Does anyone know anything about laser eye surgery?

[Stratocaster]

I've been doing police foundations in college, and thought I had the vision requirement to become a cop with Peel Regional (20/40), but turns out I have worst vision then that.

Basically if I can't get my eyes fixed, I have no future :)

Can someone give me details on laser eye surgery? Does it always work? What are the chances of getting rejected from the surgery? What is the price? Any info would be most welcome.

[GuitaristZ]

I have heard of good results...a couple of my parents friends have had it, and it worked for them anyway. Hope it all works out well for you :(

[Luke98]

My Mother got it ...probably about a year ago...
It was 3000 dollars, but thats in atlantic canada.
It depends what your vision is like, are you near sighted, far sighted, always had bad vision?

[Stratocaster]

My Mother got it ...probably about a year ago...
It was 3000 dollars, but thats in atlantic canada.
It depends what your vision is like, are you near sighted, far sighted, always had bad vision?

$3000? holy #@$(. How were the results?

Yea my vision is just crap, not near sited or far sited, just blurry all around it sucks...I live in Ontario and I saw prices ranging from $499 per eye to $899 per eye, but yea I'd imagine prices are inflated over in the east

[skydigger]

I know a few people who have had it done, all with great success. Only a couple of days until your vision fully recovers.

You should be able to get it done for around $1000 in T.O.

[Geek]

My dad has had it done a few times, including laser cateract removal with super results! :smile:

But as a senior, it didn't cost him a dime... BC Medical covered it.

[Luke98]

It made her vision 20/15.

She wouldve paid 2000$ but she wanted the doctor she knew.

Most come with a lifetime warranty so if your vision deteriorates, you get it again for free.

[Starbuck]

You should be able to get it done for around $1000 in T.O.

I too know people who have had it done with great success... However, I really don't think it's the kind of thing to be looking for a bargain on.

[RIFF WRATH]

I had it done on my left eye....initial cause was to remove a cataract...caused by head trauma....and they threw in a lense while they were at it....was my bad eye, now better than my right eye. find it sometimes bothersome to drive at night due to "sparkling" lights from on coming cars. need glasses for reading.
My surgery was covered 100% bu OHIP. except for some initial glare, was using the eye the next day.
would highly recommend. I would be talking to my eye doctor and see what OHIP covers.

good luck
RIFF

[Robert1950]

I find it sometimes bothersome to drive at night due to "sparkling" lights from on coming cars.

Oh yeah. But mine is more from the blurry eye superimposed over the good eye. Happens only at night. Can't wait to get the other lens done.

[dwagar]

http://accordionguy.blogware.com/Photos/2006/04/goldfinger_bond_and_laser.jpg

but seriously, a friend of mine had it done, really worked great for him.

[Paul]

Some of the posts here are referring to a lens implant, which is a different procedure than LASIK. LASIK is a reshaping of the cornea.

Either one is a pretty routine procedure these days, but they all have the risk of complications. Haloing at night is probably the most common.

Even if LASIK is effective enough to reduce or eliminate the need for corrective lenses on a young person, the older person will likely need glasses in time. The difference is that the non-LASIK person will need a bifocal, whereas the LASIK person may only require reading glasses.

I've looked at LASIK a couple of times and decided that I don't hate wearing glasses enough to go through the experience of smelling my eyes burning as they reshape the cornea.

YMMV.

[ClintonHammond]

I have a couple of chums who've had LASIK done, and they said it was such a good deal, the benefits were so sweet that they'd pay all over to have it redone if they ever had to.

[Stratocaster]

I had it done on my left eye....initial cause was to remove a cataract...caused by head trauma....and they threw in a lense while they were at it....was my bad eye, now better than my right eye. find it sometimes bothersome to drive at night due to "sparkling" lights from on coming cars. need glasses for reading.
My surgery was covered 100% bu OHIP. except for some initial glare, was using the eye the next day.
would highly recommend. I would be talking to my eye doctor and see what OHIP covers.

good luck
RIFF


Yea that's exactly where I'm going today, to speak to my doctor and see if it's covered.

[Robboman]

I regret doing it. Totally and completely.

I was near-sighted all my life, nearly three years ago I got both eyes lasered to correct (one at a time, two-weeks apart) My left eye healed to 20/20 and is still good, but my right eye soon regressed and was near-sighted again. Now, this is somewhat normal, they'll warn you that it isn't always perfect on the first try, due to the way eyes heal differently. Problem is, you have to wait a long time to see how far this regression will continue. 9 months in my case. Once it's stable for a good 3 to 6 months they'll do a second surgery (they call it a 'touch up', even though it's the same process over again).

What they do the second time around is OVER-calculate the correction amount, assuming it will regress again by the same amount and in the end your vision will be perfect. Well, guess what - it's a year since my 'touch up' and my right eye is NOT EVEN CLOSE to perfect. It's considerably FAR-sighted now. I recently had an assessment as to whether I can even be treated for a third time. There's only so much cornea to burn off, after all. Haven't heard back yet but I'm not even sure I want to put this eye under the laser again... maybe I should cut my losses.

