131 From: Bellevue, WA; own in Hawaii, Mexico, South Africa, Texas (RCI Pts.) Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-18-2005 12:22 Has anyone had this surgery? What has been your experience? I'm considering having it done and today I'm starting to wear glasses again (after about 16 years of contact lenses) to prepare for the initial exam with my regular eye doctor in two weeks. It is weird to wear progressive bifocals again after so many years. My contacts are the monovision kind with one eye for near vision and one eye for far vision. My eye doctor thinks I might be a good candidate for that type of lasik correction. In the brochure provided it also mentions refractive lens exchange as another option of vision correction. Anyone ever have that done? IP: Logged
lisabarr TUG Member Posts: 19 From: Land O Lakes, Florida Registered: Feb 2005	posted 05-18-2005 12:27 I had this surgery done in January and it was the best thing I ever did! I was a -7 in each eye and aside from some halo at night, which doesn't bother me, I have been very satisfied. I do recomend you go with the best doctor in town because some drs will tell you that you are a candidate and you aren't. My girlfriend was so impressed she had it done several weeks later. She has to back and get tweeked, but she too is very satisfied. IP: Logged
jodycat TUG Member Posts: 175 From: FL Registered: Feb 2001	posted 05-18-2005 12:44 I had lasik about 7 years ago and I love it!!! I wore glasses from the age of six until I was 33. I couldn't see the alarm clock in the morning, sitting right beside me on the nightstand. I still remember to this day sitting in the chair getting ready to have it done and the Dr. saying can you read the clock? No, of course not, I don't have my glasses on. 15 minutes later as I sat up and he asked again, even though it was blurry, I could read the clock! It is wonderful, I too, have halos at night. It isn't that big of a deal, I normally am not driving at night anyway. Good Luck!! IP: Logged
LAR TUG Member Posts: 160 From: Sparta NJ Owner: Marriott Maui Registered: May 2001	posted 05-18-2005 13:15 How distracting are the halos if one were in need of driving at night - or at night in the rain? IP: Logged
ACCfan TUG Member Posts: 498 From: Registered: Jun 2003	posted 05-18-2005 13:23 If you�re already in contacts doing monovision and you like it, then yes you are a great candidate for refractive surgery. That's assuming, of course, that the other parameters (pupil size, corneal thickness, etc.) aren't such to make you a poor candidate. Unless you are a poor candidate for refractive surgery, I wouldn't do a phakic IOL as it's more risky (it's intraocular surgery while LASIK is not) than LASIK IMO. Both my wife and I have had LASIK done and we're very satisfied. Going with the "best" doctor in town is really not that important IMO. It's more important to get a complete evaluation by the Ophthalmologist who will be doing the surgery and not by an Optometrist who refers in and co-manages. If you're happy with your regular Ophthalmologist and they have good experience with refractive surgery, then I would go with them. There are many excellent Ophthalmologists in the city you live in. IP: Logged
ACCfan TUG Member Posts: 498 From: Registered: Jun 2003	posted 05-18-2005 13:28 quote: Originally posted by LAR: How distracting are the halos if one were in need of driving at night - or at night in the rain? People who wear glasses that are moderately to really thick get haloes just from the refractive properties of the glasses. They don't notice them, though, because the brain is very good at adapting to one's environment. Most people who experience haloes after refractive surgery state that they "go away" after several weeks to several months. It's pretty uncommon (<1%) for haloes after refractive surgery to become a persistent problem. IP: Logged
3kids4me TUG Member Posts: 4381 From: Fairfield County, CT --Owner - Smugglers' Notch - 2 bedroom, week 33 plus float-- --- I remember PJ --- Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-18-2005 13:41 I had Lasik six years ago. I was a -9.00 in both eyes and am now a -1.00 in one eye and a +.25 in the other. (Not intentional...that's just the wasy it worked out.) I'm so glad I had it done! Yes, I do have trouble with lights at night (I think this really depends on how big your pupils are...as a bigger pupil will often dialate at night past the point of correction, which causes the halos) but if I wear glasses at night designed to fully correct my vision, then I'm fine to drive. I would highly recommend Lasik! Sharon IP: Logged
