Lasik Eye Surgery

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Lasik Eye Surgery
« on: October 17, 2006, 12:11:55 PM » by chopchop

Lasik Eye Surgery........I didn't know exactly where to post. (It does have to do with the Beholder Wink

)
Does anyone have any health cautions concerning this surgery? Huh

Besides the one,"You only have one pair of eyes, do you really want somebody burning them?". Wink

I am seriously looking into this. Cost wise I found that it will easily pay for itself within three years time. My face is really narrow and glasses look hilarious on me (like goggles Roll Eyes

) I have been wearing contacts since I have been 12 years old.

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #1 on: October 17, 2006, 12:14:36 PM » by healthyinOhio

My husband has considered this from time to time. The only thing holding him back is all the men at work that have had it done have had to do the surgery more than once. Now, there may be more than one type of laser eye surgery. But the common one you need to have "touch-ups" done every so often.
Personally, I would do some eye exercises; although, it could take a year or so before you see any differences. Add some bilberry to your tea, as well.

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #2 on: October 17, 2006, 12:15:36 PM » by dara

Quote

Lasik Eye Surgery........I didn't know exactly where to post. (It does have to do with the Beholder )
Does anyone have any health cautions concerning this surgery?
Besides the one,"You only have one pair of eyes, do you really want somebody burning them?".
I am seriously looking into this. Cost wise I found that it will easily pay for itself within three years time. My face is really narrow and glasses look hilarious on me (like goggles ) I have been wearing contacts since I have been 12 years old.

(no you don't- you look fine! Wish I could look that smart!) GR is a center for Lasik surgery- I will look to see what I can find...

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #3 on: October 17, 2006, 12:24:31 PM » by chopchop

Healthy in Ohio,
I really do like the idea of eye exercises, can you point me in a good direction from personal experience? Otherwise I will just google it.
I have had great improvement in my eyes already and they aren't that bad anymore. Still, can't drive without them or do a lot of eye work.

Dara,
Thanks girlfriend, for your compliment. Unfortunately I am not alone in my opinion about glasses and their uncomplimentary addition to my face. Wink

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2006, 12:35:16 PM » by healthyinOhio

Quote from: chopchop on October 17, 2006, 12:24:31 PM

Healthy in Ohio,
I really do like the idea of eye exercises, can you point me in a good direction from personal experience? Otherwise I will just google it.

Well, you are probably gonna have to google it. And most places, I believe, want you to pay for the knowledge.

I will share with you what I did, but I started it at age 14(didn't have to drive, yet, etc.)
I started wearing glasses at age nine and within two years I needed tri-focals(stage after bi-focals). It was awful going to school with big nasty glasses. It was bad enough that I had a head gear and braces, in a public school, mind you.
So, my freshman year I threw them out. I told my parents that I could see just fine(lied), and I forced my eyes to focus on things. I sat at the front of the classroom to read the board and made myself to focus on reading books and watching T.V. without them. My parents were concerned after a year of this and forced me to have a vision test. I had one and the doctor said: "Wow, your eyes have improved greatly, you must be wearing your glasses even to bed"!! I looked at him and bluntly stated with my very sarcastic teenage attitude, "Actually, I have not worn them in over a year"! (Nah, nah, nah, nah, nahhhhh, I was thinking) Tongue

So, that was 15 years ago that I wore my last pair of glasses. I have ALWAYS passed my eye exams and my driver's license eye tests.
That was my very unscientific and un-logical experience to the world of eye exercises.
Warning: I AM NOT AN EYE DOCTOR!!! Cheesy

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2006, 01:17:13 PM » by Clementine

I know a few people personally who had the LASIK surgery and were thrilled at the results. They highly recommend it. As HIO stated, many people do have to return later at some point, or face glasses/contacts again. It's not a cure-all forever kind of procedure. I have remotely considered it, but really am uncomfortable with the idea of a laser on my eye. I have a sort of eye phobia.

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #6 on: October 17, 2006, 01:18:12 PM » by healthyinOhio

Quote from: Clementine on October 17, 2006, 01:17:13 PM

I have remotely considered it, but really am uncomfortable with the idea of a laser on my eye. I have a sort of eye phobia.

He he! Me too! Grin

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #7 on: October 17, 2006, 04:41:24 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: chopchop on October 17, 2006, 12:24:31 PM

Still, can't drive without them or do a lot of eye work.

You take your eyes out when you're not driving? Shocked

Neat trick. Grin

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #8 on: October 17, 2006, 05:32:15 PM » by chopchop

Quote

You take your eyes out when you're not driving? Shocked

Neat trick. Grin

Quote

ha ha!

