Considering laser eye surgery?

[eobeye]

Hi, i'm thinking about having laser eye surgery and have been doung some reading up about it.  Has anyone had complications with lasik and regret having it? and what is wavefront worth it?

[kivrin]

I had Lasik in 1994 -- before it was legal in the US. I have NEVER regretted it. However, I will give you my details so you are better informed.

I am severely myopic; I was to the point of having to wear contacts and glasses at the same time (before the nice thin lenses that are out now). My thick glasses actually caused horrible skin problems, blackheads because the lenses sat on my skin, and I severely burned the skin under my eyes because of the magnification aspect under the sun (think ants and magnifying glasses). I also developing blood vessels growing into the wrong parts of my eyes because of the lack of oxygen my eyes were getting. Honestly, Lasik was the only way I was going to keep my vision.

The starburst/halo effect was noticeable the first few years .. particularly with night driving.. however it has definitely gotten better. I have ophthalmologists now who don't believe I'd had Lasik because they can't see the scars. Hence a reason I would recommend getting a VERY good surgeon. While the people who advertise Lasik for $900 may be fine, I would not risk a "thrifty" option to my eyes. Dr. Mahjet (sp?) did my surgery; he is the guy who pioneered Lasik. When I had mine done he actually only did one, brought me out of the surgery room and tested my eye before going back and doing the other one. He had never done someone with my severe myopia and wanted to be extra careful. You can always ask for that kind of treatment.

While I still wear glasses (for the first 3 or so years I didn't, but my myopia continues to progress), I still think it is the best thing I ever did. I can read without my glasses in bed; I actually learned how to swim because now I can see the edge of the pool (before I was too afraid I would bash my head against the side and die). I can read the alarm clock in the morning. I am no longer tied to a heavy pair of glasses.

I have had both retinas detach, and I am aware that I am developing at least one cataract in my right eye. I haven't heard a peep of the concern about Lasik and cataracts that the other poster brought up; however, I will ask my retina surgeon about it when I see him Friday (last appointment for this detachment I hope!)

[NB101]

One thing no one mentioned to me is that Lasik alters your eye and makes it difficult to get the correction right when you have cataract surgery.  I had Lasik four years ago and never imagined that I would develop cataracts that got so bad in a matter of a few months that I had to have surgery to be able to see.  That's when I found out that the correction is difficult after Lasik.  I was lucky to end up with pretty decent vision after Crystalens HD implants, although it is monovision and not what I hoped for.  I was 53 when I had Lasik and would not recommend it for older people who might develop cataracts within a few years like I did.

[walkietalkie]

The simple answer is if you are undecided, just stick with glasses and contacts. Long term, who knows. So far so good for me. At least I don’t have to worry if I lost my glasses and was stuck in the middle of a jungle. No kidding, I once dropped my glasses and bumped into a tree trunk (it was dark and I was as myopic as a bat).

[des900]

Shape of the eyeball is not permanent & it changes according to your viewing habits,for example if one focuses on near objects & ignore (or loss interest) viewing long distant objects then he or she's eyeball elongates & become myopic when age passes on.

If one change his viewing habits like seeing more distant objects & maintain regular eye blinking,proper sleep habits,eye relaxation exercises etc eye ball shape automatically goes to its original shape,this is waht natural eye exercises teaches about (bates method).

When one is doing a quick fix like LASIK or other,its actually butchering part of cornea and planting that strain permanently,and if he or she doesn't change old habit vision keeps on deteriorating,this is why people with glasses say vision never improves.

[eobeye]

Thanks for you comments.  I'm still undecided.  I certainly agree that forums attract people who have had a bad experience but I also don’t like the idea of permanently changing the shape of my cornea.  What would happen long term? especially since its only been around since the 1990'.s

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[walkietalkie]

I had lasik years ago when it was still new. Never regret it. Got rid of my thick glasses. I remembered fumbling for my glasses first thing when i woke up.  The side effects were starburst and poor night vision. But it got better over time which could be due to my myopia regressing and now stabilised at -1.75.  Which is cool as i have excellent near vision. My retina was torn not too long ago, which was laser treated. I think it was bound to happen being highly myopic. Some of my friends and collegues had lasik too and i am amazed how different they look without their glasses. More cool and more confident. I think Lasik technology has progresses so much that myopia can now be easily and safely corrected.        

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

The steady growth of LASIK and other refractive procedures and many many polls that ask if these patients are "happy" -----and they are indicate that lasik is a very satisfying, very safe procedure for MOST people. Nothing in life and medicine is totally risk free.

See two refractive surgeons for opinions about lasik on your eyes. Then make you choice. Remember this eyecare forum attracts UNHAPPY people with eye problems. The happy lasik patients don't come here to crow about this wonderful success.


Find a referactive surgeon near you at www.aao.org

JCH MD

[des900]

I too strongly agree with marsh613 opinion,do not consider refractive surgeries.

[marsh613]

THANK YOU FOR ASKING,  AS A LIFETIME HIGH MYOPIA PERSON, WHO IS SELF CONSCIOUS ABOUT MY OWN 'THICK' GLASSES, I STILL SAY A LOUD NO.  DO NOT PERFORM ANY UNNESSESARY PROCEEDURES NO MATTER HOW SAFE IT IS OR HOW GOOD THE DR IS.  UNLESS THERE IS A MEDICAL REASON AS "THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN SEE" THEN DONT!!  YOU CAN FIND NIGHTMARE STORIES OUT THERE- EVEN IF IT IS ONLY 2% DONT BE ONE OF THEM. YOU,, WHAT IS YOUR RX THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO CORRECT? YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY WILL BE HAPPY TO CONTINUE LOVING AND ACCEPTING YOU IN GLASSES OR CONTACTS.  WRITE BACK FOR MORE.. CIAO, MARSHALL

[des900]

Both have complications like dry eye,halos,infections etc,both are permanently imprinting your glass prescription on your cornea.