Nurses who've had LASIK

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Oct 11, 2015

I am about 3 months post-op. Initially the doc was leaning toward full correction but after we discussed the options and he knew that a priority for me would be to not need glasses at work we decided on the monovision procedure. Previous to surgery my vision was 20/200 and I am now 20/20 with absolutely no need for glasses. Especially impressive as I turned 50 this year so the need for reading glasses was a real possibility. The most significant change I noticed is my focal point for reading has changed. I am perfect at arms length with reasonably small print where I used to have to hold small print very close to my face with my glasses off to read it. I also need a little better light source for reading than I used to, so thank goodness my e-reader has a back light! That took a little time to get used to.

My only regret is not doing this years ago.

Tenebrae, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2015

I misread the title and though it said "I'm having lasix"

And then scratched my head and wondered why you'd be posting about needing to take diuretics? :roflmao:

Opps, that will teach me to try and read when I'm tired:geek:

sjalv · Oct 11, 2015

I misread the title and though it said "I'm having lasix"
And then scratched my head and wondered why you'd be posting about needing to take diuretics?
Opps, that will teach me to try and read when I'm tired:geek:

We have been talking about LASIK at work recently and I always say 'Lasix' and have to correct myself.

RNperdiem, RN · Oct 11, 2015

I muddle the terms "Lasik" and "Lasix" ever since my Lasik too.

For me it has been totally worth it. No more reaching for glasses in the morning, no more dry irritated eyes at the end of a long day in contact lenses. I see perfectly. My eyesight was so bad that I felt blind without my glasses or contacts.

I can work a long shift without that tired feeling my eyes got in contacts, and I can work all night without needing glasses. Travel is easier too without having to worry about contact lens cleaning or remembering to pack backup glasses.

One day, I am resigned to buying a pair of drugstore readers, but I am in my mid-forties and am not there yet.

The only disadvantage is a bit of dryness when I wake up in the morning. I always have eye drops available.

hawaiicarl, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2015

I had Lasik in the 90s, loved it. I am an old man now, so I am wearing trifocals. The trifocals are counterintuitive though, when I look down to read a label that hits the near sighted part of the lens, I would have to look up to read a vial, but I just take my glasses off to read it. Pretty frustrating, but nothing really to do with the Lasik surgery, although the eye surgeon told me I would need to get reading glasses about 10 years sooner than without the surgery due to the scarring making the cornea less flexible.

Cheers

~PedsRN~, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2015

I had regular old lasik done about a year ago, and it changed my life. I am in my thirties so hopefully I have another decade (fingers crossed) before I will need reading glasses. Either way, I think you'll be pleased with the result. Not having to worry about lenses has truly changed my life for the better. I wish I had had it done so much sooner than I did.

B52, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 12, 2015

I had monovision Lasix in 2011 and I love it. No need for reading glasses.

newrpn · Oct 12, 2015

I had mono vision for and had to have a correction done 45 days later as I could not adjust to it. I had really bad headaches and couldn't see clearly. Apparently this happens to a small percentage of people.

sissiesmama, ASN, RN · Oct 15, 2015

I went ahead and set up my eval next Monday to see if I qualify. Fingers crossed that I do qualify. ðŸ˜Ž

Anne, RNC

lilnursey'15 · Jan 29, 2016

Wondering how your surgery went? I am interested in LASIK but I'm worried with all the time I'll spend charting staring at the computer screen will be a problem. I will be starting in the OR next month and have grown tired of my glasses and contacts. Any other nurses have any advice about LASIK?

sjalv · Jan 29, 2016

Coincidentally, I posted in this thread in October and just saw it in my subscribed threads list. I went for a LASIK screening today and I am a candidate. I will be getting LASIK February 19th and couldn't be more excited. I'm 21 and have worn corrective lenses since I was about 7. I currently wear daily disposable contact lenses which cost about ~$400 per year, not to mention having to update the prescription each year which is a negligible price considering I have vision insurance, but I digress. I will be paying $4000 for the procedure which includes the screening, the pre-op appointment, the actual procedure, and my post-op followup. Given that the procedure is often permanent (save the typical presbyopia that many elderly people regardless of their visual acuity develop), I think it is more than worth it.

I will post back here once I have had the procedure. One thing is for sure, though: I will be taking the PO Ativan they offer pre-procedure!

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Jan 29, 2016

Wondering how your surgery went? I am interested in LASIK but I'm worried with all the time I'll spend charting staring at the computer screen will be a problem. I will be starting in the OR next month and have grown tired of my glasses and contacts. Any other nurses have any advice about LASIK?

Surgery was a breeze. I opted for the all laser procedure so no scalpel coming toward my face which made it way easier as far as I was concerned. I had my 6 month check up last month and everything is still great. Only regret is not doing this way earlier.

Not sure what you are looking at for cost, but I do know the laser surgery is more expensive than classic LASIK.

I had the monovision so I am able to get by just fine without reading glasses. No issues at all with computer charting at work. Your surgeon will help decide during the pre-surgical exams what will work best for you. Just make sure and let him [or her] know that you work with computers and would prefer that you not need to wear glasses for this as needing them at work would have been a deal breaker for me. If I would've needed to wear glasses every time I used the computer but had to take them off every time I wasn't looking at the computer I wouldn't have had the surgery.