I also have lousy nightvision now in both eyes. The moon in the night sky looks like 3 moons overlapping and two are translucent. I also have dry, tired feeling eyes at all times, especially the twice-lasered right eye. I get headaches because of the difference between the two eyes. I guess if I was luckier and had the right eye turn out as good as the left, I wouldn't complain so much about it. I've been reliant on my left eye ever since, my right eye vision is useless. I thank GOD I didn't have this problem with BOTH eyes. That would have turned this ordeal from upsetting to tragic!

So.. if I could go back in time, NO WAY would I do it again. Especially since I had no previous eye health issues, I only had to wear glasses.

[stratovani]

http://accordionguy.blogware.com/Photos/2006/04/goldfinger_bond_and_laser.jpg

but seriously, a friend of mine had it done, really worked great for him.

Bond: "So, Goldfinger, do you expect me to talk?"
Goldfinger: "No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to DIE!"


Sorry, but I couldn't help but to hijack the thread. It's such a classic scene!

[Renvas]

omfg is he getting his penis split in half????!!! :eek:

[WarrenG]

I regret doing it. Totally and completely.

I've been reliant on my left eye ever since, my right eye vision is useless. I thank GOD I didn't have this problem with BOTH eyes. That would have turned this ordeal from upsetting to tragic!

So.. if I could go back in time, NO WAY would I do it again. Especially since I had no previous eye health issues, I only had to wear glasses.

Sorry to hear about this experience. Yours is the first bad case I've encountered that wasn't "fixed".

To the original poster: there are two established procedures that are still the most popular. LASIK and PRK. LASIK keeps a corneal flap while cutting the prescription into a layer underneath. Results are pretty much immediate. PRK burns away the outer corneal layer, cuts the prescription, and allows the outer layer to grow back. Eyes usually stabilize after a month or so. Depending on the prescription strength and thickness of your cornea, this latter procedure may not be available to you.

The thing is, in your chosen line of work you do run the risk of trauma to the head which favours the PRK process. I say this because after LASIK, the corneal flap is held in place by suction and the little bit of healed tissue along the outside rim. If this is dislodged, torn, etc. from a collision or some such, you are looking at a full corneal transplant.

It was for this reason I chose PRK. Yes the final results took a little longer but it was worth it to me. BTW, I started with a -4.75 (20/300) and ended up with a smooth 20/15 which has been stable for 6 years now.

Also, the newer lasers don't give the haloing of the previous generations because they cut a much finer resolution hex pattern.

[Paul]

Also, the newer lasers don't give the haloing of the previous generations because they cut a much finer resolution hex pattern.


How does someone make sure that their chosen laser eye surgeon has the new lasers? Seriously, how do we know? The father of one of my step-sons friends is an eye surgeon, and when I asked him about LASIK or PRK 5 or 6 years ago his recommendation was that if you don't hate wearing glasses or contacts, then don't bother. He didn't see the value in any kind of surgery that wasn't medically indicated.

I wear safety glasses as part of my job, so even with LASIK or PRK, I'd be wearing something on my face.

To the OP: Does the minimum vision standard mean without corrective lenses, (spectacles or contacts), or are either of those an option?

[WarrenG]

How does someone make sure that their chosen laser eye surgeon has the new lasers? Seriously, how do we know? The father of one of my step-sons friends is an eye surgeon, and when I asked him about LASIK or PRK 5 or 6 years ago his recommendation was that if you don't hate wearing glasses or contacts, then don't bother. He didn't see the value in any kind of surgery that wasn't medically indicated.

I wear safety glasses as part of my job, so even with LASIK or PRK, I'd be wearing something on my face.



I understand your point Paul. There is some responsibility on the client's part for knowing what they're getting. I get really nervous when people tell me they can get correction for something like $250 an eye. I mean, the fly-by-night operations and the Walmart specials shouldn't apply here. I wouldn't get anything done by anybody who wasn't an opthamologist (surgeon). Regardless of the computerized technology, the aforementioned is who you want if something goes wrong.

Your surgeon friend didn't consider those activities that are significantly impeded by corrective eyewear. I broke 4 pairs of glasses (in 2 years), which I'd been wearing for 25 years, before making the decision. It wasn't a vanity issue - purely performance. Of course, I'm getting to the age where reading glasses may soon be a necessity... :smile:

[ClintonHammond]

"Seriously, how do we know?"
Educate yourself...
Check the credentials of the clinic you're thinking of using.
Ask other customers, ask other clinics....

Make sure you're not getting your Lasik done in the back of a van.....

[Paul]

"Seriously, how do we know?"
Educate yourself...
Check the credentials of the clinic you're thinking of using.
Ask other customers, ask other clinics....

Make sure you're not getting your Lasik done in the back of a van.....

I know that's the obvious answer, but it's hard to be sure exactly what is the latest and greatest widgit for LASIK or PRK. All any certification means is that someone has passed the minimum standard. And I don't know what that minimum standard is, or who created the standard. I'm not sure if I'd want a surgeon who has been using the most recent tool for only a few weeks, or one who has done thousands with the penultimate hardware.

