School me on Lasik

[DatUtahGuy]

Seriously, I'm kinda scared and don't know what the best/safest procedures are out there. I've needed eye correction for a while now but never thought about it seriously until recently, my eyesight has gotten poorer and poorer to the point that is becoming an issue even when I drive.

I have had myopia on my right eye since I was 17 or so but never been a real issue since my other eye has always worked fine to compensate.

Any eye doctors on R3v??

edit: I'm 26

[Cong405]

First, how old are you?

[samiam3356]

You'll probably get more qualified answers if you put SOME kind of idea as to what the subject of the thread is in the title. my .02

[DatUtahGuy]

edited, thanks

[Earendil]

On Lasik procedures.

Seriously, I'm kinda scared and don't know what the best/safest procedures are out there. I've needed eye correction for a while now but never thought about it seriously until recently, my eyesight has gotten poorer and poorer to the point that is becoming an issue even when I drive.

I have had myopia on my right eye since I was 17 or so but never been a real issue since my other eye has always worked fine to compensate.

Any eye doctors on R3v??

I would love to give you advice... except that I'm sure you are smarter than to take EYE LASER SURGERY advice from a bunch of peeps that seriously contemplate buying ebay knock-off parts for dangerious machinery that they do illegal stuff with

No?

Okay. What I know is that current technology is awesome in this area, but you should know what it is you are getting. And going and talking to a doctor is about the only way. Surgery can work on a few levels, and tackle many problems all in varying degrees of effectiveness and longevity. The surgery usually doesn't last forever, or didn't back when my friend had it done like 10 years ago.

Hopefully you get better advice than my smartass/talk to someone that knows spiel :)

[goarmy]

not an eye doctor but Iam a medical physician, very quickly I would need alot more info on you but right out the bat, check your glasses. Usually patients carry prescribed glasses for MYOPIA... which I believe can be causing your vision deterioration. Iam sure you know the causes of MYOPIA.. so with that I can say that I know their are glasses that you can use while stuying or using your computer and watching tv that wont damage your vision. In my opinion the glasses that Iam sure were prescribed to you must be the culprit. And I hope everything turns alright for you.

[DatUtahGuy]

I think the culprit has been my complete disregard for using said glasses. I maybe wear them once a month, really, and I haven't been to the doctor to get tested again for years, so I know that the current prescription is outdated now as my condition has degenerated.

But I am more interested in just getting my vision "fixed" and not having to worry about glasses or contacts.

[priapism]

I looked at Lasik a few years ago and decided to get PRK. PRK is the older version of the two. Long story short, your cornea grows around these tiny ligament-like strands that go across your eye. Lasik cuts those and they don't grow back. PRK doesn't and has fewer side effects, but the recovery time is way long. I decided given the amount of pounding my head gets, better get the one that had the fewer side effects.

The one thing I took out of it is be sure to get "custom" Lasik. Apparently there's a generic version that I got and they over corrected in one eye. I'm 37 and now I need reading glasses for anything longer than a magazine article or I get eye strain. The other advantage of Lasik is they can go in and do quick corrections that you can't with PRK.

Generally when you pay more you're paying for better exams, better doctors, and better aftercare. The actual procedure is pretty standard, and it's fucking terrifying. Ever see A Clockwork Orange? Yeah, that's what happens.

Bunch of random anecdotes I know, but that's my experience.

[DatUtahGuy]

Thanks for that, I will remember to ask about PRK and pros/cons

[kalib0y]

I had lasik done 3 years ago and love it. I was -575 and-550 with and now I am 20/15. I had custom the custom wavefront which is the way to go.

My advise is not to go for those special deals. You dont want to bargain on your eyesight. I did pay about $4900 (both eyes) just for reference. If I could say anything bad, I can see slight halos around lights at night time but its barely noticable unless I am actively thinking about it. Its kind of like having dry contacts but not nearly as uncomfortable.

I also want to add that my wife did hers with the same doctor 2 weeks prior to me and we both think its the best thing we have ever done. I am 32 now btw.

Packing without contact solutuion, cases, extra lenses, torn contacts, lost contacts is something I will never miss.

[Pac1373]

My wife has considered it, however she has said the Doctor would only do the surgery when her Eyesight had Stopped degrading
IDK I have like 30/20 vision so No personal XP. but that is what she was told, mind you that was a decade ago.

I would interview some Doctors and find out first hand whats what. it is your sight your dealing with.

[xxlbimmer]

First off, I'm not a doctor!! But, I have been running a laser for over 5 years and over 7,000 cases. and have been paying attention!
You need to get into to see your Dr asap. Like Pac1373 said, surgery won't be recommended until your eyes stabilize. Once your doc believes they have stopped changing then, and only then, should surgery be performed.
IN A LOUD BOOMING VOICE!!! This is not a set of headers, or tires, or lawn furniture!!!!!!
Do not go for the cheapest route!! Talk to people in your area that have had surgery done, and get their feedback. I would go to at least 2 or 3 different docs, unless you have had one doc and trust him/her to be upfront and fair. Talk to your Family doctor. Get as much info as possible. Use the internet, everybody blogs and talks about there stuff!!!
I have worked with more than 20 different docs in 5+ years, and I can tell you there are some that I wouldn't let near my goldfish!!!
One of my favorite jokes is:
What do you call the guy that graduated last in his class at doctor school??
As far as PRK or Lasik, either can be touched up or enhanced. The basic difference is that during lasik a flap is cut, the correction is performed, and the flap is laid back down, and heals within a few days. With PRK, the top layer is basically scraped away and the correction is performed, generally a contact is placed over the area, and the contact removed in a few days. There is usually some discomfort associated with PRK due to its nature. PRK is usually used as an option for people with thin corneas. This is something that the doc will determine and discuss with you during consultation.
LOUD VOICE AGAIN!! Make sure that you will have a face to face with the doc doing the surgery prior to the actual surgery. I know in many of the high volume/ mills that you are not allowed to speak directly with the doc prior to surgery! NO F&#^%ing WAY!!!!
AGain, this is surgery not a group buy on 17 inch wheels, DO NOT CHEAP OUT!!
Wow, I went on for too long!
PM me if I can answer any questions for you!!
By the way the answer to the joke is: DOCTOR!!

[DatUtahGuy]

Thanks xxlbimmer, trust me, I'm not taking this lightly, usually I don't jump into a pool unless I know there is water in there ;)

I need to make the time to go see these doctors, there are a few around my area, the top 2 that are supposed to be the best in the state are only like 20min from me.

Also, I want to make sure I save up some because obviously I'm not going cheap, and I want to avoid paying a high interest if I can pay the procedure off quickly.

My eyes may not be ready(stabilized) for lasik yet but I will talk to the doctors about that of course. For now, I just wanted to get first hand experiences, discomforts, pros/cons and any other tip/info that people that know about this or have had the procedure done could tell me about. That way I can have a broader image and be better informed when the time is right.

[z31maniac]

Never been interested in it after reading about problems with night vision and depth perception, not terrible, just noticeable.

My current contacts I leave in for a month at a time.

OP, quit being a lazy fuckoff and go to the eye doctor.

[DatUtahGuy]

Never been interested in it after reading about problems with night vision and depth perception, not terrible, just noticeable.

My current contacts I leave in for a month at a time.

OP, quit being a lazy fuckoff and go to the eye doctor.

sushh Maria, I'm not being lazy, just getting 3rd party "reviews" if you would about current procedures.

What about night vision and depth perception? are you saying it is inevitable for everyone who undergoes lasik?