Laser Eye Surgery - Opinions

ZorbaTehZ · 14-11-2007 9:43pm #1

There was a thread in Bio/Med forum about this a while ago - probably something that's more appropriate for here.

So what do people think of it? Opinions?

Personally, I'm rather wary. I've heard quite a few bad stories about it. That said, the quality of the surgery etc. is steadily improving, or so my optician says. It's something that I might consider in the future I think.

mike65 · 14-11-2007 10:03pm

My eyesight would have to be pretty awful and debilitating to go that route.

Mike.

Zaph · 14-11-2007 10:09pm

No. I've been told that due to the size and shape of my head (no, it's not distorted or anything, I just wear a large hat size

) and pretty poor eyesight I'd require another laser operation first to fuse the retina to the eyeball to avoid the risk of detatching it during the corrective operation. Even after that it moght only be possible to bring me up to -1 or 2 and I'd still need glasses for certain things, so not really wrth the hassle.

SligoBrewer · 15-11-2007 12:00am

nah.

i love the novelty of glasses and contacts.

Firetrap · 15-11-2007 12:05am

I would love to have good eyesight again but I am wary. I've a friend who effectively has just the one eye now because they had laser eye surgery go wrong on them a few years ago and all that can be seen out of that eye now is shapes. I also know of someone who lost the sight in their eye. That's enough to put me off.

Also, I don't think enough is known about the long-term effects of laser eye surgery (or indeed the other types). I would rather still have my eyesight (albeit corrected with glasses) at 70 than to be dependent on a labrador and a white stick.

mike65 · 15-11-2007 12:09am

Quite, a 99.9% success rate would'nt be enough in this case.

Mike.

The_Minister · 15-11-2007 12:59am

I might get it in the future as my eyesight is very poor. A while ago my glasses were broken in town, and I could only see out of one lens. I was scared and disorientated, and found it difficult to make my way through the dark streets and bright lights. I don't like the feeling of being so dependent on a fragile thing of metal and plastic.

Hester · 15-11-2007 12:59pm

I got laser eye surgery during the summer. My eyesight before was approx -6.5 in both eyes so I was completely dependent on glasses and contacts. At my last check up (3 months) I could easily read the 20/20 line and could make an attempt two lines below that.

I was completely aware of the risks involved and I'm so relieved that I didn't experience any complications. I paid extra for what I considered to be the safest options - wavefront and intralase. Of course there is always a risk involved but I was willing to take that risk and I'm very happy with the outcome.

At this stage though, I've come to a point where I'm used to it. I had been using continuous wear lenses for a couple of years prior to the surgery so waking up and being able to see wasn't a big change. I did have a lot of problems with the lenses; mainly a comfort issue so it's a relief not to have to deal with that anymore. Sometimes I just stop for a minute and look around and appreciate how well I can see, all the little details. It really is amazing considering that before, everything was one big blur.

To anyone considering surgery- research, research, research. Know all the options available to you. Most clinics offer free consultations. This is great for getting a feel for the clinic as well but be aware that if you are eligible, they will want to get a sale so don't rush into anything!

mikemac · 18-11-2007 7:48pm

Best thing I ever did.

Wearing glasses from when I was 9 to 23.
You can imagine the abuse I got at school

Now have better than 20:20 vision and am in the top 3% of the population.

And all for four weeks of some serious pain and discomfort.
Don't let anyone tell you it's painless. Well it was for very painful for me anyway.

But worth it in the end

MonkeyWrench · 19-11-2007 1:30pm

I have heard many mixed stories from people who have had it done. Mostly positive. If you ask an optician their opinion on the matter they will more than likely say that they don't have one, because they can't lead someone down the garden path. I know an optician outside of work though and she informed me that she has had quite alot of customers in with various eye complaints after the procedure was done, anything from dry eyes to more serious infections. She said she personally would never get it done based on this. So really i'm in two minds myself. Happy enough to wear overnight contacts at the moment tbh.

