LASIK

Has anyone here had LASIK done? I'm considering it and just wanted to hear some first hand accounts. I have about 20/60 vision and wear glasses (-1.5 both eyes) most of the time and contacts if I'm going to be doing something outside (fishing, shooting, camping, etc.). My main concern is side effects. I am a software engineer and if LASIK made it difficult to look at a computer screen, that would suck immensely. I understand that I will probably need reading glasses as I get older, but would probably need those anyways with age. I am 26 now. Overall, my vision is not that bad, even without correction, but I just find glasses and contacts to be a PIA.

I am also trying to get my wife to warm up to the idea of LASIK for her as well. She can't see shit without her glasses. She has a -4.5 prescription and astigmatism. So I would basically be leading a blind person around if the apocalypse happens and she loses her glasses. She already has issues driving at night due to the astigmatism. Can astigmatism be treated with LASIK?

How much does LASIK cost now? I've seen it advertised for as low as $300/per eye, but I figure you get what you pay for and this is not something to go cheap on.

I have contacted a doctor and might go in for a consult.

 

Price is dependent on how bad your vision is. The $300.00 per eye is for -.5 or maybe -1 and more costly the higher the value. Read the fine print. I "think" astigmatism isn't a problem, but I could be wrong.

 

That's interesting. I thought it would be a flat price. Doesn't seem like there would be any difference in cost to the doctor to do a different amount of correction. So, it might not be too costly for me, but significantly more for my wife.

 

I did it in 2004 with about the same vision as you and astigmatism in one eye. I don't regret it one bit and I spend 75% of my work looking at a computer screen. Everyone is different so results vary but I'd definitely do it again. The two sucky parts are when they cut the flap and the dry eyes for months afterwards.

 

My wife & mother both had it done. Both have said that it's among the best decisions they've ever made. Life changing. Just do your research on the dr & clinic. Price should be near the bottom of the list of reasons when it comes to your vision.

 

The dryness goes away or you still have to use eye drops all the time?

 

I couldn't see the big E and had bad astigmatism, now I see better than everyone I work with. I can read clear across big grocery stores to read the aisle item boards. When I'm at work, I'm looking at a computer 90-95% of the time on a 12 hour shift and I have no more eye fatigue than before. I've had glasses/ contacts since I was in second grade and got LASIK when I was 29. I'm now 31 and still have no complaints. My experience was very good, but some people have side effects. They have made big improvement in technology for the LASIK lasers, so don't go to a bargain shop unless you know they have the best tech. It's your eyes for crying out loud.

As far as being a candidate, it doesn't matter so much how bad your vision is, it all comes down to corneal thickness. The doctor will measure this and tell you if you are a good candidate. Lastly, they'll offer you valium for the procedure - take all they offer you. I took one and felt good, so I declined the second, but I pinched that seat the whole procedure.

 

I forgot about the dryness. It is annoying, especially in the morning, but it's gone now for me.

 

It went away after a couple of months for me. I carried a bottle of eye drops and put a drop in every hour or so but still I'd do lasik again.

I had to wear glasses for two weeks before because they said contacts changes the shape of your eye and will give a skewed reading to the computer. That was probably another worst for me. It really wasn't that bad but I did chicken out once.

 

If it were me, I would wait about a year and a half. Lasik technology is soon going to be replaced with intraocular lenses that will give you better vision through a less invasive procedure. The results will last for life and you'll never get cataracts.

 

I would stay away from the bargain barns when it comes to your eyesight.