View Full Version : Got Lasik yesterday
RichC
10-24-2003, 10:22 AM
Got Lasik done yesterday. Thankfully I'm not blind lol...I got both eyes done at the same time.
Was blurry last night, but this morning I see better than I did when I wore my glasses. Reading Oprano with my protective sunglasses on.
Modern technology is cool stuff! :rokk:
dantheman
10-24-2003, 10:29 AM
very cool rich,glad your doing good. I'm thinking of doing it also,I'm tired of wearing contacts.
Which version of Lasik did you have?
What was your vision at before?
Winetalk.com
10-24-2003, 10:30 AM
Grewat, please share it with Sue, she is looking into it!
Mike AI
10-24-2003, 10:31 AM
I am looking to get lasered in December when I am back in NO!
How id your night vision?
Peaches
10-24-2003, 10:43 AM
My son wants to do it. He's just barely vision-acceptable with the AF and needs to wear glasses to get to the bathroom to put in his contacts (has his father's eyes. :D ). Apparently the AF is doing the surgery now - better to get in and get it for free, IMHO. B)
Glad it worked out for you :okthumb:
I was thinking about doing it - until I'd heard too many horror stories to ever make me want to go. *shudder* That did it for me. :blink:
I just made the jump from glasses to contacts though so I'm still pretty happy... fast-forward ahead a year or so and I might be re-thinking this. It sure would be nice to wake up and SEE. People without vision problems really take this for granted.
CONGRATS - it must be very cool! :rokk:
RichC
10-24-2003, 11:22 AM
I had Intralasik, where they use a laser to cut the flap
I did it here Barnet Dulaney & Perkins (http://www.goodeyes.com/)
Dr Dulaney was the one who did my eyes.
I just got back from my follow up appointment this morning.
I could read the 20/15 line...which they said was extremly good....as there is still swelling...so it will only get better.
RichC
10-24-2003, 11:25 AM
What was your vision at before?
******
It wasn't that bad...it was just enough that I had to wear glasses
I think one eye was -1.00 and the other was -.75 can't remember never really payed attention to what the prescription slip said.
Last edited by RichC at Oct 25 2003, 12:04 AM
RichC
10-24-2003, 11:28 AM
How id your night vision?
********
I don't know yet, I was passed out most of last night from the valium drug cocktail they gave me for the surgery.
RichC
10-24-2003, 11:46 AM
Originally posted by Peaches@Oct 24 2003, 09:51 AM
My son wants to do it. He's just barely vision-acceptable with the AF and needs to wear glasses to get to the bathroom to put in his contacts (has his father's eyes. :D ). Apparently the AF is doing the surgery now - better to get in and get it for free, IMHO. B)
Interesting....my doc had a history in the airforce http://www.goodeyes.com/Dulaney.html
Last edited by RichC at Oct 24 2003, 10:55 AM
Carrie
10-24-2003, 12:15 PM
Congrats Rich!
Boy I'd love to have that. Glasses are just inconvenient and contacts are such a freaking pain to deal with.
Anthony
10-24-2003, 12:52 PM
I have been thinking of this.
I have 20/20 in my left eye, but my right eye is 20/100.
RichC
10-24-2003, 01:04 PM
I think I waited forever just cause I didn't want to risk losing my vision...as slim as the odds on that may be.
The doctor put it in the best...."the odds of going blind driving to your appoitnment today were greater than the odds of going blind getting this procedure done."
Most of the horror stories have to do with the way the flap used to be created (and alot of folks still do it the old way)...now they can do that part with laser....which also made me feel more comfortable about it all.
I had been stuck with glasses since my second year of law school...never got used to contacts as they irritated the heck outta me....gonna be nice to actually fall asleep watching tv, and not have to remember to take my glasses off before I fall asleep....haven't gotton to do that in years....it's the little things I guess :)
Originally posted by RichC@Oct 24 2003, 08:33 AM
What was your vision at before?
******
It wasn't that bad...it was just enough that I had to wear glasses
I think one eye was -1.00 and the other was -.75 can't remember never really payed attention to what the perscription slip said.
Compared to you I'm blind.
Doc I just took my son to had an interesting perspective on nearsightedness. I always thought it was hereditary. He claims that it has more to do with how much the eyes are used for close work. I read tons as a kid and teenager. That's when my eyes started getting bad. More reading in college then on to computers, etc.
