Has anyone here, or anyone you know well had Lasik done? My contacts are a real pain and I always have trouble with them. It would be such a relief not to deal with them constantly.
What should I know about the procedure? What kinds of questions should I be asking the doc?
A local eye center is having a seminar that I'm going to attend. The surgeon also has a practice on Park Ave. in Manhattan.
Thanks,
Ame

By Hol on Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 08:23 pm:

My DS's have a birth sister who is adopted also. Her Dad had it done. He went to Canada because he claimed it was way cheaper. He is 58 and used to wear bifocals. He claims that now he only needs his glasses for reading.

Personally, as much as I would like to not have to wear glasses either, I'd be afraid. If they mess up, there's no replacing your eyesight. I wonder if they know enough about the long term effects.

By Annie2 on Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 08:38 pm:

My sister works in a prominent eye doctor's office in Boston. She is the optical technician and personal assistant to the head doctor. She has been there for 25 years.
She wears glasses/contacts and has told me NOT to let Dh or dd get lasik surgery. Her office receives the many, many cases of when the surgeries have gone wrong.

By Emily7 on Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 08:44 pm:

My BIL had it done 4 years ago & has been very happy with the results.

By Reds9298 on Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 08:47 pm:

Ditto Emily. My BIL had it done about 5-6 yrs. ago and is very happy. I'm sure it's like anything else...you will hear great stories and horrible ones because everyone is so different.

By Tripletmom on Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 08:49 pm:

Can they do this procedure if you have astigmatism?

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 06:34 am:

I know two people who had it done and say its the best thing they've ever done. I think you have to be very careful about who does it. I'd start with a top-notch opthalmologist (in Philadephia I'd go to Scheie Eye Clinic, which is one of the two top eye clinics in the area), and first get an evaluation to determine if you are a proper candidate. Lasik surgery is not for every eye condition. I know, for example, that I was past the cut-off age when it was first being done on a wide-spread basis. Then, if you are an appropriate candidate, ask for a referral. I would not just pick someone who advertises. Eyes are too important. You hate your contacts, but you'd hate even more having your eyes messed up.

If you want to do some web research, stick with web information from .edu sites, which are colleges and universities, or sites for recognized medical schools.

Here are a couple that I bookmarked when they were listed in a column for advice for paralegals:

Mayo Clinic

NIH

By Colette on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 07:51 am:

Everyone I know who has had it done, has loved it. I've been told the worst part of the whole thing is the smell.

I am still to chicken to get it done.

By Andi on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 11:25 am:

Haven't read what is above...sorry.

I had it done almonst 2 years ago and I LOVE IT!!! I was so scared and almost chickened out while I was in the waiting room but I am so glad I did it.

I was blind without my glasses so I couldn't even get a glass of water without glasses or contacts. The day I had the procedure done I came home and slept all day. Woke up around dinner time and I COULD SEE!! I watched TV with my hubby and it was amazing a real miracle.

Sorry this is so quick but I have to take DS to school. If you have any questions ask away, I would be happy to answer them if I can.

By Tink on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 01:20 pm:

I know at least a handful of people who have had it done and every one of them had a story that mimicked Andi's. As soon as it's in our budget, I plan on having it done. I've been told I'm a prime candidate and the idea of not dealing with glasses or contacts is thrilling!!!

By Enchens on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 02:30 pm:

I'm too chicken to get this done as well. DH has been pushing for it though. What made me seriously consider it was what he said after we had our 2nd ds. He said, "Wouldn't you like to be able to see your boys first thing in the morning?" I am now looking into places to have the procedure done.

Just for the record, I still feel very chicken!

By Vicki on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 02:56 pm:

Dh had it done a few years ago and the results were great and he couldn't be happier with it!!!

By Amecmom on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 06:21 pm:

Thanks everyone - thanks Andi - I knew someone here had had it done.
I am in the research stage now. I hadn't even thought about it until I got the invitation from my eye doctor's office to go for a seminar. I will, of course, do all my homework first.
I've never had any kind of surgery. The first time I was in a hospital was to have my child.
I don't even know if I am a good candidate, but I'm going to find out.
Thanks again,
Ame

By Dawnk777 on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 06:47 pm:

I'm too chicken, and with one daughter entering college and her sister following in 3 years, I don't see where the money is coming from, either! I've already worn glasses for 41 years, what's a few more years.

By Paulas on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 - 12:16 am:

I just had my pre-op done on Saturday. The clinic called me today to discuss the results and talk about the lasik but I was out. I'm hoping to call them tomorrow. I have 4 friends who have had it done and are extremely happy.