LASIK - Have you had it?

[land_shark3]

I'm going today for my first consultation on LASIK (w/blade) tomorrow I'm going for a consultation on LASIK (w/ intralase). Let me begin by saying I'm like a dog when it comes to my eyes; you go near them and I start blinking. It drives me nuts to think of something in my eyes so I'm a little apprehensive about this whole deal.

Has anyone out there had the LASIK surgery? Did you have it with the microkeratome or intralase? How bad is the torture device that they use to hold open your eye? And the one that sucks up your eyeball to cut it to pieces? (can you tell I'm a little nervous? )

Any words of wisdom or caution?

[buffettbride]

Haven't had it done but probably will in the next 2 years or so. Know many people who have had it done.

Valium is the key. Lots of valium.

[AlbatrossFlyer]

know several people who had it done. they all love it. they all had minor side effects with haloing of their night vision but it cleared up after a month or 2.

[AlbatrossFlyer]

oh and don't use a computer or read for at least a week. they all were told not to use a computer for only a day or 2, but the consensus is give it at least a week.

[Lil Miss Magic22]

I had it in December and it is wonderful!!! The worst part is having to wear the eye patches at night during the first week. As for the surgery it wasnt bad at all....you just have to lay back and try to relax.

[MG]

I successfully had LASIK (w/blade) done in February after an unsuccessful attempt last May. I am very happy with the results although I now need to wear reading glasses.

The first attempt failed because the corneal flap was not centered on my right eye. Apparently the suction device must have moved slightly just before the flap was cut. The doctor had to put the flap back in place and I had to wait at least six months for the flap to heal before surgery could be attempted again. The only negative from this failed attempt was that I could not have custom-LASIK the next time I had the surgery.

The second attempt was a success. I do not have any haloing and only minimal glare. I do need reading glasses under normal lighting conditions but in bright sunlight I can usually get by without them. Towards the end of the day, my eyes do feel drier and more tired than before the surgery.

[spainjane]

I had the no blade a few years ago and I LOVE IT!!!
I had glasses since I was seven, and I was completely blind without them. It's an amazing freedom to not have to worry about contacts and/or glasses.
I don't remember patches for a week...
I don't remember the computer stipulation, either.
I do remember that I couldn't wear eye makeup for a couple weeks...dark sunglasses for the first day.
I guess different doctors have slightly different recommendations.
Lots of eyedrops are needed before and after, you need to keep your eyes moist.
Follow what ever directions your doctor gives you.
And DO NOT shop around for the cheapest price. I have heard a couple bargain basement horror stories

[YooperPH]

I had the "w/ blade" over 5 years ago and have thanked the Lord every day since. I used to be legally blind with out my glasses and now I have 20/22 vision. The device to hold open your eyes is pretty rough, but they give you valium so you don't really care.

Let's just put it this way, right before I had the procedure done the nurse took my glasses and asked me to walk down the hall to a different room (she hadn't looked at my chart to see how "blind" I was). There was a chair in the middle of the hallway that I could not see and ran into. So then she finally walked me to where I needed to go. 4 minutes later the doctor sat me up in the chair and asked me to read the clock 20 feet across the room. I could read it perfectly.

I did have some difficulties with dry eyes afterwards for about 6 months, but I had some special eye drops that helped with that. I also have no halo affect, but do have some issues with bright lights. I can not go outside with out sunglasses.

All in all I am completely satisfied with the procedure and think you will be too.

[land_shark3]

Well, I'm back from the first consultation (w/ blade); turns out I am a canidate. My eyes are a little sore from the drops and ultrasound. This doc tries to avoid Valium unless absolutely needed. Looks like on this one I'll be wide awake.

Tomorrow is my consulation for the intralase (all laser). However after seeing the price for the blade, it will probably be way out of my ballpark.

[Mr Play]

However after seeing the price for the blade, it will probably be way out of my ballpark.

Why is this not covered under insurance?

[buffettbride]

However after seeing the price for the blade, it will probably be way out of my ballpark.

Why is this not covered under insurance?

