Lasik Surgery

[Cbanks]

I am considering having lasik sugery for the correction of my distance vision and double astigmatism, my appointment is in February.  I have worn glasses for over 40 years and have gotten to a point where the need of glasses for everything I do is exhaustive.  I constantly have pain in my neck from adjusting my head to see through the appropriate part of my glasses (bifocals).  I am very nervous about this, I do not know anyone that has had this type of surgery, and, though I could be wrong, the doctor that did the examination for the surgery seems like she is telling me what I want to hear.  I just need to feel a bit more secure about this I was hoping someone that has had the surgery could give me an honest opinion as to whether it is really worth the risk.
Thank you for your input.

[10dollar]

Lasik surgery is very common, and has a high sucess and satisfaction rate, particulary if you have been properly screeened and evaluated.

I would recommend posting and reading usaeyes.org. It has a very active Lasik board, with both happy patients, and patients who have had problems. It also explains the healing process pretty completely, including the fact that this is usually a multi-month healing process.

I would get a second opinion, particularly if you are nervous with your doctor. If you have a medical school nearby, generally they have refractive clinics which have top doctors. Where are you located?

I had lasik 6 months ago and have posted my results on the usaeyes.org site. You can see my surgery information under the user floatanddry on the usaeyes.org site

[Cbanks]

Thank you for your advice. I will check out usaeyes.org.  About 2 years ago my regular doctor told me I should consider the Lasik because I was a good candidate for it, but at the time I thought that I wasn't going to let anyone "mess with" my eyes.  In December I was offered a free lasik exam and scheduled the appointment.  It was the most thorough exam I have ever had.

I've been checking around the internet and am beginning to feel a bit more at ease seeing how the majority of the people that have had the surgery are thrilled with the results.  I also found the surgeon and company in the discussion groups and they were all very happy with them.

Thanks again for responding to my question.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

If you've been wearing glasses for 40 years then you are in fifocals. If you have your distance corrected you will still need glasses for anything closer than about 8-10 feet. You will need different glasses for near (reading) and shoping or compter (intermediate). If you are nearsighted and are use to being able to see to read without glasses that will no longer be the case.

If you opt for monovision that's a big adjustment and you likely will still need glasses for somethings. If you are considering monovision have your lasik surgeon fit you with contacts to simulate this as many people can't adjust.

No reason you should not have the surgery so long as you don't expect to glasses free and vision like a 16 year old eye.

JCH III MD Ophthalmologist

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

If you've been wearing glasses for 40 years then you are in fifocals. If you have your distance corrected you will still need glasses for anything closer than about 8-10 feet. You will need different glasses for near (reading) and shoping or compter (intermediate). If you are nearsighted and are use to being able to see to read without glasses that will no longer be the case.

If you opt for monovision that's a big adjustment and you likely will still need glasses for somethings. If you are considering monovision have your lasik surgeon fit you with contacts to simulate this as many people can't adjust.

No reason you should not have the surgery so long as you don't expect to glasses free and vision like a 16 year old eye.

JCH III MD Ophthalmologist

[crzychick]

lf you are curious about the monovision please do try the contacts first.  I went ahead with the Lasik mono and regret it.  I can't adjust.  Will have to go back and have the one eye redone.  Will have both to distance and settle for the $5 reading glasses from the dollar store..LOL.

As for the procedure it was a breeze. About 5 mins per eye.  No problems.  As soon as it was done and I sat up I could read the clock on the wall.  I was amazed!!!.   The excitement at first I didn't realize that both eyes weren't focusing "reading" image's clearly.  Or should I say ignoring (it's weird as I was told.  The brain is supposed to ignore the image coming from the eye that is not needed.  ie.  If I'm looking far away it's supposed to not pay attention to the close up eye. and vise versa.   Well my brain didn't get the memo)

As for healing.  I did a follow visit the next morning.  Drops for 2 weeks and that's about it.  Have to be very careful that you do NOT rub your eyes.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

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