I have become, in the words of my eye doctor, “a perfect candidate for LASIK”, due to being near sighted with astigmatism. Being able to see without contacts (or galsses which I hate and worry about needing to switch back to) would be really, really wonderful. However, I’m scared about the whole laser-into-my-eye bit. Not to mention cost, botched surgeries, etc, etc.
Anyone have any stories/data/misgivings/advice for me?
Check General Questions from 2 or 3 weeks ago. I’d give you the link, but right now I’m not allowed to search…
Yeah, there’s been several on it. But I’m always willing to talk.
Best thing I ever did. Got it done on Jan 2, 2001 and had better sight leaving the clinic than I’d had for 25 years prior. I went from off-the-chart bad to 20/15 (eyes like a hawk!).
It IS a little surreal when the surgery is going on. But it’s over quick and mine gave me some valium which eased my mind enormously.
Really, the worst thing about it was the endless loop of ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ (many different versions) in the OR. That was torture.
I spent about $2200 for both eyes and it’s some of the best money I’ve ever spent. Go do it today. You won’t regret it.
Disclaimer: some people have had problems with it (botched surgery and the like). Get references and stats for your surgeon of choice.
Okay…the idea that the surgery smells like burning hair skeeves me. You know, a little.
I’m such a wuss.
Anyone have tips on how to find a good doctor for this? I’m oddly not inclined to go after the people who excitedly shill themselves on teh radio…how do you hear about good docs? (local to Pittsburgh or Mid michigan would be nice.)
Can’t tell you about the Michigan area, but look for a doc who works out of a hospital; shop around for the one(s) who have the longest experience doing the procedure. Make sure your procedure includes at least a year of follow-up care for free (some places offer more). Also, ask around your circle of acquaintances; it’s likely you know at least one person who’s undergone it, or who knows someone who does.
The procedure itself is not that bad. My doctor told me I could have a tranquilizer if I wanted to, but I didn’t need it. And I’ll tell you, I didn’t end up 20/20 afterwards (the right eye is still weaker than the left), and I’dstill do it again, no question.
I had LASIK on both eyes about a year ago and it was one of the best things I’ve done for myself. My eyesight was terrible since childhood. It’s been little less than wonderful, miraculous to actually see clearly without glasses or contacts.
FWIW I had no pain worth mentioning. Even right after the surgery the worst feeling was a slight graininess. My eyes have felt a lot worse after reading too long. I didn’t notice the slightest scent of burning or anything else during the procedure. True fact. Nada. Nothing. Zip. In all honesty the nerves beforehand far outweighed any upleasantness during or after the surgery. (They gave me a Valium an hour before the procedure, which probably calmed anxiety but man, I hated that floaty, disconnected feeling. Weird, I know, but the Valium bothered me way more than the actual eye surgery.)
My advice for choosing a doctor? Go for quality and damn the price. Eyesight is too precious to dink around with. I went to a well-established, full service eye practice. I also asked for the qualifications and number of procedures performed by the doctor. He’d not only earned the requisite credentials but had quite a few other, and recent, training programs. They were very happy to provide the info and didn’t seem suprised or offended that I asked. His price was within $75 of the competitors. So…go for quality.
I’d also suggest asking questions about aftercare and follow-up as part of the price. One of the biggest risks is infection because, let’s face it, some people are total dolts. It’s a red flag if the doc doesn’t insist on frequent check-ups in the weeks following the surgery. The healing happens quickly but the package should include careful monitoring in those critical first few weeks, as well as check-ups at three, six and nine months.
Good luck with whatever you decide! I’m thrilled with the results but you have to be comfortable with it.
many straight dope threads on lasik. just search for lasik.
many people happy with their results, some less so:
one possible warning bell is that telling you “you’re a perfect candidate” is part of a standard sales pitch that some doctors are trained to deliver. if you decide to do it, check lots of references and get the most experienced surgeon you can find. (after all, it IS surgery, and it’s not reversible.)
Interesting to note that the FDA website suggests that if you’re not a risk-taker you may not be a good candidate. By most peoples’ standards I am a risk-taker - I was stunt-riding horses at 14, went to Europe without my family at 17, I fly airplanes, including small experimental amateur-built airplanes… but I don’t feel comfortable taking a risk with LASIK.
In part, it’s because I did my research on the surgery and discovered that I have several factors that are warning flags (high myopia, astignatism, past eye infections, and others). Yes, it’s a PITA to buy and wear glasses, and in several recent threads I have lamented that mine do cost a sizable amount of money. On the other hand, my vision does correct to 20/20 and glasses do not inhibit my ability to do the things I want to do. For me, I felt the risks involved were not justifiable. Not when glasses can give me good vision, are reversible, and I can wait another 10 or 20 years for better technology to come along. You can always get surgery later, you know?
Yes, it’s wonderful to contemplate life without glasses or contacts. Don’t let the wonder and the hype get in the way of rational thought. For some people this appears to be a very, very good thing. For others, it is not. Please take all precautions to make sure you do not proceed with surgery unless you are in the first group. Do your reserach. Get second (or even third) opinions. Above all, do not get cheap - take the time, make the effort, and yes, spend the money required to get the best outcome you possibly can.
I’d love to get Lasik.
I’m a cinematographer and a photographer.
Maybe I should get one eye done at a time. 
Note: My doctor said I was a perfect candidate. He doesn’t do these surgeries, and I have been asking him if I could consider LASIK for several years and he has said no (my perscription has been changing…it stopped.)
“Note: My doctor said I was a perfect candidate. He doesn’t do these surgeries, and I have been asking him if I could consider LASIK for several years and he has said no (my perscription has been changing…it stopped.)”
You might want to find out if he now has an interest in a LASIK surgical center or if he gets a comission for referrals. Something of the sort happened to one of the surgical eye disaster people in one of the links above. She was told over and over she wasn’t a good candidate then her eye doctor got into the referral business and suddenly she was a perfect candidate. Had the surgery and bad, bad results.