In a medical system that licensed a (now disgraced) pathologist who could not tell the difference between dog bites and stab wounds, I'm less than eager to let someone use a Laser to reshape my eye.

In the end, LASIK or PRK is an elective surgery, and ALL surgeries have risks. AFAIK, we don't currently have a reliable source for doctor performance reviews.

When I weigh the risk v. benefits for elective eye surgery, I choose to keep my glasses.

YMMV

[ClintonHammond]

"licensed a (now disgraced) pathologist"
Has NOTHING to do with Lasik.... You're attempting to draw a connection, to appeal to emotion, where no connection exists.

"I choose to keep my glasses"
Your choice, but I don't think you've informed yourself as well as such a decision warrants.

*shrug*

[Paul]

"licensed a (now disgraced) pathologist"
Has NOTHING to do with Lasik.... You're attempting to draw a connection, to appeal to emotion, where no connection exists.

"I choose to keep my glasses"
Your choice, but I don't think you've informed yourself as well as such a decision warrants.

*shrug*

You missed my point completely. I was observing the value of the license/certifications that hang on the wall. We put a lot of trust in those pieces of paper, and that trust is not always deserved. AFAIK, we don't have a reliable system in place to rate doctors. There is the Rate My Md dot com website, but how accurate is that? If there is a better way for me to know which eye surgeons exceed the minimum standard for quality, please let me know.

There are some activities/jobs etc. that people are not able/allowed to participate in while wearing contacts or spectacles, and there is a minimum standard for uncorrected vision. I get that. That scenario does not apply to me. If and when it does, I will re-evaluate my options.

My source is a local eye surgeon who takes the admittedly conservative view that LASIK or PRK is unneccessary if you can get suitable vision with, and don't mind wearing, corrective lenses.

I work in a factory and I am required to wear Z-87 protective eyewear. I'm going to be wearing glasses 8+ hours a day anyway, so I have decided that the benefit of LASIK/PRK does not outweigh the risk for me.

With my particular myopia and astigmatism, the best I can hope for with LASIK/PRK is that I will likely be able to go without corrective lenses into my late 40's or early 50's. At that point I will likely require reading glasses, and would not be able to benefit from any further LASIK/PRK. At the time I decided to forgo the procedure, I had been wearing glasses well over 25 years. I would have gotten 15 to 18 years without glasses, and then I'd be back into corrective lenses again.

I've informed myself well enough, thank you very much.

[ClintonHammond]

"We put a lot of trust in those pieces of paper"
You might.... I know I don't let any ONE source inform me on ANY subject....

No certificate on its own, no lone doctor, no one supposed 'expert'....

[arloskay]

My wife had her eyes done quite a long time ago, back when it was in its infancy and lasers were not used (about 15 years ago I'd say). Her vision has regressed in the last 5 years now (mainly as a result of pregnancy), but she still has better vision than me, and only uses glasses occasionally (for driving or watching TV from afar). So it has been relatively successful.

I've considered having it done myself, but I'm afraid of screwing up my close up vision.

[WarrenG]

I've considered having it done myself, but I'm afraid of screwing up my close up vision.

That would change if you're nearsighted. I used to be able to read a book with it sitting just off the end of my nose. After the surgery, I had to push it out to 10" to be in focus. It was a weird compromise.

[fraser]

i wear glasses-
the friday before easter last spring i was hammering on a ball joint that i heated with a tiger torch- bit of metal went in my eye. no big deal happened all the time. but after a couple days i still couldnt see outa it and it hurt like hell - so i go to the hospital- they went at it with a drill for 20 mins- head in a vice- then said i had to come back the next day- four times they went and drilled in there on four consecutive days- i couldnt eat, i was a wreck.
nobodys going near my eyes with anything sharp again- ill keep wearing glasses.

[fraser]

"We put a lot of trust in those pieces of paper"
You might.... I know I don't let any ONE source inform me on ANY subject....

No certificate on its own, no lone doctor, no one supposed 'expert'....

yah- chk this out- i have arthritis in som parts- feet bieng one- i was working on a roof in january one year- almost knee deep in freezing water fer about 6 hrs- next day my foot was swollen huge- too painful to move-
so i goes to the hospital- the admin nurse takes all my info- including the arthritic foot problem and the standing in frozen water all day bit. when the doctor saw me he looked at my chart- then my foot, then asked me if i cut my toenails. i say yah sure sometimes- why?
next thing i know ive got an iv bag attached to my arm, and for 3 weeks have a nurse come and change the bag every day. i lost 25 pounds, slept 20 hrs a day and threw up for the other 4 hrs.
after 3 weeks he sends me to a specialist, who with one glance at my papers actually said "jesus fukking krist"- he was seriously visibly pissed off-my arthritis had acted up, yet i was bieng treated rather heavily for the flesh eating disease-
i lost all the fluids that lubricate youre cartilage and joints, as the medication they pumped in me is like that. was 3 months before i could walk and 2 years before i felt right- and now more parts of me hurt.
but if you cant trust a doctor- then wtf can yu do?