Laser Vision Surgery

[Scorpiоn]

As someone with astigmatism, I beg to differ...

Do note I chose "most" in my wording.  I'm sure there are all manner of wierd and serious visual impairments which cannot be helped.  I wouldn't have known, since I'm not an eye doctor.

Now I know.

[BFMF]

My eye sight has been slowly deteriating over the last several years, and were boderline when they were checked last year. But last weekend, I was talking to the unit medic about my bloodshot eyes, and he did an impromptu eye test and told be I am going to have to have glasses in the near future... :-/

As for the laser surgery, I personally wouldn't have it done unless it's completely safe, and the risk of failure was null. But that's just me....

[Mehdi]

My bro got the LASEK surgery option done around 3 years ago in Iran (back then they didn't even have it here in England), and he told me that it didn't hurt one bit.

To this day, he has had absolutely no problems and no return to any sort of help for the eyes.

[packercolinl]

A friend had it done and ended up with complications---not impressed.

I have had to wear spectacles since the age of three---not impressed. As you can imagine this has curtailed my choices in life in certain areas.

However,when it was suggested I could benefit from the program offered,I carefully weighed the pros and cons. The biggest obstacle for me was simply no guarantee--as observed with my friend(boss in fact).

I would rather live with what I have than risk losing the lot. And for those who think I am not a risk taker- you don't know me

Apart from that,when I need to wear safety glasses,I've got them on

In the end,your decision. Many people worldwide have benefitted from this but I don't see failure rates being published. Google anyone??

Col

[RitterKreuz]

I had the surgery in1999. At the time of the surgery i was completely unable to read printed 11 point font at greater than about 10 inches from my face without glasses or contact lenses.

I noticed results within minutes of the procedure. It started out with the small stuff like being able to see and read my license plate clearly from about 100 feet. Within 24 hours of the surgery, my vision had improved dramatically and within a week i was seeing 20/20. For the first year the vision would fluctuate slightly but would never get fuzzy. My vision is tested every 6 months for my first class medical and i have consistantly tested to 20/15 for the past few years.

I have noticed one, very mild problem with the surgery and that is the slight halo which appears around distant, very bright lights at night. (Mostly street lights and distant headlights) It really is NOT that bad and i dont even notice it anymore. It has in no way impared my night vision for flying or driving in any way.

Understand that as with any surgical procedure there are always risks and unwanted side effects. Be aware that the surgery is intended to move you away from the need for glasses and contacts, and that later in life, perhaps when you turn 40, you may require reading glasses. Laser vision correction has come a long way in the past few years. Go with an experienced well renowned doctor and you should be ok.

If your eye sight is very poor like mine was i would recommend the surgery. It has completely removed the need for contact lenses or glasses for me. People who knew me prior to the surgery are still amazed at some of the distant objects i can see clearly that they are unable to like street signs from down the block etc.

[RitterKreuz]

one more thing i forgot to mention.

the pain is nothing. They give you some numbing eye drops and a valium or something.

all you have to do is follow the doctors directions as he is performing the procedure.

YES you will be awake and aware. It is a strange sensation watching someone cut into your eye and not feeling it. I have compared the "pain" to getting a good thorough cleaning at the dentist. the hardest part is "watching" the procedure!!!  ;)

[Radopilot]

/\/\/\/\/\/\ Very Encouraging
EWW! The smiley vomited on my post!

[Saitek]

Yep - I've decided - I'm never having laser surgery.

[Saitek]

Risks of Laser Surgery. Ummm right. More than I thought.
http://www.newagey.com/lasik/lasik-eye- ... one-wrong/

Wanting some personal accounts? Read this!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2746147.stm

Want to put put off Laser Surgery?
Read this: http://www.mercola.com/2003/may/17/laser_surgery.htm

[RitterKreuz]

Im not going to defend the Lasik procedure to the bitter end... like i said there are risks envolved and its not for everyone. All i can speak for is myself, and personally i frequently thank God i had the opportunity to have the surgery done.

You will have a strict follow up regimen to keep up with. I think it is something like every third day for the first few weeks then once a week after that then once a month then nothing after 3 or 6 months (cant recall).

I have 6 good friends that i can think of who have had he procedure - results do vary - but all of them say its like having a part of themselves back.

Obviously there are always risks with having someone cut on any part of your body, be it a gastric bypass, removal of the appendix or Lasik. Just make sure you are well educated going into the doctors office. I was so badly near sighted at the time i figured i didnt have much to lose. good luck with whatever decision you make!