Posted on 05/31/2011 4:04:02 PM PDT by Oshkalaboomboom
My wife would like to get Lasik surgery to correct her farsightedness. I haven't really paid much attention to it since it first became common but back then I remember reading that, while it corrected your vision to 20/20 in the near term, over time your vision could actually end up being worse than it would have been if you didn't get it corrected in the first place and just aged naturally. Have they improved the technology to the point where that is no longer a problem?
I have read up on the procedure but most of the sites are run by people with an agenda (selling laser vision correction) so I would rather hear from some unbiased Freepers. Thanks.
That’s a crock. I saw people testify for Congress; one man literally broke down. The dryness can be excruciating and debilitating - imagine always feeling like sand or grit is always in your eye EVEN when you try to sleep, but you can’t sleep? There is a RISK with this surgery - as with all surgeries - one must weigh benefit vs. risk. To me, the risk was NEVER worth it. EVER. To those more vain, perhaps the risk was not so great. Hindsight (no pun intended) is not available.
My opthamologist said that they are starting to suspect that Lasix interferes with later cataract surgery.
I’d research that.
I haven’t had it done, but the 4 or 5 people that I have known that did have it, all are wearing glasses again. I will keep my glasses till they pry them off my cold dead face.
I recommend Dr. Antonio Méndez He’s been doing LASIK longer than any US surgeon. He treated Stevie Nicks if that means anything to you.
Had mind done years and years (maybe decades?) ago. Totally satisfied, although with age I now need bifocals.
Clinica de Oftalmología
Tijuana
Paseo de los Héroes #9365
C.P. 22320 Mexico
Tel: (6) 684.9537
Fax: (6) 684.9538
US phone (619) 421-2348 (San Diego)
Your eyes change throughout your life. Most people experience presbyopia, hardening of the lens of the eye. The eye itself changes shape. If you get Lasik at, say 20, you may not need glasses for 10 years. But, you’ll still probably need them. When you get it and you already have both distance and close up issues, your eyes will be focused at one or the other; your choice. But you’ll still need glasses for the other focal point; close or far. (I have a friend with one eye focused close and one far out and she has no depth perception. It also took some adjustment.)
I decided not to get it done because I can take my glasses off and read and that’s important. My doctor simulated the far focus with contacts and it meant I needed glasses for anything closer than 10 feet and reading was impossible even with the reading lenses. I believe people who get this done are trading one set of problems for another and I chose to stay with my current ones.
Lots of people are happy with the way their eyes are now, but might not be 10 or 20 years from now and there’s no going back.
Lasik, too.
I would recommend PRK over LASIK, mainly because LASIK involves a corneal flap. There is real concern that the flap never really “heals”, risking flap disruption years down the road. The flap interface may also be responsible for the night vision issues. The Army uses primarily PRK for these reasons. There is more pain after PRK, but it is short-lived and manageable, especially with the “bandage” contacts that are used. I had PRK over a year ago and am very satisfied.
Sure there is risk, as with any kind of surgery. There’s a risk to driving down to the store too.
If you pick a good doctor and listen to his recommendations the risk is minimal. They’ve done enough of them to know who will be a good patient and who wont. If you’re on the edge of the envelop then the risk goes up.
And apples will kill all the children too, I saw that testimony before Congress and we all know those guys would never lie to us.
Do they tell them in advance that when they do that they lose their depth perception?
I went to a very well-known doc in the Metroplex. I had it done 8-9 years ago. I haven’t been able to see well since then. I had an adjustment (more lasik) by the same doc, but it made my vision worse. I was very nearsighted with astigmatism. He didn’t correct for the astigmatism and now my vision CANNOT be corrected with any kind of lens. I’m the only person I have every know who didn’t appreciate the outcome.
I’m hedging my bets and wearing soft contacts. More expensive in the long run, but no ill effects so far. They might be cheaper if you don’t have astigmatism.
1. Find out all you can about the operation first.
2. Choose an experienced doctor.
3. Make very sure it's what you really want to do.
4. Follow the Doc's advice to the letter including post-operative procedures and examinations.
There will be an examination first to determine if you are eligible, i.e. have enough corneal tissue to shape with a laser. Usually it's free. You're not committed up to this point. Then make sure you have made an intelligent assessment of the risks. Then, if your mind is clear about it, do it.
My vision has been horrible since I was around 4. It was soooo bad that without contacts or glasses, looking at the huge E on the eyechart I couldn’t even see any black, just blurry white. It was worse that 20/500. After being in a tremor in a San Fran hotel on a trip I realized that anything like a fire or earthquake could put me in harm’s way as I couldn’t see anything past about 2 inches in front of my nose. So, I had Z lazer and wow wow wow. I still can’t believe it!! I can see!!! Before this, it was forever bloodshot eyes, infections from inadvertedly touching my contacts if something got under them, fumbling for my glasses, losing contacts, having to make midnight runs for contact solution when I was out- not to mention $800 glasses every other year and about $400 yearly for contacts and solutions. I realize there are risks with everything- it was the right decision for me.
And to Bonnie who called me four eyes in second grade- (giving middle finger).
“Never, ever use an eye doctor that accepts coupons.”
That was actually a King of Queens episode. Very, very funny.
I think extreme cases like yours are a great reason to do it.
I just shared some healthy skepticism.
:)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.