Gotta watch that grammer. Grin

LOL

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #9 on: October 17, 2006, 07:44:49 PM » by Nickole

I would consider doing eye exercises if it would really help REALLY bad eyesight. Without contacts or glasses things get clear only when they are about 4 inches from my eyes. I would never do Lasek unless I had gobs of money, and then maybe. Not worth it to me - I don't mind wearing glasses and contacts since I have been since 4th grade. I have heard of eye excersises but unless it can totally make me be without glasses/contacts, it's not worth my time, you know? I mean, if it just "improved" then what's the point? From what I've read it just improves, but I could be wrong. Are there testimonies out there where bad eyesight has been totally, well, "cured" Huh

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #10 on: October 17, 2006, 08:11:45 PM » by Beth in Idaho

I just wanted to add that Lasik does not correct eyes for reading...you will still need to have reading glasses if you need them now....reading has to do with the lens...and they do not lasik that...BUT....my mom just had cataracts removed from both eyes....AND.....they now...totally replace the lens of your eye....it is a very scary thought...but turned out wonderfully! My mom is so happy now cuz she said she didn't realize how much color she wasnt seeing before...she does still need just a pair of those drugstore glasses to read...but no more glasses....They have come so far with all this technology!!

I have worn glasses or contacts since I was like 10....Only recently have I even thought of Lasik....but will probably never have it done....it is very costly...

Beth in Idaho

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #11 on: October 18, 2006, 06:34:48 AM » by chopchop

In reply to cost and effectiveness,

I am not rolling in money in any way or shape. If I drive several hours I can get it done for $299 per eye and that includes the pre op, eye exam, surgery and post op stuff. And that is interest free until 2008. I thought that was pretty good, I would pay that much for exams and contacts over the course of the next several years.
I have a friend who did it at the same location five years ago and wears no contacts or glasses for anything to this day. His vision was way worse than mine. If he lost his glasses, he would not be able to navigate around the house without danger, now he has 20/20 and is completely thrilled.

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #12 on: October 18, 2006, 06:52:42 AM » by Nickole

Quote from: chopchop on October 18, 2006, 06:34:48 AM

Wow, that's quite a testimony. Last time I got my eyes checked, this year, the doc, who has worse eyesight than even me will not even get the surgery. That made me think. Too many risks he said. I would hate to be that tiny percent that have a problem. Not worth the risk to me - but wow, that is a great price!

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #13 on: October 18, 2006, 11:27:23 AM » by healthybratt

Quote from: chopchop on October 18, 2006, 06:34:48 AM

Wow, I'm pretty sure it costs more than that around here (not certain, I've just heard). Where did your friend get it done? Do you know how much he paid? I think it would be worth a drive across country to make sure you got a doctor who knows what he's doing. I'd really hate to wind up with a rookie or someone who has only a 50% success rate.

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #14 on: October 18, 2006, 02:25:27 PM » by chopchop

Quote

Quote from: healthybratt on October 18, 2006, 11:27:23 AM

Quote

Atlanta, Georgia - Friend had it done five years ago and at that time it was about $900, same place, same doctors, are doing basic now for $600 (it is more if you have astigmatism, or other conditions)

« Last Edit: October 18, 2006, 02:32:19 PM by chopchop »
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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #15 on: November 16, 2006, 10:12:37 AM » by Blessedw/3

I just saw this thread but my husband had the surgery3 or 4 years ago. He had worn glasses since the 3rd grade. After healing his eyes were 20/20. Even for reading he was fine, but now he has trouble seeing at night when driving and his eyes are getting strained. We haven't gone to the doctor yet but I wouldn't be suprised if he had to wear glasses again at least while reading and driving.

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #16 on: November 29, 2006, 09:20:57 PM » by JoyInHim

I'm guessing you were far sighted? (bi and tri focals)

If so, you most likely grew out of the condition. That happened with my son, and the dr. told me he would.

My brother, too, refused to wear his glasses for far sightedness around age 10/12. He has had 20/20 vision since he was 12 or 13.

Near sighted is a whole 'nother animal. I 'tried' to go without my glasses like you, over and over. But my eyes simply got worse (near sighted) Angry

It really is how the shape of the eye develops, not whether or not you wear the corrective vision (except for lazy eye, etc.)

Also, around ages 12-14, my op. also prescribed these ridiculous eye 'exercises' for both me and my sister. Neither of us found results - though he promised me, at 14, if I would continue to wear hard lenses, my eyes would improve to 20/20. Well, I'm a -10 in both eyes, lol. The girl with major lazy eye (had surgery) down the street had the same exercises! It was the trend back then, I guess, and did not work.