My son who just graduated might be proof of what he says. He's not got terrible vision but does need glasses to drive, etc. He's been out of school since June and his vision as gotten better.
Originally posted by RichC@Oct 24 2003, 10:12 AM
I think I waited forever just cause I didn't want to risk losing my vision...as slim as the odds on that may be.
The doctor put it in the best...."the odds of going blind driving to your appoitnment today were greater than the odds of going blind getting this procedure done."
Most of the horror stories have to do with the way the flap used to be created (and alot of folks still do it the old way)...now they can do that part with laser....which also made me feel more comfortable about it all.
I had been stuck with glasses since my second year of law school...never got used to contacts as they irritated the heck outta me....gonna be nice to actually fall asleep watching tv, and not have to remember to take my glasses off before I fall asleep....haven't gotton to do that in years....it's the little things I guess :)
I've asked my regular doc about it a few times (he wears glasses). He says it's still too new. That there's not enough long term data to know how it goes as you get older...primarily because they've refined the methods in recent years. I'm wary of getting it done and having to do it again in 10 years and again, etc. At some point, I'd think you'd reach the threshold of the number of surgeries the eye can take.
Congrats Rich! I have gone as far as actually setting up appointments, but I always chicken out.
Of course there was the fear about going blind. One other problem I didn't want to face, was wearing just my glasses for several weeks prior to the operation. Though I have worn contacts for years, my glasses are about an inch thick and make me look like a beady eyed lawyer!!
I'll keep my options open...meanwhile, please keep us up to date of any problems you face
Matt
RichC
10-24-2003, 01:59 PM
Originally posted by PK@Oct 24 2003, 12:43 PM
Doc I just took my son to had an interesting perspective on nearsightedness. I always thought it was hereditary. He claims that it has more to do with how much the eyes are used for close work. I read tons as a kid and teenager. That's when my eyes started getting bad. More reading in college then on to computers, etc.
There may be truth to that, I didn't need them until my second year of lawschool....did wads of reading my first year.
Part of me has always blamed that on needing glasses in the first place. Sometimes I resented even going because of it. My mom thinks it had nothing to do with my vision, but I'll never know.... I was fine in undergrad...didn't read too much then.
as far as what happens later in life...you don't have to keep doing surgeries if it concerns you...I guess you could revert back to wearing glasses if the vision changes later and eliminate the risk that concerns you if it does go bad again.
I just turned 30 this year...I just want to roll through my 30's without them...if that's all I get...I'll be happy. Glasses always made me feel older than I was, and I am still a pretty young pup.
BradShaw
10-24-2003, 02:07 PM
Rich, congrats on finally getting it done. Best thing I ever did. I had night vison issues with contacts, still have them after lasik. Get starbursts. But nothing too bad. I hate to drive long distances at night anyways.
My dad just had it done, and has had some problem of starburts. Lasik is not perfect, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.
DannyCox
10-24-2003, 02:16 PM
I had the laser stuff done 6 years ago, and it's held up pretty good. My eyes are starting to go, but I was warned of that when I had the procedure done. That was due to middle-age :( I had it done when I was 37.
The younger you are when you have it done, the longer the effects last.
I've had no problems at all, and for the first time since I was 13, I didn't have to wear glasses or contacts. The funny thing was that for the first 6 months after the procedure, I would wake up in the morning and reach for my glasses! Took a while to break that habit.
My right eye was 20/220 before the surgery, and had a very bad astigmatism. Afterward, it was actually 20/15 with no sign of the astigmatism. My left eye was 20/260 beforehand, and 20/20 afterward.
It did take close to a year before the halos around lights at night disappeared. When you see a streetlight or headlight, it's like seeing it through alight fog. You do get used to it, and it does disappear over time.
I felt it was a good decision on my part.
RichC
10-24-2003, 02:27 PM
Brad, thanks for talking to me about it before I did it...definitely helped me to lock my decision to get it done.
You guys are convincing me... I wasn't sure if it worked for astigmatism, but now that I see it does, it's definitely a consideration.... would be nice to get rid of glasses AND contacts AND all that... and see like a normal person!
:awinky:
KevinG
10-24-2003, 02:58 PM
Originally posted by RichC@Oct 24 2003, 07:36 AM
I was passed out most of last night from the valium drug cocktail they gave me for the surgery.
