Laser Eye Surgery - Anyone here had it?

RichardC27

RichardC27

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I'm currently on a contact lens trial, and like the previous time I tried them, they are doing my head in. My glasses are also annoying me (hence why I'm trying contacts again), but I'm seriously considering laser vision correction. Has anybody from the great and varied world of TP had this done, and want to share their experiences of it?
 
I had LASIK surgery nearly 10 years ago, can't recomend it enough :)
If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.

Darren
 
Richard, i had my eyes done in 2001, it went very well and im soo pleased i did it!!

I had Lazik, they cut a flap, then Zap your eye, then they put the flap back in place.. it took no more than 10 mins per eye, and that includes the cutting and prep.. the actual zapping takes anything up to 60 seconds or so!

My sight was better then when i waked in (Without glasses) straight away, after a few hours it improved even more.. by the morning i was seeing clearer than i had for decades!!give it two days and your perfect!! Infact, after the first night my sight was good enough to drive!!

I hope this helps, but remember, there are people that DONT have a good result!!!

Tony..
 
I had mine done about 5 years ago and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Went through Boots when they were still doing the service and it was one of the most professional medical experiences I've ever had. Couldn't fault a single aspect of it and my vision is now better than 20:20.

The only issue I have with the current system is that they all seem to be offering this Wavefront surgery as an optional extra. When I had mine done Wavefront was part of the procedure as a whole, not something that you had to decide whether to take.

It's not a particularly comfortable experience, especially if you're at all squeamish about your eyes, but people with previous experience of using contact lenses ought to fair better than those who have always worn glasses. The procedure didn't bother me in the slightest and I wasn't in any discomfort until the anaesthetic drops started to wear off and before the painkillers had started to kick in. Not a horrible pain, more a feeling of grit in the eye or under the contact lens that wasn't there.

But a quick power nap later and I woke up feeling no pain and being able to finally see without glasses or contact lenses. Such a strange feeling when you're so used to everything being a little blurry without them!
 
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So generally a positive thing then? :lol: I'm trying to come up with a way of justifying the cost, since I'm supposed to be saving for a house. Glitch, I can deal with a bit of discomfort for years of perfect vision. I do know there are some people who have a bad result, but life is nothing without a little risk is it?
 
I had it done back in '94 when it was a relatively new procedure. Fifteen years on my eyesight is still excellent. I was lucky, in that I only needed one eye done, but it was £500 well spent. I could never get on with glasses, and my occupation at the time made wearing contact lenses a nightmare.

The only caveat I can highlight is do not pick the clinic who will do the work based on price alone, my eye was done by the top eye surgeon in Scotland, if he hadn't been able to do it then I would never have had it done. Nothing on earth could get me to have done by some Lithuanian working in the basement of a branch of Boots.....
 
Well, when I had mine done it cost me a small fortune. Much more than the prices you see today. But the quality of the service from Boots throughout, including the aftercare, was better than some private healthcare experiences I've had over the years and it was easily worth every penny I spent.

The good thing about the discomfort following the surgery is that you soon forget it. I can remember being in a small amount of pain, but not what the actual pain felt like. It's just a case of get yourself home, take a few painkillers, get into bed, fall asleep and wait for your body to wake you up once the pain has gone.

The best advice I could give you would be to make sure that you meet all the people who will be involved in the procedure and be sure that you feel comfortable about them and connect with them. I was really made to feel special by the team at Boots and it made all the difference.

The only real issues are the rather prohibitive cost of the procedure in the first place and the aftercare. You've got to make sure you take care of your new eyes for a few weeks following the procedure and its during that time that any issues can crop up. But providing you follow their advice, use all the eyedrops, sleep with the protective guards over your eyes and make sure to never, ever, rub your eyes you'll be fine.
 
About the same price as some of the better private clinics are charging for the advanced Wavefront + LASIK.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Nothing on earth could get me to have done by some Lithuanian working in the basement of a branch of Boots.....
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That conjures up the scene in Minority Report where Tom Cruise is getting his eyes replaced... Turns out the surgeon is someone with a grudge :gag:
 
You guys haven't suffered any side effects or deteriation of eye sight? I've been thinking about getting it done also but the optician said to wait till I was older, like late 30's before getting it done as the eye is still prone to growing and shrinking.
 
