Anyone ever get the Lasik procedure done ??? Think about it etc... I'm starting to really hate my glasses, and I'm not really a fan of contacts...I've been really thinking about getting Laser Eye Surgery done, but the whole laser in the eye thing is a little scary...Can anyone shed any light ??

jury's still out on stuff like this, but I've heard there's more than a miniscule chance you fuck your eyes up even more in the long run with the laser surgery.

My dad got it done, and now instead of being nearsighted, he's farsighted and has to wear reading glasses, which I think is a pretty typical risk. I doubt all ever get it done, because I like my glasses, but maybe if my vision gets really bad.

I've considered it, too, but have read some serious horror stories. I think I'll stick with my contacts/glasses for now.

you guys ever notice that in those lasik ads the smiling eye doctors sitting with the machinery all have glasses? That says it all right there.

To be fair, Matt, that's probably to protect them while they're STARING AT LASERS.

NEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRD

not really, i just have quotients to fill....

I'm excited for my summer roommates to move in, because next to them I look like Kenneth Cole (or whoever you kids are idolizing these days). The girl can be summed up in four words: Freshman Harvard Math Major. And one more: sweatpants.

Once nearsighted and becoming farsighted in older age is a typical progression without lasik. For instance, my Mom who used to be blind nearsighted like me is now only farsighted. Same case with my Bro-in-law. He's got bifocals now, but his nearsightedness has decreased while the farsightedness has begun. Strange, but true. My problem is also stigmatism, which I do not believe lasik can correct. On the other hand, I do know young people who have had it done and swear by it.

WHOA! Sweaties *shudder*

I am sure I would be the one in a million who went blind. I'll stick with my glasses. They definitely make me look more cerebral, and "soften" my hard appearance.

Lasek can correct for stigmatism. I had stigmatism which had combined with generally bad eyesight since I was a young kid finally made my eyesight so bad that I knew I would no longer pass the vision part of my driver's test with contacts. They couldn't correct for the stigmatism with contacts.

I had the lasek five or six years ago and its been awesome. I went from something like 20:60 to better than 20:20. My vision actually has actually continued to improve for the last five years also. Only complaint would be that my eyes get dehedrated much easier. If I go out on a major bender and forgot to drink a gallon of water before going to bed and they feel like shriveled prunes when I wake up.

I'm not talking about "action shots"....I'm talking about them just hanging out at the machine and hamming it up for the print ad. And these are eyeglasses, not protective goggles....

I have glasses, and never wear them. I am happy walking semi blindly through life.

Good to hear! I may have to revisit possibilities if my vision does not improve.

That's just to remind you of what a dork you look like in your glasses

quotas

Tally one post.

astigmatism

Tally two postes.

i laughed very hard at this

Okay, here's my info. I threw a bunch of questions at my Optometrist two weeks ago on my annual check-up. I also consider my optometrist to be the #2 doctor in my stable, second only to my orthopedic surgeon.

Here's the rundown, though I would definitely talk to your doctor.

I'm 28 years old, and my eyes haven't changed in the past 5 years, and the changes before then were only minimal. For those of you keeping score at home, I'm (-1.75) in both eyes. He said that until my mid-40s, I'm home free. Generally, as you approach 30, your eyes stop worsening for about 12-15 years when short range vision starts to falter and reading glasses become more appropriate.

He said I would be a very good candidate for Custom LASIK, which is a procedure performed specifically for the individual's eye, rather than a general procedure meant to fix everyone. Technology for Custom LASIK is advanced and dependable, but it is more expensive.

He said of the people who get Custom LASIK, generally two groups have to return for a second procedure. (1) People who's eyes haven't leveled out and are continuing to worsen. These people jump the gun, get the surgery, but their eyes aren't finished yet. (2) People with very, very poor eyesight sometimes need a second visit, because it is safer and more effective to take two trips than trying to completely overhaul vision in one procedure.

I don't fall into either category. He said my chances of a second visit or some sort of complications would be less than 2%.

As for the procedure, he said it takes less than an hour, and you are back home. Most people get the procedure done on Thursday, don't work on Friday, then are 90% healed and resuming normal activities (work, exercise, etc.) by Monday. The final 10%, which isn't readily noticeable, will occur over the next couple months.

He also referred me to a Custom LASIK surgeon whom he recommends, and he spoke not only of her expertiese and technological knowledge, but also of her tendency towards conservative procedures rather than being a laser guided cowboy out to fix anything.

The next step is to go in for a free consultation, where they will answer all my questions again and perform a variety of tests to ensure that I am a good candidate for the procedure, including an eye mapping test that will give them the measurements needed specific to my eye and it's vision.

The doc said get the consultation, discuss their payment plans, then tell them that I'd call them back when I was ready, no obligation or hassle. Then call them back when I've got the cash or room in the budget to go through with it.

I'm all for it, but I just have other bills to take care of right now. Again, talk to your optometrist, they have some good information and can point you in the right place, rather than the guys who advertise on cable television.

Elvis Fu is right to ask whether you are a good candidate first. Not everyone is, obviously.

As for the procedure, its super quick. I think I was done in under a 1/2 hour and a lot of the improvement is instantaneous although it continues to improve over the next days, weeks.

Its not painful at all, more uncomfortable than anything. They put a lot of pressure on your eyesockets to keep your eyes from moving during the procedure. Afterward, it feels for a day or two like someone used sandpaper on your eyes. They recommend that you stay in bed for a day or two to recover. I was in a bar 6 hours later drinking margaritas so really its not like its debilitating at all.

My biggest fear would be that I'd get really drunk sometime afterward, forget that I no longer wore contacts, and rip my corneas out trying to remove said contacts. So far I haven't done this

Thanks for the advice people...Especially Billy g and Elvis..Very Informative..I sent an email to a guy I know who had it done about 7-8 months ago..He said pretty much the same thing about time (took him about 1/2 hr for both eyes)..He also said he drove himself back to the doctor the next day with no problems...and that he would suggest it...
I'm 30 and have been wearing glasses for about 13-14 years...and I'm starting to hate them...About how much did the procedure cost ??? (I know each person is different depending on the amount of work..Just looking for a ballpark) Thanks

I paid around $5000 but the cost has come down alot since then as a big chunk of the cost was fees to the equipment manufacturer and they've cut their fees tremendously in the last 3 years. I don't know current rates maybe $3000-4000, just a guess. There are places that'll do it for $1000/eye but you don't really want to choose based on cost.

edit: I think most doctors/centers guarantee the procedure. If you need another to correct, it comes free. I've never had to have any additional though.

My sister had it done a couple years ago. Can't remember if it really helped her or not. I think it did.

I wouldn't do it. The idea of lasers staring at me scares the hell out of me. I don't mind my glasses at all.

does anyone here wear fake glasses? Apparently, a lot more people than i thought do. but then they probably wouldn't be perusing this thread then eh? but then i was so who the hell knows.