lasik eye surgery

K2

After many years of dittering I've have finally decided that by the end of this year I will have corrective laser eye surgery done. If anybody here has had this done I would love to hear about their experiences and if they have had problems since.

apologies if this is the wrong place for such a thread, but couldn't find any where else more appropriate or with a better chance of getting sensible replies.

Arion

I don't know if you're interested, but I was considering a career which required 20/20 vision(mine is ~6/36), and they disallowed anyone with surgical correction treatment. On searching the web I discovered Accelerated Orthokeratology(hope you don't have Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia). It's a process where they mould your lens in your eyes, back into shape, using extra hard contact lenses.

I haven't read much into it yet, but it is non-surgical, so it would probably be safer, than laser.

Having that said I've no experience in it, but it might be worth checking up on, on the assumption that I know absolutely nothing about it, as well as all the assumptions that I am in no way qualified to give medical advice.

Cuauhtemoc

Had it done my self few months back and from my experience can only recommend it.
Gone from wearing specs/contacts whatever for some 17 odd years to 20:20 vision.
It's not painful(from my experience) to get done.
The procedure can be unsettling but you're prescribed vallium to keep you calm(not everyone takes it tho)

You do basically sign your life away if anything did go wrong but from what i can see it's a remote possibility, but there none the less, they explain it well at the clinic tho.

It's pricey, 4200 for me including consult but you can claim 20/42% back depending what you earn.

I think the wellington eye clinic has one of the best reputations and was recommended to me by several ppl who had it done there, i'd do likewise.

Hope that helps.

somano

Got mine done last year in Blackrock Clinic - same price.

This is what happened. Had consultation, came back the next week. Arrived at 2pm waited 5 minutes, walked into small room with laser. Nurse handed my glasses outside - the next person pointed out that it was very final. Sat in chair, chair lowered down. Metal clip put on eye to open out, plaster put on eyelids so I didnt blink during the oppo. Repeat second eye. Told to concentrate on red light. Then like a hoover placed over eye - anaesthetic. Concentrate on red light - turning laser on - concenrate on red light. Like a windscreen washer going across eye a couple of times - cornea lifted - laser turned on and finished 1st eye. Repeat second eye only the last bit appears to be a bit longer - to get everything right. All finished within 5 minutes.Patches on eyes with small holes and went outside to sit down for about 5 minutes - I could see SKy news throught the little holes. Eyes felt a bit gritty. Went home for 1.5 hours sleep. Woke up - took protective patched off and WOW full sight. Simple as that. Drove next day to Raheny and had check up. All the other people that were waiting were also there too.

No shower or bath for 7 days at least not washing hair;) no contact sports etc. SLight discomfort for the 1st week or so - wore patches in bed at night so as not to scratch. Didnt like the uncomfortable feeling when I woke at night - took a little while for the eyes to recover at night light. Great success. Well recommended. I still havent claimed my tax back though

DUX

I had it done in Italy and it went perfectly, both eyes in one time, cost 2,100 Euro all inclusive. The operation lasted 10 minutes and afterwards I had to wear sunglasses for a couple of days.
It was not really painful, only a bit annoying the fist 3-4 days....after a few weeks I could see perfectly with both eyes, I wil never regreat my choice to do it.....go for it.

Actually last year I was on holiday in Barcelona and I could find several places that were doing this operation for 999 Euro (both eyes).....but at the end I decided not to do it there.

After you do it will take 2-3 weeks before you can see properly at night, but don't worry it is perfectly normal (although on the internet you can read some scary stories I assure you that only a slight % of the operations don't go well.)

Good luck!

Pepe LeFrits

My Aunt had it done a while back... half way through the operation they discovered she had some slight abnormality in her eyes and they couldn't continue. She was in agony for 3 days.

Cabaal

I've been considering it took (just gota save up) I've read some horriable stories of things that can happen
for example ghost vision

Makes me second guess the idea abit,
Still really gota look properly into it and make a proper informed decision

Töpher

Something I also really want, but I plan on waiting a few more years and getting it done then (it will hopefully be cheaper and more reliable then), besides, I think you need to be over 21 to get it done (due to growth or something?).

