BS: Laser Vision Correction Surgery?????....

Subject: BS: Laser Vision Correction Surgery?????....
From: Bobert
Date: 18 Nov 03 - 07:10 PM

The P-Vine (wifeperson) and I have just begun thinking ot "laser vision corrction" surgery but don't know too much about it?

Anyone in Catland had it?

Opinions?

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Laser Vision Correction Surgery?????....
From: Amos
Date: 18 Nov 03 - 07:12 PM

I know two women, 28 and 50, who have had it. Both were quite happy with the results. One of them still has to wear little reading glasses for close sight, presumably because she was older when she got the surgery. Both recovered quickly with very little bother from the surgery itself and were happy with the results.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Laser Vision Correction Surgery?????....
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Nov 03 - 07:22 PM

My daughter and her husband both had it done a couple of years ago. My daughter's results were excellent- she no longer needs glasses for reading. My son in law was rather disappointed in his results, doesn't see (ha!) much improvement at all. Neither of them suffered pain or any other ill effects.

Subject: RE: BS: Laser Vision Correction Surgery?????....
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Nov 03 - 10:02 PM

Before you go rushing into it, check out SurgicalEyes; this link is to the complications of lasik surgery page. There's also
this site.

I've worn glasses since I was seven years old, partly due to untreated amblyopia. I would do NOTHING to my eyes that couldn't be reversed unless there was absolutely no choice in the matter. My eyes are too important to me!

Subject: RE: BS: Laser Vision Correction Surgery?????....
From: Tinker
Date: 18 Nov 03 - 10:07 PM

I have a close friend who despite researching doctors and techniques, did have serious complications and is still suffering from severe headaches, and a decrease of vision. The percent chance of side effects is small, unless you are the 2% !!

Subject: RE: BS: Laser Vision Correction Surgery?????....
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Nov 03 - 10:14 PM

I know one woman who had both eyes done several years ago, and it worked fine--she simply doesn't use glasses anymore...if your eye problems are the kind that fit that treatment, the odds are good...(ANY surgery/medical procedure is not 100% guaranteed..)

Subject: RE: BS: Laser Vision Correction Surgery?????....
From: mack/misophist
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 01:38 AM

I asked my ophthomologist about it a few years back. Not everyone is a good subject. Many insurance plans won't pay for it (like mine). Complete recovery of vision is rare. Also, I've had laser surgery for glaucoma - similar but different. It hurts. Don't let them fool you. It's bearable (mine was, at least), but it hurts like hell. And at the time I asked, it didn't help astigmatism. The doctor i spoke to considered it was olny for people with very bad vision.

Subject: RE: BS: Laser Vision Correction Surgery?????....
From: GUEST,Shelley C at work
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 03:54 AM

A colleague of mine had it done completely successfully.
However, I'm with Rapaire on this - I wouldn't risk it. Even though the risk of complications is very small, the disadvantage of wearing specs isn't so great. Especially these days when there is such a variety of frames to choose from.
Mind you they can spoil the effect if you go to a fancy dress party dressed as a Bride of Dracula (just as a random example)

Shelley

Subject: RE: BS: Laser Vision Correction Surgery?????....
From: mooman
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 04:58 AM

My vision problems aren't amenable to it and I wouldn't risk it personally in any case.

Having said that, I've two good friends that have had very successful laser treatment. It's very important to find an ophthalmic surgeon well-trained and experienced in this technique.

Peace,

moo

Subject: RE: BS: Laser Vision Correction Surgery?????....
From: MAG
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 04:01 PM

I will have to have it a ciuple of years down the pike for cataracts -- my opthamologist says she will correct my vision at the same time, which is the usual drill. She thinks I am a good candidate but I am with the folks who avoid surgery unless/until it's the best option. Especially since I just bought a second pair of glasses for reading a monitor and music.

My sister the doctor says experience of the surgeon is the mot important factor.