Quote from: healthyinOhio on October 17, 2006, 12:35:16 PM

Quote from: chopchop on October 17, 2006, 12:24:31 PM

Healthy in Ohio,
I really do like the idea of eye exercises, can you point me in a good direction from personal experience? Otherwise I will just google it.

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #17 on: November 29, 2006, 09:23:27 PM » by JoyInHim

Hmmmm. Ask around. My sisters both had lasik, and both need glasses now, to drive or see well. Both were not thrilled with the results.

3 neighbors had lasik. All 3 agreed, 'it doesn't hurt' was WRONG for them! My big 6'4 neighbor Don told me he 'had to brace himself' for the 2nd eye. yikes!

I also have a friend who was thrilled with her results...but it has only been a few months. My sisters both had problems after a couple years - including 'star' vision with lights. Scary.

Keeping my contacts here. At about $60 a year.....it would be a loooooong time to recoup that $3k price tag around here.

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #18 on: November 29, 2006, 10:11:29 PM » by SC

I had both eyes done about 5 years ago. Would do it again in a minute!
Before lasik, I was blind without correction. I couldn't go swimming because I couldn't see if someone was signalling to me if I was in the water. I couldn't identify anyone from a distance. Without glasses/contacts, I couldn't read a clock, drive, tell WHO was across the room, etc. I had an astigmatism (sp?) in addition to being nearsighted. I never related to people who only needed glasses to read or drive. I needed glasses to function. But wearing glasses allowed my eyes to get much worse very quickly. I went to contacts. After an infection and the second torn cornea, I determined that it was surgery or lose the eye because of damage from the contacts (these were soft, extended wear, BTW).

Things I would do differently if I had known:
1. Expect discomfort, burning, pain when the meds wear off. They downplayed this at the Dr's office. I didn't expect it and it threw me for a bit of a loop. After 5 hours or so, I was better.
2. Get a babysitter. You cannot care for little ones when your eyes are tearing up and shut from the surgery. It's too difficult to try and explain your delimma when you are hurting. Get someone else to watch them for the afternoon.
3. Make the staff write down all post operative instructions -- especially how many drops of what medication that is for what purpose. I understood completely these instructions, but my eyes were too painful to see the labels right away and DH didn't have a clue.
4. Get a nurturing girlfriend to help you the first 5 hours or so after the surgery. My DH has MANY MANY MANY wonderful qualities. However, his nursing philosophy is that when the patient gets mad enough to throw something at you, she's cured. He also thinks that when something hurts, you use it until the pain stops. He's great in a pinch, but we would have both been a little less frustrated if I had sent him and the kids on an outting and had a girlfriend over instead.

Things I would do the same:
1. HAVE the surgery. I cannot describe how incredible colors and details were/are to me. I had the hardest time driving after my recovery because all of the sights were AMAZING. That's not a good way to drive. Roll Eyes

2. I would go again to the local university's school of medicine for the procedure. You get a surgeon that is top in his field guiding the students through the process. They are training on the latest equipment. You may not get a lot of bells and whistles, but you get the best of care. They take their time to make sure everything is just right AND they had a deal with the insurance company where I received a discounted rate that amounted to $700 per eye. At the time, this was fully HALF of what it cost to go to a private practitioner.

« Last Edit: November 29, 2006, 10:13:50 PM by SC »
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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #19 on: November 29, 2006, 11:09:38 PM » by mxmom

I had eye surgery 5 years ago. The procedure was called the new PRK and I did it about a year after my little sister had success with it (let her be the guinea pig Wink

). It was quite expensive - about $1400 Canadian dollars - but, my parents paid for it as a Christmas gift.

I am VERY glad I had it done. My sister had extreme pain and discomfort - lived in her dark closet with a pillow over her eyes for almost one week. I stayed with her when I had mine done, took some codeine prior to the surgery and immediately after to deal with the pain, threw up the second codeine so quit taking anything, and, praise God, had absolutely NO pain, just had to wear the dorky sunglasses! Actually, I spent an awesome week at my sister's shopping and visiting! Grin

I would definitely do it again. My eyes have most definitely regressed and my night vision is terrible (I only drive in the city at night alone, but, never on the dark highways or the country anymore), but, my vision is so much better than it has been since grade four. I could do a touch-up, but, with the new PRK, touch-ups sound scary. My sister's vision has definitely not regressed like mine has and so she would do it again in a heartbeat. Our eye surgeon is against us wearing glasses full-time again, but, is okay with glasses for driving only. He claims our vision will regress much more quickly with glasses.

