I had PRK almost exactly a year ago. I choose it over LASIK for less chance of dry eyes since I live in a very dry climate (Colorado). My vision is passable 20/15 and solid 20/20 which is great but my night vision is terrible. While I don't outright regret the surgery I don't know if I'd make the same choice knowing what I know now of my outcome. I just ordered some glasses with the hopes that they'll increase the sharpness at night just enough to make driving feel safe again.
Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus
181–190 of 239 posts
Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus
#182I have no evidence to back this up, but I'm guessing many of the these complications come from the discount LASIK centers that offer very cheap surgery prices.
I can't understand why anyone would have eye surgery at some place that advertises $600/eye on the radio.
I paid $4200 for my LASIK surgery after researching it thoroughly, verifying that it was appropriate for my vision problems and deciding to go with a research hospital that had the latest technology at the time. After my eyes healed in the first few days, I've had zero side-effects and it's been almost 10 years now.
I highly recommend the surgery, but I always tell people not to go for the cheapest option.
Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus
#183We should also "focus" on preventable myopia, which is so common, especially in Asia (For example, in Korea, 96% of younger population suffered from myopia, which is insane). If I have kids, I will make sure to let them play outside in the sun daily, in order to get enough exposure to the bright sunlight. As for me, I didn't get a lot of exposure to sun when I was in my early teens, when I developed myopia. I should'…
Very interesting article. Do you also by any chance know of studies about adult myopia? I wonder if it light exposure. makes a difference there.
Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus
#184I had LASIK a little over a year ago and it turned out very well for me, due in part to having a great doctor and due in large part to all of the research that I did before having the surgery. However, one thing I emphasize to everyone considering it is that (despite the marketing) it should be considered a major elective surgery with a possibility of serious complications, and that anyone considering it should weigh…
> Articles such as the one here tend to gloss over patient adherence to post-surgery self-care, which is one thing I believe makes or breaks successful LASIK (in my personal experience and from what I have read). This means eye drops on schedule round the clock, antibiotic eye drops on schedule round the clock, eye protection at night for the first week, avoiding dusty conditions for however long the doctor prescribes, avoiding getting water in the eye for however long the doctor prescribes, etc etc.
I had LASIK from a well-regarded doctor in 2015 and I wasn't told to do any of these things, except avoiding opening my eyes under water.
Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus
#185I have no evidence to back this up, but I'm guessing many of the these complications come from the discount LASIK centers that offer very cheap surgery prices. I can't understand why anyone would have eye surgery at some place that advertises $600/eye on the radio. I paid $4200 for my LASIK surgery after researching it thoroughly, verifying that it was appropriate for my vision problems and deciding to go with a rese…
> I have no evidence to back this up, but I'm guessing...
I don't understand. You have admittedly have zero evidence that paying less for a LASIK procedure results in more complications, yet you seem to have a very strong opinion about it. What does the cost of the procedure or advertising techniques of the practitioner have to do with the quality of outcome? If you get a great deal on a new car, do you think that car is going to break down more often than one that cost the sticker price?
Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus
#186Earlier quoted context omitted.
It helps to understand the benefits of the procedure to understand why folks would undertake the risk... I had correction at -6 diopters, which is equivalent to about 20/500 vision. My near vision uncorrected was bad enough that the focal distance was closer than the distance needed to resolve 3D vision. This means that to read my phone without correction, I had to close one eye and hold it in front of my face. Furth…
Hows your night vision?
My night vision has been completely fine since the surgery, with no major haloing or aberrations. I do not know whether this is a function of PRK vs LASIK, a good doctor/procedure, or luck. (Maybe a bit of all 3?)
Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus
#187I have no evidence to back this up, but I'm guessing many of the these complications come from the discount LASIK centers that offer very cheap surgery prices. I can't understand why anyone would have eye surgery at some place that advertises $600/eye on the radio. I paid $4200 for my LASIK surgery after researching it thoroughly, verifying that it was appropriate for my vision problems and deciding to go with a rese…
> I have no evidence to back this up, but I'm guessing... I don't understand. You have admittedly have zero evidence that paying less for a LASIK procedure results in more complications, yet you seem to have a very strong opinion about it. What does the cost of the procedure or advertising techniques of the practitioner have to do with the quality of outcome? If you get a great deal on a new car, do you think that ca…
I think it's pretty obvious that on the whole, quality is generally proportional to cost.
There are plenty of times when I choose the cheapest option, but surgery that permanently affects the rest of my life is not one of them.
Additionally, I would say that buying a used car is a more apt analogy since new cars don't usually differ in any way. Different surgeons use a variety of different equipment and have widely varying levels of experience. If I saw a used car that was well below market price, I would be suspicious that something was wrong with it.
Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus
#188I had LASIK a little over a year ago and it turned out very well for me, due in part to having a great doctor and due in large part to all of the research that I did before having the surgery. However, one thing I emphasize to everyone considering it is that (despite the marketing) it should be considered a major elective surgery with a possibility of serious complications, and that anyone considering it should weigh…
I had LASIK almost 20 years ago, from one of the leading practitioners in the then-fairly-young field, and I scrupulously followed the post-op regimen, yet I still experience noticeable halos and starbursts with lights at night, and my eyes are considerably more sensitive to the sun (I basically can't tolerate being outside in the daytime for any length of time without sunglasses, whereas I never even owned a pair of…
I've never had Lasik, I'm severely nearsighted, but I've become much more sensitive to light as I've aged.
Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus
#189Re: Lasik’s Risks Are Coming into Sharper Focus
#190I find it extremely hard to believe he wasn't warned. I had PRK (in San Francisco) and had to sign my life away, was told over and over and over again about the dangers. Plus, 30 seconds on google and you get plenty of information. I see these sort of operations as like buying safety gear. You don't skimp on price... or doctor quality. I went to several places first and got evaluated and then made an informed choice.…
Mind sharing where in SF? I live in SF too. (my HN username @ gmail)