LASIK surgery

MatrixPC · 10-10-2007, 05:16 PM

Anyone on this site did it or consider doing it?
Well I'm considering the procedure. Went thru the consultation and they said that I'm ok to do, but after reading all the stuff at LasikFlap Forum, scare me off a little bit.

Personally, I know 4 people did it already and so far non had complication nor require glasses/contact, but they all did 4-5 years ago. I know new technology coming along way, but today technology is different than what it was when they did it.

Anyway, I was quoted from TLC for Custom Lasik with Intralase for both eyes was $5K. That is hella expensive, but if it work out for me, it's worth. If I'm going forward, the procedure will be performed by Dr. Thomas Tooma in Newport Beach, CA.

I'm looking for a 2nd consultation at a different clinic (Global Laser Vision) in Huntington Beach, CA. From google search result, the device they use are from AMO's Advanced CustomVue(TM) LASIK which NASA approves for Use on Astronauts. I haven't call the clinic yet, but will see.

Why am I consider the procedure? So I don't have to worry about my contact fell down the bottom of the pool while swim with my little boy

.

RickS · 10-10-2007, 09:04 PM

I've known a lot of people who have done it with no problems but that flap is a bit scary. I had PRK done a month ago which is the same as LASIK but they scrub off the outer layer rather than cutting the flap (then it grows back so there's no residual effect other than your reshaped cornea). PRK was the only procedure available to Department of Defense pilots until very recently when they approved LASIK using a femtosecond laser to cut the flap rather than a blade (which I'm assuming is the same as the CustomVUE process that's approved for astronauts). My cornea was on the thin side for doing LASIK so I didn't have the option anyway. I don't know if PRK is available in the civilian sector but you might want to check into it if you're that worried about the flap. Otherwise, go with the one that's approved for astronauts...NASA is ridiculously conservative about that stuff.

judoGTI · 10-11-2007, 11:55 AM

I got it. I feel 50/50 about it. I lost A LOT of night vision. Its like someone turned the contrast WAY up. Whereas before things would be gray and you could make out details, say at dusk, are now black.

The other bad thing is the hazing or halos around lights. Whereas with contacts you'd get some halos with lasik it got a lot worse for me. Now this is something that is unique from person to person and from surgery to surgery. some people get very little and some get a lot. The bad thing is you wont know until after its done.

But the pluses are no contacts in and out everyday. you can go swimming and keep your eyes open. No losing contacts, or remembering to take solution with you on road trips....

like I said, if I had to do it again... I dunno Im 50/50 on it.

I didnt get the lasik, I got the PRK FWIW

MatrixPC · 10-12-2007, 09:18 PM

Thanks for your opinion guys.
I just went to a 3rd consultation and they turn me down. The reason is that my cornea is too thin for either PRK or lasik. It's doable but not on the safe side. This same doctor who did 3 of the 4 people I knew as mention above.
Oh well, contact for me until newer technology that is safe for my case. I read that iVIS platform currently available in EU is much better option than what currently available in the US.

Mr_Civic · 10-12-2007, 09:22 PM

I wore contacts and glasses since I was a teenager and had PRK done on one and Lasik on the other and have had no problems/issues. Seeing better than 20/20 and don't know why I didn't do it sooner; had it done about 5 months ago.

Go for it, the technology has really come a long way in the past year/yr 1/2. You won't regret it!

dmart23 · 10-18-2007, 02:53 PM

yeah you should do it, ive had 5 friends who've gone through with it, and they've all been extremely pleased

Grimoire · 10-18-2007, 05:16 PM

I have quite a few friends that do lasik. They all had very good results. Some even see FAR better than non operated people, its crazy. Like they read the board and end with 'made in china'. Crazy. If you ever skydive, get Lasik. PRK is not airborne worthy, found that out recently, as thats all the military will offer if your on airborne status. Lasik is also a bit more permanent, PRK usually needs 'touchups', or at least thats what Im being told at work...
Go for it man.

ik632 · 10-25-2007, 08:34 PM

I had verisyse implants done in both eyes, then lasik in my left eye, and corneal relaxation incisions in my right eye. Lasik was by far, the easiest and fastest healing part of it all. Verisyse took about 3 months per eye before they were good. I have a glare off of the bottom edge of the lens in my right eye when it's dark and my pupil is dilated, but I've grown to live with it. I had -16 and -16.5 diopters before the procedures.