Laser Vision

Question: Is laser vision correction technology reliable nowadays and what are some of the common risks/side effects?

(Posted by: a on 2008-03-14 20:33:28)

If possible, I'd love to get some feedback from people who's had laser vision surgery themselves and if they could recommend a good doctor/ clinic in Alabama, Georgia or Florida. Thanks so much!! also, i've heard that the improvement in vision after the surgery would only last a few years and that eventually it will go back to being as bad as before, is that true? a common complaint i heard people having after the surgery is constant dry eyes that may or may not be sensitive to sunlight. either way, would you recommend have the laser surgery now or waiting a couple more years for the technology to improve a little more???

Posted by: nvedukatr on 2008-03-14, 20:58:57

I had lasik surgery almost 1 year ago. I live in Nevada and you have to be 21 before they will do it to you. I waited until I was almost 30 because I was a little afraid. Let me tell you it is WONDERFUL!!! I wish I had done it earlier. It only took about 15mins and my vision is perfect now. The main side effect that I know of is that some people do have dry eyes and need to use eye drops a few times a day and there may be some sensitivity to bright light. I do not have either of these symptoms. Some people may also need to have the surgery a second time if their vision is not perfect, but they do it for free and this is also rare. If you go to a good doctor you shouldn't have any worries. It is very high tech now a days. My doctor explained that your eyes will still age and that cannot be fixed with the surgery. SO someday I may eventually need reading glasses, but your vision does not revert back like you mentioned. I would recommend you get a free consultation to see if you are even a candidate and go from there. Remember, you get what you pay for, so don't look for bargains when it comes to your eyes. It cost me about $5000. However, I cannot tell you how worth it, it is! My two brothers have had it done now too and their results were just as spectacular! Good Luck!

Posted by: Aim on 2008-03-14, 20:45:32

I'm really happy I had mine done. It's totally worth it. One side effect however, is the need for reading glasses at an earlier age than normal. Normally reading glasses are needed in people at or around the age of 40 (though not an exact science). The doctor said that its pretty typical with people who had corrective surgery to require reading glasses at an earlier age. Another side effect is dry eyes. I had dry eyes for a good year after the procedure, but now not so much. I hardly ever use drops anymore. If you have an astigmatism you might not get the 100% correction. I had one and while it worked for awhile, the eye with the astigmatism is now slightly more blurry. I only notice it when I'm really tired or had "one too many. " It was still very worth it, but this is something you should consider. It would suck to have the laser surgery done and then still need glasses. :)' Just to add, I had my LASIK procedure done about 7 years ago and no problems at all aside from what I previously mentioned.

Posted by: mind in fog on 2008-03-14, 20:56:35

Yes, I've heard some of the things you've heard. But I've also heard one thing about knee surgery that may, or might not apply to eye surgery, or any other non-life threatining surgery. Once operated on, it, body part, is never the same again, never as good again. And if your eye sight is'nt as, or that bad, and you can wear glasses to help you, and lasik surgery is not needed, than why get it, but if you can hold off on eye surgery, and wait for improvements, than why not.

Posted by: Jenn on 2008-03-15, 13:06:38

Your vision can and will change over time and you will DEFINITELY need reading glasses right around age 40. I have had some patients who reverted back to their old prescriptions, but usually they only revert slightly. It IS a compromised eye, in my opinion, because the cornea has been shaved thinner and I feel it would be more at risk of injury than a non-lasered eye. The beauty of glasses and contacts, too, is that they work 100% of the time...Beats the stats on LASIK...I'd rather not play Russian roulette with my vision. Usually is goes extremely well, but what about the other 5% of the time? I'll pass.