Has anyone had lasik surgery?

[The Scott]

Thinking about it....

I have several co-workers and friends that have done this procedure and they are very pleased with the results!  From what they tell me, it is a medical wonder.  I am happy for them!

[TheGrinch]

way too much night glare from everyone I know who got it done... no thanks

[The Scott]

way too much night glare from everyone I know who got it done... no thanks

None of the folks I know that have had the surgery mentioned that.  Perhaps they were just fortunate or their doctor was especially skilled?

[Dr.J]

Hey,somebody`s gotta` bust your balls sweetie!!   

Fuck you old man, love ya!!

The doc!

[Dr.J]

How much depends on what country you are in or in general where you go for it. In the U.S. it can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 per eye. It is generally considered elective or cosmetic surgery and not paid for by health insurance. However, some health insurance providers are starting to pick up at least a portion of the cost. Other plans have agreements with lasik surgery providers that lower the cost.

Ty!

[Dr.J]

If for distance vision (almost all are), put on your distance glasses first thing and keep them on until bedtime.

Make a note of every time you need to take them off to see something up close.  If you can tolerate this, then you can tolerate having 20/15 or 20/20 vision.  You’ll likely need readers for up-close work like cutting fruits and vegetables, sewing, removing splinters reading fine print, brain surgery, etc.

One thing that the doc sort of glossed over is that they make your dominant eye 20/15 and your other one 20/20.  This is to preserve some of your near vision.  If I did it again I’d have both eyes 20/15.     

I recall right after the procedure, looking through the eye colanders (you’ll see what I mean) and seeing objects in the distance with a clarity I’d never experienced – and it’s like an on-going magic trick.

When I had it done there was no insurance coverage for the procedure, but insurance did pay for the various post-care meds.  If insurance starts paying for it, the price will go up.  When I had the initial consultation I was quoted $3,600.  I told them (sincerely) that I was going to get it done in a few months.  The next week they called with a price of $3,200.  Sold!

Good to know, thank you!!

[Dr.J]

if your eyes havent been stable for a number of years you will just end up wearing glasses again

Your eyes deteriorate over time

It's been about 2 + years bro..

[Dr.J]

Yes.

I got it on December of 2004. My vision was 20/200 then, and is now 20/12 to 20/13. It has not dropped 1% in nearly 18 years.

Genetics for LASIK response are similar to genetics for steroid response: I had a friend who went in with 20/45 vision and came out with 20/20 in one eye, and 20/25 in the other. Meanwhile, my response was considerably better, and some others go in nearly blind, and come out with better than 20/20 vision.

The procedure cost me $1,800 CAD + travel costs to Toronto. That's like $1,350 USD. If I had to guess, the procedure either costs less now, or the technology has improved, or both.

Oh - and if I recall correctly, the total procedure time was 7 minutes for both eyes. You can smell your eyes burning from the laser. Apparently, it's not burning - but disrupting molecular bond frequencies in your cornea or something. But you can smell whatever it is.

Well, good news to me, I respond beautifully to steroids!!!

[The Scott]

It's been about 2 + years bro..

Most of my friends said their eyes had been stable for 4 or more years and they were all in their late 40s to early 60s.   

[Dr.J]

Laser only, no sedation. The entire process was 7 minutes...if not 6.

I don't see any harm in using Xanax during the procedure, unless the Opthalmologist says otherwise. But I don't think you'll need anything.

My vision hasn't degraded even 1% in nearly 18 years.

Ty Matt!!

[Dr.J]

Most of my friends said their eyes had been stable for 4 or more years and they were all in their late 40s to early 60s.

Mid 40's Scott...ty sir!

[Moontrane]

Laser only, no sedation. The entire process was 7 minutes...if not 6.

I don't see any harm in using Xanax during the procedure, unless the Opthalmologist says otherwise. But I don't think you'll need anything.

My vision hasn't degraded even 1% in nearly 18 years.

Might be a California practice.  Doc's (adult) daughter gave me a stuffed animal to occupy my hands during the procedure.  Even with fluffy and the Xanax, at one point I started to reach up - my left eye was giving me some discomfort - and the folks had to calm me down.  Clear-headed I might have simply endured it.