Just another couple of experiences.

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #20 on: January 09, 2007, 03:22:48 AM » by Inspiring the Wellness In You!

Do your research... check out www.mercola.com and see what he has to say.

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #21 on: January 09, 2007, 08:31:27 AM » by k

I had lasik as well. My main reason for having it was i was totally dependant on glasses or contacts to function. I was so nearsighted that I couldn't even see my face in my bathroom mirror without my contacts in. I had to have it twice, but I got warrenty the first time so that even if I had it over and over I only paid once. The reason i had to have it again was i was 19 when i had it the first time and my eyes weren't finished developing now they recommend you be 21. Also they recommend you be finished having children because hormones can affect your results as well. They did mine. I would definitley recommend it to anyone. I don't see why people close thjeir minds to it. If you really want to be self sufficent this is the perfect way to not have to depend on glasses or contacts.I would get a warrenty though you never know. I just didn't like knowing that if something catastrophic was to happen to this world someone would have to take care of me, because I was practically blind. Oh yeah being able to wake up the next day and see my babies faces with my eyes and nothing else was the most incredible feeling in the world. I weap with joy when ever I think back to that first sight. and I thank God for allowing me to see the way he intended.

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #22 on: February 25, 2008, 07:40:09 PM » by mamaofangels

Okay so a couple of years have gone by since this was disscussed. Anyone have anything to add?? I am looking into it since we have some money right now. I am near sighted?? (not sure which is which) But After about 4 ft. everything is blurry. I can't watch t.v. with out my glasses or contacts because I get a headache and can't read anything on it. I've had glasses or contacts since 4th grade. My vision as slowly gotten worse over the years and after last kid got pretty bad that I can't drive with out my glasses anymore. Would love a natural way to fix them but haven't found anything that works yet. would love your gals thoughts. I am very nervous about lasik but want to consider it.
Jen

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #23 on: February 25, 2008, 08:47:04 PM » by Siege

I had lasik last April 17th. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I LOVE it. I could not see more than 6 inches away without glasses or cantacts. My eyes were so sensitive that I could not wear contacts for long. I had done exercises as a child but they never improved. My surgery cost me app $3000. We put it on a special credit card just for medical procedures. We are still paying on it. I would have waited until we had the $, but at the time we did it things were going good financially with the job and hubby wanted me to be the experiment. I am really sensitive with my eyes. You know how some kids have this huge fear of the dentist? Well, my fear was of the eye doctor...BAD experiences a a child and all. My husband, who passes out at the sight of blood or of needles, knew if I could handle the surgery he could too. Once mine surgery is paid off and we save up the $, he is getting his done.

Once again, I LOVE MY NEW EYES!
CJ

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Re: Lasik Eye Surgery
« Reply #24 on: February 25, 2008, 08:57:26 PM » by Dixiemom

I highly recommend doing it if you can possibly afford it. I had to wear glasses since I was in 2nd grade. I finally got contacts when I was in high school, but I did not realize that my eyes would not support soft lenses (I had an severely low tear count). My opthomologist just kept prescribing stronger and stronger lenses and accused me of not cleaning mine (I cleaned them faithfully, even more than recommended). By the time I was a Junior in highschool, my mom realized that something strange was going on and sent me to a different dr. He was shocked by the condition of my eyes and refused to let me wear contacts for several months to give my eyes a rest. By this point, my eyesight was so terrible, my glasses were like coke-bottles and I had the thin lenses!! He finally let me use gas-permeable lenses and they worked much better, but my eyesight still declined.

About seven years ago, I had a relative offer to pay for me to have LASIK done. I was very apprehensive and researched it quite a bit. I did not want to do anything that might make my eyes worse. After a lot of praying, I decided to go through with it. I had a Christian dr (the same one who solved the contact problem). The procedure was fast and painless. When it was over, he asked me to read the eye chart on the far wall. Before the surgery, I would not have even seen the chart--my eyes were that bad! But, I sat up from the table and read it! I will never forget that moment or what the eyechart said. It was the verse "For we walk by faith and not by sight." It was amazing!!!

That was seven years ago. I have recently started having trouble driving at night, so I think I may need night glasses, but this has been a life changing surgery for me. I could not be happier with the results and would definitely do it again! It really changed my life for the better. I am so thankful that I can go and check on my sweet babies at night and not need to grab my glasses first! I can go swimming without having to decide whether I should be blind or risk losing a very expensive contact. The benefits are endless! It was an incredible gift and I am so thankful that the Lord allowed me to have this done.

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