Lasik Eye Surgery: Whats Everyones Opinion?

avahnel, ASN, RN · Dec 12, 2008

I have eyesight comparable to you, and have wanted Lasix for years!!! I also have said that when I become a RN, and my income goes up I will give myself the gift of Lasix!!! However, until then, I wear the Night and Day contacts that are breathable, and can be left in 24/7 (clean for one overnight a week). They are great!!! I love them, and most of the time I do not even think that I need eye correction. I have an astigmatism, but it is not very bad, and I choose to not to correct it so I can wear these contacts. I love them. I started wearing them when I had my first baby, and had to be able to see every time I got up in the middle of the night . I haven't completly decided yet either, just wanted to give you an idea untill you do!!!

Soon2BNurse · Dec 12, 2008

Go for it! I would if I could. I can't afford it and there is a slim chance I can have it done due to my astigmatism and eyesight (-9 in both eyes). I'm fine wearing my contacts and glasses, but maybe one day I'll be able to get the current version of Lasik done :)

Cindy_A · Dec 12, 2008

I believe I've read that Lasik does not totally eliminate the need for glasses. So, you would still have to waer glasses, although a lower prescription. You might be able to go without glasses at times, just not seeing as well as you would with glasses. Unless it would totally eliminate the need for glasses, Idon't think I'd want it done, IMHO.

Mommycakers · Dec 12, 2008

I had Lasik eye surgery last summer. I don't know if I would do it if I could do it all over again. I never had a problem with dry eyes before and now I do. I have to put in preservative free eye drops (they get pricey) daily. I wore the 2 week daytime wear disposable contacts and I would take them out to clean overnight. I would only really wear my glasses just before bedtime. I don't really see as great as I did driving my car at nighttime. The other drivers headlights ghost out which is distracting. I wouldn't drive any long distance in the rain at night. I also took longer to recover after the surgery. I was extremely sensitive to light after the surgery which they said would improve after a day or two. It took more like two weeks for me. They said I may find that I need reading glasses in the future. I don't have any problems reading for long periods of time. Just the dry eyes. It is convenient not having to deal with contacts but I am still not sure if it was worth it.

NurseJeanB · Dec 12, 2008

I had Lasik 10 years ago and only had to wear glasses starting a year ago. I scuba dive and it was so worth it. I got so used to not having to wear glasses that I was really bummed last year. So I went over the summer and had PRK this time and now am not wearing glasses. One other note is that I am legally blind in one eye. So I only have one good eye, so I really took a chance both times. I just made sure to get the most reputable provider in the area. My doctor is Harvard trained and has a number of professional athletes who are his clients.

If it had not worked I ran the risk of losing my future career, but there was just one too many times of getting flustered during clinicals and having my glasses steam up that I decided to have the second surgery.

Obviously no one can make such a big decision for you, but I just wanted to give you my experience.

Best regards,

Jean

Soon2BNurse · Dec 12, 2008

I can deal with the fact that I will never be able to have 20/20 vision. However, contacts for my strength are much more costly than someone with one that is half as bad. I would just like the prices for contacts and glasses to go down and the ability to see farther than a foot in front of me without assistance

AirforceRN, RN · Dec 12, 2008

I also have said that when I become a RN, and my income goes up I will give myself the gift of Lasix!!!

I hope I'm laughing with you on this one.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Dec 12, 2008

I could see the big E on the chart and that was it! I also had an astigmatism I could not wear contacts because they gave me migraines and had been wearing glasses since I was five years old and always hated them. I saved up for two years and got it done the summer before I started nursing school. It was the best money I have ever spent! I have no regrets. :yeah: And no, I do not have to still wear glasses. I will get presbyopia like everyone else; but they have surgery for that now too. Even if I have to get reading glasses in my 40's it will be worth the 20 yrs that I do not have to wear glasses all the time.

cokeforbreakfast · Dec 12, 2008

From a scientific perspective, the incision will always be a weak area of your cornea (lack of vasculature).

The jury is still out your future ability to donate your corneas to someone else should you die.

You may still have to wear glasses or, if you are lucky, contacts. This may happen now, or in months/years.

You may suffer, as another person noted, dry eyes.

You WILL need reading glasses someday, no matter how your LASIK turns out.

Just some thoughts to consider!

Panthyr · Dec 12, 2008

I had Lasik a year ago and I had no complications, and haven't worn glasses since. Believe it or not, my night vision actually increased, as I was very night blind before and now I can see fine.

However, my astigmatism was very slight in both eyes, something like 85/20.

At the time I had the procedure done, I found a very reputable surgeon who explained a lot of facts to me that you might want to keep in mind... if you're comfortable with the idea after taking these things into consideration, I'd say go for it. It was the best money I ever spent!

He said that the more eyesight you have that needs to be corrected, the more likely you are to have side effects (such as blurring at high/low altitude, dry eyes, halos around lights at night, etc). If you have a lot of correction needed, the chance that you will not need glasses at all is much slimmer. If you're using it for age-related degeneration, it will not stop the degeneration, it'll merely delay the process or bring it back to an earlier level, but it will still continue to happen. And you may not be able to wear contacts after the procedure, or there may be a long period in which you can't, while your eyes heal. These are all things you might want to discuss with your potential doctor. :-)

Ladypie · Dec 12, 2008

I had it done 9 years ago. My vision was a little worse than yours. I had dryness and haloing at night (halos around streetlights and headlights) for a year. I used lubricating eye drops and just dealt with it. I always had dry eyes and issues with contacts, anyway. It was not intolerable.

At the one year point, the dryness and haloing went away. Have had 20/20 or better vision since day 1.

I get a check up every year and the doctor still tells me how cool it is that he can only see a tiny scar on one eyeball.

If I ever need it again, it will be free, and I will do it.

Lasik does not affect the need for reading glasses. You would need those regardless at some point.

Good luck with your decision. It was a little creepy to have someone laser on your eyeball while you are awake. Procedures have improved and changed since I did it. Pick an experienced doctor, not just the best deal.