Nervous about Lasik, need personal experiences!?

Question

This December my dad and I were going to get Lasik surgery together but after watching some videos of the procedure, i'm not so sure anymore. Also, I am nervous that I will not be able to keep my eye steady when they use the laser, what if i move it and the laser touches the wrong part of my eye?! I am really nervous so tell me about your experience, good or bad, how you felt, and if you are happy with your results and if the procedure was definitely worth it.

Here are the movies I watched so let me know if it was anything like this, or just comment on them in general.

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=29950&fr=yfp-t-501

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=1077999647&fr=yfp-t-501

Also, in the second clip they poke something into the tear duct but not in the first one, but maybe they just didn't record that part, but do they always do that??

If you have had the surgery, are you able to rub your eyes like you could before the surgery? or do you have to be more careful when it comes to that?

Because I know they have to peel part of your eye up for the procedure and wanted to know if they fully heal (as if they never cut your eye) so you can normally rub your eyes again if you have an itch.

Answer 1

Hi there AskandAnswer! I just had PRK last week...and my husband had LASIK about a month ago. I work with a group of ophthalmologists...and didn't watch the procedures until I watched my hubby's procedure...and walked out of there like NO WAY!! After researching the procedures and surgeons and technology, I thought again.

The newest technologies have "eye tracker" systems...where they will lock onto the pupil for small involuntary eye movements.

I was soooooo anxious and nervous...even when I went in for my consult I was shaking! Let alone the day of my PRK...I was a nervous wreck.

They did offer me a valium, which of course I took! and that helped take the edge off my anxiety and nervousness.

They got me all situated, and there was this little amber flashing light that I stared at for the whole procedure. I tell you, it was so quick! They had mapped out my entire cornea (twice because I had to have the custom wavefront) and had everything entered and checked in the computer that drives the laser three times or more. Just before my surgeon did anything to either eye, he used numbing drops that took effect immediately. There was a tiny bit of pressure, but absolutely NO pain. It actually took longer for the prep than for the actual laser, and the techs counted down how much longer. I didn't have anything put in my tear duct. I know that plugging the tear ducts helps with eye dryness for people who do not have laser correction surgery, so perhaps it's what that particular surgeon does to help with the postop dry eyes. It looks like what they did was insert a "punctal plug" into the eye's drainage system to help with dry eye postop.

I had the PRK, which is a little different than the LASIK. I didn't have the flap created. Instead, a very very thin part of the eye called the epithelium (only about 1/4 the thickness of the LASIK flap) was removed. After my procedure, I was put in "bandage contact lenses"...yup...just plain no power contacts used to help the cornea heal...and was in those for four days. I could see the instant I came out from under the laser. The next four days were an experience with some fluctuating vision, some dry eyes (more like when your contacts are dry), four times a day drops (three meds), and keeping my eyes closed as much as possible to help with the healing and other symptoms. The PRK procedure does have a slower healing time, and wasn't as comfortable as my husband's LASIK.

Well, I finally got those bandage contacts off this past Monday...and here...one week postop, I am seeing better than I have in my life without correction! I'm not 20/20 yet, but it's still TONS better than the 20/400 and worse vision I've had my entire life. The discomfort I had over the weekend (and they did give me numbing drops and Vicodin along with Motrin) was worth it.

Now, my husband was seeing 20/30 and 20/20 the day after his LASIK, had only dry eye symptoms, and today, about 4 weeks postop, is seeing 20/20 in his 'bad eye' and 20/15 in his good (he'd been previously correctable to 20/10 in his 'good eye'). I do not know my actual vision (next postop they will check...and it's not til next week), but I think it's at least 20/30 in my 'good' eye and at least 20/40 in my historically weaker eye...and I've been seeing steady improvement all week.

We are both VERY happy with our results...and I tell you...even if I end up needing some driving glasses and reading glasses in the next few years...no biggie! It is sooooo much better than the real thick glasses and expensive contacts that I used to have. Yes, the videos are pretty similar to what I saw with the exception of the purple dye and the punctal plug, with my husband's surgery.

Answer 2

The personal experience of individuals is a great way to learn about the process of Lasik, PRK, or similar laser eye surgery, but it is a terrible way to determine what you can expect. Every person is different. You would not put in your friend's contact lenses and expect to see well. Neither can you expect what another has experienced (good or bad).