Me too, but I have no surgery to use for an excuse. :hic:
RichC
10-24-2003, 03:09 PM
Yup, I had a slight astigmatism.
Mrs. C will be up next to get it done. She's going in early next month. I was the guninea pig of the household.
She has to hold the alarm clock an inch from her face to read it....and it's the kind with the big ass readable numbers lol.
She's pretty psyched now.
Sabby
10-24-2003, 05:40 PM
I am going to get it done too.
Sabby:)
slavdogg
10-24-2003, 10:19 PM
congrads Rich
no surgery can help me, i'm still legally blind :(
Hooper
10-24-2003, 11:11 PM
Rich, i've been considering it too. Sick of contacts, but i actually like my glasses sometimes.. almost feels like i'd be giving up an old friend.
but i digress.
did your doctor give you any idea how long it would be til you wuold need to come in again? how many times can you get it done?
BradShaw
10-24-2003, 11:28 PM
Originally posted by slavdogg@Oct 24 2003, 06:27 PM
congrads Rich
no surgery can help me, i'm still legally blind :(
Good thing you are so rich, you can hire someone to see for you!
Hell Puppy
10-24-2003, 11:43 PM
Originally posted by Peaches@Oct 24 2003, 09:51 AM
My son wants to do it. He's just barely vision-acceptable with the AF and needs to wear glasses to get to the bathroom to put in his contacts (has his father's eyes. :D ). Apparently the AF is doing the surgery now - better to get in and get it for free, IMHO. B)
I dont know that something as advanced and tricky as Lasik is something I'd want performed by a government doctor....
RichC
10-25-2003, 12:34 AM
Basically Hooper,
The effect from lasik does not go away, but folks do have changes in their prescriptions from time to time. If such a change is going to occur it will do so whether you had lasik or not.
Only thing I know is me, my history, and my prescription hadn't changed ever....when I get older...who knows...something probably will go funky... and I might have to do it again.
The process was so quick and painless for me...I wouldn't think twice about doing it again honestly. I just got done watching 28 days...interesting movie by the way...and this vision I have kicks mucho ass.
Also got to wear sunglasses out today...ones I wore when I was in college....never saw much point in getting prescription sunglasses...cause then you can't see when you take them off....that was pretty cool.
Did see halo's from car headlights at night tonight....hopefully that goes away quickly...still healing.
Overall so far so good....looking at a computer monitor is easy to do....do ya really need anything else lol :)
Last edited by RichC at Oct 25 2003, 12:04 AM
RichC, you can't get the Lasik operation over and over again. It depends how thick the cornea is. Most people can go through one or two operations at max. So basically when something goes wrong, you usually have one more chance to fix it...
I also wear glasses and I was also interested in Lasik but I gave up (for now) because of the same reasons as PK.
BTW the prescription stops changing when you (your body) stop growing. That's when you are about 23 years old. After that there is a period of about 15-20 years when your vision is steady and then it gets (slowly) worse because of cataract.
Peaches
10-25-2003, 09:52 AM
Originally posted by Hell Puppy+Oct 24 2003, 11:51 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Hell Puppy @ Oct 24 2003, 11:51 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteBegin--Peaches@Oct 24 2003, 09:51 AM
My son wants to do it. He's just barely vision-acceptable with the AF and needs to wear glasses to get to the bathroom to put in his contacts (has his father's eyes. :D ). Apparently the AF is doing the surgery now - better to get in and get it for free, IMHO. B)
I dont know that something as advanced and tricky as Lasik is something I'd want performed by a government doctor....[/b][/quote]
Apparently they've been doing it for longer than the private sector as the AF guys were the guinea pigs before it was available to the general public. It would be hard for his eyes to be worse and he's not pilot material, so it's not as if he'd be in jeopardy of not ever being able to do that. :awinky: But it's his decision, not mine. If it were mine, no one would ever be allowed to put a knife anywhere near my little baby's face. :(
RichC
10-25-2003, 09:55 AM
Originally posted by Petr@Oct 25 2003, 04:38 AM
RichC, you can't get the Lasik operation over and over again. It depends how thick the cornea is. Most people can go through one or two operations at max. So basically when something goes wrong, you usually have one more chance to fix it...
What you said is sometimes true...but it's not... "you can't"....the answer is what you said in your following sentence...."it depends"
It completely depends on thickness....how many times you can do it.