AlmightyCushion · 19-11-2007 8:03pm

The eyes are something to necessary to risk on something like this. When the success rate goes up a bit more then maybe I will. Saying that my sister has had it done and she has had no problems what so ever.

delta_bravo · 26-11-2007 4:54pm

Is it true that the effects wear off after about 10 years?

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 26-11-2007 4:57pm

no, but your eyes will get worse as you get older.. that's natural and can't be avoided.

you can probably get surgery again when you're older though to correct what is wrong with them at that stage... it's usually far sightedness for older people isn't it?

faceman · 27-11-2007 2:46pm

Despite the very high success rates im still weary of this for a number of reasons.

1) if something does go wrong, its generally irreversible
2) There are regular instances of minor issues, such as colour saturation (colours arent as colourful) and issues for people driving at night (i.e. they need glasses). Both of which are irreversible
3) Being qualified, doesnt mean you are good at performing the surgery
4) And the main reason: If something did go wrong, id be screwed in life for mostly work reasons. (you dont see many surgeons who wear glasses getting it done for the same reason)

ian_m · 27-11-2007 2:56pm

Not a hope in hell.
I am -4 and -5 and I juggle between my glasses and contacts. I've been told I have slight over-wear from the contacts.

I barely had to consider it for long. I wouldn't take the risk.

BC · 28-11-2007 4:10pm

I haven't had it done but will be seriously considering it next year. I have been wearing glasses for 18 years and i've had contacts for about 10 years. I hate wearing glasses and i suffer from a lot of discomfort with my contacts.
I'm -4.5 in both eyes so i can't function without either the glasses or contacts.

I have 2 cousins and 4 friends who have had it done. One has some issues with vision at night but still says the benefits way outweigh the negatives. Another had a lot of problems with dry eyes that lasted about 6 months but went away with treatment and regular visits to the surgeon. All in all they are all extremely happy with how it turned out.

Misticles · 03-01-2008 12:47am

some of those laser places are just in it for the money. everyone is a perfect candidate and some are most definitley not!!

ian_m · 03-01-2008 12:56am

Misticles wrote: »

some of those laser places are just in it for the money. everyone is a perfect candidate and some are most definitley not!!

What makes you think they are just in it for the money?

Lil' Smiler · 03-01-2008 1:00am

i definitely hope to get laser at some stage.

suffer with alot of discomfort from my lenses and dislike wearing my glasses

i'm - 6.10 in my right and -5.5 in my left so i really can't see a thing without them

I'd love to be able to wake up and see everything in the morning, see my boyfriends face and not end up nosing him in the eye when i try to kiss him or be able to tell whether it's raining or not when i look out the window or be able to see the small writing on the tv of sky news!!

Misticles · 03-01-2008 1:20am

it is great. just make sure you go to a reputable place. even ask your optician could they recommend one. they all know people who do it.

Sangre · 03-01-2008 4:05am

MonkeyWrench wrote: »

I have heard many mixed stories from people who have had it done. Mostly positive. If you ask an optician their opinion on the matter they will more than likely say that they don't have one, because they can't lead someone down the garden path. I know an optician outside of work though and she informed me that she has had quite alot of customers in with various eye complaints after the procedure was done, anything from dry eyes to more serious infections. She said she personally would never get it done based on this. So really i'm in two minds myself. Happy enough to wear overnight contacts at the moment tbh.

Then again an a person whos eyes were perfect would hardly keep going to an optician. They're only going to see the complications.

Misticles · 03-01-2008 10:43pm

ian_m wrote: »

What makes you think they are just in it for the money?

i work in an opticians and when people come in for their checks and they happen to say they ave been told they are a good candidate for laser.. there as been cases where in facct they are not. people missing cells on the eye that dont grow back and laser would remove more of these cells.
some laser places not all are in it for the money.

SligoBrewer · 03-01-2008 10:47pm

ian_m wrote: »

What makes you think they are just in it for the money?

hmmmmmm..

Well a business is there to make money.

misty floyd · 10-01-2008 11:10pm

I know 5 people who have had the laser treatment and everyone of them is very happy with it, including me. Best money I've ever spent and I hope to get the tax back on it soon....damn january, I'm broke.

