LASIK

**gravitylover** · 05-19-2006, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by The AD
And, more importantly, how do you know what a dick tastes like?

After years of studying tantric yoga on an uncharted island in French Polynesia, I was finally able to do something that provided sufficient impetus for me to not leave my house for over a month... I finally strained my back and am unable to replicate the manuever (in retrospect, it saved my life).

One of the funniest comebacks around here in a long time for sure. Thanks Rusty.

**YoEddy** · 05-20-2006, 07:00 AM

Anyone have experience going back for a "touch up"? I had it done 7 months ago, and I have 20/20 with both eyes, but my right (dominant) eye is less than 20/20 by itself.

I'm not quite sure exactly how much of a prescription it would be, but when I compare it to the left eye it's enough to bother me. Also, the slight prescription on the right eye is enough to make night vision a little funky ... not blurry, no star bursts, no halos ... kind of hard to explain, but just "not right".

My sister ended up with just slightly over 20/20 in one eye, and the doc told her that "he could do better", and so she went back for a second treatment and ended up with 20/15 in both eyes. My doc won't even discuss the option of a "touch-up". As far as I know there's no medical reason why I couldn't go back for another (i.e. thin cornea, etc.).

All in all I'd do it again. Decided that fact while standing on top of the cirque at Solitude one day when I could make out detail in the distance that I could never see before with contacts.

**El Chupacabra** · 05-20-2006, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by snow_slider

Don't be surprised if your vision shifts around for the next couple months. It too mine like 4 months to settle in. One day vision from my left eye would be sharper, the next day my right eye would be sharper.

That's what my doc told me, except for the 4 month thing -- said it would most likely be within 1 month when it settled down, or could be as long as 6 months.

I noticed this shuft just throughout the day yesterday. No big deal, just noticed that at one point I could read street signs really clearly, then at another they were a little blurry.

Day-after checkup (yesterday) went fine. Able to read 20/20 combined (with a bit of guesswork at 20/15), 20/15 in one eye, 20/20 in the other eye. Doc says this should improve over the next few weeks too.

I'm being ultra-paranoid about poking myself in the eye, or absent-mindedly rubbing an itchy eye, so I'm wearing some Oakleys around the house with clear lenses (old night riding glasses), looking very very sexy.

**snowfunk** · 05-20-2006, 10:13 AM

Sounds very similar to my experience, El Chupacabra. I had both eyes done yesterday and pretty stoked now!! I'm also wearing some light lenses in my sliders around the house so I don't do any accidental eye damage. Didn't get the presciption meds you had but I fared pretty well on my own....Still feel a bit fragile but better than yesterday.

Overall I'm very satisfied with the process so far. Its a miracle!!

**altagirl** · 05-20-2006, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by alpinedad

My mom, professor of opthamology, points out that we don't really know what the real long term effects will be -- what happens in your 70s and 80s if you had it in your 20s or 30s?

She suggests that people wait until either:

(a) age 50 or so (on the theory that we know enough to be reasonably sure that it can last 30 years);

(b) retinal deterioration or the like threatens (on the theory that if you're risking blindness anyway, you might as well see better until then); or

(c) all the opthamologists stop wearing glasses (on the theory that they should put their money where their mouth is).

My opthamologist had his done, as well as his wife's and children's. That made it more tempting. It's really just a question of money at this point for me, I think.

**real9999** · 05-20-2006, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by Snow Dog

I gave up some near vision (I can't focus on the end of my nose any more) and a little night vision. No halos or stabursts but I need more light for up close detailed work. I also bought some cheap reading glasses so I can find the sliver in my finger and other up close stuff.

Those are the reasons that I'm reluctant to to even consider having my eyes done. It's those pesky little non-acuity based side effects as well as long term issues. I don't have any trouble with contacts though. I stick them in in the morning, and take them out before bed. I never give them a single though in between. My sister has dry eyes though and can't weak contacts. If I was in her situation, I might reconsider the risks. I'm not a fan of glasses.

**gonzo** · 05-20-2006, 03:40 PM

you can/could focus on the end of your nose!? that is fucked!

**altagirl** · 05-20-2006, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by gonzo

you can/could focus on the end of your nose!? that is fucked!

I didn't even catch that the first time I read it... That does seem pretty odd. I lose focus maybe 2 inches away from the end of my nose and I guess I wasn't aware that anyone could see in focus much closer than that.

