Looking Into Laser Surgery

[Stu W]

I've been near-sighted for most of my adult life. I only need glasses for driving, and photography, and I remove them for close-up work. Well, It's very hard for me to use viewfinders, as there seems to be no eye relief built into them. On my M3 I can almost squeak by. Using an auxilliary finder is difficult as the bright lines are out of my field of view. My glasses are beat to crap, even with the felt protectors on the finder. Since it's time for 2 new pairs of glasses, which usually end up costing me about 400 a pair, less the 10 bucks from my union, I'm thinking of laser suregery. Anyone have it done? Stu

 

[Uncle Bill]

Just do your research and find a reputable clinic to the job. I am fortunate that I am the only one in my family that does not need glasses (yet). My brother is getting contacts so he can shoot easier with his M2 and Nikons.

Bill

 

[dnk512]

$400 a pair for single prescription!?!?

To answer your question: I am on the same boat as you but no surgery, yet. I know 8 people who have done it and 7 are very pleased. One had problems, when back several times, and still can not see well -- she was near-sighted with astigmatism. Their advice: Go to a good lab ($$$).

Good luck!

 

[dexdog]

I had Lasik done three years ago to correct my nearsightness (about 5 diopters worth) and bad astigmatism. Best money I ever spent. I wore contact lenses for almost 30 years prior to the surgery.

Of course, I could turn out like Ned Flanders in one of the Simpsons Halloween specials- my eye balls could just fall out after 10 years...

 

[derevaun]

My wife got LASIK a couple months ago. I watched the procedure on a video monitor and the receptionist explained the whole process. She mentioned that some people who used the "old" procedure to correct severe vision problems could eventually be worse off than if they never got it. My sister falls into that category, but even if that came true she'd probably say she has no regrets. Probably--it truly remains to be seen, if you'll pardon the pun.

For my wife's part, she's elated. Especially now that the "LASIK hickeys" have faded (longtime contact lens wearers have concentrated blood vessels around their eyes and the procedure slices them up pretty badly), and it's no longer a $3,000 mistake to inadvertently rub her eye. 😱

 

[kaiyen]

I had it done in 2002, from a diopter of "only" 2.25-2.75. Not very bad. Barely any astigmatism. No adverse effects whatsoever, and the doctor couldn't even tell I had it done the morning after, my eyes healed so quickly.

I had the exact same procedure done as they do currently, except they used a blade for cutting the cornea flap rather than a laser (it's now all-bladeless, in other words).

No regrets at all.

allan

 

[jano]

My father is an ophthalmologist who does the various laser correction procedures. I myself badly want it done, but unfortunatley, I have corneal dystrophy so am not a candidate.

First: make sure you get at least one second opinion. Take you time with the doctors.
Second: study your family eye history well.
Third: do not go to those cheap places that offer coupons. Yes, they may do high volume, but, I've seen far too many horror stories.
Fourth: after the surgery, you will be given a prescription for drops. make sure you follow all directions and take those drops!
Fifth: don't expect perfect results -- it is possible and likely you may not correct to 20/20.

Let me give you an example: someone I know went into a LASIK clinic. They were ready to zap her eyes the next week. Her family knew my dad, and recommended she go see him. My dad discovered something in her family history which basically meant she was not a candidate. Had she done the LASIK, good chance she'd be blind (unfortunatley, a few weeks ago, that family history began showing up in her..)

Good luck, and take your time. Vision is a precious thing many of us take for granted.

 

[Trius]

I have no opinion on Lasik and other similar procedures. But I have a very, very good optometrist. I am very nearsighted and have astigmatism and prebyopia. So it's a bit of a challenge to get me a prescription for both contacts and spectacles. I am fortunate in that I can wear rigid gas permeable contacts, which are capable of higher resolution and ultimately better correction, IMO.

For years I had to suffer with a contact lens script that was good but the spectacle correction didn't really match. So I changed eye docs, and we got it nailed down.

My recommedation, if you decide not to go the laser route, is to shop around for a good optometrist. The doc-in-a-box places are largely useless, in my experience.

Last time around I splurged for some classy frameless "frames" and got multi-coated lenses. Not only do they look great, but the coating does a great job. If my RF lenses are coated, why not?!

Earl