jodycat TUG Member Posts: 175 From: FL Registered: Feb 2001	posted 05-18-2005 13:44 Even before the surgery I had halos when driving at night. I had very bad vision and lights at night bothered my eyes. So for me, the halos are the same. For example, when looking at a traffic light the green or red just has halos of the color. That is what I see and for some (like me) the halos won't go away. I don't have a problem driving at night if I need to. Talk to the Dr. if you go for a consultation. He should be able to determine whether the halos will be a problem for you. I knew going in that I would continue to have halos after the lasik surgery. But my eyes have always been sensitive to light. IP: Logged
ACCfan TUG Member Posts: 498 From: Registered: Jun 2003	posted 05-18-2005 14:22 quote: Originally posted by 3kids4me: I had Lasik six years ago. I was a -9.00 in both eyes and am now a -1.00 in one eye and a +.25 in the other. (Not intentional...that's just the wasy it worked out.) I'm so glad I had it done! Yes, I do have trouble with lights at night (I think this really depends on how big your pupils are...as a bigger pupil will often dialate at night past the point of correction, which causes the halos) but if I wear glasses at night designed to fully correct my vision, then I'm fine to drive. I would highly recommend Lasik! Sharon The new generation lasers are able to do a larger treatment zone followed by a blend zone which has greatly reduced the problems with haloes. That being said, a -9.00 is still pretty high and requires a lot of tissue to be removed which limits the size of the treatment zone. The larger the treatment zone is, then the more tissue that needs to be removed and it's actually not a linear function but an exponential one. Also, the higher the prescription, the harder it is (even nowadays) to get things exactly right and the higher the chances that an enhancement may be necessary. Your results are pretty good even by today�s standards and of course the most important result is that you�re happy. IP: Logged
fnewman TUG Member Posts: 1208 From: Dublin, GA USA Owner: Cypress Pointe I (floating), CP II (UDI), Sunterra Powhatan (52) Registered: May 2002	posted 05-18-2005 18:09 I had mine done several years ago; now, at age 59, I wear no correction at all and I had worn glasses since th first grade!! ------------------ Frank Newman IP: Logged
JudyH TUG Member Posts: 341 From: Sykesville, MD, USA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-18-2005 18:54 I had mine done in 2000. I am very very happy. That said, the process wasn't perfect and my vision isn't quite as crisp as with contacts. I went to the most experienced MD in town. The first attempt, he did not like the way the machine cut the cornea, so he stopped the operation and I waited six months for it to heal. I went back and it was successful the second time. The right eye ( the one with the bad cut) had to be enhanced, retreated a second time. My vision was -13 in both eyes. The left eye is practially perfect. The right eye less so, but not due to the LASIK, but due to a repaired retinal detachment in 1990. I had halo's with contacts, have them now, I wear very thin glasses for driving only. ------------------ Myrtle Beach, SC July week IP: Logged
nana7 TUG Member Posts: 251 From: Princeton, Il Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-18-2005 20:08 I also had lasik in 2000 and have been very happy.!! Had 20/25 in on and 20/30 in the other. Just recently the vision in the right eye has slipped a little..20/80. I wear very light +1 glasses for night driving and have NO problems with lights etc. I would recommend this to anyone. But I do recomend a VERY GOOD SURGEON. You only have one set of eyes...pay for the best. IP: Logged
Karen G Moderator TUG Volunteer Posts: 3131 From: Bellevue, WA; own in Hawaii, Mexico, South Africa, Texas (RCI Pts.) Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-18-2005 20:18 Those of you who report differing vision in each eye, do you find that the "better" eye compensates and thereby you can read and then see far away as required? Does anyone require reading glasses or are just the glasses for night driving the most common? IP: Logged