Subject: RE: BS: Laser Vision Correction Surgery?????....
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 04:13 PM

A friend of mine went in for the surgery and regrets it--his vision didn't improve and he completely lost his night vision. He can't drive after dark now.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Laser Vision Correction Surgery?????....
From: vectis
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 07:51 PM

I had LASEK six months ago. I shuddered at the thought of LASIK, it leaves a slice out of your cornea which never knits together (never heals) held in place by a membrane a few cells thick.
It's been fantastic. I can walk in the rain and see where i'm going. I can see so many faint stars now that the glass doesn't absorb their light. I've also discovered that your eyeballs don't steam up when you open the oven door. My night vision has improved and I can wear make up for the first time in years because I can see to put it on.
I still need reading glasses due to my extreme old age, but hey, I can live with that.
Get several opinions before you commit. Check out the surgeon you are going to let loose with your precious sight. Do loads of research on clinics in your area. Remember that YOU COULD BE ONE OF THE UNLUCKY 2%who have complications and you only get one set of eyes. If you live in the UK check out

http://www.lasik-eyes.co.uk/forum.asp

for information of many laser centres
Good luck

Subject: RE: BS: Laser Vision Correction Surgery?????....
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 08:36 PM

"ONE OF THE UNLUCKY 2%"


Pretty damn good odds!

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Laser Vision Correction Surgery?????....
From: Barry Finn
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 11:51 PM

My mother is in her 70's & recently had one then the other worked on. She came over not to long ago & I wanted her to read something (what I can't remember) she looked at it, I offered her my glasses, she said I don't need glasses anymore.

Barry

Subject: RE: BS: Laser Vision Correction Surgery?????....
From: JennyO
Date: 20 Nov 03 - 10:34 AM

My son had it done, and someone did the maths wrong when working out the degree of correction. So one eye came out really good, and the other one was not corrected nearly enough. The effect of this was so odd, that he had to get a pair of glasses to compensate, otherwise he would get headaches and have trouble focusing.

They admitted to their mistake and paid for the glasses, and in a few months they will do it again, and get it right, we hope. And I don't think they would DARE to charge for the second operation.

Jenny

Subject: RE: BS: Laser Vision Correction Surgery?????....
From: NH Dave
Date: 20 Nov 03 - 08:01 PM

Lasik surgery, its price, and the results will vary from doctor to doctor. The equipment used for the operation is expensive and takes a while to pay off, which can be one reason for the disparity in costs. Locally a very well advertized practitioner seems to have good results, but charges around $2700 - 3000, while doctors in a nearby larger city advertise procedures for around $ 300.

According to the local practitioner, if you currently wear contancts, you can only be evaluated for this procedure after stopping wearing them for six months, as all contacts exclude some oxygen from the surface of the eye, which causes swelling of the surface of the eye, and can affect the amound to correction required for you to see properly. Lasik acts as single correction lenses, external or contact; there doesn't seem to be a procedure that can give different corrective values to different porions of the front of the eye, so bifocal lasik is currently impossible. I also understand that until recently, lasik was only effective for people with near sightedness, myopia; although now there is also a treatment for far sightedness, hyperopia. One problem that isn't affected by lasik is presbyopia, the tendency for the lens to become less flexible as we age, requiring us to grow longer arms or use reading glasses. This happens to almost all of us as we age, so even with normal vision treated satisfactorally with lasik, the patient will still need reading glasses as he or she ages. When this occurs, and its severity will vary by individuals.

Articles advising on lasik all seem to say that you should check out your intended doctor and his/her track record, as these operations can fail to produce the desired results, and one needs to know the "dissatisfaction" percentage for the person who is going to work on your eyes, for best personal outcome.

Cautious people will urge waiting on this or any non reversable procedure until the knowledge level has improved and costs come down. You can always do this procedure later, but you may wish you had not rushed so hurriedly into eye surgery.

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Laser Vision Correction Surgery?????....
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Nov 03 - 12:29 AM

I watched while my wife had Lasik surgery on one eye, about two years ago. The surgery was quick and easy, and there have been no complications. I think she has what they call "monovision." They left her good eye alone, and she uses that for reading. She uses the repaired eye for distance vision, and she's able to see things she never saw before, even with glasses. She's completely satisfied with the results. I think the sugreon charged $1,800 per eye. We have some $500 Lasik surgeons in the area, but I'm not so sure I'd trust them.
There is a procedure for those of us aging folkies who need reading glasses, but it hasn't been approved for the U.S. I'm chicken - I think I'll keep my dimestore reading glasses.
-Joe Offer-