The comment about it being painful. I would have been a lot happier with pain killers after the treatment. The trip home in the car was tough. It felt like somebody was shinning a strong torch in my eyes (I had Lasik). More uncomfortable than sore. A few painkillers, a large whiskey when I got home and some pink floyd sorted that out

Chunky Monkey · 11-01-2008 3:37am

I've heard great stories too but I'm just not letting a laser get near my eyes. I'm happy enough with my glasses thank you

The only time they annoy me is sometimes when I'm looking through the viewfinder on my camera but then I'd rather spend my money on a fancy camera with liveview than laser surgery.

Roaster · 23-01-2008 4:11pm

Was thinking of getting this done myself and was recommended this place from a successful candidate. Anyone on here go there by any chance?

http://www.wellingtoneyeclinic.com/

feylya · 23-01-2008 7:21pm

Just reading the FAQ on that site and they mentioned that some people have too low of an irregularity in their eyes to get surgery. I'm -1.00 in both eyes and I want to get it done. Anyone know if my eyes are bad enough to get it done?

Vmaxer · 23-01-2008 7:48pm

Roaster wrote: »

Was thinking of getting this done myself and was recommended this place from a successful candidate. Anyone on here go there by any chance?

http://www.wellingtoneyeclinic.com/

I had the Surgery done by Mr Arthur Cummings at the Wellington Clinic 3 Years ago and with great success. I initially had Lasik done but after the settling down period 3-6 Months after surgery My eyes regressed back to -1 or there abouts so I opted to have the surgery done again this time Wavefront.. I was -6.75 before the surgery and now after 3 Years I'm still better than 20/20 and when last tested I was the standard required by pilots. As for night vision I drive for a living at night and have never had It so good.. I can see faces at Night at 50 Meters which is something I never experienced with glasses.. As for pain I've had both eyes done twice now and would not have gone back for adjustments if it was that bad.. Probably on par with the Dentist..

merrionsq · 30-01-2008 2:06pm

Dubsmax wrote: »

I had the Surgery done by Mr Arthur Cummings at the Wellington Clinic 3 Years ago and with great success. ..

Anyone any experience of Richard Corkin at the Wellington?

JaneDanes · 12-02-2008 1:07pm

misty floyd wrote: »

I know 5 people who have had the laser treatment and everyone of them is very happy with it, including me. Best money I've ever spent and I hope to get the tax back on it soon....damn january, I'm broke

Hi, Can you recommend a good clinic? I would really like to have this done and the prices range so much! I heard an add on the radio the day for optics €495 an eye. I'd rather be safe than cheap though!!!

faceman · 20-02-2008 10:53am

post 33 reported

tallaght01 · 20-02-2008 11:08am

Thanks for reporting those posts, guys.
Posts removed,a nd user banned.

Jovi · 22-02-2008 5:35pm

merrionsq wrote: »

Anyone any experience of Richard Corkin at the Wellington?

I'm getting it done on March 12th by Richard Corkin. I'm havein the LASEK done. would be interested to hear from anyon else who have had the LASEK done by Richard at the WEllington Eye Clinic...........

racram · 23-02-2008 10:31pm

I had mine done in the Waterford Eye Clinic about three years ago and it was the best thing I ever did. I was about -6 in both eyes and I now have 20/20 in my right eye and about -.05 in my left. It has made my life so easy! And I didn't find it painfull at all. The Vallum helped and the few pain killers and they gave me sleeping tablets to rest for a few hours after surgery. I had my left eye done first then a week later my right eye and the doctors in the Waterford Eye Clinic do all the follow ups for a full year after.

Definitly recommend but I would research the Clinic first. My eyes cost nearly €2,000 each so I'm always dubious about these ad's advertising for less than €500 an eye? Of the people who have had the operation done, how much did it cost you?:)

ruffy · 02-03-2008 10:09pm

I've been thinking of having it done for a while & now is the time I really want to start moving on the idea.

2 things disturb me & I'm hoping someone might have had experience of them:

- the idea of colour vision being affected could have reprecussions in my work as a designer

also - i work extensively on computers, often full 8-10 hour days. has anyone who's had surgery experience of this and could tell me whether it impacted on it at all?