Lisa TUG Member Posts: 1084 From: Truckee, CA USA, Owner; Powell Place City Shares/SF, La Casa del Sol/Corpus Christi/TX, So Cal Beach Club,Shanty Creek Lodges/MI, Villa del Palmar/PV, Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-18-2005 20:38 My husband had it 5 years ago. I lined it up with a wonderful doctor in Sacramento that was one of the pioneers of the surgery and one of the first doctors to preform the eye surgery. I was able to trade with him with one of my barter connections at 100% trade for the lasic surgery. I used my timeshares to trade and I still beat the DEVELOPERS COSTS of a timeshare. So far I have traded several of my timeshares I have bought for peanuts for (cheaper then developer costs) for cool stuff. This is not an advertizment just letting tuggers know about other alternatives for timeshars that you can't sell or don't want to give away. Trade Companies are sweeping the nation all you have to do is punch in on your search engine; Barter you want to be sure to target your area for the best deals and close proximity. Some of the things I have traded for; dental surgery, had my perment makeup done on barter. Bought a car, sold a car, had lots of engine work done, lasic surgery, a new roof, a metel building, leather funtiture, bought a mercedes, got my car painted, had my antique chairs re-applostered, went to Maui and got script for some tours, had my windows cleaned, had my bookkeeping done, got my car washed and detailed, go out to eat alot on barter....the list goes on and on. ------------------ Lisa [This message has been edited by Lisa (edited 05-18-2005).] IP: Logged
muranojo TUG Member Posts: 1178 From: ID Registered: Jul 2002	posted 05-18-2005 20:41 I've considered this before myself, but am not sure at what point one should seriously consider it...my vision has deteriorated enough to think about it...I just hate wearing glasses to drive. My last exam said I had Sphere R -1.50, L -1.50 and Cylinder R -1.50, L -0.50. Axis R 090, L 080. I have no idea what this all means and haven't pushed this with my Dr., nor has he recommended it, but wondering if you think I should? IP: Logged
ACCfan TUG Member Posts: 498 From: Registered: Jun 2003	posted 05-18-2005 20:54 quote: Originally posted by ACCfan: Going with the "best" doctor in town is really not that important IMO. It's more important to get a complete evaluation by the Ophthalmologist who will be doing the surgery and not by an Optometrist who refers in and co-manages. If you're happy with your regular Ophthalmologist and they have good experience with refractive surgery, then I would go with them. There are many excellent Ophthalmologists in the city you live in. I just wanted to clarify this comment of mine. In no way am I recommending not going with a very good surgeon. It's just that sometimes people define the "best" doctor as the one who advertises the most or the one who states that they've done 10,000+ surgeries, etc. IMO these things really don't give you any real indication of how good the surgeon is. With refractive surgery, probably one of the most important aspects is the pre-op exam. I can tell you that a sloppy pre-op exam will lead to sloppy results no matter how good the surgeon is. That's why I recommended that if you already have a good Ophthalmologist that you've had good experience with and that you've heard nothing negative about, then there's no reason to bail on them to go to one of the folks who advertises they've done however many cases. I certainly wouldn't recommend one of those $599/eye factories. IP: Logged
ACCfan TUG Member Posts: 498 From: Registered: Jun 2003	posted 05-18-2005 21:11 quote: Originally posted by muranojo: I've considered this before myself, but am not sure at what point one should seriously consider it...my vision has deteriorated enough to think about it...I just hate wearing glasses to drive. My last exam said I had Sphere R -1.50, L -1.50 and Cylinder R -1.50, L -0.50. Axis R 090, L 080. I have no idea what this all means and haven't pushed this with my Dr., nor has he recommended it, but wondering if you think I should? That's a relatively low prescription, so on average the results from refractive surgery are excellent and the risk is low compared to some of the higher Rx's described earlier in this thread. That being said, if you're 40+ years old, I wouldn't recommend refractive surgery because of presbyopia. Right now, your vision is blurry in the distance and clear up close. If you're 40+ years old and have refractive surgery, then you'll just be flipping your situation and will be clear at distance and will need glasses to see up close. The one exception in this age group with this Rx where it might be a good idea is if you are doing monovision like the OP. If you're 40+ years old and want to do a trial of monovision, all you have to do is get a contact lens for your dominant eye and leave the other eye alone. IP: Logged