[Moontrane]

way too much night glare from everyone I know who got it done... no thanks

I experienced the halos for about 4-5 months.  It was worth it to me. 

[Moontrane]

OK, more details:

Your eyelids function as windshield wipers for your eyes.  It removes debris and spreads lubrication.   The inner surface of the eyelid matches perfectly with the surface of your eye. 

Lasik will reshape your corneas, so there’ll be some mismatch between your corneas and your eyelids.  This accounts for the dry and itchy eyes some experience post-procedure.  Thing is, your eyelids will reshape to match your corneas – isn’t that fucking amazing? 

I think it reshapes faster the younger you are.  I had mine at 50 and used artificial tears for just over 6 months. 

One more thing (at least for now): If you have the procedure you’ll have to follow an eye drop regimen for about 5 days (steroids and antibiotic).  DO NOT tilt your head back to apply the drops; instead lie down and apply.  I strained my neck so badly from tilting my head back – it felt like a headache on the outside of my head. 

[Dr.J]

OK, more details:

Your eyelids function as windshield wipers for your eyes.  It removes debris and spreads lubrication.   The inner surface of the eyelid matches perfectly with the surface of your eye. 

Lasik will reshape your corneas, so there’ll be some mismatch between your corneas and your eyelids.  This accounts for the dry and itchy eyes some experience post-procedure.  Thing is, your eyelids will reshape to match your corneas – isn’t that fucking amazing? 

I think it reshapes faster the younger you are.  I had mine at 50 and used artificial tears for just over 6 months. 

One more thing (at least for now): If you have the procedure you’ll have to follow an eye drop regimen for about 5 days (steroids and antibiotic).  DO NOT tilt your head back to apply the drops; instead lie down and apply.  I strained my neck so badly from tilting my head back – it felt like a headache on the outside of my head. 

Good to know, thank you sir!

[The Scott]

Mid 40's Scott...ty sir!

You are most welcome, brother.  I have known people with double digit up to -14 who have been returned to 20/20 and require only reading glasses.  I wish you all the best regardless of whether or not you elect to have this procedure done! 

Vision is something so many of us lack, even those who can see.    Again, all the best!

[20inch calves]

I had it done. Best thing I ever did. I had 20/15 vision..now I have 20/20

[wes]

Fuck you old man, love ya!!

The doc!

My man the doc !!   LOL 

[tommywishbone]

No. My vision is fine.

Next question?

[LittleJ]

I did in South Korea. Cost was around 1k per eye.

[joswift]

I did in South Korea. Cost was around 1k per eye.

so now you have wonky eyes?

[kh300]

I've been holding off due to the need for reading glasses. What's more of a pain putting in contacts once a day or carrying around glasses and having to use them?

[GymnJuice]

so now you have wonky eyes?

I think they do the opposite there. They have plastic surgery to make the eyes more round.

https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/transitions/eyes-wide-cut-the-american-origins-of-koreas-plastic-surgery-craze

The most popular surgery is Asian blepharoplasty, the process of changing the Asian eyelid, commonly referred to as the “monolid,” into a double eyelid. The second is rhinoplasty, or a nose job. The prevalence of these two procedures, especially the “double-eyelid” operation, has led to a delicate question: Are South Koreans are seeking to westernize their appearance? Cosmetic surgeons and scholars tread lightly around the issue. Some argue that Western culture — a broad and imperfect term — cannot claim “big eyes” as unique to its definition of beauty. Others note that only 50 percent of the Asian population is born with monolids. Some practitioners, including Dr. Hyuenong Park of OZ Cosmetic Clinic and Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Kenneth Steinsapir, deny altogether that double-eyelid surgery is intended to make its recipient appear more Western.

[Hypertrophy]

A business associate's wife just had the lens replaced in her eye and had cataracts removed. He said it took approximately 15 minutes at the doctors. Holy shit that is a wonder.

[OlympiaGym]

Had it done in 2000. Vision has deteriorated somewhat in that period but very little. I now need reading glasses but distance vision still close to 20/20. I was legally blind (without corrective lenses) before. It’s amazing technology.