lasik

[Feejer/Weejer man]

So not to hi-jack the gauge thread I will start anew. How many of you have had lasik? Did it work? Would you do it again? I am needing glasses now and they are a pain, one for reading little letters and one for road signs, mostly at night. After hearing horror stories you are afraid to take the plunge. Kind of like the ticking, not many but by the reports you would think all FJR's do.

 

[xcsp]

I had it done almost 10 years ago (wow, how time flies by!) and have not regretted it! Especially for wearing a helmet cycling, and better yet snowmobiling-no fogging problems!

Best advice is to have an experienced doctor do the procedure, talk to people in your area that have had it done and find out who they went to, and if they had positive results. I've heard of the horror stories, and there is risk in any procedure.

 

[Cdogman]

100% best money I EVER SPENT, 11 Years ago, bar none

and my brother, and his wife, and my ex wife, and my general manager, and and and............. do it!!

 

[cougar8000]

Here are some comments that were made on another forum by my friend who is in the eye business. All of the below is cut and paste with out proof reading. Allof the doctors mentioned are in IL. Happy reading.

For what its worth: I have been co-managing Lasik for ten years, and I know all the guys out there doing it. The fact of the matter is that a monkey can type your Rx into the laser and press the foot control. The real art is in the flap creation. Today there are many bells and whistles to the procedure, and the learning curve for a lasik surgeon is very quick. My suggestion to all my patients is to have more than one consult and pick the surgeon with whom you feel most comfortable. The cost is based on equipment used and paying out a co-management fee for the referral and subsequent care of the patient. Just because something is new it doesn't mean that it is better for you. Many factors such as higher order aberrations and dry eye play a strong component in the successful outcome of the procedure. I have my opinion of the surgeons out there based on results and bedside manner, but I won't cloud your head with these biases. You should choose for yourself. One name I recommend to all my patients is Gerald Horn with Lasik Plus (847) 431-2110 in Schaumburg. He only does the procedures, not the consults. Good luck, and ask a lot of questions. "Lasik is a wonderful opportunity for the right candidate".

I just want to add one thing for all you expert Lasik people. Does anyone know what wavefront assessment is? It is the surgreon's job (reputable) to tell you if aberration enhancement will be appropriate for you. It is your job to decide if you trust the suregeon (reputable) or not. Get more than one opinion. If you would like to understand how important wavefront assessment of the eye is, go to this website:

https://ophthonix.izonlens.com/reviews/pdf/CATANIA1.pdf

Lou is one of the world's leading experts on research and application of wavefront for lasik. His tutorial will explain why you want wavefront, or why you may not want wavefront. Good luck, and easy reading.

BTW, PRK stands for: I love pain! ****, dope me up with steroids for the next month so that I can forget to take my drops and f**k up the titration of my post-op results. Oh yeah, and f**k it! I don't need to see that well for like half the week, and I just love this bandage contact lens in my eye that will have to be pealed off later. FLAP=GOOD!

If you see the fungus guy, it is probably a good idea. I haven't seen his work, but working with fungus is a highly skilled trait.

Good luck, and get a few consults from people who know what they are talking about.

Oh! Here is some more easy reading for the technical experts out there.

Enjoy!

https://www.opt.pacificu.edu/ce/catalog/102...rontSalmon.html

Here is another perspective from Paul. He knows his ****!

https://www.revoptom.com/index.asp?page=2_433.htm

One more for ya!

https://www.wavefrontsciences.com/faq_doctors.htm#FAQ1

Go to question number one.

Let me explain to you why some places charge more and some charge less.

1. co-management fee to the referring doctor to continue post-op care for the next year. If you weren't referred then they pocket the money!

2. overhead! overhead! overhead!

3. $495 per eye includes basic follow up with the rest of the care ala carte (pay as you go along) $5K includes lifetime enhancement procedures so you don't pay for anything in the future.

Think of lasik like buying motorcycle insurance. You can have a small deductible with a high coverage and spend a little more (with hopes you never use it), or you can go with the cheapest least reliable company and just pretend that you have good coverage. If something goes wrong, you will pay out your ass.

Check out Lasik Plus (Geral Horn or Bill Fagman) 847-413-2100. They do in-house co-management so it is cheaper.

Herz is correct, intralase is not for everyone!

 

[evil_henchman]

100% best money I EVER SPENT, 11 Years ago, bar noneand my brother, and his wife, and my ex wife, and my general manager, and and and............. do it!!

+1 and look for a doctor that offers a warranty. As you age your eyes will change and you'll need to get "tweeked" down the road.

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

Thanks, I am now on system overload, but info is a good thing. I would like to have it done before summertime.

 

[twowheelnut]

I'm sorry, but the thought of a burning [Dr. Evil] Laser Beam [/Dr. Evil] boring away at my eyeball disturbs me to no end. Thanks, but I'll continue to wear my dorky glasses. [Groo] [/Groo]

 

[Derek]

i was concidering it a number of years back. when i spoke to an opthamologist i was told that i wouldn't be a good candidate for it as i'm far sighted. apparently it's the near sighted folks who get the most benefit. i keep boosting my prescription and hoping the technology will advance far enough to help us far sighted people. haven't checked since then. has anyone here had it done on far sighted eyes?

i'm probably still a few prescriptions away from a dog.

derek

 

[03silverbullet]

I had it done about 5 years ago. It's great. I don't have to worry about contact lenses moving around in my eye while riding.

