Author Topic: Laser eye correction surgery feedback (Read 8065 times)

rablack21 · « **on:** October 09, 2014, 09:21:31 AM »

I'm about to undergo a life changing event, laser vision correction. I am heavily considering getting this done. Going to the doc today to get my eyes measured and examined for the procedure. I'm looking for feedback for any of you guys that have had this done. If so, did you get Lasik or PRK? Are you happy with the results? What vision did you start with and what do you have now? And feedback that you have is appreciated. I am really excited about doing this, but a little scared too. After all, you only got one pair of eyes.

Hurley250R · « **Reply #1 on:** October 09, 2014, 09:49:30 AM »

I had Lasik done about 10 yrs ago. I don't know what my vision was before but after they were done the doctor said look up at the clock and tell me what time it is, and I was like holy shit I can read that easily now! I think I was 20/15 after having it. My eyes are still pretty good but not perfect maybe 20/30. It's definetly worth having it done, a little scary but after they do the first eye you know what to expect and the other one isn't too bad. Whole procedure only takes 10-15 minutes.

Tbone07 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 09, 2014, 09:56:35 AM »

I'm on the verge of getting this done too. My eyes are terrible and i'm sick of wearing glasses.

From the people I've talked to, make sure you go to an actual MD to get it done. The specific "laser eye" centers aren't actual doctors. FWIW

rablack21 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 09, 2014, 10:20:33 AM »

Quote from: Tbone07;44217

I'm on the verge of getting this done too. My eyes are terrible and i'm sick of wearing glasses.

From the people I've talked to, make sure you go to an actual MD to get it done. The specific "laser eye" centers aren't actual doctors. FWIW

Thanks for the heads up on the "laser centers". I didn't realize that. The guy I am going to see if and actual doctor. He was actually on the study panel to gather research and information on Lasik before the FDA had made a decision on it. He now also teaches other doctors how to perform the procedure. I typically wear contacts, which don't bother me too much. But there are days my eyes get so tired or wearing them or they feel so dry. I am ready to just wake up and be able see already. And I realize now, that I hate glasses with a passion. I have had to wear glasses for the last week. The doc said I needed to wear glasses for 1 week prior to measuring my eyes to make sure they get the best possible measurements. I have never wore glasses longer than a 1/2 day up til this point. I go see the doc today and I can't wait to get these things off!

rablack21 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 09, 2014, 10:21:28 AM »

Plus one of my biggest fears has been that I will somehow lose a contact while in the middle of a race or it will go blurry due to my eyes being dry or seasonal allergies.

Hurley250R · « **Reply #5 on:** October 09, 2014, 10:28:21 AM »

Yeah I remember when there were mobile trailors popping up advertizing $300 an eye. I wouldn't risk my eyes on one of those places lol! Go to a reputable place, I think the cost back then was about $3,000

rablack21 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 09, 2014, 10:39:52 AM »

I will confirm today, but I believe the prices to be $3600 for PRK and $4000 for Lasik (with a cash discount). I'm glad to hear you are happy with yours Hurley. Hopefully, all my concerns will be put to rest after my exam today.

Pricecheck · « **Reply #7 on:** October 09, 2014, 12:09:46 PM »

I have had prk. I had 20/400 (couldn't read the big E) and had a astigmatism. I had the surgery done and about a couple months later I had 20/15. Due to me actually overhealing I have corneal hazing. Not many people over heal.

Throughout many appointments prior I was ready for surgery. I walked in, they numbed my eyes, placed a dot on them with a sharpie for some reason and then had me lay down. This is where it got interesting. The opened my eye and put a scapula thing in there to keep my eye open. Due to numbness you don't even know. They proceeded to cleaning my eye! The used tons of fluid and a squeegee thing. The best part is when they scrubbed it. They used a battery operated toothbrush! Very unique feeling! Once I was all ready they had me look up between these rows of lights that looked like a runway. In the middle there were two arrows pointing towards each other. I stayed fixed on that spot as the laser started firing. At one point you could actually smell my eye burning. Smelled like burnt hair! Once that one was done and they put a contact lens (bandage) on my eye it was time for the next. The whole procedure was about ten minutes.

Then came the following day when the meds wore off and I wasn't sleeping. For me it felt like hell. My eyes felt like sand was poured in them on top of having flash burn. Others say it was just uncomfortable. They upped my drops and that pain went away.

My vision at this point was 20/90 or something. After a week it was time to take the contacts out. At this time it was about 20/60. After they were pulled it was about 20/100. Then slowly, through healing a using my drops, the vision got better and better.

Just make sure you take your drops religiously. I'm an odd case and I healed too fast and it caused my eyes to scar on the epithelium. This causes the hazing. I'm going back after the deployment.

Overall, it is amazing not worrying about dirtying glasses, swimming clearly, waking up and reading the alarm clock and just not having that extra crap to deal with. Don't worry about the surgery. By the way, prk is used more for active people since it's just a laser etching away on your eye. Lasik is where you have your eye cut and they go behind the epithelium and work and lay it back to heal.

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rablack21 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 09, 2014, 12:36:21 PM »

PriceCheck, thanks for the input. I have a feeling he will want to do the PRK procedure on me since I am quite active. I have heard a few rough stories as to how painful it can be during the healing process, and that it what concerns me. Thank you for your first hand account. I have a feeling I am in for a similar story.

Tbone07 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 09, 2014, 12:47:17 PM »

Get me an industrial strength laser pointer and i'll pro-flow your eyes for cheap! :jumping0041:

Pricecheck · « **Reply #10 on:** October 09, 2014, 01:01:54 PM »

Agh, the pro-flow. A sharpie was even used! I met the CoC and never knew it.

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rablack21 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 09, 2014, 01:06:23 PM »

[MENTION=250]Pricecheck[/MENTION]: How soon were you able to go back to work? How long did you take off of work?

Pricecheck · « **Reply #12 on:** October 09, 2014, 01:07:56 PM »

I was given a week off but I had to wear sunglasses for a month.

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Hurley250R · « **Reply #13 on:** October 09, 2014, 01:47:28 PM »

Sounds like pc's experience was worse than mine. I wasn't gonna mention the smoke from the lazer lol it's not that bad truely! They gave me a Valium or something to calm you and a stress ball to squeeze while the lazer works it's magic. Afterwords my eyes burned, I would imagine what it feels like to be mildly maced. But the next day I was fine, and I don't remember having to use eye drops, or sunglasses for more than a couple days.

Pricecheck · « **Reply #14 on:** October 09, 2014, 01:51:05 PM »

The drops were just for medication and it was a couple of days. The ones from then on were refresh drops.

The smell wasn't bad but I noticed it. Humorous if anything. The day after for me was hell. Just the one of the few who have issues.

All in all it was great and I'd recommend it all day and every day for someone to get it done.

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