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Two years after LASIK eye surgery

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Re: Two years after LASIK eye surgery

#21

Post by buf »

codysoyland wrote: post #7

The thing that always bothered me about LASIK is that the flap never fully heals. I considered doing PRK (an alternative procedure that omits the cutting of the flap), but the healing time can take months. I was screened by an eye surgeon who insisted LASIK is a superior procedure. Has anyone scientifically compared the risk of LASIK vs. PRK?

I've had PRK, and while the healing time is longer (you have to wait for your eye's epithelium to grow back), the overall risk is less. There is no flap, just a reshaped cornea.

You wear a contact lens for a week to prevent infection. And during the time that you're healing (my case was about 5 days), you get to listen to a lot of audiobooks.

edit: my surgery was 5 years ago and I've had no issues. Still see perfectly today, although with my night vision, I sometimes question if I'm seeing poorly, but I question my wife and she eases my worry by telling me she also cannot see the dark-object-very-far-away-at-night.

Re: Two years after LASIK eye surgery

#22

Post by yason »

I've been wearing glasses since I was seven and I've never felt they're particularly annoying or cumbersome. (I swim and ride a motorcycle, so potentially I might be.) Therefore, I don't really need to think at all whether a surgery might be a good choice. This means that, I'm kind of blessed with being perfectly happy with what I have, for once. Now that I read the article and the comments below, that feeling is priceless.

Re: Two years after LASIK eye surgery

#23

Post by AYBABTME »

Had it 11 years ago and I've had no issues at all. Sometimes I think my vision is deteriorating but then vision tests confirm that it's just paranoia.

I recommend it to everyone, it's one of the best decisions I've made.

Re: Two years after LASIK eye surgery

#24

Post by anishkothari »

mikeash wrote: post #10

I've been wearing glasses since I was 15 (found out I needed them when I failed the eye exam for my driving learner's permit) and long thought about LASIK. A few years ago I switched to contacts and since then the desire for surgery is gone. Contacts are comfortable, I can stop any time they become a problem, and only take up a minute of my day to put in and take out. And as my eyes change, my prescription can change…

I've been wearing glasses since I was 8, got contacts when I was 13 and have been thinking about getting LASIK since it first became popular ~10 years ago. I have gone from wanting it really badly to now not wanting it all.

In high school and college, I wore contacts all the time because it improved my confidence. As I got older, I found myself wearing glasses all the time and contacts at the gym/social events, etc. As a side note, wearing contacts stabilizes your vision - your Rx will not change as quickly because of the short focal distance. This is a nice benefit because we spend so much time looking at screens nowadays.

Re: Two years after LASIK eye surgery

#25

Post by manuelflara »

I had LASIK 7 years ago, for free actually (luckily my company's health insurance covered it if your sight was as bad as mine). I do see as well as I saw with glasses, so not having to bother with them has been amazing. But I never saw that well with glasses, and I see the same now. By this I mean I still use more zoom on my screen than anyone I know, for example. Otherwise it isn't comfortable. I've gone to the doctor and there isn't any problem with my eye, nor glasses would help, so maybe it's a problem somewhere. Anyone else have this problem? It isn't a huge one, but it would be great to see as well as most people do (wearing glasses or not).

Re: Two years after LASIK eye surgery

#26

Post by Numberwang »

briane80 wrote: post #19

Got it done September 2013 and overall very happy. I had poor eyesight (-4.5) and astigmatism in one eye. Cost £3000 for the top end surgery (3D mapping etc.) also due to my thin cornea I had to have the PRK rather than LASIK. This took longer to recover and was very uncomfortable for a few days after. I now have 20/20 vision though I do have a slight halo effect at night and very dry eyes most mornings but this will…

Where did you do yours?

Re: Two years after LASIK eye surgery

#28

Post by artmageddon »

anishkothari wrote: post #24
mikeash wrote: post #10

I've been wearing glasses since I was 15 (found out I needed them when I failed the eye exam for my driving learner's permit) and long thought about LASIK. A few years ago I switched to contacts and since then the desire for surgery is gone. Contacts are comfortable, I can stop any time they become a problem, and only take up a minute of my day to put in and take out. And as my eyes change, my prescription can change…

I've been wearing glasses since I was 8, got contacts when I was 13 and have been thinking about getting LASIK since it first became popular ~10 years ago. I have gone from wanting it really badly to now not wanting it all. In high school and college, I wore contacts all the time because it improved my confidence. As I got older, I found myself wearing glasses all the time and contacts at the gym/social events, etc.…

> I have gone from wanting it really badly to now not wanting it all.

What made you change your mind?

Re: Two years after LASIK eye surgery

#29

Post by phantarch »

I went ahead and read his post about the actual process of getting the surgery and I think that's scared me off of it forever. It's not an invasive procedure, but just the thought of being strapped down and having my eyes mechanically restrained so a miniature band saw can slice pieces of them off is absolutely terrifying. I'm sure the doctors are all qualified for the most part and it's well within reasonable safety parameters, but even with sedation I would be incredibly anxious.

Is there a similar procedure to LASIK where they can put you completely under? Or can they do that with LASIK too?

Re: Two years after LASIK eye surgery

#30

Post by malthaus »

I did Relex Smile in Bangkok, Thailand 2 months ago and am very happy. Can only recommend this procedure as it's quite uninvasive (at least compared to the older approaches).

I've had all pre-exam checks & the surgery on one day and could work the next day (after a beautiful 16h valium-induced sleep).

My left eye took a bit longer to adjust but now i'm fine and only really need my eye drops when i wake up in the morning.

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