**Tippster** · 05-20-2006, 04:56 PM

Umm... normally they can't, unless they're myopic.

**El Chupacabra** · 05-23-2006, 12:34 AM

4 day update:

Itchy/ gritty feeling is 80% gone, now only getting that very intermittently. Both eyes are focusing well close up and far away during daylight. Right eye is clearer than left. There's a little bit of double image/ ghosting in the left eye, but only noticeable when covering the right eye (and when looking at a computer monitor or TV set).

Just drove a bit for some late night sustenance in Vegas (orange powerade and red vines...), and realized that I haven't driven at night since getting the LASIK done. There's a definite halo effect in both eyes, pretty bad in the left eye. I had a halo effect with contact lenses, but this is worse. Supposedly this is a common temporary side effect, and should go away in 2-4 weeks. I sure hope so...

**burny** · 05-23-2006, 01:19 AM

im considering a lasik (or equivalent thing) but several people told me, it is still too risky … well, here in germany at last. heard of several people who are super happy with their new vision.
my sister, who is a doctor, told me however, at some kind of meeting it was asked if any of the present doctors would get a lasik done at him/herself. Only one out of a hundred was ready to do it. what disturbes me most, is the fact, that almost all the surgeons at the most popular (maybe best) eye hospital in germany (in munich) are wearing glasses. ???
and another thing: its really expensive around here … 2500 Euros (thats about 3000 $) per eye is not just a little extra money …
anyone from europe who had really good experiences?

**bossass** · 05-23-2006, 01:35 AM

mmmmmmmmmmmm.....hydrocodone.............

pm me with leftovers.

**snow_slider** · 05-23-2006, 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

4 day update:

Itchy/ gritty feeling is 80% gone, now only getting that very intermittently. Both eyes are focusing well close up and far away during daylight. Right eye is clearer than left. There's a little bit of double image/ ghosting in the left eye, but only noticeable when covering the right eye (and when looking at a computer monitor or TV set).

Just drove a bit for some late night sustenance in Vegas (orange powerade and red vines...), and realized that I haven't driven at night since getting the LASIK done. There's a definite halo effect in both eyes, pretty bad in the left eye. I had a halo effect with contact lenses, but this is worse. Supposedly this is a common temporary side effect, and should go away in 2-4 weeks. I sure hope so...

I had some haloing during the first month after the procedure. The halo effect is most likely due to swelling and will go away over time. Use a ton of eye drops. They help. I put drops in like every hour some days. I found Systane to be the best at lubricating - they are thicker that most drops and last longer.

**skiing-in-jackson** · 05-23-2006, 07:24 AM

A story, I'll make it as brief as possible.

In college I had my eyes examined. The DO who did the exam also had a eyeglass shop. I was going to get my prescription and go to LensCrafters (very new at the time). The DO laid on a guilt trip you wouldn't imagine- about how I shouldn't trust my eyes to a 1 hour place, I should let him do my glasses at a "real" lab and get them back in two weeks. Remember- that's how long it used to take???

I said, "No thanks" and walked out the door. I had my glasses, w/ lenses for a bad astigmatism- at 10:00 AM the next day.

The point: After 1 hour places came out the establishment saw the sky falling. Now they see it falling again. Lasik is a world changer. In ten years, they'll be doing lasik in the front of Walmart next to the Family portrait studio.

Point #2: I always had a bad astigmatism. Thick glasses and poor eyesight hindered everything I did. Untill I got to college and started buying perscription sunglasses, I couldn't do anything outside. Once at a group retreat activity, we were asked what we would do with $1,000,000 dollars. The group answers ran the gammut. I was about fifteen at the time. I answered (and I remember it vividly to this day), "I would buy perfect eyesight."

Lasik for $3800 is a substanial discount over $1,000,000- but that's what my Lasik is worth to me.

**El Chupacabra** · 05-23-2006, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by snow_slider

I had some haloing during the first month after the procedure. The halo effect is most likely due to swelling and will go away over time. Use a ton of eye drops. They help. I put drops in like every hour some days. I found Systane to be the best at lubricating - they are thicker that most drops and last longer.

Systane is what the doc recommended and what I'm using. I was putting those drops in about every 30 minutes over the first 2 days due to the itchy/ scratchy feeling; now down to every hour or two.

