Who has had Lazer Eye Surgery???

[dodgedogjb]

Heres the deal. I really hate wearing my contacts when I ride because they dry out and irratate the hell out of me. I tried getting goggles that have very little airflow but they fog up and I can't see again. My glasses are great for normal riding but if its dusty or muddy then I don't have decent eye protection.

So...like any person who can't see worth a damn I have been considering the surgery. Anybody out there had it done? I'm more concerned with the quality of vison rather than being able to see 20/20. Is your quality of vision as good as it was with glasses or is it a little less clear. All in all what do you like and dislike about having it done? Any body in the Oregon Washington area that has had a good experience with a particular doctor that would be helpful as well.

Joel

 

[DK]

I had it done about two years ago, for me it took a couple surgeries to get it right and even now I'd have to say it's not as good as glasses as far as absolute quality, even though I have 20/20. Of course I'm a 40+ something (high end) and your eyes go thru a change then so I'm not sure exactly if it's the laser or the age that did it. BUT if you have ever gone down a steep, sloppy, narly, muddy hill at speed with your goggles, fogged up AND the glasses below fogged as well you'll think it's worth it to be able to see. I thought contacts were the perfect solution until I got a muddy branch across the face with my eyes open. Talk about pain, almost couldn't get them out and then it took a whole camelbak to rinse out my eyes. Living in Portland, OR I went to Dr. Teplick, good program, very professional, lots of expereince. I would discourage going to Canada unless you live close, because you could have to go back three times like me, no savings in that senario. I'd do it again.

 

[TwinSpar]

I had it done last summer to correct my nearsightedness. I have experienced no problems at all and I am absolutely pleased. The best advice that I can give is do some research on doctors in your area, get feedback from patients (if possible), and don't go for the cheapest solution. Many of the low cost solutions are coming from franchises or doctors offices that are absolute LASIK factories.

Follow the doctor's instructions for a better recovery. In a nutshell... plenty of sleep after the procedure. I slept for a good 9 hours and did not experience any of the complaints that many have. No halos and no irritation.

The aging of the eyes, that DK is talking about, happens to everyone. The need for reading glasses will eventually hit everyone. LASIK can speed that process up for less severe corrections. Mine falls into the less severe category. I still haven't had the need for reading glasses.

The procedure is quick and painless... and worth every penny (even though mine was free)!

 

[hoosierf]

I live in the Seattle area and had mine done three years ago at the Lexington Eye Center in Surrey, BC Canada. I paid $995 for the pair, not per eye, but for the whole enchilada. The procedure has been approved much longer in Canada and I would do it again. I had a great doc and three years later, my vision is 20/20. Prior to having Lasic, I was nearsighted and had an astigmatism that was constantly changing. Some docs in the USA require you to have stable vision for some time before the procedure, but my doc in Canada said my astigmatism would probably change constantly for the rest of my life and to go ahead and have it done. My eyes have been perfect ever since. I'd do it again in a minute. One word of advice, take the valium they offer you before the procedure. I thought I was too tough for that, but I'd take if I did it over again. It does feel like you have a good dose of sand in your eyes for about 8 hours and you can't rub them.

 

[dirt bike dave]

I am 99% satisfied with mine. My vision went from 20/600 to 20/20. With glasses my eye doc had been able to correct me to 20/15, so it is not quite as sharp as that, but its great for riding.

I was never satisfied with contacts for riding as they always popped out, and fogging was a big problem with glasses under goggles.

For me, the negatives about the surgery (besides the cost and possible risks) were it is harder to read fine print and to read in low light, my night vision is not quite as good, and when I am tired my vision is noticeably less sharp.

 

[Milquetoast]

I had it done over a year ago, I'm 30 and my contact lens prescription was -2.75 (near sighted). I count this procedure as the best thing I've ever done, yes ever! I paid about $1000 per eye, and it was done in a few minutes. I missed no time at work because I had it done on a friday afternoon. My eyes a week later were measured at 20/15 , which (obviously) is better than 20/20. ( i checked it at walmart too, and it has been better than 20/15 but not quite 20/10 ever since)
There is one small drawback, night vision has some small "halo" effect around bright lights. I don't even notice it though, as my contacts and glasses both would create similar effects. I highly recommend it, I think I smiled for a month straight after the procedure! :) :) :)

 

[dodgedogjb]

Thanks guys....good info. My mom had it done in Canada but she says her doctor won't do US residents anymore because some of them sued him and Canadian doctors don't carry much if any malpractice insurance so that was the end of his business.

With my contacts I see crappy 80% of the time because I wear torric lenses (astigmatism) and the are hardly ever in perfect focus. My glasses give me excellent vision but they limit what you can do.....I think I'll splurge here pretty quick. Just have to go in with my fingers crossed.

Joel

 

[Unit74]

I had it about 2 years agao and went from 20/200 with astigmatizm to 20/15. Night vision still gets me though as tail lights have starburst affect, although it is minimal. For my line of work (cop) it was reasuring that if I got in a scuffle with a perp, I would not loose my contacts or glasses. I also have a little dryness occasionally as well, but not uncomfortable.

