Laser eye surgery. Have you had it? How much did it cost? Does it work?

Question

Hey. 5 years ago, i noticed i was having trouble reading the board in the classroom. Over the last few years, my eyes have got worse and worse, and while my glasses are fantastic, they were supposed to be temp and i now need to wear them all the time. Having them on and off is causing headaches, especially since i work at a comp desk, and i need to lean in really close to be able to even see the comp screen! For those that have had laser surgery (i have mild short sight, meaning reading is NO problem but street signs are near impossible) how much did it cost, is there only one session, how is your eye sight now...? ANY info, this will be a huge thing for me as i'll need to save for it and it better be worth it! :o)

Answer 1

I had my right eye laser corrected in June of 2006 and I am very happy with the results. I initially saw 20/30 in that eye, right after the surgery, but have now improved to 20/20 in that eye.Prior to having the surgery I used "mono vision" contacts, meaning I only used a contact in my right eye to see distantly.( I also had no problem seeing close) If I would have done both eyes, I would have then needed glasses to see close. In the eye that I had corrected I can now see 20/20 but I cannot read small print with it.The reason is that the surgery does not compensate for the aging eye phenomenon, so it does not restore your eyes diminishing ability to compensate. If you are young, you may not have this situation (I am 52). Right now I am very happy with my vision, I gave up my good close vision in the right eye but I gained the ability to see distantly without glasses or contacts.It was a natural choice for me since I had already been using mono vision for 2 years before I did it. I did also have dryness in that right eye for about six months but that is also now very much improved. I paid $700 for the one eye, I remember them saying the cost had to do with the degree of correction. Good Luck!

Answer 2

If your condition is getting progressively worse, you might need to wait until your eyesight has stablized - talk with your opthamologist.

If you do get the surgery, for the love of God, go to a real doctor or university medicial center. Don't go to some mall or street-corner "laser center." This is delicate eye surgery, not a bikini wax, so go with the best and most advanced professionals, not whoever is going to offer you financing or a "great deal." I did a LOT of research before my surgery, and I selected the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA, by Dr. Boxer-Wachler - a highly accredited institution and a leader in his field, where other doctors come to learn about the surgery. He now has a private clinic in Beverly Hills. I felt this was a place, and a doctor, I could trust.

In 1999, the surgery was $5000, with a 20% student discount. I went from being nearsighted, wearing classes every waking moment, to being 20/20 immediately after the surgery. Granted, I couldn't stand bright light, watch TV, or even read for almost a week, but once my eyes recovered my vision was perfect. Since then, I suffer from dry eyes and my eyes have slid back to 20/30, but it's still miraculously better than where I was.

You go in for one consultation, and then return for the surgery. They do one eye at a time, and while your eye area is numb, you are fully awake and coherent throughout the surgery. You will see lots of freaky colors and patterns while they slice and laser your eye, then they take you to another room to measure their handiwork before starting work on the other eye. The actual surgery takes about 20 minutes per eye, and you'll spend an entire morning or afternoon on the process.

Do NOT believe the claims that you can drive yourself home or go back to work the next day. Be prepared to have someone take care of you, and take at least a few days or a week off of work.

Continue doing research, and make sure you're comfortable with your decision and your doctor before committing. It's a big step, but it can be hugely rewarding.

Answer 3

I just had mine done in December of 2006. I started having vision problems when I was 15, then every year it was worse and worse......FINALLY when I reached 23 it stabilized and I was able to do the surgery. Doctors recommend that you wait until your vision stabilizes, which is around 22. In the mean time I was using contacts.....I used to get head aches with glasses.

I have very dry eyes, so the doctor recommend PRK for me, it's almost the same procedure as Lasik, except that here they don't cut the flap and it takes longer to heal.
i was nearly blind lol my prescription was -750 on each eye.....now I see 20/20......I love it. My surgery cost 3800 dollars. I know it's pricier than other places, but I was going for the most advanced technology...cause trust me.....when it comes to your eyes.....I don't mind paying the money. Other places offer the surgery from like 499 an eye....but look into it...better technology offers better results....like reduced halos, light sensitivity, just better vision results.

Good luck

Answer 4

I had it done about 7 years ago and I love it. The feeling of not having to wear glasses or those pain in the #$$ contacts again is priceless. Back then it was 4800, now I'm not sure but I'm sure the price has come down. DO IT! you won't regret it. Just make sure you use a reputable doctor.

Answer 5

Is your eyesight increasingly getting worse? To get laser eye surgery you have to have a stable eyesight for a period of time. My sister wanted to get it but she couldn't because her eyesight is still getting worse.

It really does work quite well though. My uncle wore glasses for 20 years, got the surgery, and no longer has to wear them.

Answer 6

Go to a reputable eye dr. Most have seminars that you can attend for free. They will give you all the info you want & references so you can contact people who have had it done. Not everyone is a good candidate.I had it done.No pain. Procedure was done in 30 minutes.That was 10 yrs ago.I wish I had done it when I was much younger.I pd $5,000 but I believe it is less expensive today and every dr has pmt plans.Good luck!

Answer 7

Did you ever tested out Vision Without Glasses program? Check out this site : http://Access.ClearVisionExercise.com . Possibly this could immediately instruct each and every one!

Answer 8

my brother had t years ago, he still has very good vision after about 15 years, only downside is his one eye is a little lazy, it is quite cheap nowadays, ultralase have a good reputation.

hope this helps, oh and its painless