KayJay said:
You guys haven't suffered any side effects or deteriation of eye sight? I've been thinking about getting it done also but the optician said to wait till I was older, like late 30's before getting it done as the eye is still prone to growing and shrinking.
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The only side effect I've noticed is an inability to spot marked Police Traffic cars in the rear view mirror :police: :runaway:

I was in my mid-twenties when I got it done, now I seem to be the only person I know in my age group who doesn't need glasses...
 
I've had regular check-ups since the procedure and my eyesight has, touch wood, been consistently excellent.

And interestingly it's better than it ever was before I needed to wear glasses.
 
Well, I've been waiting for years to see the sworn testimonials of surgeons who've had it done themselves.

And... I'm allergic to pain so I'd need the complete anaesthetic - je suis un wimp!

But it is good to read direct testimonial from those who've been braver than I with their eyes.

(Fairly short-sighted, one astigmatic eye so contacts are out for me.)
 
tikkathreebarrel said:
Well, I've been waiting for years to see the sworn testimonials of surgeons who've had it done themselves.

And... I'm allergic to pain so I'd need the complete anaesthetic - je suis un wimp!

But it is good to read direct testimonial from those who've been braver than I with their eyes.

(Fairly short-sighted, one astigmatic eye so contacts are out for me.)
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It was a bit unnerving for me when I realised that all the staff at the clinic, including the surgeon, all wore glasses :suspect:

I don't know what the procedure involves nowadays, but I can still remember clearly the smell of burning eye as the laser passed over it :gag:

Apart from that it was fine :D
 
I have recently started wearing my glasses 24/7, because I suffer from eye-strain, on advice of my optician. Always had them since I was a kid for reading/writing/TV/PC etc, but a little while ago I had a constant headache for about 2 months.
Went to the Dr's and he suggested I see my optician, who told me I need to wear my glasses all the time.
It's made a huge difference. I no longer have a constant headache, I'm no longer always tired and sleepy........

So my question is, would I benefit from laser surgery?
Can/could it cure eye-strain?
Wearing my glasses all the time now hasn't bothered me as much as I thought it would, but I might consider surgery, one day!!
 
tikkathreebarrel said:
(Fairly short-sighted, one astigmatic eye so contacts are out for me.)
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That's the same as me. My right eye is astigmatic. You need something called a toric contact lens for that to correct the astigmatism, so you can get contact lenses.

Thanks for the replies everyone, it's nice to read the experiences of real people who have had the procedure. I'm currently looking at Ultralase, going for LASIK surgery at £1395 per eye. Just need to find some way of paying for it now :lol:
 
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i had a set of toric lenses to try for a couple of weeks in december but couldn't get away with them.
i was always dropping them trying to put them in or they would flip inside out.
the optician i saw said he wouldn't risk having laser surgery because if it went wrong his career would be over but i suppose that would be the same for anyone.
the biggest con is the adverts on tv saying it costs from £395 per eye when in reality its over £1000
 
Best thing I ever did.

Don't believe the hype of £350 per eye though. They bump the price up quite a bit depending on the quality of your sight!

I paid £1700 about 5 years ago. It's made a massive difference to me. I loved wearing specs but hated that I had to!

Freedom is great :)
 
now I seem to be the only person I know in my age group who doesn't need glasses...
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This has been put down to computer monitors!!!

I've thought of getting my eyes done but have the same reservations as most people, the price and what if it goes wrong?
 
Sarin said:
This has been put down to computer monitors!!!

I've thought of getting my eyes done but have the same reservations as most people, the price and what if it goes wrong?
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I like the way that price came before losing your sight in the order of your reservations :lol:
 
I happen to be a qualified Optician, and managed a laser clinic for a few years quite a few years ago.

I have the following advice:
1. DO NOT go on budget
2. DO NOT be done on a brand new machine
3. DO NOT believe the hype about how many procedures a company has done world wide

What is important is this:
The ammoutnt of experience has the particular (usually locum) doctor had, with the particular laser / equipement in that particular clinic.

Brand new lasers or brand new technology need to prove themselves a bit to a doctor and settle down in terms of thier performance and output. Statistically, you have a higher chance of regression when all the variables are new

COMPANIES like boots, optical express etc.. know nothing about laser surgery themselves - they are merley providing the space and framework to make it happen - they use specialist ophthalmologists - who are paid grandly for thier individual skills, and provide the equipement for them

What is important is
1. the advice they give you before - make sure you are seeing the doctor, not an optical assistant who had hald a days training
2. the experience of the specific Doctor
3. the immediate backup and aftercare (for a week or so) - are they available, when, how long - and willthe DR be availablefor you
4. the inclusion of long term after consultations

If this feels like a finacial procedure - you are in the wrong place. If it feels like a medical procedure - then you can feel more comfortable with your choice about where you went

I would be extreemly wary about paying bargain basement prices for this, or getting the procedure done in a rush (the very best doctors make you wait)
 
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Richard King said:
I happen to be a qualified Optician, and managed a laser clinic for a few years quite a few years ago.

