[Hoops]

Hi guys - ive reached the point where i have to make a decision either way on this. I broke my glasses on the flight home from HKG and ive decided that i should take the plunge and get my eyes done. I looked into this a few years ago through Vision Express and they told me my eyes were ideal for the surgery. Im -3.5 in each eye.

Anyway - i just wanted to hear from those that have had the surgery done and who they would recommend. Also, what sort of cost is it these days??

Any help and advice MUCH appreciated as this is a big life decision and im quite nervous and apprehensive etc.

[///M3NACE]

I would stay away. Just finished up medical school. It can cause blindness 10 or 20 years down the line. Its not certain you will but a possibility. I've seen worset vision on that. I know a family friend who lost his through this surgery. Just my 2 cents. Hit or miss on this one. Its your eyes your life and your decision.

[JLR1969]

Palmbollox had his eyes done recently and was really happy with the results.

[jjbirch]

so it is true playing with yourself makes you go blind lol

[dxb335d]

I have heard there is a risk mate, How big a risk I do not know.

Good luck with the decision making process buddy! All the best.

[Mani59]

Originally Posted by ihsanshaik

I would stay away. Just finished up medical school. It can cause blindness 10 or 20 years down the line. Its not certain you will but a possibility. I've seen worset vision on that. I know a family friend who lost his through this surgery. Just my 2 cents. Hit or miss on this one. Its your eyes your life and your decision.

Have to kind of disagree with the above.

I had laser eye surgery done at the end of August of this year, and have to say it's the best thing I have ever spent money on. I'm 27 now, but have been wearing glasses all the time since i was around 14.

Like you, i was very nervous about this and hated the thought of someone messing around with my eyes, (I mean, you need your eyes to see!).
I knew a few people at work who had it done and they said that it was fine and told me a little bit about the operation.

So i booked myself in for a free consultation with Optical Express, which lasted around 2 hours. They take a good look at your eyes and put drops in your eyes which makes your vision really blurred and sensative to light. They also measure the thickness of your pupil by gently inserting a small prod into your eye, (sounds alot worse that it is, and trust me, you hardly feel it).

Anyway, at the end of it, the specialist told me which one i was suitable for, which was the LASIK and the price (which goes down if you book on a date that they suggest). I went for the more expensive one which also helps when driving at night for nightglare, (called Wavefront Intralase).

As for the op, it was fine. I was at the clinic for around 4/5 hours, but the actual procedure took 10 mins. It's amazing cos as soon as you come out of the surgery room, you can see really clearlly!

I could go on and on about this, so if you need to know anything else, or what they do in the op, let me know.

As for my vision now....it's the best it has ever been. I have better than 20/20 vision and you can't get better than that. My vision is much better now, than it was before with glasses.

But I would definetly recommend it and recommend Optical Express. It will be the best money you have ever spent!

[toxicnerve]

Originally Posted by E90_330i

Have to kind of disagree with the above.

How can you disagree if he's talking about issues 10-20 years down the line?

Also, having your vision corrected does not rule out your prescription changing AFTER you have the laser treatment...

[ed335d]

Had mine done about 10 years ago - it was one of the best things I've ever done. My eyesight is still perfect.

I was only -1.75 on each side, so there wasn't a huge correction to be done. I wanted rid of glasses and couldn't get on with contacts.

The procedures have changed quite a lot since I had mine done, there seemed (at the time) to be two main options:

1) Painful, more predictable results, less expensive (direct laser onto the surface of the eye)
2) Painfree, less predictable results, more expensive (the flap-cutting type)

I opted for the former (due to more predictable results, not cost) and do not regret it one bit. Not sure if they still do the type of surgery that I had, but I think it was £550 per eye at the time.

Reading the disclaimer makes you think twice, but these companies know what they're doing, they couldn't do it if they didn't. There's a risk associated with any kind of surgery, one I was prepared to take.

Most companies offer free consultations (I think) - visit a couple and satisfy yourself that it's worth the expense and (minimal) risk.

[Mani59]

Originally Posted by toxicnerve

How can you disagree if he's talking about issues 10-20 years down the line?

Also, having your vision corrected does not rule out your prescription changing AFTER you have the laser treatment...

It's just that I know people who had laser eye surgery done years ago (outside of the UK), and their vision is still perfect.

Of course, as you get older, your vision does start to get a little worse, even with laser eye surgery. Even in the contract you sign with Optical Express, you are made aware that at the age of around 40ish, you may need glasses for reading, (as with most people of that age), so yo may need to buy some general reading glasses.

[dxb335d]

A small risk but with major consequences.

What is the success rate?

[willhollin]

They've not developed a laser big enough to correct my eyesight yet.

[Hoops]

Originally Posted by ihsanshaik

It can cause blindness 10 or 20 years down the line.

Do you know if there are any statistics on this??

[Mani59]

Originally Posted by ed335d

Had mine done about 10 years ago - it was one of the best things I've ever done. My eyesight is still perfect.

I was only -1.75 on each side, so there wasn't a huge correction to be done. I wanted rid of glasses and couldn't get on with contacts.

The procedures have changed quite a lot since I had mine done, there seemed (at the time) to be two main options:

1) Painful, more predictable results, less expensive (direct laser onto the surface of the eye)
2) Painfree, less predictable results, more expensive (the flap-cutting type)

I opted for the former (due to more predictable results, not cost) and do not regret it one bit. Not sure if they still do the type of surgery that I had, but I think it was £550 per eye at the time.