I also see a little better than 20/20.

 

[Randy]

Had it done last year and I wish I would have done it sooner. There is a chance that it will affect your night vision and Warchild may chime in with his experience. For me, the reward was worth the risk.

 

[Warchild]

There is a chance that it will affect your night vision and Warchild may chime in with his experience.

No, I'd just as soon not discuss it anymore, if you please. Seriously.

Suffice to say it was among the top 2 worse decisions of my life. We'll leave it at that.

 

[pawtracks]

I had mine done 3 years ago (Wavefront LASIK)

I don't regret it for a second

30+ years of wearing glasses

Now I'm a little better than 20/20 in both eyes.

+1000 in doing your research, it's all in the experience.

I had mine done for free (active duty military)

My doctor had done more than 10,000 people before he did mine.

 

[FLHX]

i was considering it a number of years back. when i spoke to an opthamologist i was told that i wouldn't be a good candidate for it as I'm far sighted. apparently it's the near sighted folks who get the most benefit. i keep boosting my prescription and hoping the technology will advance far enough to help us far sighted people. haven't checked since then. has anyone here had it done on far sighted eyes?I'm probably still a few prescriptions away from a dog.

Derek

Derek, I wouldn't listen to your opthamologist when it comes to lasik. Mine said I wasent a good candidate also because a had a bad astigmatism and it wasent possible. After my brother had it done I went to the same lasik doctor he did for a free evaluation and they said I was a candidate. They are not going to tell you they can do something if they don't think it will work...It just doesn't make sense for them to do that. What would they have to gain,a one time fee and a law suit? I would find the BEST doctor available and have him tell you weather you are a good candidate or not. If the doc has a good rep he is not going to want to preform the procedure if he isnt sure it will do you any good. Go for the free evaluation and see what he has to say. I had it done four years ago and its the best thing I could have done. What FREEDOM!

 

[IndianaTom]

i was considering it a number of years back. when i spoke to an opthamologist i was told that i wouldn't be a good candidate for it as I'm far sighted. apparently it's the near sighted folks who get the most benefit. i keep boosting my prescription and hoping the technology will advance far enough to help us far sighted people. haven't checked since then. has anyone here had it done on far sighted eyes?I'm probably still a few prescriptions away from a dog.

Derek

Derek, I wouldn't listen to your opthamologist when it comes to lasik. Mine said I wasent a good candidate also because a had a bad astigmatism and it wasent possible. After my brother had it done I went to the same lasik doctor he did for a free evaluation and they said I was a candidate. They are not going to tell you they can do something if they don't think it will work...It just doesn't make sense for them to do that. What would they have to gain,a one time fee and a law suit? I would find the BEST doctor available and have him tell you weather you are a good candidate or not. If the doc has a good rep he is not going to want to preform the procedure if he isnt sure it will do you any good. Go for the free evaluation and see what he has to say. I had it done four years ago and its the best thing I could have done. What FREEDOM!

My wife is an Optometrist, and she had it done 10 years ago. She was so near sighted She couldn't even see the big E on the chart. I wear glasses, but I'm far sighted with an astigmatism. The Lasers are much better today than they were 5 years ago. If the Doc told you then you were not a candidate, perhaps today you are. Mention it at your next eye exam. I've not done it yet because I'm an eye wimp. I don't like the thought of them prying my eyes open and running what is effectively a plane (like in wood shop) across my eye to be able to laser the clear part under neath. They are developing a laser that focuses under that top layer so no cutting is required. Perhaps I'll grow a pair by then and take the plunge.

If you are near Louisville or Indianapolis I'm sure she can refer you to the really good doctors. (we live between).

Tom

 

[MikeYork5]

There is a chance that it will affect your night vision and Warchild may chime in with his experience.

No, I'd just as soon not discuss it anymore, if you please. Seriously.

Suffice to say it was among the top 2 worse decisions of my life. We'll leave it at that.

Now - ya got my curisoity up - and #1 was ----

 

[Randy]

For your reading enjoyment, found this old post on LASIK in the dungeon https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?s...ic=3527&hl=

 

[vectervp1]

I've known about 10 people who've had lasik. Out of that, I've known 3 people who had 'less than ideal' results. I personally will probably never consider it because of this. However, my girlfriend just had it done this past weekend even with my doom and gloom stories. She is thrilled with the results and is OK with some minor irritation over the last few days.

 

[bmwhd]

I'm 44, had Lasik at age 38. I could not be happier. I've retained 20/20 in both eyes and have had very few side effects.

Having said that, there are some things to consider:

1) Recovery time varies GREATLY from patient to patient. It was nearly 6 months (not 6 weeks as advertised) before my eyes felt "normal" with respect to dryness.

2) Night vision is going to be impacted to some degree in most cases. For me, after 6 months, it settled down to a very minor increase in halo/glare from very bright lights against very dark backgrounds. I do not notice it anymore unless I'm looking at a single bright light in a pitch black room and even then it's not a problem. However, during the first 6 months, the halos were very noticeable and I was concerned. The doc just kept saying "give it time" and he turned out to be right.

One very positive side effect for me was a 90% reduction in the effects of hay fever vs. wearing contacts.

I would do it again in a heartbeat especially considering the new technologies.

 

[Timbo2015]

I had it done 7 years ago or so. Best money I ever spent.