Lasik Eye Surgery

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Nostrovia_sl

shitlord
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This past weekend I went to see a Lasik specialist. I've been putting it off for some time now because I thought needles were involved, I don't mind needles now, but something about putting a needle the eyeball just didn't sit right.

I was told that I had a almost 100% chance of getting 20/20 vision and a 67% chance of getting 20/15.

How many of you guys/gals have had Lasik done? How long ago? and was it worth it? Has your vision gone to hell afterward or has it lasted? Regrets?

Sorry for all the questions, I have an appointment for the surgery scheduled for January. Just wanted to see what you all have experienced... good and bad.
 
Eomer

Eomer

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It's a supertouch post!

Got it done 2 years ago. My vision wasn't too bad to begin with, I think one eye was -2.75 and the other was -2.25. I now have 20/15 vision. Haven't had any issues with dryness. My night vision wasn't good to begin with, but I don't think it got any worse. There was definitely some halos for the first few weeks, but they largely went away and I honestly can't tell the difference between now and what it was before. I highly, highly recommend it.

The procedure isn't that bad at all. I had mine done at 10 or 11 in the morning. By 8pmk that night after sitting in a dark room bored all day, my vision was fine and I was well enough to hop in my car and drive to a bar my friend was working at for a beer. It's fucking amazing how fast it healed. I played hockey 3-4 days after. It was really only the first few hours after that were unpleasant, when the numbing wears off and you want to scratch your eye balls out. But at bout 4-5 hours after surgery all of the sudden that went away and I felt mostly fine.
 
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ChewieTobbacca_sl

shitlord
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I had PRK, which is similar to LASIK (both are laser refractive eye surgeries) but with much longer healing times

Best fucking money I've ever spent, and I spent a lot on an expert in the field ($4k total)

I had terrible eyes... like -7.00 bad eyes. I now see 20/15 with both eyes open, 20/20 in each eye individually. Easily the best money I've ever spent in my life though. It's easy to call things life changing, but if your vision is even moderately bad, it is unbelievable
 
Ichu

Ichu

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Having perfect eyes I don't have any person experience, but everyone I know that has had it done would do it again.
 
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Nostrovia_sl

shitlord
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ChewieTobbacca_sl said:
I had PRK, which is similar to LASIK (both are laser refractive eye surgeries) but with much longer healing times

Best fucking money I've ever spent, and I spent a lot on an expert in the field ($4k total)

I had terrible eyes... like -7.00 bad eyes. I now see 20/15 with both eyes open, 20/20 in each eye individually. Easily the best money I've ever spent in my life though. It's easy to call things life changing, but if your vision is even moderately bad, it is unbelievable
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This is what the surgeon recommended for me was PRK (Apparently I have very thick corneas). I also have terrible vision, -8.75 in my left and -5.25 in my right eye. Without contacts in I can't even see the giant "E" on the eye chart.
My total cost would be $4k as well, but the place I'm having it done at is having a promotion thing and will be $3600 total.
I'm sure it'll be awesome to see 20/15 but hell... ANYTHING is an improvement at this point.
 
Soygen

Soygen

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Sucking a tranny dick isn't gay.

Wait, is it? Fuck.

I just wear contacts. I don't want motherfuckers going near my eyes.
 
Joeboo

Joeboo

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Nostrovia_sl said:
This is what the surgeon recommended for me was PRK (Apparently I have very thick corneas). I also have terrible vision, -8.75 in my left and -5.25 in my right eye. Without contacts in I can't even see the giant "E" on the eye chart.
My total cost would be $4k as well, but the place I'm having it done at is having a promotion thing and will be $3600 total.
I'm sure it'll be awesome to see 20/15 but hell... ANYTHING is an improvement at this point.
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That's actually a solid price. My eyesight is horrid as well, I wear contacts that are -8.5 in each eye(my prescription is actually -8.75, but the contacts I wear only come in .5 increments at that extreme prescription) I got several consultation for LASIK about 2-3 years ago because I'm literally helplessly blind without my contacts, I wouldn't be able to drive myself home from work if one fell out or something, and at that time the average price I was quoted was about $4000 per eye. Due to the extreme amount of correction needed, I was at a very likely risk of needing multiple follow-up procedures, so the up-front price was a lot more. I always heard commercials on local radio and such for like $1000-$1500 an eye, but if you sight is really bad, I guess you can't get it nearly that cheap.

If you can get both eyes done for under 4 grand, that seems like a steal. I would have done it at that price.

Oh also, I'm in my mid 30s, and several different doctors at my consultations each told me that even with Lasik, because of my extremely poor vision I would probably end up needing reading glasses within 10-15 years. So I said fuck it, I wasn't going to spend 8 grand and be right back to wearing glasses in 10 years.
 
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supertouch_sl

shitlord
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In all seriousness, there are risks involved but if you're willing to dish out several grand and to risk permanent damage and discomfort when glasses suffice then more power to you.
 
Deruvian

Deruvian

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I had PRK done about 18 months ago. Vision was -6 in each eye. Supposedly 20/20 now, doesn't really feel like it though. My vision was very very sharp with glasses, I am definately not near where I was with glasses post PRK.