Reading the disclaimer makes you think twice, but these companies know what they're doing, they couldn't do it if they didn't. There's a risk associated with any kind of surgery, one I was prepared to take.

Most companies offer free consultations (I think) - visit a couple and satisfy yourself that it's worth the expense and (minimal) risk.

£550 per eye; thats a bargain!
I had to pay around £1500 per eye, but I had the flap cutting one with wavefront.
My prescription was pretty bad at -4 and -4.5.

[briers]

Originally Posted by willhollin

They've not developed a laser big enough to correct my eyesight yet.

Mrs had hers done and 6 years on results are still great.

There are risks with everything, depends how risk adverse you are.

Only thing she struggles with is night-time driving. She complains of flaring lights. Only a minor thing to otherwise perfect eyesight.

[willhollin]

Originally Posted by briers

Mrs had hers done and 6 years on results are still great.

There are risks with everything, depends how risk adverse you are.

Only thing she struggles with is night-time driving. She complains of flaring lights. Only a minor thing to otherwise perfect eyesight.

-7.5 and -8.0, my current glasses were made from lenses from the hubble telescope.

[prt71]

I'm 4.75 and 5.25 and though I get on with lenses fine I constantly wonder whether to do this. My biggest concern is my corrected vision is fantastic, easily do the bottom lines on all the charts etc and don't want that to diminish.

[Mani59]

And the hubble telescope is still going strong after all these years!


Slightly pointless fact, but I remember the first thing that I saw when I looked at the brochure that OE sent me, and it was that Tiger Woods and Cindy Crawford have also had laser eye surgery, and ofcourse, that just 'swinged' it for me

[Mani59]

Originally Posted by prt71

I'm 4.75 and 5.25 and though I get on with lenses fine I constantly wonder whether to do this. My biggest concern is my corrected vision is fantastic, easily do the bottom lines on all the charts etc and don't want that to diminish.

It took me about a week before I could see the bottom line of the chart after my surgery. Although everyone is different, they advise it can take around 3 months for vision to continually improve.

For me, my vision is getting better everyday, as I still suffer with alittle bit of glare around TV screens at night/dark rooms, (which is just inflammation).

[Professor///M]

Originally Posted by STEVIEHOOPS

Hi guys - ive reached the point where i have to make a decision either way on this. I broke my glasses on the flight home from HKG and ive decided that i should take the plunge and get my eyes done. I looked into this a few years ago through Vision Express and they told me my eyes were ideal for the surgery. Im -3.5 in each eye.

Anyway - i just wanted to hear from those that have had the surgery done and who they would recommend. Also, what sort of cost is it these days??

Any help and advice MUCH appreciated as this is a big life decision and im quite nervous and apprehensive etc.

I've had it done in the US and it was the best investment I've ever made. I saw 20/20 or 20/30 with glasses or contact lenses. I see 20/13 or even 20/10 on a really good day 4 years after my surgery.

My mother had it done nearly 15-20 years ago when it was "new" and hasn't had problems since.


Here's some insight:

1. Cost/Benefit - The cost is expensive, and really it would take a LONG time for the cost of replacement contact lenses or glasses to equal the $2,500 - $6000 cost (depending on physician and they type of surgery).

2. Your eyesight MUST be stable. If you have changed your prescription once in the past 3-4 years i'd wait. Make sure you've been stable for at least 3-4 years minimum.

3. The risk of blindness, medically, is unfounded thus far. You probably have just as great of a risk with overuse/abuse of contact lenses and your risk of developing corneal ulcers. I'm sure there are some cases of botched surgery, or problems that may be either related to or coincidental to the surgery, but the surgery has limited risk.

4. Considering #3, even if, for some unusual reason, there was a problem, there is potential for corneal transplant. The surgery does not involve the retina, lens, etc. It is merely lifting a piece of your cornea up and flattening it out so that your focus is improved.

5. Get second opinions & all the facts. You are doing something that is life altering. Make sure you get someone else's opinion to ensure you're a good candidate for the surgery, the price seems reasonable/appropriate, and have answered all of your questions and concerns.


This is all assuming you're looking for LASIK or PKR surgery. There are other more invasive surgeries involving the lens with other risks, results & complications - I'm just assuming you mean simple corneal correction.

Last - results may not be guaranteed. My physician guaranteed results, and offers free re-correction if my vision deteriorates to 20/40 and I'm still a candidate.


Really last - keep in mind there is not a whole lot that can be done for farsightedness.

[Hoops]

Thanks Pamidge - great response - and yes im short sighted and considering LASIK.

Also - Im thinking of calling Moorfields Eye Hospital because for some reason, probably wrongly, im assuming its a better prospect???

[225_AB]

I am a surgeon albeit not an eye surgeon and as such can't afford to risk my vision. The risks of poorer sight and blindness are very low but not nil, only you can decide if this very small risk is one that you are prepared to take. All surgery however routine carries risks. You might also ask yourself why so few opthalmic surgeons have had laser eye surgery.

For an unbiased view you might want to read http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/liv...1561/31561.pdf

Good luck.

[Dr Dave]

Originally Posted by jjbirch

so it is true playing with yourself makes you go blind lol

I'm over here, james!