I have the following advice:
1. DO NOT go on budget
2. DO NOT be done on a brand new machine
3. DO NOT believe the hype about how many procedures a company has done world wide

What is important is this:
The ammoutnt of experience has the particular (usually locum) doctor had, with the particular laser / equipement in that particular clinic.

Brand new lasers or brand new technology need to prove themselves a bit to a doctor and settle down in terms of thier performance and output. Statistically, you have a higher chance of regression when all the variables are new

COMPANIES like boots, optical express etc.. know nothing about laser surgery themselves - they are merley providing the space and framework to make it happen - they use specialist ophthalmologists - who are paid grandly for thier individual skills, and provide the equipement for them

What is important is
1. the advice they give you before - make sure you are seeing the doctor, not an optical assistant who had hald a days training
2. the experience of the specific Doctor
3. the immediate backup and aftercare (for a week or so) - are they available, when, how long - and willthe DR be availablefor you
4. the inclusion of long term after consultations

If this feels like a finacial procedure - you are in the wrong place. If it feels like a medical procedure - then you can feel more comfortable with your choice about where you went

I would be extreemly wary about paying bargain basement prices for this, or getting the procedure done in a rush (the very best doctors make you wait)
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Thanks for that very sound advice. Is there any clinic/company that you'd particularly reccomend?
 
I can second the advice above .

I had my eyes done about 4 1/2 years ago and its the best thing i have ever done. I was only saying to someone the other day that even now i do things and think 'wow it was never this easy with glasses.'

I used Optimax. http://www.optimax.co.uk/

They were very good and i had 2 consultations before the day of the surgery to go through exactly what was going to happen. They also made me aware of what was required of me and my helper (you need a 'guide' on the day to get you home!). The pain is a bit like having sand in your eye and for me lasted a few days. I had a slight complication with some swelling of the right eye but the aftercare was VERY good.

I had LASIK (the one that creates a flap) and found that i had a bit of glare from street lights and car lights in the dark. This was due to a little scar tissue wear the flap was healing, but now my vision is 20/20.

Dont think about the money. I took the interest free payments option and spread the cost over a year.
 
What happens if you default on a payment? Do they repossess your eyeballs?

Personally, I`d rather stay spekky... Couldn`t stand the procedure, although I`ve had friends that have had it done and they haven`t had any issues.
 
I made a thread like this a little while ago!! Really want to have it done but seeing as i am permanently broke i think its going to be a long while....


Flash - your thing about the smell of your eyeballs burning!! Not cool!
 
I wear varifocals and have poor vision in both eyes plus astigmatism in both. I have some special contacts, which I wear occasionally.

The problem with contacts is similar to the one when buying "off the peg" clothing....... You might be a size 15 in reality,but have to manage with a tight 14 or a loose 16. Bespoke tailors would get you that perfect size 15. With prescription lenses (in glasses) you have a personal fit; contacts are just a best fit. So people with complicated prescriptions will never get perfect vision with contacts.

I would love to have laser eye surgery, but what happens if it goes wrong.......do you end up blind?
 
I've been considering this as well, I constantly wear contacts. I asked my optician about it and he advised not to have it. (which he would) My eyes vary greatly between my 6 monthly appointments, one month I could be -5 in my left eye and the next I need -5.5. What's to say that even after having the surgery that your prescription will change and you end up needing glasses anyway??
 
Its really hard to make a recommendation, as from experience I know it is down to the individual practitioners experience and skill with a particular laser and procedure. I think in the desision making process you need to speak to the parctitioner, not the receptionist and see which one you feel comfy with. Also discuss the chance of a REDUCTION in visual acuity due to the cornea becoming slightly hazy

In english:
If you are say -4.00 prescription, and when perfectly corrected, you can see all the lines on the chart, you would be somewhat annoyed to be reduced to 0.00 prescription but not being able to read the bottom two lines on the chart. The more arrogant Dr's measure sucess in a terms of a prescription that is a rock solid 0.00, not visual acuity. There is a risk, that needs to be explained to you

At the same time I would not recommend both eyes being done at once. If they have any issues...