Dero · 02-03-2008 10:37pm

I would have it done in the morning if I were eligible, but alas, my eye condition pretty much precludes any sort of laser surgery ever. So I'm stuck with rigid contacts for the foreseeable future.

I had high hopes for Intacs, but they're nowhere near well enough established yet, especially for Keratoconus.

Jip · 06-03-2008 4:55pm

Jovi wrote: »

I'm getting it done on March 12th by Richard Corkin. I'm havein the LASEK done. would be interested to hear from anyon else who have had the LASEK done by Richard at the WEllington Eye Clinic...........

I only had mine down by him the other day. Very happy with the whole experience and surgery. I read other people here saying they were in pain for the day, I must have been one of the lucky ones as I felt as if nothing had happened at all, I slight gritty feeling in one eye occasionaly but that was it. I did spend most of the afternoon in bed though as they recommend, took one of the sleeping tables to help myself with that as I can never sleep during the day anyway. Got up at about 5, had some dinner and lay on the couch listening to the telly the rest of the night while keeping my eyes closed. I had no need to even use one of the solphadeine(spl?) from pack they give you, never mind the pain relieving eye drop if the pain gets really bad.
My eyes are now at 20/20 but slightly over corrected but that should correct itself over the next few weeks. As I sad, I feel no pain or uncomfort at all, I'm actually fairly surprised myself. Had a quick glance at the street lights last night before I went to bed and didn't seem to have any problems with glare, didn't seem any worse than usual anyway. Only downside to it though is you have to go to bed looking like The Fly every night due to the eye guards you stick to your face to get you out of the habit of rubbing your eyes at night, a total passion killer !

The procedure itself for more uncomforable than anything else, the worse part is the pressure from the suction cup they stick to your eye when making the flap and gets a bit discerting when your vision goes completely because of it. But once that's done the laser part is a breeze, only takes a few moments after that and your eye is done. I took the 2 valium on offer, don't know how much of a difference it made to me but it's supposed to make you more relaxed helping you keep your eyes still for the procedure. And as I said, I felt no pain afterwords and only a slight discomfort like when a contact is not sitting quite right every now and again throughout the day in one eye only.

I've been a fence sitter for the last few years but know a few people over the last year that got it done which was the push I needed. Even simple things like this moring being able to put on my good sunglasses without the need for contacts is a joy, and I automatically went to clean my specs this morning when I was out of bed and dressed out of habit !

megadodge · 14-03-2008 6:33pm

I had the procedure done on my eyes in Nov 95 and March 96 and to this day it's the best thing I ever spent money on !!

I had it done in the Wellington Clinic by Mr. Lavery. Don't know if he is retired at this stage but he was an acknowledged expert at the time and after a lot of research I was very happy to go and get it sorted.

I have never had any colour or night haze problems. Basically I've had perfect vision ever since.

I feel there could well be a few 'cowboy' outfits out there offering anybody who comes in a cheap fix and I would be wary of them, but do your homework and ask others who have had it done by them their opinion. I personally talked to about 5 people who had it done in the Wellington and know numerous others who have had it done since and as far as I know all are happy.

megadodge · 14-03-2008 6:35pm

Also, I work with computers every day for hours at a time and have no problems.

carmensarasate · 26-03-2008 9:31pm

I had intralase wavefront last August and was minus 7 thereabouts in both eyes!
I can now see better than I ever have before with glasses or contacts! I had no pain at all after the procedure, which I can honestly say was no worse than a visit to the dentist. However, I went to the most expensive clinic, did my homework, asked the Surgeon lots of questions beforehand. I went to bed that day, woke up the next morning, removed the eye shields, and could see brilliantly well, some glare for a while, which disappeard. Have not looked back since! Research is the key!

vivien · 09-04-2008 3:04pm

Hi, I had wavefront lasek surgery two weeks ago today. I have since been tested to have 20/20 vision which is great. Only thing is, one of my eyes still gets blurry and even though I passed the vision test I feel like my right eye is definitely not 100% corrected. My left eye is perfect, not even a small bit of haze but the right eye has blurred vision on things that my left eye doesn't. I can eventually make out what the words or what things are with the right eye.