That said, my vision is good, I have no halos or issues (eyes still pretty dry but not unbearable) and it's been months since I've even remembered that I was once quite blind.

Worth the money? Probably. I didn't mind glasses so much; wasn't in love with the look. Contacts were a huge pain in the ass. Helpful with sports.

In regards to PRK in particular, it will take you several weeks before you can go back to using computers and what not. Its recovery time is very gradual. I was still gaining vision increases almost a year after the surgery. Using the drops very regularly helps. Once infection is no longer a concern, use Systene Balance drops (the real expensive ones in shiny purple container). They're seriously head and shoulders above anything else.
 
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Picasso3

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Lot of prks...thought they were mainly phased out by lasek.

I went to a local doctor and was going to get lasek for 4500 but I didn't do it because I was worried about his experience. If I were in a huge city where I could go to a guy with like 10k surgeries I'd do it.

My vision is -5.5 and I was thinking even if I still had to wear glasses after at least I wouldn't be crippled blind. If I could function without I probably wouldn't do it.
 
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mixtilplix

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supertouch_sl said:
In all seriousness, there are risks involved but if you're willing to dish out several grand and to risk permanent damage and discomfort when glasses suffice then more power to you.
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Not everyone spends their entire day in front of a monitor trolling a forum, some people are active and engage in sports or activities where glasses are a major hindrance.
 
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supertouch_sl

shitlord
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I've made 900 posts in 10 months. I'd hardly call that spending an entire day in front of a monitor. Secondly, I've been active my entire life and have never had issues with glasses. You know how many people I've met who simply refuse to wear glasses because they're afraid of looking "nerdy"? Unless you plan to secure a job that absolutely will not allow spectacles, the risk really is unnecessary.
 
eXarc

eXarc

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I don't man, 8 grand seems worth 10 years of good vision to me. Perspective, I guess.

I'm opting for PRK over Lasik as well. Strange, I thought LASIK was much more popular but apparently just as many people still do PRK.
 
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mixtilplix

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supertouch_sl said:
I've made 900 posts in 10 months. I'd hardly call that spending an entire day in front of a monitor. Secondly, I've been active my entire life and have never had issues with glasses. You know how many people I've met who simply refuse to wear glasses because they're afraid of looking "nerdy"? Unless you plan to secure a job that absolutely will not allow spectacles, the risk really is unnecessary.
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Walking around outside doesn't count. A lot of people have hobbies such as swimming, surfing, diving, kayaking, etc, where glasses/goggles will impair you. It's not about looking nerdy, I think most people who have had a need to wear glasses got over that quickly lol. Having a piece of hardware that sits on your face all day, that you have to constantly adjust and always slips off your face of is a constant pain.
 
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ChewieTobbacca_sl

shitlord
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When I was -7, losing a contact meant I was fucked walking around (or god forbid, driving) with a single eye. Go out to a party you drove to? Meant I had to bring glasses or contacts so I could actually drive home the next day (instead of driving drunk)

And that's just basic social stuff and not even talking about sports. It really does change what you have to worry about in life

eXarc_sl said:
I don't man, 8 grand seems worth 10 years of good vision to me. Perspective, I guess.

I'm opting for PRK over Lasik as well. Strange, I thought LASIK was much more popular but apparently just as many people still do PRK.
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PRK is arguably safer too. No permanent flap is made

The heal time sucks ass and takes longer than LASIK, but I have no complaints... you don't need to have your eyes covered up after the first week and your eyes will fluctuate a bit the first few months, but I'm going on 5 years now since I had my PRK and my eyes are still strong

And everyone is going to need reading glasses eventually - that's something that no refractive surgery can fix. Hence it's better to get it done early and get more years out of it than later
 
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Nostrovia_sl

shitlord
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joeboo_sl said:
That's actually a solid price. My eyesight is horrid as well, I wear contacts that are -8.5 in each eye(my prescription is actually -8.75, but the contacts I wear only come in .5 increments at that extreme prescription) I got several consultation for LASIK about 2-3 years ago because I'm literally helplessly blind without my contacts, I wouldn't be able to drive myself home from work if one fell out or something, and at that time the average price I was quoted was about $4000 per eye. Due to the extreme amount of correction needed, I was at a very likely risk of needing multiple follow-up procedures, so the up-front price was a lot more. I always heard commercials on local radio and such for like $1000-$1500 an eye, but if you sight is really bad, I guess you can't get it nearly that cheap.

If you can get both eyes done for under 4 grand, that seems like a steal. I would have done it at that price.

Oh also, I'm in my mid 30s, and several different doctors at my consultations each told me that even with Lasik, because of my extremely poor vision I would probably end up needing reading glasses within 10-15 years. So I said fuck it, I wasn't going to spend 8 grand and be right back to wearing glasses in 10 years.
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You may want to go get checked again. My surgeon says -12 is pretty pushing the limit for their equipment. Being -8 wouldn't be a problem, and I asked about maybe needing a follow up to "fine tune" my eyes and she said it's possible but my chances are very unlikely. I asked about needing reading glasses and she said more than likely not. Most of the time people in their mid to late 40's have greater chance of needing reading glasses. I'm 31 and have a very low chance of needing glasses or a fine tune follow up post op.
 
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