This thread is categorized under "Help Request & Advice".

Can anyone provide me with either their experiences or information from people they know that have had laser eye surgery to correct near or far sightedness? The only stuff I know about this subject is what I have heard on commercials, and a family member asked me about it today, so I thought I would ask the forum. Help?

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), July 11, 1999

Answers

I had the procedure done, it's called Lasix(sp?) about 1 1/2 years ago. I had worn glasses most of my life. I have 20/20 vision at this point. The only problem I have is at night. My night vision was not great to begin with. The surgery improved it but I'm more comfortable wearing glasses that "sharpen" my vision up at night. I am very satified with the results of the procedure. It took about 20 min. an eye and was a trip!! Within 2 hours I could see clearly without glasses for the first time in my life. When I had it done it cost $2000.00 per eye. Not cheap.

If you can afford it I'd look into it. I'm happier knowing I can see without glasses or contacts.

Freelancer....

-- Freelancer (mercenary2000@yahoo.com), July 11, 1999.

I was just talking to my wife today about this very procedure!

Rob, how bad was your eyesight before getting them fixed? Also, any chance of insurance covering all/part of this? Thanks.

-TECH32-

-- TECH32 (TECH32@NOMAIL.COM), July 12, 1999.

Rob,

My sister-in-law had this surgery in Feb. To her, it has been a miracle.

Here is a note from that time period:

"It hasn't even been a week since my laser eye surgery. I am aware that every day I am seeing better. In the house, I am not too aware of the improvement. When driving, I am very aware.

The day after surgery, I had to be right behind a car (stop sign) to read the license plate. Now I can be several car lengths behind. It is exciting.

No pain. I went to a movie yesterday. No problems.:-) The only thing that I can't do yet is wear eye makeup."

The last thing will not be a problem for all!

-- flora (***@__._), July 12, 1999.

Might want to check this out and do some research. the reason for nearsighted vision is because the eyeball is too oblong & when they do laser surgery, they shorten the eyeball,Kinda like making an adjustment to a telescope. I've heard though, that as you get older your eyes shink with age,affecting your nearsighted vision(just ask grandma) and getting laser surgery just gets you that much closer to having nearsighted vision problems

-- mchenry (cymchenry@seidata.com), July 12, 1999.

Most eye clinics will do free screening tests to answer all your questions and let you know whether or not you are a candidate of this proceedure. The cost is now $1500 an eye in Cedar Rapids Ia.

-- y2k dave (xsdaa111@hotmail.com), July 12, 1999.

Thanks to all of you who have responded so far. It was my Aunt who asked about it and is considering it, not me--- sorry, I should have been clearer in my post. Anyway, I did encourage her to get more information and told her I would try to get some also. She is 68 years old and very Y2K aware, but probably would be considering this regardless of Y2K. She had questions like if they screw it up can they "undo" it, to which I replied "I don't know". The commercials are just that - commercials - and so only give one side of the story.

I'll check in again later to see any more responses and will call her tonight and let her know what was posted. Something as important as a persons eyes needs to be seriously thought out ahead of time with as many facts as possible I feel, and your responses will add to the mix of information. Thanks again.

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), July 12, 1999.

Rob, I haven't had the surgery, but there as a time I was interested, and researched and talked with my eye doctor a few times. I'm near-sighted in one eye, and far-sighted in the other. So I can see both near and far without glasses, but not very efficiently. My doctor told me that the surgery would only be done in my near-sighted eye, and from then on I would have to use reading glasses. (Since I have a desk job, this would be a major hassle.) Also, if your eyes are going through a period of change (mine did for the last several years), then the surgery won't be effective. I also didn't care for the idea of structural alteration of my eyeballs, and I can't help wonder whether the procedure has been around enough to know what longterm problems might develop. The only person I know who has had it done is thrilled.

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), July 12, 1999.

When we learned about Y2K, my husband finally scheduled his Lasix surgery. He had it done almost exactly a year ago. I don't know exactly what his eyesight was before, but it was horrible! If he was not wearing glasses or contacts, he couldn't see anything! His sight is now 20/40 in both eyes and he is very glad he did it. His only problem is a "halo" effect at night, but the doctor gave him some drops that correct this, as long as he remembers to put them in. The cost was around $4500 and insurance would not cover it. The doctor said that he may be able to correct the vison further, but my husband is happy with it the way it is - and we are thrilled that we don't have to worry about spare glasses and contacts for Y2K.

Nicki

-- Nicki (y2kaware@excite.com), July 12, 1999.

Try LasikVision. BOTH eyes, $1500.

http://www.lasik-vision.com or 888-673-EYES

-- Dennis (djolson@pressenter.com), July 12, 1999.

Laser vision correction affects only your cornea (that wonderful, clear "lens" at the front of your eye), not your whole "eyeball". The procedure is used primarily for near-sightedness, and simply alters the shape of the lens by reducing its curve. That's why the process is so "quick and easy" for the doctor (it's pretty much all automated). It's still not inexpensive for the consumer, unfortunately, and is considered "elective" by most insurance. $4K ($2K per eye) will buy quite a few pairs of glasses and/or contact lens, and there's always the chance (reportedly very minor, around 5%) that there will some complications, so right now the insurance companies opt to pay for the "non-surgical vision correction".

