Lasik Surgery and Nursing

Nurses General Nursing

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I have a very high optical prescription (-9.00 in contacts). I am seriously considering Lasik surgery if I'm an eligible candidate. Although I realize there are many variables such as type of procedure, etc. I'd like to know if you had it done did it affect you in any negative ways such as dry eyes, etc. How much work did you have to miss? I have a few family members that had it done but they do not have jobs that require so much reading of fine print, etc. I know I'll still require "cheaters" for close up vision but I just want to be reassured that the outcomes are mostly positive. Thanks for your input!

i just had an eye exam, first one in 6+ yrs.

i think my eyes are pretty bad.

here is what my prescription says:

right eye: sphere: -450 cyl: -25 axis: 15

left eye: - 35 -225 120

the dr. says my os is beyond saving (???)

maybe r/t astigmatism???

anyways, i too would love lasik.

wonder if it's doable?

leslie

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Specializes in CTICU.

I got mine done 7 years ago. Needed drops for a week, scratchy eyes for the first 2 days, no problems since then. None at all. Best money I ever spent.

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

I had mine done last Friday. Lasik with wavefront mapping. No halos, no blurriness, 20/15 vision.

I didn't miss any work. I was diagnosed with dry eyes during my consultation, so my eyes have been a little drier than usual.

Dry eyes are a possible side effect of the procedure for days to weeks or months.

I'm guilty of reaching for glasses in the morning, pushing imaginary glasses on my nose, etc....amazing how much that has become a habit!

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Specializes in CTICU.
I'm guilty of reaching for glasses in the morning, pushing imaginary glasses on my nose, etc....amazing how much that has become a habit!

I did the same thing - kept poking myself in the eye trying to push my imaginary glasses up.

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

Phantom glasses, we had them amputated, yet we still feel like we're wearing them. :smokin:

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Specializes in PICU/NICU.

I'm so glad you posted this thread!!! I've been thinking of the procedure for a while now too.

To all those who had the procedure, how did you find your provider? Was it through your insurance, or referal, or word of mouth?? My concern is finding someone reputable.

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Specializes in L&D, PP, Nursery.

I'm planning on scheduling my consultation tomorrow. I chose my doctor through word of mouth, I checked his licensing information online (to see if he's had any disciplinary actions), and his many years of experience. Plus I googled his name and found where a few people posted their lasik stories (all positive) done by him. My sister and her husband had Lasik done by TLC who did Tiger Woods but they charged 1200 more dollars. My doc is not cheap by any means but 1200 is alot of money and he certainly is reputable. Plus, his office is closer to me. I'm so excited but scared at the same time! I just hope that my eye exam goes well and I'm a good candidate. I am worried about that. It would be my luck now that I'm finally ready to do this. Oh yeah. I got 18 months interest free financing. If it weren't for that, I could never do it.

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Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.

I wanted to have lasik but my vision was so bad I was not a candidate. I had lens implants....vision 20/20!!:yeah:

I had been wearing glasses since I was 5 or 6 years old. I could not see a persons face an arms length away...color only no features. I did not have to be off work, & I used eye drops for a couple of weeks. I do wear reading glasses for small print or while on the internet.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Specialty.

A very high prescription is a contraindication for Lasik, as is large pupils. Please get a free consultation at least 2-3 places before you decide to go for it so you don't get swept up in a company that doesn't care about how risky a candidate you are.

(One place was ready to do Lasik on me that same afternoon, and another place outright refused me, citing me as too high risk. Needless to say the second company is the one which I recommend my family/friends to)

Please do research this since you are a higher risk candidate. PRK and implants are alternative options, which take longer to heal and are more expensive, but are less risk for people like us.

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Specializes in L&D, PP, Nursery.

Well, I had my consultation today and I'm NOT a candidate for Lasik due to my high RX! I'm majorly depressed today. :cry: I really had my heart set on getting rid of my coke bottles. My other option is lens implantation but it is way too expensive! crb613, I have IM'd your with specific questions since you had this done. Any words of encouragement from anyone?

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Well, I had my consultation today and I'm NOT a candidate for Lasik due to my high RX! I'm majorly depressed today. :cry: I really had my heart set on getting rid of my coke bottles. My other option is lens implantation but it is way too expensive! crb613, I have IM'd your with specific questions since you had this done. Any words of encouragement from anyone?

I'm so sorry to hear that :crying2: *Hugs* My husband was looking into lasik and is most likely not a candidate either because he has a very high RX too. He keeps putting off the consultation because he keeps having the feeling they will tell him the same thing. I myself have never had to wear glasses but my husband's glasses attracted me to him, I think they are sexy :cool: Cheer up :flowersfo I bet your glasses are sexy too! :D

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Specializes in L&D, PP, Nursery.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. Personally, I don't think my glasses are sexy but fortunately, I'm still able to wear contacts without too much difficulty. I have to wear my glasses on night shift, however, because my eyes dry out too much. Of course vanity's involved but they are a pain in the a**, too! When I have to wear a surgical mask they fog up and I can't see to drive in them so I have to change back into my contacts to drive home, then take them back out to go to sleep. I know many people are worse off and can't even wear the contacts but it didn't hurt to "dream a little dream".

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