I have experienced all the pain and watery eye symptoms that are expected but only in the left eye which suggests that it behaved properly, whereas my right eye has had no pain or wateryness or anything.

Anyway, can anyone tell me who has had this done, is this normal this early on in the healing process? Should I expect my right eye to catch up with my left?

Hope all the above makes sense!

Thanks

nesf · 23-04-2008 6:49pm

I gave it a fair amount of thought but honestly apart from my kid being able to grab my glasses and fling them across the room, I've never really been bothered by them enough to consider taking any risk of permanent damage. The chance of it happening is very low but if it does happen you're pretty ****ed. I guess it comes down to how much you value your eyesight and how big a deal losing it to some extent would be for your work and personal life.

Jip · 24-04-2008 8:36am

nesf wrote: »

I guess it comes down to how much you value your eyesight and how big a deal losing it to some extent would be for your work and personal life.

I think it's fair to say that everyone who has has some form of laser surgery values their eyesight and is as big a deal in loosing it as those who choose not to get it done for the same reasons.

Your post reads almost as saying that those who take the risk in getting the surgery don't value their eyesight that much and can handle losing it for work and personal life.

nesf · 24-04-2008 11:04am

Jip wrote: »

I think it's fair to say that everyone who has has some form of laser surgery values their eyesight and is as big a deal in loosing it as those who choose not to get it done for the same reasons.

Your post reads almost as saying that those who take the risk in getting the surgery don't value their eyesight that much and can handle losing it for work and personal life.

I didn't mean it in that way though on a reread I can see that it was badly worded, nor do I consider getting laser surgery done reckless or anything like that, the odds of something going wrong are very low to be fair. I was more trying to get at that it comes down to the relative weights you attach to the benefits of the surgery and of the risks to it. For me the benefits wouldn't be very valuable and the risks would be very big. If even the idea of being glasses free appealed to me even a moderate bit I can see how I might tend more towards getting the surgery done.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 24-04-2008 11:06am

so basically you're saying that blind people are less than human nesf?

lame

nesf · 24-04-2008 11:17am

Mordeth wrote: »

so basically you're saying that blind people are less than human nesf?

Got it in one as usual.

kiki · 16-05-2008 4:04pm

Got LASIK done last weekend - I'm very happy with results, some mnor issues but expect them to clear up over next few months as things settle in.

Lola87 · 25-05-2008 7:31pm

I'm -5.75 in both eyes and still getting worse so hoping to get it done in about 2 years time if my eyesight levels off soon.

Hate wearing glasses, and contact lenses make my eyes realy tired/dry although I prefer them to glasses.

I'll probably get it done in America as I plan on moving there soon.:cool:

K2 · 03-06-2008 5:22pm

I had lasik bi (with wavefront) done last friday. No pain during or after what so ever, only mild discomfort (eyes drops and a bit of poking around). Went to Orbit and would recommend them. Dr Takis is very reassuring. It cost a total of €2370 and though its only been a few days I am very happy and impressed with the results. To me its a no brainer, perfect eyesight and no pain. Yes there are some risks, just like any surgery but these are very slight.

Before I had it done, I would have said it was cosmetic surgery but I would now take the other view and can best explain it by comparing it to hearing loss. If you had to wear a hearing aid you would never be told that getting surgery to improve your hearing was cosmetic cos you dont want to wear the aid and I now feel the same way about lens/ glasses. Having it done is about much more than wanting to do away with the glasses look, its gives you back the 20/20 vision nature intended.

07-06-2008 8:32pm

I really would love it, not having the hassle of putting contacts in all the time.. I hate wearing glasses.. BUT.. I am very iffy about my eyes.. I just don't think I'd be able to go through with it..

bhaneasa · 08-06-2008 4:06pm

After years of going will I, won't I, I've booked myself in for a consultation in to the Galway Clinic on this Tuesday to see am I a suitable candidate for Laser Eye Surgery. A bit nervous to tell the truth. have any of ye attended there or know someone who has? Would appreciate any replies

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