What it all boils down to is an assesment of risk based on your particular circumstances. not mine or someone elses. Some folks are definitely better candidates than others, and some folks aren't candidates at all.
When is LASIK not for me? (http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/LASIK/when.htm)
baddog
10-25-2003, 02:02 PM
I had a radial keratonomy done about 20 years ago, when they did it with a knife, and was the best thing I had ever done. It helped that insurance paid for the entire procedure (about $5,000 back then).
My eyes have gotten to the point that I need reading glasses now, although I can still see far away just fine, and that is what they took care of.
Was thinking about doing it again, but back then it was only for people that could not see distance, does Lasik work for eyes that need reading glasses now?
baddog
10-25-2003, 02:05 PM
Originally posted by RichC@Oct 25 2003, 06:03 AM
When is LASIK not for me? (http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/LASIK/when.htm)
hmmm, I see my prior may not make me eligible
RichC
11-19-2003, 05:03 PM
I had my follow up appointment today.
each eye separately is at 20/13
together they're at 20/10 .... could read the bottom line on the chart...the really tiny letters lol
Doc said I heal perfectly...can't even tell I had it.
no more star bursts at night either :) ... all cool
Winetalk.com
11-19-2003, 05:05 PM
Originally posted by RichC@Nov 19 2003, 05:11 PM
I had my follow up appointment today.
each eye separately is at 20/13
together they're at 20/10 .... could read the bottom line on the chart...the really tiny letters lol
Doc said I heal perfectly...can't even tell I had it.
no more star bursts at night either :) ... all cool
well, now you have no excuses not to post football threads on Oprano
;-)))
I got it done about 5 years ago. 20/15 now. It is a great. My wife had it done too. Pefect vision.
Thanks for posting the follow-up.... I am seriously thinking about this. Had my first contact tear on my eye a couple of weeks ago and my eyes are still so sensitive I can only wear contacts for a couple of hours...
Nice to know it's worked out well for you. :okthumb:
Mike AI
11-19-2003, 05:58 PM
Originally posted by kath@Nov 19 2003, 06:04 PM
Thanks for posting the follow-up.... I am seriously thinking about this. Had my first contact tear on my eye a couple of weeks ago and my eyes are still so sensitive I can only wear contacts for a couple of hours...
Nice to know it's worked out well for you. :okthumb:
I have an appointment set up the day I get back from Brad's wedding. it's just to get evlauated. If they say I am a good candidate, I am going to get it done!
:okthumb:
I had it done back in the day before the Laser was approved. I had the original RK, where they put the slits in your eyes :)
I think I had it done in like '96. I also had an astigmastism. My vision was basically blind. 20/800 !
Next day I was 20/40 and now am 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other. I could have had a revision to get it 20/20, but never did.
I never had any night vision issues either.
Best thing I ever did ! I love it and can't imagine still wearing contacts.
Dravyk
11-20-2003, 12:28 AM
RichC. :okthumb:
I remember I asked about six months ago, and Brad and JohnIP and others had had it a while back and were happy about it. The longer I wait, I continue to hear more good things (like Danny and Rich and such). So it's looking more and more like a definite for me. But I'll probably put it off until Spring now.
Congrats Rich. I'd thought about it when it first came out, but figured the technology and procedures needed to be refined since I heard a bunch of people had so so results. One friend in particular had one eye turn out ok, but the other one became worse and he got that halo effect really bad during night driving and it really bothered him after a while.
I still have mixed thoughts on doing it. I've been wearing contacts for over 20 years and haven't had any problems with those. Though my ex-wife got a nasty corneal infection from contacts that got contaminated with pseudamonus bacteria from her makeup back in '88 and was hospitalized for a week and ended up having a permenent corneal scar and blurred vision in one eye.
spazlabz
11-20-2003, 05:09 AM
had to come back for this
I have pretty serious issues with my eyes. I never needed glasses until I was 30, and now (at 36) they cant correct the vision in my left eye, at least noit my optomotist(sp) 20/400 and if i look through that eye only with my glasses on, I cant see shit. If I get insurance anytime soon there are two surgeries I would like to get. First is this one for my eyes and the second is GB, but I think you end up missing a lot of work for GB so I would have to wait until I have the right time to do it. That is if I dont clutch my chest and 'assume room temperature' first heh heh
spaz
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