# LASIK Laser correction **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 19, 2003, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-laser-correction/176135 "2003-05-19T00:02:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![sciguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@sciguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciguy)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-laser-correction/176135/21 "2003-05-20T19:31:41Z")
How new is this “flapless” surgery? I went in last summer for a consultation, and they said that in low light my pupils dilated past where they could cut, which would lead to halos. Is that not a limiting factor with the procedure **PurplePerson** describes? I was originally planning on checking out LASIK again in a few years since the eye doc said that pupil dilation gets less extreme with age (I’m 27). But unless the tissue removal leaves a similar ridge in the cornea (and it has the same diameter restriction), I might have a look into this. **PurplePerson** , can you tell us a ballpark price? ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-laser-correction/176135/22 "2003-05-20T23:35:25Z")
Thanks for your reply **Broomstick**. I have decided not to have the surgery just because of the dry eyes. My surgeon did say that a new procedure which implants a contact lens beneath a flap could work for me. He said this procedure could be here in about 1-2 years. I am anxiously awaiting to see if this is an option for me. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-laser-correction/176135/23 "2003-05-21T00:14:55Z")
Certainly, you hurt nothing by waiting a few years - the technology willl only get better. I have nothing against LASIK in and of itself - I just feel people should be fully informed before making a decision. If someone is a good candidate with no risk factors and has a fantastic outcome that’s great - but not all of us are so lucky. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-laser-correction/176135/24 "2003-05-21T00:40:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rabid\_Squirrel \* > \*\*The problem is my myopia is about -7.5 to -8; anybody had good results with prescriptions in that region? \*\* I was at -7.75 in my left and -7.50 in my right. I had LASIK done in October, and things went very well. The first two months or so was a bit worrying, because my vision fluctuated a good deal day-to-day - it’s hard to quantify, of course, but I’d wake up one morning and I’d feel like 20-20, the next day probably more like 20-40 or 20-60. I was not comfortable driving at night, because of glare, for about three weeks. Since then, things have stabilized nicely. I’m slightly better than 20-20 in both eyes, no touchup needed, and the dryness of my eyes right after the procedure has pretty much gone away. Night vision is still a little weird… sometimes when driving I feel like my lights just are not bright enough. Other than that, I am very satisfied. ---
**Author:** ![Pelleas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e8c25b/32.png) [@Pelleas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pelleas)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-laser-correction/176135/25 "2003-05-21T01:19:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rabid\_Squirrel \* > \*\*I’m also interested in hear about you pep’s experiences. I got LASIK eye surgery as a 21st present from by parents (yeah, I know, cosmetic surgery from parents is neat eh 😉 ) and that offer still stands. The problem is my myopia is about -7.5 to -8; anybody had good results with prescriptions in that region? > > I hate to talk to the eye doctor, they keep on harping about the gazillion to one risks to cover their legal obligations. \*\* My myopia was -11 in my right eye and -12 in the left. Three years ago my ophthalmologist suggested that I would be a good canditate for lasik and referred me to a specialist. The specialist thoroughly examined my eyes over the next few weeks before he did the surgery. (He used the cut and flap method at that time.) I had no discomfort at all and have never had the slightest problem with dryness. My vision is now about 20/30 so I do have to have slight correction for distance, primarily when I drive. ---
**Author:** ![Rabid\_Squirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Rabid\_Squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rabid_Squirrel)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-laser-correction/176135/26 "2003-05-21T02:30:58Z")
Thanks for the replies **Ravenman** and **Pelleas**. I might get it done once/if/when I leave university! ---
**Author:** ![PurplePerson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@PurplePerson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurplePerson)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-laser-correction/176135/27 "2003-05-21T10:26:27Z")
The cost for both eyes is about $3100. I am very excited to have it done. I just hope I do not get told I am not a good candidate on Friday. I will have 2 pre-ops. However, several years ago, I was told I would be a good candidate except for my astigmatism. That can be corrected now. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-laser-correction/176135.md?page=1)