lasik eye surgery

abnihon

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So I'm scheduled to get Lasik surgery in 3 weeks and I'm a little nervous about side effects etc. Just wondering if anyone's gotten it and what their experiences were.
But despite my fears, I am sooo ready to be done with dry contacts and clunky glasses forever!!
 

kellyyfaber

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My husband had it done a few years ago. He said it's SO worth it! He didn't have any pain or anything, just some moderate discomfort. The worst part according to him is having to keep your eyes shut afterward. I can't remember how long they made him keep 'em shut but it was a good bit. I'll bet you're soooooo excited to be so close to not needing glasses!! Good luck!
 

katl8e

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I had it done, four years ago - went from worse than 20/400 to 20/20. Being 40-something, I still need reading glasses but, I can drive and watch TV without glasses.

The only initial restrictions were having to wear an eye shield, for the first 24 hours and at night, for the first week. Also, no swimming, for 3 months. My eyes were done three weeks apart and I was driving, the day after each was done. In the interim, I wore a contact, in the uncorrected eye.
 

emb_78

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My best friend had it done years ago... She says it is the best thing she could have done!!! Good luck
 

deb25

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My LASIK is 5 years old this month. Best $ I ever spent on myself. My distance vision is as good as it was the day I walked out of the LASIK office.
 

miss mew

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All of the people I know that have had it done were very happy with the results. Only one person I know of had a "halo" effect around lights at night for about 6 months and now they have no problems.
 

yasmine

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My uncle is an eye doctor and i worked with him for a while after school...you have nothing to be nervous about!! You will be fine and will be SO thrilled afterwards!! Good luck and congrats to ya!!!!
 

darkeyedgirl

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Heya,

I had Lasik done 2 years ago! I can't tell ya what a difference it's made in my life!

I was nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rockers. I mean I was SHAKING when they put me in that little room with all the people with their hair-nets & booties on. NERVOUS.

But it took 2 minutes PER EYE and it was over like *that*. snap! Perfect vision!

The whole thing itself is really, really weird. Probably the weirdest experience I've ever been through (next to childbirth).

You needn't worry; those doctors know what they're doing. And it is over so soon! AND YOU will wake up the next day with perfect vision! AS LONG AS YOU FOLLOW ORDERS!

Please make sure you listen to the docs:

wear those corny eye-shields at night (I wore mine for ONE MONTH);
don't RUB your eyes;
make sure you put your anti-bac drops in WHEN THEY TELL YOU TO;
keep your eyes MOIST (natural tears type drops);
don't let the shower stream get into your eyeballs in the shower;
DO NOT wear eye make up for a week;

and above all, let us all know your reaction! The day after my surgery, I woke up outta bed, walked to the bathroom with shields-up; took the shields off; and looked out the window. I was alone in my house but I know I was giggling and ooh-ing and aah-ing. I could see LEAVES on the trees! I could see the White Castle sign a mile away! I could see squirrels jumping around on the wires! Stuff that I hadn't seen clearly since I was 7 yrs old was CLEAR.

If you're an outdoorsy / sporty type gal like me, You will thank GOD and thank yourself for getting Lasik. I can swim, camp, run around, open my eyes wide on a motorcycle, without worry of contacts falling out or drying out or glasses falling OFF!

Good Luck and keep us posted after the surgery. It'll change yer life!!!
 

ugaimes

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My mom also said it's the best investment she ever made. I'm sure you will be SO glad you had it done


I'm jealous of everyone who's able to get it done! My eyesight is too bad even for LASIK. There are a few procedures that may help me one day, but they still need a few years to refine
.
 

darkeyedgirl

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I'm jealous of everyone who's able to get it done! My eyesight is too bad even for LASIK. There are a few procedures that may help me one day, but they still need a few years to refine.

Heya Amy, wait a few years --- you'll see... with technology going as fast as it is? They'll have Drive Through Lasik! No matter how messed up your eyes are, you'll just pull up, swipe your debit card, and stare into this little lens. Not even have to get outta yer car! And POOF --- new eyes. Drive on!

 

ugaimes

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Originally Posted by darkeyedgirl

Heya Amy, wait a few years --- you'll see... with technology going as fast as it is? They'll have Drive Through Lasik! No matter how messed up your eyes are, you'll just pull up, swipe your debit card, and stare into this little lens. Not even have to get outta yer car! And POOF --- new eyes. Drive on!
*sigh* An almost-blind girl can dream
 

darkeyedgirl

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Oh hey Abnihon --- DONATE YOUR GLASSES at the Lasik place when yer done.

They should have a bucket where people donate glasses to needy children.

You can't donate your contacts, but you CAN have a "contact destruction" party at your house. Take the contacts & burn them, flush them down the toilet, or lay them on a shelf somewhere and watch them dry out... anything... just to celebrate the fact you don't need them anymore!

You can't donate contacts or I'd suggest that. But you CAN donate all of your old glasses! You certainly won't need them anymore but someone else out there with your prescription WILL.
 

katl8e

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My dad drove me home, from the ophthamologist and I called Mom, on my cellphone: "Mom, I can SEE!" For the first time, since I was nine years old, I could see without glasses.

When I'm very tired, I do have some problems with glare, particularly green and blue lights. Light yellow night-drivers' glasses compensate for that.

For the first three months, I had to wear very dark, polarized sunglasses - not the most stylish items but, I wasn't about to jeopardize my eyesight. Since then, I've bought wild, funky sunglasses - purple, with rhinestones. As long as they're UV 400 and have no distortion, even cheap sunglasses are acceptable.

Recently, several brands of sunglasses were tested and the $2.00-$20.00 were rated as good or better, than the expensive ($100.00+) ones. I buy mine at drugstores, discounters, flea markets and 99-cent stores. The 99-cent ones don't last long but, they're easily replaceable.
 

yangdemei

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I've had about 4 family members and a friend or two have the surgery. They all rave about and exclaim that it is the best thing that has ever happened to them!

I have been thinking about having it done for ages. I don't know how much it costs where you are, but here in Taiwan it's less than $1000 US for both eyes. And given that about 75% or more of Taiwanese need glasses, these guys are doing a roaring trade and are very skilled.
 

darkeyedgirl

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Guess I should add, along with all the lovelies of having Lasik, there are a few side effects:

(You sign a waiver, of course, for the side effects that *may or may not* happen to ya...)

I have trouble with night vision. My solution? I don't drive at night. If I'm at my boyfriend's house late, instead of driving home? I just stay.
Vice versa he just drives me around at night instead of me driving.

And, there are halos or "starbursts" around stuff at night. Stoplights, other people's headlights, etc. It looks sorta funky but hey at least you can SEE.

Dried out contacts and/or something getting IN your contact while driving really, really sucked. So I'll take starbursts in me eyes & funky night vision any ol day.
 

gailc

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My hubby had this done about 5 yrs ago and when we were driving home even with those funky plastic eye shields he could read the road signs. But do follow the aftercate TO THE LETTER!!!.
Like Amy I am not a good candidate for LASIK do to some odd astigmatism so *sigh* its glasses for me.
I think you will be pleased at the results.
 
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abnihon

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thanks for all the replies! This is all very encouraging. I'll let you know how it goes!
 
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abnihon

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ok, I had it done 2 days ago and it went really well! I went from 20/400 to 20/20, though for now, there's occassional fogginess and it's hard to focus on written words, but I guess that's normal in the beginning.
I'm taking my drops, wearing sunglasses or clear glasses all the time to protect my eyes, and trying to keep me eyes closed as much as I can (listening to a lot of music and books and tape).
Any other advice?
thanks guys!
 
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