Had Lasik done!!

[Katnip, RN]

That's great to hear!

I'm considering doing it, too. I want to do monovision so I don't have to wear reading glasses. My doc is having me fitted with 1 contact to see if I can handle it. Apparently it annoys some people. So far, it seems fine to me.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Both of my BIL's on hubby's side had it done. Both still need glasses to read with. BIL #1's daughter and her hub both had it done. She did well, he didn't....has to wear a lens on that side due to overcorrection (?). I'm sticking with my specs for now. I use them for far vision, no glasses needed for reading or 'puter work.

Blue Shield here has a discount program with a local ophth. company for $299/eye for the older kind, not the one sjoe mentioned. They don't cover the procedure, but you do get it for less.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I'm glad you liked it. I've been considering, but I figure at 44 after nearly 40 years of wearing them, I'll be o.k. with glasses for the duration.

Congrats.

[MomNRN, BSN, RN]

My husband is having it done next Tuesday. In our area it costs $1,800 per eye. A local TV station had been doing a story on it, so they were offering a coupon for $300 off per eye, so it will cost $3,000.

He is excited, but getting a little nervous as the day gets nearer. I'll let you know how it goes.

[stella123 rn]

I hope it goes well for him. I did see an ad when I was looking around in the Twin Cities for 600$ an eye. That almost seemed too cheap. I was afraid of the old "you get what you pay for" thing. Mine was 1200 an eye. My friend that had it done a few years ago was 3000 an eye, so it is coming down.

[CJG1]

So nice to hear from someone who had lasik done and it was successful. This Saturday is my lasik appointment. I'm so excited, have worn glasses or contacts for over 20 years. I'm going to Canada to have it done. It is SO much cheaper up there. The cost is $1599 (both eyes) and that includes my pre and post op appointments with a doctor in my town. I was so discouraged with how expensive it is in the US, then did some researching and found that Canada is a great place to get it done and afforable. Anyone, think good thoughts for me. C

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

People who are at greatest risk for negative outcomes (could be anybody, of course, if circumstances are right): RX > -7 (requires more cutting), females under age 25 (acuity does not stablize as quick), anyone with collagen disorder (increased scaring). Idea is to reduce dependency on glasses, so even if you don't get 20/20 after surgery you still may only need thinner (cheaper) lenses. Will still need bifocal correction after age 40, but that is no big deal.

[boopchick]

CJG1:

Good luck with your surgery. Let us know how it went. I'm very interested. I've been hearing of more and more people going to Canada to get it done. Has anyone had the new "custom cornea" surgery yet? I'm looking into that as well.

[MomNRN, BSN, RN]

My husband had it done about a month ago - no problems at all. Hasn't even had to use eye drops for dryness! He paid $3000 with a $600 discount. We are 3 hours southwest of Chicago.

I just got a flyer today from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois informing me that I can get it done for $895 an eye. I could get the custom job done for $1295 an eye. It is a reputable doctor in our area - not the one my husband went to, but one he considered.

I am seriously considering having it done and look forward to it!

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by purplemania

People who are at greatest risk for negative outcomes (could be anybody, of course, if circumstances are right): RX > -7 (requires more cutting), females under age 25 (acuity does not stablize as quick), anyone with collagen disorder (increased scaring). Idea is to reduce dependency on glasses, so even if you don't get 20/20 after surgery you still may only need thinner (cheaper) lenses. Will still need bifocal correction after age 40, but that is no big deal.

The other big no no is people with keratoconus (groan - my own devil) because the corneas are already thinned and drooping the lasik distorts the vision further. There is some evidence that there are more people with a mild degree of keratoconus than orignally thought. It was thought to be a disorder of the young coming on at around puberty - my own demon arose when I was in my late thirties. I did some research and the patients that have had unfavourable outcomes with lasik have had a slight degree of keratoconus pre=surgery.

[CJG1]

Thanks for the well wishes "boopchick" I will definately come back Monday and report on this site how it went. Think good thoughts:) CJG1

[wishingmary]

I just recently went to an optometrist. He told me my vision hadn't changed as far as my glasses are concerned but that I need bifocals or reading glasses. He mentioned Lasik. The though someone operating on my eyes gives me the willies. I am considering it, though. Does anyone know if the scar tissue that occurs after surgery interefere with possible cataract surgery in the future? How many surgeries can an eye tolerate? I don't even know how it heals. Got info?