LASIK Anyone?

[DonDavis]

We hear ads all the time for $250-350 per eye. A friend of mine had it about 9 years ago for $250 per eye. Says he's still happy with the results.

I went to Schwartz Laser Eye in Scottsdale. For IntraLase on one eye, and KAMRA Lasik on the other, the total price is $8200.00
I'm looking at other places to get some comparisons.

Yeah, I know it's eyes, and ya get what ya pay for. But 8 grand?

What have you had? Pros? Cons? Regrets?

[SCadaddle]

I used to spend upwards of $30 for name brand reading glasses at the local Walgreens. Then I found that the dollar store had them for a dollar a pair. I bought a bunch of them. Then I realized it was probably a safer bet to stick with the dollar a package toilet paper than the dollar a pair reading glasses.

I'd say if you call a LASIK outfit and get put on hold listening to the music of Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder, you might try someone else.

[legion]

Had it done about 6 years ago. Went from 20/400 to 20/10. Cost me around $3,000, cash.

Pros:
-I can see all the time.
-I can see better than I ever could with glasses.


Cons:
-It took about 2 years before I could see at night without seeing halos around lights.
-I now have chronic dry eyes.
-I can now see floaters in my eyes that I was unable to focus on before.

[GH85Carrera]

My ophthalmologist is also a eye surgeon and did a lens implant on both of my wife's eyes. My eyes are great for a "guy my age" but at a recent visit I asked him his opinion of LASIK and other corrective laser surgeries. He just point out he was wearing glasses. His comment was there are many "self proclaimed doctors" doing it.

Bottom line, until he gets eye surgery like LASIK, I will avoid it. With glasses I still get 20-20 and mostly use glasses to read.

[vash]

wife had it done. changed her life.

we paided $5300 or so..but it was some procedure called PPK (or something?)

i kinda file eye surgery under the title, "stuff you dont want to cheap out on". we went with the local talent..big shiny office, etc.

[GH85Carrera]

Yea, I can't imagine going to a motor home in a Wal Mart parking lot that will be gone to the next city in a week for eye surgery.

For sure, use a guy that is local, established and practiced for many years.

[craigster59]

I had it done about 20 years ago. My eyes were never that bad and didn't need glasses until I was around 34 y.o. Glasses just became a PITA.

The doc was one of the early LASIK guys and taught a lot of the newbies in the field. I want to say it was around $3-3500k at that time. No problems since, just definitely need sunglasses when outside. I buy the cheapies and have them everywhere, all the cars, garage, house, work, backpack. Light sensitivity was my only side effect.

[DonDavis]

Originally Posted by craigster59

No problems since, just definitely need sunglasses when outside. I buy the cheapies and have them everywhere, all the cars, garage, house, work, backpack. Light sensitivity was my only side effect.

Make sure you get UV blocking sunglasses. Some of the cheapies do not block UV. And that's bad, um kay?

[Scott R]

Regular Lasik about 20 years ago, I recall it was about $5k. My only regret was not getting it sooner.

[Venetian]

I had RPK(?) done about 25 years ago. Took a couple of corrections but overall was probably one of the best things I have done. 20/20 still. Need reading glasses though which we all do at a certain age.

[matthewb0051]

I had it done in 2001 to one eye. Cost was north of $3000 per eye. Not a part of the body you want a discount on...

The doc told me I would need readers in a certain number of years. It was like clockwork, I needed readers on the Doc's exact timeline.

I can still hit a 300 meter target with open sights though and no glasses.

No regrets, totally life changer.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by DonDavis

Make sure you get UV blocking sunglasses. Some of the cheapies do not block UV. And that's bad, um kay?

When I said "cheapies" I didn't mean liquor store glasses. I buy these from Gone Fishing. Much cheaper than Oakleys, Spy, etc. https://gonefishingoptics.com/

[Ronbo]

Originally Posted by legion

-I now have chronic dry eyes.

Look into getting punctal plugs inserted into some of your tear ducts. I had this same problem after Lasik and for about a year I wouldn't go anywhere without my eye drops. I used the drops multiple times per day. After complaining about this to my optometrist he suggested I try out the plugs, and said they'd easily remove if I don't like them. The plugs corrected the dry eye immediately (literally that day) and haven't used drops in over ten years. It was about a five minute procedure to get it done in his office.




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[flipper35]

Originally Posted by legion

Had it done about 6 years ago. Went from 20/400 to 20/10. Cost me around $3,000, cash.

Pros:
-I can see all the time.
-I can see better than I ever could with glasses.


Cons:
-It took about 2 years before I could see at night without seeing halos around lights.
-I now have chronic dry eyes.
-I can now see floaters in my eyes that I was unable to focus on before.

This is interesting because when I ask about it they say I could get as good as 20/20 and don't recommend it since I see nearly 20/10 with contacts and I hate being only 20/20 with glasses. It is such a difference I didn't know if I would pass the airman's medical since they require you to wear your glasses instead of contacts. I would do it in a heartbeat if I could get better than 20/20.

[87maniac]

Had LASIK at Laser Eye Center of Silicon Valley.
You want the best doc with the most experience.
Most important, the latest equipment.
Ask them what lasers they use, and confirm it's the newest,

I interviewed a LASIK Dr. and he was using 10-year-old technology !!!!
You do not want that.

[fred cook]

A few years ago, I had cataract surgery on both eyes. I chose the option of paying extra for custom lenses that would correct my multiple seeing issues. My vision before the surgery was something like 20/100 corrected to 20/40 with glasses. Post surgery, my vision is 20/25 without glasses and back to 20/20 with mild correction. I had lots of astigmatism in both eyes, something that made Lasik kind of "ify" for me. Cost, because of the custom insert lens was about $2,000 per eye. Very happy with the results!

[A930Rocket]

Or son just had it done a few months ago.

He said he could see better the next day like he was wearing his contacts.

It was about $5,000 for both eyes.

[biosurfer1]

I got it about 7 years ago. Total was $1800, and remember, you can use flexible savings account money to pay for it.

It's really as good as everyone says. I had minor dry eyes for about 2 years but it's gone now.

The craziest thing is how quick it is. Literally 5 minutes per eye. Eyes are scratchy and light sensitive that night, wake up the next morning and can see fine. It wasn't ground breaking for me, I just all of a sudden realized I could read the score box at the bottom of espn, without my glasses.

[Brando]

I had it done at Nvision Eye Centers in Newport and the cost was just north of 5k. Incredibly quick procedure which my optometrist was present for. Apparently Dr. Tooma is one of the best in the country. My neighbors had it done 15 yrs ago by the same guy, they still have 20/20 vision in their late 50s.

Before I was nearsighted with an astigmatism. Now I have 20/25 vision. No more glasses or contacts. Awesome 34th birthday present to me. I didn't get the dry eyes but I still have halos at nearly 5 months later i recommend it to anyone who is eligible.

[zakthor]

I had 'ASA' 12 years ago. Instead of cutting flap they burn the Surface of the eye. Very painful 2 week recovery but eye stays strong.

Crazy fine vision, 20/7 or so. Distractingly fine detail. Wish I'd done it sooner. Was $4500 for both eyes.