LASIK

[chantal21]

My husband is really considering Lasik eye surgery now and wants to have it done soon. I am trying to read all I can about it and make sure this is the best route. He has pretty bad eyesight and is even a little color blind (certain colors he can't make out). It is getting really expensive to keep buying glasses...almost 300 bucks each time we go. And because of the type of work he does, they get ruined and stretched out pretty quickly. Also, he has tried contacts numerous times but can't seem to do it. I guess some people just can't put something in their eyes!! Anyway...just looking for anyone who has been through it and what they thought or has known someone who got it done and was okay and happy about it. There is actually a doc not far from us who was the first to do Lasik in North America and has been a leader in vision correction for more than 2 decades. People travel from everywhere to see him. And there are 3 offices within an hour from us...one being just 25min. away. I always hear of him being advertised on the radio and thought I would check it out. What do you think? I don't want to put hubby in any danger with his vision, and just wonder if it's a good idea for him. What are the risks and benefits?? Thanks!!

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

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[chantal21]

Thanks!!

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

It depends a great deal on "upgrades".  Chain LASIK centers might start with a base price of $700 but then come a series of "options" like wave front analysis and having the flap raised with a laser rather than a blade (interlase). You could end up spending $2500-3000/eye

JCH MD

[chantal21]

Thank you! I will do that. Do you have an idea of what something like that could cost? Even if it's just a ballpark figure. Thanks!

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

Spend some time locating the most experienced and respected refrctive surgeon in your area.

JCH MD

[chantal21]

Thank you so much for info!! I really appreciate it. I will contact the doctor and set up an consultation so we know what we are looking at here. We don't have insurance and money isn't the issue completely. My husband is in the flooring business and his glasses are always getting scratched very easily and slipping down while he is installing, and can just be bothersome. I think it could be a very practical thing if he could have his vision corrected, but I just want to make sure I weigh everything out before we jump into this. I want to know all the risks and all the benefits, and I guess only meeting with the specialist, will we then know what we are looking at. Once again, thanks!!

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

Life is risky, driving cars is risky. ALL surgery involves some risk. Wearing contact involves risk.

You/he will need to meet with the surgeon and get an understanding of the risks and benefits (informed consent).

JCH MD

[kivrin]

I had Lasik in 1994 and was, and still am, very pleased with the results. However, I do still wear glasses. Getting Lasik is not a "sure thing" that your vision will be 20/20 for the rest of your life. I understand about the price of glasses and realistically having Lasik was a cost savings for me. While I wear glasses, I do not have the ridiculously expensive lenses that eye places had trouble making for me due to my degree of refraction.

I would make sure to get 2 opinions. You sound like you have a good doctor, but it is always nice to have the "back-up" opinion to judge expertise and reasonable expectations of the results.

There are some ideas of replacing lenses (what is done for cataracts) as a way of improving eyesight instead of reshaping the cornea (Lasik). While this is still not a popular idea, it has some benefits that are appealing to me. Any time that you are operating on the eye with a laser, you are going to develop cataracts. For some people, these cataracts develop very quickly (within a year), others develop slowly. From what I understand, there is no way of telling how much or how fast they can develop. I have a small cataract in my right eye, but it is barely noticeable at most times. However, knowing that eventually more eye surgery is in my future is slightly worrisome.

If it is solely a cost factor, you might consider vision insurance. Most vision plans replace lens every year, frames every 2 years. It certainly is a cost saver for me in purchasing my glasses.