Just go to an actual opthomologist(sp) and not one of these dime a dozen eye centers. Remember, they are your eyes and if they are screwed up by one of these rookies, you don't get a second pair to try.

 

[KXTodd]

I'm too chicken and things like this don't help http://aguyandhismonkey.com/

 

[marcv125]

Man i dont know too much about this stuff but just get a Certified doctor in this area of surgury. If it was me i wouldn't have it done, just to risky to me. Would you rather wear glasses/contacts or not see at all.

And i am not bashing the procedure either i am just stating my opinin that it all. I have heard to many bad stories about things like this for me to trust them. If you do GET A GOOD SURGEON

 

[TwinSpar]

Originally posted by marcv125
GET A GOOD SURGEON

That is the key! I've talked to people who went to volume "experts" and have been far from satified. If you have concerns... get a reputable doctor (not the ones that advertise themselves as reputable) and discuss all the issues. Most of the ones that aren't in it for their sole source of "income" will probably be a better bet. Get a doctor that practices on the whole practice of eye care... not an exclusive LASIK doc.

 

[Milquetoast]

I went to one of the "dime a dozen" eye places, and am more than pleased with the results. Who do you think is better at running that machine, a "regular" eye doctor that does a few procedures a week or the eye doctor at the assembly line place that does 40 people a day?

 

[KaTooMer]

My best source of information was from friends who had it done. Four people I knew had all gone to the same doctor and all had great experiences. So did I. My doctor wasn't the cheapest in town, but he was the most experienced and had the most current equipment.

With any surgery that becomes fairly routine, you're going to hear the stories of the tiny fraction of people who had problems, whether it's LASIK or a tonsillectomy. Don't even bother discussing it with an optometrist - they'll scare the hell out of you with stories of inept doctors, people going blind, death by LASIK, anything to keep you coming back for more glasses. Do the research, ask around, and be wary of doctors who downplay the risks. My guy made darned sure I knew the risks, both the general risks and those specific to the specs and characteristics of my own eyes. Read more of my comments at http://www.geocities.com/aa21830/LASIK.html. It's been about 4 months and I still have the glow around lights at night and dryness now and then (has never been noticeable while riding), but I'm 20/20 and loving life without contact lenses.

 

[dirt bike dave]

Regarding costs, I have been told every time the doc uses the lasix machine, a license fee must be paid. The latest & best machines have the highest fees, while the 'bargain' shops are using older equipment.

I paid high dollar for one of the most experienced shops that had the latest, most precise equipment. FWIW, I know others who paid much less and are just as happy with the results.

Like KaTooMer, I surveyed my friends, co-workers and family, and got lots of useful information about docs in the area.

 

[Milquetoast]

OK, that's a valid possibility. I guess it's possible that the 'assembly line' type places may not have the latest equipment, although that's not my experience. Every placed I checked had an older machine that was cheaper per eye, and then the upsell to the newer, better equipment. Just ask what machine they use, they all told me and they all used the same one.

 

[TwinSpar]

Originally posted by Milquetoast
Who do you think is better at running that machine, a "regular" eye doctor that does a few procedures a week or the eye doctor at the assembly line place that does 40 people a day?

I was not trying to knock the volume places. My point was that I would trust a surgeon that deals with the whole eye more than I would trust one that specializes in slicing the cornea and pressing a button for the laser. Any monkey can do that! It's the attention to detail that a real sergeon brings to the table that can make the difference in problem cases. Would you want a slice and laze specialist dealing with complications that can't be properly dealt with in a mall laser suite???

 

[gasgasman]

There's another option, I don't remember what it's called.
They insert a crecent shaped device under the cornea, which changes the shape to adjust your vision. They can remove them if you have complications, and you eyes will revert back to what they were.

 

[Milquetoast]

GasGas, that is a really interesting procedure, totally reversible! I just couldn't wait myself though, from my research the risks were so minimal that I went for it. To be honest, I was REALLY afraid when I was in the chair. 30 seconds earlier the Doctor and I had a final consultation and he explained for the nth time how complications can happen, and that made me really scared (mostly when doing the peel off of the top layer of eye). But I felt much better knowing that the procedure was mostly being done by a computer, and not by a human being (unlike the plastic horseshoe thing that must be inserted by a person).

 

[mhopton]

Does anyone in the Atlanta area have any positive experiences with certain doctors for this procedure. Ironically enough, I've heard more horror stories about Emory University than I have about the "dime-a-dozen" shops.

I'd like to get the procedure done and have saved the money up, but I just can't seem to get the nerve up. I don't have to much problem with my eyes drying out from contacts, but I do carry a bottle of drops with me when I ride. I want it more for the overall convenience when doing other sports like mountain biking, running, swimming, etc. While riding the moto, I use a pair of the Scotts goggles that seem to let just enough air in to keep them clear, but don't dry my eyes out.

Hmmm, maybe I'll take the 5grand I've saved up for the eye surgery, keep wearing contacts (I have been for 18 years now) and buy a bigger, better, newer, faster moto... yeah... that's the ticket!

Mike