I work with a nonprofit Lasik patient advocacy and our Quality Standards Advisory Committee evaluated many studies published in journals, the FDA clinical trial data, and the outcomes of thousands of patients to determine the current outcome norms for refractive surgery. These studies included all types of patients (nearsighted, farsighted, astigmatism, presbyopia) and all types of procedures (Lasik, PRK, LASEK, Epi-Lasik, P-IOL, RLE, CK) and determined:

90% of patients attain 20/40 vision or better and are within one diopter of target.
65% of patients attain 20/20 vision or better and are within one-half diopter of target.
3% have an unresolved complication at six months postop.
0.5% have a serious complication that requires either extensive maintenance or invasive intervention.

These statistics also do not represent what you can expect, but are a general guideline. Although the vast majority of Lasik patient are delighted with the outcome, Lasik is surgery and there is no such thing as a guaranteed outcome. There is always risk and only a comprehensive examination by a competent doctor can tell you if your risk is elevated or normal.

Answer 3

I recently had the Visian ICL surgery. I did this as an alternative because my eyes were so bad. I was 20/1300. Now I am easily 20/20 and almost 20/15. The process was very safe and quick. I had perfect vision within 24 hours. It does cost a little more. I know this was not about Lasik, but just wanted to help out.

Answer 4

I had Lasik done in May of 05 through LasikPlus in Glen Allen, Virginia. I was scared and skeptical about the procedures when I first learned about it. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to not blink or to lay still during the procedure. The Dr. performing the surgery talked with me before the procedure and let me know what was going to happen and for me to just relax, listen to him and everything would be fine. About 10 mins before the surgery my eyes were numb and I was given an antibotic to prevent infection. During the surgery the Dr. taped my eyes open and placed a thin cover in each eye. This helped with the blinking and it was comfortable. When the Dr. used the laser he would tell me to relax, remain still, and look up at the ceiling. It was not difficult at all. With in about 30 mins he was finished. When I sat up on the table I was able to see the clock clearly on the wall. After the surgery I was given Advil for the pain and rested about 20 mins after until the Dr. did a test after to see if the surgery was a success. Before I went home I was given eye drops and sunglasses to wear 4-6 weeks after surgery. Then I was scheduled for a post exam the following week and then a month after that. As of now I see 20/15 and I go for an eye exam yearly to make sure my eyes are in perfect order. I have life time adjustments free as long as a regular optomitrist recommends I need my eye sight adjusted. Its really a great investment. My advice to you would be to talk to the Dr. that you are going to have the surgery with. Ask how many of the procedures he has performed. Ask for testimonials from other patients...there likes and dislikes. Not every person experiences the same things. Theres a few things that I've left out tho not intentionally..i'm just trying to remember everything that I went through. I know I had to have someone drive me home. I had to take a nap when I got home. There was a lot of discomfort for me after the numbness wore off making it hard for me to rest. The eye drops were terrible when I used them. The drops ran down into my tear ducks then into my throat causing me to gag and become nauseaed. Other than the discomfort and the drops for a few weeks it wasn't really all that bad. I look back now and I'm very happy I had it done! And it's almost paid for!!! Best of Luck! I hope this helps you! You won't be dissappointed trust me!!!

Answer 5

i had it done and i would do it again no need for my glasses at all. love it love it love it. they give you Valium to help you relax. if they don't you may ask for it one pill threw me for a loop for the rest of the day all i did was sleep once i got home and that is what they want you to do. they fuzzy vision lasts about the day then you have rings around bright lights for awhile but that goes away i have 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other it is great.

Answer 6

I had to have surgery before and I was nervous but they put me asleep so i never felt anything when i woke up everything was fine and until this day i have no complaints or complications.

Answer 7

1

Answer 8

my dads doing the same thing next weekend and i was there when the doc went over everything with him. dont worry about your eye moving...they numb it before hand so that it doesnt move at all. its not suppossed to hurt at all, as your eyes are numbed. the doc also said that your eyes can recover as soon as the next day! my dad has many friends that did this and ultimatley he decided to get this done because they said they were so happy with it. many professional athletes get this done and for the most part nearly every procedure is successful!

Answer 9

i saw the 1st video clip, that's basically it. it's not painful. you dont have to worry about keeping your eyes steady, you just have to focus on the light above you and thats it... you will note the effect right away, suddenly, you wont be needing your eyeglasses or contact lenses anymore. the procedure is so worth it, and im really happy with the results. ive been contact lens-free since year 2000.

Answer 10

actualy, my uncle had this surgery about a week ago, he is alot happier with it, and you dont need to worry about moving your eye, they numb it. He can still rub his eye, just not on first day, he had a good surgey, and we no longer needs contacts so he sees better