First had my LASIK consult... who had 'em?

[slag]

I went to a free consult by Lasik Plus. They're one of the many chains that govern over hundreds of offices throughout US.

Both eyes, all-laser, wave-front, bladeless for $3,500 which include all post-op & lifetime enhancements.

• This is common knowledge, but you still need to get eye glasses when you get older because it's due to eye muscles becoming crap to all people as they age, little to do with your lens. I'm bummed out about this.
  
• I get terrible eye strain when looking at the computer for prolonged time. I'm worried LASIK could make it worse (i.e. you can't take off 'lasik' like glasses). The doc told me it should neither improve or worsen my eye strain.
• Another big thing is that I can no longer rub my eyes. This I'm going ot have to get used to.

This is a first consult. I have another one with Lasik Institution by a hardvard med doc next week. Looking forward to any difference of opinions if any.

Anyone have any stories to share? horror or otherwise.

1. Not necessarily. Possibly, but not an absolute certainty
2. Reduced my eye strain
3. I rub my eyes when I get tired. I've had lasik for over 10 years.

 

[Exterous]

My story is nothing all that terrible. I had/have Keratoconus:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keratoconus

I've had transplants in both eyes, I now wear custom made scleral contacts that are the size of a quarter and cost me $4k+ a week in Texas (This guy is a genius https://laserfitlens.com/, but not covered by insurance). And my vision is merely OK.

Your corneal integrity is important. Yes they're supposed to screen you to make sure you have enough thickness etc but regardless you are permanently weakening that tissue. LASIK can trigger what I have (thinning/bulging) and can lead to the same outcome (transplant). All because you are too vain/inconvenienced to wear glasses or contacts?

Maybe you didn't win the genetic lottery with perfect 20/20 but the scale goes a whole lot worse.

Viper GTS

Well I'm glad you can see ok given all that is apparently involved with that

 

[AznAnarchy99]

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/paul-735713-eye-eyes.html

 

[KillerCharlie]

I had it 4 years ago with the best doctor in the state. Life has been hell since then. Read this:
http://digg.com/2015/chronic-eye-pain

 

[Eug]

FWIW, I was out on a ski trip with a couple of ophthalmologists a while back, including one that ran a chain of LASIK clinics and they said they never would even consider getting it done. Never.

I guess it depends on what you do for a living, but if your livelihood depends upon precision eyesight (like a surgeon) then you probably shouldn't risk that small percentage of serious complications.

I also have a work colleague who had it done and for a year she had eye irritation and bad night vision. The eye irritation and night vision has gotten better, but she still gets significant haloes around lights at night.

 

[MrSquished]

I had it 4 years ago with the best doctor in the state. Life has been hell since then. Read this:
http://digg.com/2015/chronic-eye-pain

good lord. no thanks

 

[Red Squirrel]

The dry eye thing is very rare, but yeah it is a potential problem one might face. Looking back, I can't believe i had the balls to get it done myself, but I'm glad it went smooth. My biggest fear at this point is that it ends up not lasting, in some cases, people end up with bad vision again. I was told I will need glasses to see close when I'm 40 though, but it's still better than needing glasses on all the time.

 

[xaeniac]

I know two people that had botched surgeries. One is looking at a prosthetic. Don't chance it, imo