**4matic** · 05-23-2006, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Systane is what the doc recommended and what I'm using. I was putting those drops in about every 30 minutes over the first 2 days due to the itchy/ scratchy feeling; now down to every hour or two.

I was in a Systane test group. Didn't work for me.. The only drops that worked and still work affectively for me is Freshkote from the Dry Eye Institute formulated by a saint of a man Dr. Frank Holly:

http://www.dry-eye-institute.org/

http://www.freshkote.com/

http://aqueouspharma.com/_wsn/page2.html

http://www.apothecure.com/doctorshtml/ophthalmic.html

**snowfunk** · 05-23-2006, 09:37 AM

My 4-day update: The sandy/gritty feeling is completely gone. Worked 9 hours yesterday at the computer and reading and did pretty good. Vision is better in the distance not as good on computer screen or tv. Left eye not as good of vision as right even though the right had more astigmatism. Night vision good. No halos or ghosting. Pretty darn stoked so far. The worst part is taping the shields on at night to sleep and pulling them off in the morning...only one more night for that. Go back in to see the doc in 4 days for a checkup. Might go skiing this weekend.

**Danno** · 05-23-2006, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by YoEddy

Anyone have experience going back for a "touch up"? I had it done 7 months ago, and I have 20/20 with both eyes, but my right (dominant) eye is less than 20/20 by itself.

My doc won't even discuss the option of a "touch-up". As far as I know there's no medical reason why I couldn't go back for another (i.e. thin cornea, etc.).

I had a touch up, I had good sight in both eyes but the doc thought he could make it just a little bit better in one of them.

As for why your doc won't talk about it, what was your agreement with them? Perhaps your eye is good enough as per the agreement? Or perhaps it's good enough that a touchup may be as likely to worsen your sight as improve it? My doc told me that I was 2 clicks away on the machine (whatever that means), and that 2 clicks could be corrected. He said that if I was only one click away they would not have offered a touch up.

I also remember they made me wait a year before doing the touchup.

**Mtn Man** · 05-23-2006, 10:25 AM

I had it done over two years ago and my vision is great. I was originally rejected about 6-7 years ago because my astigmatism was sooooo bad, but technology has taken care of that. No anestesia, just eye numbing drops were used. Got a little freaked out when the vacuum like tube sticks to your eye ball while the slice it. But after that it was cake.

Used my companies flex spending plan, they take money out of your pay check pre tax and you use it on meds, doc appts, dental and eye stuff. That prolly saved me a bunch on top of my VSP discount.

My mom, cousin, and a bunch of friends have all had it done. My cousin is the only one that had to go back for a "touch up", free of charge. She's perfect now.

Bottom line, vision is great, just deal with dry eyes (drops are your friend, get used to them).

B)

**skiing-in-jackson** · 05-23-2006, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by Mtn Man

No anestesia, just eye numbing drops were used. Got a little freaked out when the vacuum like tube sticks to your eye ball while the slice it. But after that it was cake.

They gave me a decent dose of valium. After that, everything was great.

They told me they were going to put a suction vice on my eye then chop off the top of my eye with a lawnmower device.

Then they told me that if you don't complain about the above statement- the valium is taking effect and you're ready for the procedure.

My answer- Valium induced- "Cool..."

**bbirtle** · 05-23-2006, 11:52 PM

May seems the month to undergo elective surgery. I got zapped last Thursday. AST, not LASIK. Supposed to have a much longer short-term recovery time (1-2 weeks before normal vision returns) involving even some pain, but added benefits like they don't cut a flap.

Starting yesterday I was able to get back on the PC reasonably comfortably - meaning, very low screen resolution and very high font settings, and just barely readable text. The weekend was tough - pain killers actually needed, pretty serious irritation and pain. All that gone now and the doc says "recovery proceeding normally, expect rapid vision improvement soon" but obviously crossing my fingers that I don't see blurry forever...

Stay tuned!

I was joking over the weekend "yeah it's great! no more glasses, only cost $3200, I just have to take painkillers and sleeping pills, wear sunglasses all the time, and can't see shit. Yeah!"

**gh444** · 09-22-2006, 05:43 PM

I'm headed in on the 12th of October for PRK and "wavefront". ski season starts the 9th of November. $2990 for both eyes. Saving almost $800 in taxes by using my flexplan. The Laser Eye Center of Southern California should be the lucky docs. I'm nervous to say the least.
how has everyone who had it back in may liked it so far? any issues?

-aaron