K2

thanks for the replies guys. I've heard some horror stories too but they appear to be few and far between. The one thing that had put me off the last few years was a program I saw about 4 years ago. There was a conferance in Scotland for these specialist from around the world, and not one of them had it done! Its been around since the 80's (in Russia you could get it done on the nhs) so I figure that any long term problems with the procedure would have turned up by now. I am aware of the cheap alternative in the uk but I reckon I will play it safe, it is your eyesight we are talking about, and will go to the Blackrock clinic. It may cost more but a few months saving and a vist to the credit union will take care of it.

Arion: you are right, I've read that there are some careers (pilots, long distance drivers) where is it not allowed/discouraged cos it can cause problems with your night vision. I think this is something I will have to look at a little more (not that I drive or fly for a living).

Moonbeam

I too have debated about gettin it done but even though it would be nice to see properly again but the risk if anything goes wrong is so high,

There are alot of jobs that people with out good vision are excluded and in alot of case after laser surgery you can take up these jobs,

Arion-if you find out anymore about about using the contact lenses to change the shape of the eye will u post it here please?

Commissar

Originally posted by Arion
On searching the web I discovered Accelerated Orthokeratology

I haven't read much into it yet, but it is non-surgical, so it would probably be safer, than laser.

I took a look at this just now. I'm very short-sighted myself and have consided doing "something" myself and as appealing as this Ortho-k sounds I wouldn't choose it myself. The effects seem to be only temperary and need to be renewed constantly.
I would prefer a more permenant solution myself even though the idea of lasers isn't something that appeals to me (I'ld be too afraid that I'ld blink or move my eye and screw it all up.)

catspring

i've also been thinking about getting laser treatment and most of those posts above are pretty reassuring
to those who had it done, was just wondering if your eyes have to have stopped getting weaker coz i have to get stronger contact lenses about once or twice a year (at this rate i'll need a white stick before am 21!!! :eek: )
i think i'd like to leave it a few years anyway coz i'm still pretty young (19), so that people know more about it, and it gets cheaper etc....

APM

Ive been considering it also but I know you cant pass a class 1 medical to become a pilot or similar careers if you do get it.


So for the moment have decided against it.

Owenw

Can you become a pilot if you wear glasses / contacts then?

moridin

I think so, as long as your eyesight can be improved to 20/20 vision with lenses.

D!ve^Bomb!

i doubt that i would get it done, i actually prefer wearing glasses, the only times that glasses piss me off is. 1, when its rainin, 2. When its really cold and when u get inside they steam up, 3. anytime when u cant physically wear em, ie, swiming etc,, but other than that i like em:D

DUX

I had it done a year ago an my sight is still 20/20 (just checked a few days ago) and I never had the slightest problem...

luckat

Too late for you now, but:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1909075.stm

Bread blamed for short sight

Short-sightedness could be linked to childhood over-consumption of bread, rather than holding books too close, researchers suggest.

Scientists say diets high in refined starches, such as breads and cereals increase insulin levels in children.

This, they say, may then affect the development of the eyeball.

The theory put forward by the researchers from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, and the University of Sydney is that the excess hormone makes the eyeball abnormally long and causes short-sightedness.

<snip>

Cuauhtemoc

Just as regards the pilot thing (not allowed to be a pilot if you've had surgery)
there seems to be conflicting news over that. Has anyone got any definite links for ireland?
I did a search and in the states the faa have no problems with it as long as your opthalmologist passes you fit. http://flightphysical.com/pilotfaq.htm#1.5
(guess who wants to go flying! )

Edit: How obvious is it that you've had the surgery anyway? Can they see scarring or something?

Beruthiel

Originally posted by Cuauhtemoc
Edit: How obvious is it that you've had the surgery anyway? Can they see scarring or something?

I'd imagine it's a case of filling out an application form honestly
also
if you are going for a job as a pilot, I'd put money on it that they do an eye test

Pablo

AFAIK there is some scarring, and they could possibly find out from that.

zokrez

Wait until you have kids pulling at glasses and then you'll be glad you got it done.I spoke to an eye consultant about 2 years ago that I knew from college who recommended that I didnt get it done. Reason was that so long as there is ANY chance of not being perfect he would not get it done. However he did say that the main reason was that he did not want to have his eyes effected by the surgery in anyway because it was his livelihood. I didnt listen to him and I got it done - best thing I ever did. BTW one of the surgeons in Blackrock got it done himself. Another has part of his finger missing !