It is an interesting fact that not many opticians, or Ophthalmologists have had the procedure done
 
A freind of mine just had it done... he said that for an extra grand they offered him X-Ray vision!



*I think he was kidding... but it WOULD be cool!
 
Oh I've been through this loop so many times - operation costs a few pairs of glasses so should be worthwhile.

But each time I've been close to taking the plunge - something stopped me.

One was doing a due diligence on a company, when I came across this website. It has kept me thinking about it and not doing it.

Anyway, since then I've had two opticians with basically the same prescription as me. They understood how critical centering of the lens is in glasses, and the awful headaches of being slightly off, and appreciated how I couldn't use contacts. Neither of them have had laser treatment (or wear contacts) nor would recommend it for my prescription. Summary each gave was short sight and astigmatism makes you very picky for detail - and after lasik, even corrected (i.e. with glasses) vision will not be as "crisp" as before lasik.

So it comes down to personal choice - for me it would be lovely to not have to grab glasses the second I wake up to the moment I fall asleep (or often about 1 hour later), and to be able to see bottles of shampoo in the shower. But I can't bear the idea of not being able to peer at pictures and check if they are sharp and crisp. So I've not had it done.

Think it depends very much on your vision, how well you cope with glasses/contacts, and how much you want to see distant things clearly compared to close up detail "really" clearly.

good luck
 
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whooshdemon said:
... Summary each gave was short sight and astigmatism makes you very picky for detail - and after lasik, even corrected (i.e. with glasses) vision will not be as "crisp" as before lasik.
...
Think it depends very much on your vision, how well you cope with glasses/contacts, and how much you want to see distant things clearly compared to close up detail "really" clearly.
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Richard King said:
... Also discuss the chance of a REDUCTION in visual acuity due to the cornea becoming slightly hazy

In english:
If you are say -4.00 prescription, and when perfectly corrected, you can see all the lines on the chart, you would be somewhat annoyed to be reduced to 0.00 prescription but not being able to read the bottom two lines on the chart. The more arrogant Dr's measure sucess in a terms of a prescription that is a rock solid 0.00, not visual acuity. There is a risk, that needs to be explained to you
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Oh good man - that's what I was trying to say. It's a point that www.lasikdisaster.com makes quite strongly. Haloes, starbursts and problems with night vision don't get counted on the scale of "what's the lowest line you can read".

Richard King said:
... At the same time I would not recommend both eyes being done at once. If they have any issues...

It is an interesting fact that not many opticians, or Ophthalmologists have had the procedure done
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Very interesting to note too!
 
I'd love the chance to to have the surgery...and I could have it done, but would mean being medically discharged from the Army :(
 
Can I ask if anyone knowledgegable has any views on Intra-ocular Lenses as an alternative to laser? Is it effective? Safer? Riskier??
 
whooshdemon said:
One was doing a due diligence on a company, when I came across this website. It has kept me thinking about it and not doing it.
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That's put me right off :eek: I'd rather put up with glasses than have eye infections, night vision problems and all the rest of it.
 
RichardC27 said:
That's put me right off :eek: I'd rather put up with glasses than have eye infections, night vision problems and all the rest of it.
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That was my reaction too. Every time I'm tempted I go read the website again...

But to balance against it, there are lots of people walking around quite happy with the results. Of course all the people where it didn't work out so well might have given up photography so might have a biased sample on here.

The website says basically 20% have problems with haloes, starbursts, night driving and dryness. I hope that's the same 20% each time else that could be up to 80% having a problem after surgery :eek:
 
Kerioak said:
I also considered it very seriously but when I went after more information found that they could not correct my eye problems unless I got cataracts as well so I am stuck with glasses as I cannot get on with contacts.
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I'd also considered laser surgery for shotshightedness, but likes lots of people on here I decided to put up with glasses/contacts because I didn't want to risk it. Then I got cataracts in both eyes - I didn't realise, I just thought my night vision was getting worse with age.

I had cataract surgery last March - first the 'better' eye and the other 2 weeks later. The difference is unbelievable and for the first time I can remember I don't need glasses all the time. I thought it would give me vision like other people my age (I qualify for a bus pass :lol:) but actually it's much better than that and I only need reading glasses for very small print. I can even read the frame numbers on negatives!

So I don't wish cataracts on you, but if anyone has caratacts in the early stages, the good news is you don't have to wait for them to get really bad - see your optician who will refer you to your GP.

The operation was quick, painless and I could drive the next day!

Jean
 
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