maddaug TUG Member Posts: 322 From: Morton,Il Registered: Jul 2003	posted 05-19-2005 03:44 Had Lasik done last June with a great outcome. I LOVE it. I had the mono done. If I were you go with mono. I didn't like it with the contacts but the surgery gave better results. I had halos for some months and as you know night driving with mono of any kind is not as crisp. The distance eye can see forever. The hubby had it done in Jan. Great results also. We have a pool and look forward to seeing without specs or contacts. IP: Logged
3kids4me TUG Member Posts: 4381 From: Fairfield County, CT --Owner - Smugglers' Notch - 2 bedroom, week 33 plus float-- --- I remember PJ --- Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-19-2005 04:20 ACCfan, are you an opthomologist? Sharon IP: Logged
AnnieK TUG Member Posts: 85 From: Central Coast, Ca, own in Hawaii, Tahoe, SF Registered: Jan 2001	posted 05-19-2005 05:59 I have been wearing mono vision contact lenses for several years and have been considering the Lasik surgery. It was good to read about everyone's success. I have not even began pricing the surgery, but can someone give me an estimate of the cost? Also, did any of you have insurance that covered at least part of the cost, or is it all out of pocket. Thanks! IP: Logged
IAMTHEWALRUS TUG Member Posts: 96 From: MILWAUKEE, WI. Registered: Apr 2005	posted 05-19-2005 06:40 It was the best money I ever spent. I went from 20/400 vision to 20/20 overnight. Most places actually have waiting rooms where you can watch the doctors perform the surgeries on other people. If you're tentative about it, just watch a few. You'll see how simple and painless the whole process is. It puts people's minds at ease. ------------------ ON A QUEST TO VISIT ALL 50 STATES. 7 TO GO... IP: Logged
Cyndy TUG Member Posts: 163 From: Battle Ground, WA, USA Owner: Ko Olina Beach Club, Oahu Registered: Nov 2002	posted 05-19-2005 07:15 I had refractive surgery a year ago. I got the results I expected (being able to drive without glasses and watch TV in bed at night without glasses), but I still need reading glasses. One side affect from the surgery which I am very unhappy about is dry eyes. I use eyedrops 10-12 times a day and per my doc, that is not going to change. Had I known that would happen, I would have opted not to have it done. I was told it was a possible side affect, but hoped it would not happen to me. I am 53 so that may well be a big part of it. Having said that, most people are happy with it and I guess I'm just one of the unlucky ones. IP: Logged
judyjht TUG Member Posts: 873 From: Massachusetts. Own Cape Cod Weeks 33 & 34 Registered: Dec 2001	posted 05-19-2005 07:20 I had mine done in January - just one eye for the distance and nothing in the other eye for reading - works great. 20/20 now!! Cost was $2,000 per eye but I only had one done - bargain!! Love it! ------------------ Judy Visit my website IP: Logged
ACCfan TUG Member Posts: 498 From: Registered: Jun 2003	posted 05-19-2005 07:37 quote: Originally posted by Cyndy: I had refractive surgery a year ago. I got the results I expected (being able to drive without glasses and watch TV in bed at night without glasses), but I still need reading glasses. One side affect from the surgery which I am very unhappy about is dry eyes. I use eyedrops 10-12 times a day and per my doc, that is not going to change. Had I known that would happen, I would have opted not to have it done. I was told it was a possible side affect, but hoped it would not happen to me. I am 53 so that may well be a big part of it. Having said that, most people are happy with it and I guess I'm just one of the unlucky ones. You�re absolutely right, dry eye is one of the biggest problems encountered post-op with refractive surgery. It usually gets a lot better after a couple of months, but sometimes it doesn�t. Have you had punctual plugs placed? Have you tried Restasis? Restasis is a twice a day prescription eye drop for dry eyes. With those two interventions you may be able to reduce using 10-12 drops a day to just twice a day. IP: Logged
Karen G Moderator TUG Volunteer Posts: 3131 From: Bellevue, WA; own in Hawaii, Mexico, South Africa, Texas (RCI Pts.) Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-19-2005 08:07 quote: Originally posted by AnnieK: can someone give me an estimate of the cost? The price at the place I want to go to is $1400 per eye, and it is not covered by insurance. They do offer a repayment plan and their brochure says some insurance plans are beginning to pay part of the cost. They also say that if further "enhancement" surgeries are needed, they will be provided at no additional cost. I'm very encouraged by all the success stories everyone has posted. I'd be happy to have the monovision option done as that has worked very well for me with the contacts. IP: Logged

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