Here's a link to a site which gives info on options on laser vision correction:

Laser Vision Correction

Note: I am not in any way affiliated with any of the companies associated with that Website. It's just a well-organized source of info that I found on the topic.

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), July 12, 1999.

I was glad to read all the positive responses, as I have considered this procedure for myself. The only person I know that had it done had a very long recovery time and her eyes still needed corrective lenses afterwards, though they were improved. She was quite unhappy about the whole thing, and it discouraged me from it. Now I'll reconsider.

-- Gus (y2kk@usa.net), July 12, 1999.

Talk about co-incidence.Read your question,Rob,& then went and listened to the TV.Up came an eye specialist who said he had stopped doing laser sugery because it created problems with night vision..which could not be reversed. Worth checking out this aspect.

-- Chris (griffen@globalnet.co.uk), July 12, 1999.

Once again, thanks to all of you who have taken the time to respond. It really is appreciated. I'll pass this information along to her later tonight.

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), July 12, 1999.

Look, folks,

I don't like to throw cold water on a happy party, but please think about this. There are only 5 1/2 months until the Medical community starts to have thier little problems. I am very nearsighted, and have been tempted to have this procedure ever since it was introduced.

But think of the risks! There is NO long term data on the efficacy of this procedure. Ten years down the road, what will be the result? The procedure entails removing the upper (protective) layers of your cornea, inherently weakening it. Is this worth the inconvenience of having to wear glasses in a potentially disastrous post-y2k medical world?

Are you sure you will have good follow-up medical care this fall and winter, if there are complications from surgery at this late date? Will you have the means to pay for it? Are you willing to risk blindness at this time (risk admittedly low, but still there)? Think carefully. You wouldn't be here if you thought y2k risks were low.

IMHO, I would rather have a few extra spare sets of glasses (and hoping I can trade for more from someone who knows how to grind them) than take the chance of having permanently cloudy corneas at a time when I really need to fend for my family.

The time for such elective surgery is past. Please think about it, and do your homework. Time is short, and the risks are indeterminate.

-- Spindoc' (spindoc_99_2000@yahoo.com), July 12, 1999.

I'm with Spindoc here. The New Improved surgery -- where the eyeball is not shortened, unlike the older method, which apparently increased risk of eyeball rupture in the event of a blow to the head -- generally sounds like a great deal. Especially in view of Y2K ramifications. But with only 5.5 months to go, I sure would not want to risk it -- too much is unknown!

(As part of my Y2K preps, I have 2 sets of contact lenses, a pair of eyeglasses, and another pair that are also safety goggles.)

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), July 13, 1999.

BTW, I will provide research references on this procedure (both pro and con) in the next couple of days, if anyone is interested. But don't trust my opinion, or take my word for it. For something as important as you eyesight (especially in these times), ask LOTS of questions, and do your own research as well.

-- Spindoc' (spindoc_99_2000@yahoo.com), July 13, 1999.

Spellchecker ON!

Who said PhiDs could spell!?

-- Spindoc' (spindoc_99_2000@yahoo.com), July 13, 1999.

Interesting remarks Spindoc and Jack. Basically I agree, which will probably come as no surprise to either of you since from my other posts you know that I tend to err on the side of caution in most things, and especially with something like this. I called my Aunt and read her the responses. She is concerned about both the night vision side effects and the costs, and will talk with her optomitrist (sp?) whom she will be seeing soon anyway. She will also continue looking into it, but didn't sound so gung ho, which I was happy about.

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), July 13, 1999.

I went to my eye doc yesterday. He wanted me to consider Lasik. I asked him some questions. He said IT WOULD affect my ability to read and see close up. So there is a trade off. I happen to like seeing my wife when I kiss her without glasses, so I nixed it.

There is another procedure called coronial ring. IT IS REVERSABLE. It corrects myopia. But don't know much more than that. IT is not laser surgery. My doctor told me my myopia is too bad for this procedure. I would have done this procedure if I was eligible.

-- BB (peace2u@bellatlantic.net), July 13, 1999.

Cost of 2 extra pairs of glasses: as low as $200 total, perhaps a bit more.

Cost of "Laser Vision Correction": minimum $1500, perhaps much more.

That extra $1300 would take care of a lot of other preps, methinks...

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), July 14, 1999.

I had the surgery. They blew it. The surgical team put the keratome (tool that shaves the layer off the top of your eye) together incorrectly. Cut ~ 500 microns into my cornea. During the laser section my eye ruptured. I now see three distinct images in my left eye. I can partially focus which leads to huge eye strain. I don't think my vision will recover but I am praying it will.

I think the surgery is a good surgery. I researched it thoroughly. Unfortunately the techs and the doctor made a moronic error that I will have to live with. Be careful. DEMAND THEY DOUBLE CHECK THE KERATOME. DEMAND IT.

-- Tim (tonoles@bellsouth.net), July 14, 1999.

My inlaws both had the surgery done in Canada in Vancouver, BC for $1,650 per person verses $4,000 per person here in the states. The dollar is very strong now in Canada. They both loved it and rave about the results.

-- (starkrav@kdsi.net), July 15, 1999.