Very few companies actually will pay insurance for LASIK. It's considered cosmetic.

[land_shark3]

However after seeing the price for the blade, it will probably be way out of my ballpark.

Why is this not covered under insurance?

Goodness no. Other than the fact that I have no eye insurance, most insurance companies still view LASIK as cosmetic/elective surgery.

From things I've read on-line the intralase will cost between $300-1000 more per eye. I like my eyes, but I haven't seen too many reports that say it is worth the price differential.

[Mr Play]

However after seeing the price for the blade, it will probably be way out of my ballpark.

Why is this not covered under insurance?

Very few companies actually will pay insurance for LASIK. It's considered cosmetic.

Yeah, but why? - it helps your vision...it lets people considered legally blind see so well they can drive again...why is it considered cosmetic?

[buffettbride]

However after seeing the price for the blade, it will probably be way out of my ballpark.

Why is this not covered under insurance?

Very few companies actually will pay insurance for LASIK. It's considered cosmetic.

Yeah, but why? - it helps your vision...it lets people considered legally blind see so well they can drive again...why is it considered cosmetic?

Because in the short-term, it's cheaper for employers to provide vision insurance that covers eye exams/glasses/contacts. LASIK is available for people with cataracts that is deemed medically necessary.

If more people worked for a single company longer, it would financially make sense to cover LASIK instead of playing for repeat eye exams and glasses and contacts. But, since very few people spend an entire career at one company, it doesn't make sense.

Can you tell I've been through this with my employer???

I'd say at some point in the future, it will be commonplace for companies to cover LASIK (probably just AFTER I pay to have it done), but all in all, it's still a relatively new thing.

[land_shark3]

it helps your vision...it lets people considered legally blind see so well they can drive again...why is it considered cosmetic?

Some companies will cover it if you are legally considered blind and a doctor says you must have it because glasses won't do the trick.

I'm considered too blind to drive, but not legally blind. I'm only -4.5 in each eye. I have friends that are upwards of -12. For me, glasses can correct my vision so its an elective/cosmetic surgery.

[YooperPH]

it helps your vision...it lets people considered legally blind see so well they can drive again...why is it considered cosmetic?

Some companies will cover it if you are legally considered blind and a doctor says you must have it because glasses won't do the trick.

I'm considered too blind to drive, but not legally blind. I'm only -4.5 in each eye. I have friends that are upwards of -12. For me, glasses can correct my vision so its an elective/cosmetic surgery.

I was a -11 and it was still correctable with glasses and contacts. Granted my glasses were coke bottles so when I was 11 my doctor said contacts were the way to go to relieve the pressure on my nose.

As for the money, prices have come down so much I can't believe it. I paid $2000 per eye. And it was worth EVERY penny. (That's what I used to look like in my glasses!!)

[land_shark3]

As for the money, prices have come down so much I can't believe it. I paid $2000 per eye. And it was worth EVERY penny. (That's what I used to look like in my glasses!!)

Mine is still $2000 an eye; $500 more per eye for the custom laser.

[YooperPH]

Mine is still $2000 an eye; $500 more per eye for the custom laser. [/quote]

What is the custom laser?

[krusin1]

I had Lasik done last fall, without valium, and without the sucking device to hold your eye steady. I think it was an upgraded machine where it corrects the aim something 4000 times per second, so if you watch the red dot like they say, you're fine.

The deal that held your eye open was a @!$%$#@!%, though. Just about the time I was ready to quit, though, they were done.

Worst part for me was that I had some micro blood vessels that had grown into the colored part of my eye (years of contact lenses.) Doing the surgery, they cut through a couple of those and the surgeon had to squeegee my eye for 5-10 minutes until the bleeding stopped.

When they were done, though, I sat down in the outpatient room and could read the clock on the wall for the first time in years without lenses.

Very cool. Worth it. Good luck.

[ToplessRideFL]

I am not a candidate as I only need glasses for computer work and reading now that my eyes are "old"...Hubby has something called deep sockets...so he isnt a candidate either..... However I know many folks who are happy that they had it done. So as long as your Dr is reputable..you should be fine!!!