Lasik: Good idea? Or too risky?

See four siblings———->

Or type lasik surgery in the Search box ^^.

First you need to be evaluated to see if you are a good candidate for Lasik. Not everyone is. I am not, for example, because I suffer from dry eye. This also means I am not a good candidate for contacts either.

My insurance agent had it done. He was considered a good candidate, and one eye worked well, but the other did not. Now he wears glasses instead of the contacts he used to wear because the eye that didn’t work out can no longer tolerate contacts.

If you should turn out not to be a good candidate, your worries are over because the decision not to have it will be made for you.

I heard from my US History teacher that they just do it in a seconds (or minutes, I don’t remember) but it shouldn’t be too long and you just look at the laser.

I was in the same boat as you. My eyes are VERY sensitive and dry. The world must stop if I get an eyelash stuck in there. It’s a whole ordeal with eye drops, a mirror, a tissue and complete silence.

Honestly, I was scared to death, but I was tired of the hassle and the expense every year or so of getting new ones. One day, I just I did it. And I’m happy I did.

DISCLAIMER: This is not intended to scare you, but I want to tell you exactly what it was like, so you can expect the same- if you don’t want to know, just skip it.

I expressed my fear to the doctor, and they prescribed me a nerve pill beforehand, which did NOT work at all. I was nervous and shaky the whole time. They covered me in a soft blanket and gave me a teddy bear to hold during the procedure to comfort me, but I was still freaking out. They just went ahead and did it anyway. They’ll tape your eyelids open, then take little metal prong things to make sure they stay that way. Ever seen A Clockwork Orange? Then, some numbing drops are added to the eyeball. Next, something puts a little pressure on your eye, but there’s no pain. I don’t remember seeing what it looked like, but it felt like something was suction cupping my cornea off. Again, uncomfortable, but no pain. Then, you can’t see anything except like a dot. Then there’s some painless zapping. The procedure itself is finished and all that’s left is replacing the cornea (which seemed like they smoothed it back on with a tiny paintbrush). Then, the other eye. Breathe. It was honestly like 8 minutes total. And after it’s a weird sensation because, even though your eyesight is still blurry, you can tell that your vision is better.

I love being able to see and I haven’t had any major complications. For a while after the surgery, I would wake up with a little “wrinkle” in my cornea. It would go away after an hour, but I don’t get it at all anymore.

END OF DESCRIPTION

So, for me, it was terrifying and uncomfortable, but there was really no “pain.” I know when you turn 40ish your eyes start to go bad regardless of LASIK correction or not. I don’t think I’ll be getting another procedure. It’s worth it in the end, but it doesn’t make me any less scared about getting it done again.

I personally think the risk is not worth it (halos around light sources in the dark, chance of permanent blurriness, etc), but I don’t wear glasses.

My best friend had it done and claims it is the best $5,000 he ever spent in his life.

I’ve had Lasik done three times on one eye, and twice on the other (and PRK before that, which I don’t recommend). I was looking forward to the procedures, so my experience was quite different from ubersiren’s.

The procedures took less than 90 seconds from start to finish, were painless, and produced excellent results. There is some discomfort and sensitivity to light in the days that follow, but its nothing you can’t handle with a couple of vicodins. It shouldn’t cost you more than $2400, if that, and it is well worth it if you spend $120 a year on glasses. The thing to know is that your corneas can grow back and you may have to have it done again.

Even so, its money well spent if you’ve got it.

I know 5 or 6 people who have had Lasik and they’re all so happy they got it. I wouldn’t get it, only because I like glasses :)

The four people I know who’ve had it done love the results. My eye doc said there’s a window of opportunity (age-wise) that’s best for the surgery. If you’re older than 40, she said “don’t bother” because your eyes start to change after that age. You’re most likely going to need correction anyway due to aging. Her recommendation was if you’re under 35 consider it. If you’re near 40, don’t bother.

I think it was really risky when it first came out, and has evolved since then to be something pretty routine. There may still be risks, though. Your best bet is to talk to a doctor about it, or whoever does the procedures. Their experience may be a good predictor for you.

@ubersiren Geezus… That gave me shivers. But I guess if you can do it, I can do it.

Thank you all for your input. The general consensus seems to be that I’ll like the end result alot, but I will go ahead and get a consultation about it.

Depends on what kind of flying, and what country you’re in.
For military flying, maybe-maybe not. LASIK is not an acceptable form of surgical correction in some militarizes. Commercially you should be fine.
HOWEVER: a not uncommon side effect of LASIK is weak night-vision or even night blindness. Either of which might disqualify you.

There are also some people who see star bursts at night from street lamps or oncoming headlights. Nasty.

@gailcalled I think I already have that. lol. A bunch of little bright lines coming off of light sources?

Yup.

Yeah that’s how I’ve always seen them. And they’re pretty extreme. So I’m not too worried about more being added.