I just had the procedure done yesterday and was wondering if anyone else has had the procedure.  Any side effects, and how long ago did you have it?  Any regrets?  I now see 20/15 in each eye.  I was previously 20/450.  So far so good.

magnumtc,

I had the pocedure done in Jan 1997, 20/500 and 20/600 in eyes before surgery, glasses since i was 7 years old.  No regrets.  I see 20/20 out of each eye.  I will go for my 4 year checkup in March.  

My reading is still good, 20/20 at 14 inches.  I am 49 and would expect some decline in reading ability but not yet.

When my eyes get tired, late at night, reading suffers, but a 1.25 diopter reading glasses help.  I also need the 1.25 dioter glasses when I do close up work, less than 14 inches.

I hope all continues well with you.  Being able to shoot without corrective lenses, just a nice pair of Oakley's, is great.

Had it done in July 2000. Was 20/400. Next day was 20/20. Slighty fuzzy like vasaline (sp?) was on eyes.At two months they wanted to do a second operation. (they thought they would have to do this from the start) Went to regular DR at 3 months. He brought everything into sharp focus with slight correction. This wasn't a problem since not wearing glasses was weirding me out. I elected not have second operation done. 20/20 without----20/15 with glasses. Paid $1000.00 total. I'm happy!

Had it done July of last year. Very satisfied with it. I only had two side effect; Light Sensitivity(sunlight) still have it. Halo around light sources at night, which went away in about a month.

lordtrader,

You sure got the "TX" designation below your name in a hurry.

I also have the light sensitivity.  I use polarized sunglasses out side.  Only quality, glasses, mainly Oakley's.  That takes care of the problem.  I really didn't have "halo's" as such but just a general "fuzziness" around lights.  Like you it went away in about a month.

Magnumtc, make sure to use the "natural tears" eye drops religiously.  For the first year I flushed my eyes several times a day.  It takes about 6 months for your eyes to stabilize and for the incision to completely disapear.  The eye flushing is important for this to go smoothly.

Thanks for the replies.  I was a bit skeptical at first but when I woke up this morning and was able to clearly see the alarm clock for the fist time without glasses,it was truly amazing.  The scariest part for me was when the opthomologist cut the flap and everything went black.  I kept thinking to myself, so this is what it looks like when you are blind.  Then he pulled the flap back down and I could see the red dot again!  

I agree,

What was really neat, was when i went to the drug store the day after my surgery and was actually able to buy a pair of sunglasses off of the rack.  In my 44 years (at that time) I had neaver been able to do that.  Also being able to walk in the rain, and walk into a store and not have to take my glasses off to clear the lenses.  Just little things like that is appreciated.

Seeing that target at 100 yards beats all!!!

I had it done a week ago and I'm still fuzzy to some extent.  Checked out at 20/25 yesterday from 20/400+ the week before.  If I do have to wear glasses at least I'll be able to find them from now on.  Scary thing last hunting season was having a branch take my glasses off my face when I was a loooonnngg way from a road.  Probably looked quite funny on all fours feeling about in the leaves.  Doc seems to think I'll tune up as I heal.

Cong

They day after my surgery I was 20/25.  By my one month check-up I was 20/20.

It has to do with the lense of your eye tightening up, and reshaping to the new surface left by the surgery.  That's why the "natural tears" eye drops are so important.  Flush your eyes alot.

I haven't gotten the surgery yet, but plan to in about ten years -- for two reasons.

1) they still don't know if there are any long-term bad effects. So I figure it's worth waiting a little while to find out.

2) I've been wearing glasses for so long that they're part of my self-image. I kinda Like wearing them, for now. When I'm a little older, and the concerns of age are more important, I'll get the surgery. Till then, I prefer the with-glasses look. (And wearing glasses when you don't need them is idiocy.)

I'm thinking of getting this done myself, but I'm not planning on waiting ten years for it. I've seen a few different adds that have offerred various doctors and technologies. All I can say is Huh???

Does anyone have handy pointers for minimizing my chances of walking away with a permanent problem?

Ask questions!

How long has the doctor in question been offering this surgery.

The doctor's I used in Houston, TX, pioneered the procedure in the Houston area.  They had their own Laser built before the FDA had approved machines for the LASIK surgery.  They trained in Canada with the LASIK procedure.  Be careful, many doctor's will say they have been doing "refractive" surgery for many years.  Yeah, RK and PRK, but what about LASIK.  They may just jumping on the LASIK bandwagon because there are dollars to be made.    

There is a new LASIK machine that actually tracks the laser across the eye, where the surgeon would place laser over area in older machines.  Ask what machine they are using.

Make sure to ask for references, and ask peolple who had problems, what their specific problem was.

Lastly, talk with the doctor if possible.  How knowlegeble is the staff.  You need to be comfortable with these people.

I had this done about two and a half years ago and I'm really happy.  I had worn glasses since I was nine.  Now I wear reading glasses for reading comfort(if the light is bright enough, I don't need them) or for close work.

