Slightly OT: Lasik

Nurses General Nursing

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I was wondering if anyone here has had lasik and if so, are you satisfied? I'm contemplating getting it since I can't wear my contacts because of GPC.

Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.
Does this surgery work for people who only need reading glasses? I have to put my glasses on and off 50,000 times a day, and it is most aggravating...

There is a different procedure for that.

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Specializes in NeuroICU/SICU/MICU.

I'm glad everyone has had such great results with it. I just want to add my :twocents:. I've worked in optometry for 3 years as a tech, and saw many patients with glare problems at night, vision getting worse over time, and other problems. Maybe it's my low prescription talking, because I don't know what it's like to *need* contacts to see, but I just can't see cutting into a healthy eye that just needs corrective lenses. Just make sure you understand the limitations of the procedure, all the potential side effects, and what to expect in years to come :loveya:

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I had mine done 1n 1999....NO REGRETS! To this day my vision is 20/20. What great about it too was I got mine for free...he-he-he-he...I used to work for an opthalmology practice and I think everyone in the office ( who wanted it) had their Lasik done. And at that time Lasik was very pricey...$2500 per eye!....My eyes were very bad prior to the surgery and I got very tired of wearing glasses or contacts! The only draw back that I've noticed is my eyes dry easy but no biggy! Good luck to you and make sure that whoever is going to do your Lasik is very good!

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Specializes in nursing home,psych,chemical dependency.

What is the procedure for people who only need readers?

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whats the average cost for lasik? do they have installment plans?

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Specializes in Cardiology.

I've seen it advertised for $1000 per eye. High definition lasik runs closer to $2500 an eye. Try and negotiate, it never hurts to ask ;-)

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I had it in 2002 and have never looked back. They predicted I would still need glasses for reading, but that was an age related thing that they couldn't do anything about! I just wanted to be able to see socially, so I took the plunge. Dunno what my vision was before or what it is now, but I do know I don't need glasses for driving or socially and only need them at the end of the day for reading, when I am tired. Never had any problems, not even dry eyes.

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Specializes in Psych..

I agree with other posters; definitely do your research and get more than one opinion. I stated before that I just had my surgery in February. Two years before that was when I first started my quest to lose my glasses. I went to two offices -- the first consult would charge me $3000 and wanted to do it that week. The other office would charge me $4000, but they recommended that I wait at least a year and come back for another consult, as my prescription was still changing a lot and I needed to wait until my eyes weren't changing so much. Well, I went with that second office. They had an opportunity to take my money but instead looked out for my best interests. I knew going in that although my prescription was more stabilized, my eyes were still going to change a bit and would need a touchup. Better to under-correct than over-correct and screw up, in my opinion. The two offices I consulted with offered loans through an independent company, but I paid my fees up front so I have no info on that.

I have heard that driving at night is a common problem after Lasik, especially for the first few months. I never had that problem. As with any elective surgery, there are risks you take. I was very scared the day I got my surgery! My husband had PRK, and my mother had RK, and they both had great experiences as well, although their recovery was rougher than mine.

My mom has to use reading glasses for close reading. My doctor told me that often happens. When you're young, near-sightedness is usually the problem. As you get older, you get far-sightedness. So instead of needing bifocals later, I guess I will just need reading glasses. I have no idea what the procedure is for surgically correcting far-sightedness, though.

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Best $3000 I ever spent! Had it done in Montreal in 2002, my script was like -11 in both eyes. They at that time had a corneal mapping procedure that wasn't available in the USA yet... my eyes afterwards were 20/20 or better. Now 5 years later they are pretty close to that still. Said I'd eventually probably need reading glasses, but that is an ages related issue.

Missy

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

Have to agree..best$3200 I ever paid! I had my done at cleveland clinic and I still have 20/15 vision 18 months later!

I can live with using reading glasses at some point....just being able to see without glasses is great!

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Specializes in Telemetry, Oncology, Progressive Care.

I had Lasik done in February 2007. I see there are several of us who had the sx this past February. I agree it is the best thing I ever did. I don't quite remember what my vision was but it wasn't terrible. Just bad enough that I needed to wear glasses. My eyes were dry after the procedure but I haven't used drops for the last 2-3 months. I don't have any residual dryness. I now have 20/15 vision with both eyes and 20/20 vision in my left and 20/20 in my right. Also after I had the sx I made sure I was off work for several days afterwards cause I was doing drops frequently and I know I get so busy at work that I didn't want to forget my drops. So, I recommend taking a couple days off afterwards if you can.

I'm kinda curious on others what their follow up was like. I went to the doc 1 day post op, then 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. My hairdresser also had this done in February and she only had 1 followup appointment and they said she didn't have to come back. I was told the followup was really important and they could catch problems with those appointments.

Also, someone said insurance does not cover this and that is not necessarily true. Check with your insurance. My insurance covered it 100%. I don't have the insurance that my hospital offers but I am covered under my husband's insurance which is awesome insurance. I have also been told that my hospital's insurance covers a percentage of the procedure.

Kelly

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Had it about 4 yrs ago - did both eyes at the same time and LOVED it.Awesome vision in both eyes right away( I have one eye that isn't as good but still is amazing)

I had about a minus 6 in each eye and now am 20/20 or better. If it was mild vision correction the benefit vs risk wouldn't be worth it. Even -6.25 was enough that it was MOST definitely worth it.

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