Note to self: never again do a google image search for “Lasik”. ::shudder::
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I’m a contacts-wearer. I have worn corrective lenses since 7th grade. During my regular eye appointment this year, I was scolded for wearing my contacts too much. Um, you mean that wearing them from 10 minutes after I wake up until 10 minutes before I go to sleep is too much??
Well, the more you wear your contacts, the less oxygen gets into your eyes. And the less oxygen that gets into your eyes, the more your eye’s blood vessels grow, which apparently can get to be bad enough that the eye doctor won’t prescribe contacts any longer.
So after hearing this lovely news, I called a Chicago surgeon to see if I was a candidate for Lasik. And I am. For a mere $6,800 (it’s more expensive for me because I have astigmatism) I am assured I will see perfectly, until I need reading glasses that is.
Naturally I am completely creeped out by the thought of Lasik, but, on the other hand, I’m fascinated by the idea of being able to see, no matter what the cost.
So tell me, dear readers, have you or someone you loved had Lasik? Do you recommend it? Anyone out there with horror stories I should know about?
Twitter: @sillylittle
I have the same problem. One day I won’t be able to wear contacts anymore! I’m considering Lasik as well. I have a few friends who have done it and had terrific results. Two of them needed a touch up afterwards but no problems after that. All of them love not being dependent on glasses or contacts.
.-= Linda’s most recent blog post: Library Loot =-.
I had lasik. It was great. It hurt more immediately following than they said it would (they said slight burning–it was way more than that, making me think something had gone wrong!) but after recovering the first few days, and some dryness the first several months or so, I haven’t had to worry about it since. That’s the best part–you get to go from dealing with your eyes twice a day (ok less in my case, I was terrible about my contacts) to never thinking about them much at all.
Lasik was hands down the best money I’ve ever spent! Definitely do it if you can afford it. I ended up getting PRK – so the recovery was much harder and I still recommend it. Changed my life – I love being able to see clearly with nothing in or on my eyes. :)
.-= Christine’s most recent blog post: Carrot Cupcakes =-.
Twitter: @amiatead
@christine did you do PRK because the surgeon recommended it over lasik or because of your individual choice?
@laura how long before you could “see” and that’s so odd about burning, they didn’t tell me anything about that potential side effect!
My husband is actually having lasik surgery done today at 1:40. If you want to email me after the weekend, I can give you a full update as to how things were for my husband.
Twitter: @alexjusino
Ami I did Lasik almost 13 years ago when it started. It was weird for 10 minutes because my eyes were pretty watery and of course I was buzzed on the Valium they gave me to relax (which at the moment of starting the operation did nothing to calm me down). I love it. I haven’t worn contact lenses or glasses ever since. It is truly the best money I ever spent. I can give you the contact info for the place I went to which has done thousands of these surgeries.
Twitter: @happymjc
Thanks for this post!
I am in the same boat, contacts since 6th grade. In law school I had an ulcer in my eye, then another, then a virus. So for years I have been forced to wear my glasses for long stretches and have pain wearing contacts since my eye ulcers! This summer I finally went to daily contacts and I can wear those most days.
But, now that I am finally out of school I am considering getting Lasik (I said I would wait until all the reading/studying was done, but is the reading ever done!?). Now I am holding off because of all my loans to pay back. I think I just have to bite the bullet and go for it because of my past eye problems and eye related migraines. I know it will be money well spent. I am glad that so many have had wonderful experiences, and even if it helped a little it would be worth it!
I started wearing glasses at age 9 and contacts at age 12. I had Lasik done in February of 2003 (age 21). I didn’t have any significant discomfort, and I was driving by that evening.
During my pre-op exam, the doctor did a tear test and realized that my eyes were very dry. He put punctal plugs in my lower eyelids to keep my eyes from drying out so much. My eyes were pretty dry for the first few months after the surgery, so I used Restasis (Rx eye drops) for a while. I now use OTC eye drops as needed.
At a post-op exam, the doctor decided that some slight modification needed to be done to achieve perfect vision. He fitted me with a special type of contact that would do the “fine tuning” to get my eyes to the proper shape. I wore those contacts day and night for about a month. After that, my eyes were better than 20/20. At my last annual appointment in February, I still had perfect vision. I’m so glad I did it!
My brother had Lasik a few months before me. He didn’t need the punctal plugs, post-op contacts or Rx eye drops. His surgery went very well, and his vision has been perfect ever since.
My mother did it and it went perfectly. She wore glasses/contacts for 40 years, and suddenly had perfect eyesight. Absolutely worth it if you ask ehr.
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We just watched something about Lasik on the news the other night. Unfortunately it was about how the guy who invented the procedure no longer stands behind it because of the high incidents of negative side affects. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I guess if it does work then people do love it as the other commenters seem to show. Check out these links:
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/SurgeryandLifeSupport/LASIK/ucm061366.htm
and from ABC News:
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/hindsight-2020-lasik-surgery-now-unsafe-vision-problems-medical-advice-elizabeth-leamy-11703658
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/EyeHealth/lasik-advocate-files-petition-criticizing-procedure/story?id=11689793
Twitter: @emilyj82
I also have astigmatism and have considered Lasik. Good info, everyone — thanks!
.-= Emily’s most recent blog post: Munich- Germany part 5 =-.
I have been wearing contacts since I was three years old, due to an eye injury. So that means I’ve been wearing them a little more than 20 years. I don’t ever take my contacts out. Actually I can’t STAND to have my contacts out. Now I realize that this obviously isn’t “healthy” but I’ve never had a problem. My doctor scolds me… but then I remind him that he’s never been legally blind (and glasses don’t work for me). He has never said he wouldn’t be able to prescribe contacts for me. Not even once. I am a believer in LASIK though. I worked at his office and saw success after success. When I finish paying off my college loans, I will get LASIK.
.-= Peyton Stephens’s most recent blog post: Fall Spruce Up =-.
Every type of surgery has it’s risks no matter what you’re getting done. I have heard lot’s of positive things about this type of surgery.