I'm 50 and was wearing bi-focals anyway.  I would never go back.

I had RK (radial keratotomy)in 1983.  No laser...special diamond bladed knife.  I went from 20/5000 to 20/20 in both eyes.  It's been about 17 years now and I've never regretted the surgery.  I wouldn't hesitate to get lasik done today if you're unhappy with your vision.  Tiger Woods had it done and look what happened to him.  Make sure you get the best doctor you can find and in a matter of a few minutes...your life will change.

They now have better systems that work on a larger area that fix the halo (non-corrected part of lens) problem.  They are working on a system that maps out the cornia and cuts following the surface bumps/dips.  This technique does 10/15 and 10/10 vision.

Spoke with someone who had RKO (knife cut) and he has halos at night.  

I'm still waiting.

I don't have any personal experience. Here are a couple of links that have helpful info:

[url]www.thevisionplace.com/VisionPlaceIII/index2.htm[/url]

[url]www.chicagolasercenter.com/cgi-bin/lasik.pl[/url]

[url]www.usaeyes.org/[/url]

The newest technique is being called "Ladar". It does away with the Microkeratome process (the knife to cut the flap).

The new procedure will use the laser to cut the flap. It does so by only cutting to a predermined depth. Then just by a slight push by the surgen the layers of the cornea seperate (cleanly and naturally). Then the laser is used to reshape the proper layer with real-time surface mapping and correction.

Standard Lasik would take a surface map prior to the surgury and use that as a guide. One problem with this, is that the cornea changes shape on its own during the reshaping process. The new procedure will compensate real-time as the surgury progresses.

When they use the laser to cut the flap, they don't cut a perfect circle. They put two registration marks so the flap will fit back exactly the way it came out. It will also prevent rotation of the flap, which has caused some problems in the past with the classic Lasik procedure.

Another new benefit of the new Ladar is the they should be able to go back to the people who had Lasik before that didn't quite heal perfectly and clean up the mess. This is done without cutting a new flap. It is being suggested that people with "Halos" or other problems.

NOTE: This is just preliminary information. The "Ladar" is still rather new, and live data is just being created. The "Holy Grail" of corrective surgury is to be able to do the correction without having to cut the flap to reshape the cornea, Ladar is getting closer to the goal.

Now... How do I know this? Well I have a side job maintaining a computer network for an eye doctor. I had the Lasik done, but with minor complications. The doctor feels really bad about it, and is constantly researching new information for me. I am in current contact with one the leading Corneal Specialists in the country to work out a plan to correct my vision. (This guy is really "anal" and won't do anything new, until he can guarantee success. His success rate is above 99% for 100% correction.) So I am waiting till he is ready to take me, so in about six months I might be able give an update.

Anyone know why these proceedures can exclude you from employement with FBI or USMS???

anyone know about the age you have to be to get it done? or how bad you eyesight has to be to get it. mine isnt so bad i would want to risk f***ing my eyes up. but i'v had glasses for a while and i find them a huge pain in the ass, hunting in extream cold, mist, rain, is all complicated by glasses, paintball suffers due to the mask fogging me up. i would also like to wear real sunglasses. i would probly get the surgery as soon as i could.

Jim,

The reason is for exclusion of those employers is that you have thinned your cornea, therefore you are more susceptible to rupture. This type of correction is not recommended for who have a higher probability of suffering blows to the head. This includes some contact sports, military, and some law enforcement positions. But check with your doctor.

mattsd,

For men it is generally after the age of 25 to 30 that the best results happen. Any younger your body is still changing, including your corneas. I don't know the recommended age for women, sorry.

The worst perscription that they have had success without continuing requiring glasses has been -7 to -10 diopter. But it seems every year they extend that out a diopter or two. That was the last I heard.

One other thing that is required is the your perscription for your classes/contacts haven't change in over a year.

Another thing to consider is that there is a high chance of requireing reading glasses when you get older. Actually this probable with [b]all[/b] people. Your lens in your eye becomes less flexible as you age, so focusing on close up objects becomes harder. That is why old folks tend to need reading glasses.

I had Lasik and would highly recomend it! Best money I spent in a long while.

My Fiance had it done 2 years ago.  she had real bad astigmatizm. (SP)  she had 20/20 after the op.   now she has 20/20  and 20/25 on the left eye but she is extremely happy with it.  she says its the best money she ever spent.  

What was the cost of the operation to the people in Texas?
Lynn

You can find it from $900 to $1500/eye.  Maybe cheaper if one of the clinics is trying to increase business (experience)

I paid $1500/eye in 1997 at Mann Berkley aye clinic in Houston.  Actually my Doctor was Paul Mann out of Humble, TX.

Dallas Morning News ad for Clear Choice $695 per
eye. 877-527-4595. I used American Laser Vision
in Plano right before they got the Ladar. $799 per eye plus $200 per eye for astigmatism.