Laser Eyes

[greenlake]

In the past, LASIK surgery was an expensive procedure that could only be performed by skilled professionals in a doctor's office or eye clinic.

Now the revolutionary LASIK@Home system makes clear vision affordable for everyone.

LASIK@Home is the same patented surgical procedure performed at eye clinics around the world, but without the unnecessary equipment and staff.

LASIK@Home

[I just need to test it]

Laser Eyes

Had it done a few years back in my mid-forties.

There are swings and roundabouts. Before I had it done I could see close-up by removing my glasses or peeking beneath the frames. After treatment that option is gone.

Before I could see quite well in dim light (using my specs). Now I don't see at all well in dim light.

When reading my own computer screen after surgery it took me a while - months - to properly adjust. Letters seemed much finer. This was quite disconcerting. Suddenly I couldn't just glance at a colleague's screen. I had to stand directly behind him to read it with my head very close to his. Embarrassing.

So sure, I can determine the gender of a sparrow from several KM away but I can't read labels in supermarkets anymore especially if the label is red for example.

So. Swings and roundabouts, innit?


My wife also had it done and now has some slight colour blindness. Her night vision is shot. She's been back a couple of times for corrective surgery but after a while it deteriorates again. She loves being glasses and lenses free but it isn't an absolute triumph. There are drawbacks.

[NibblyPig]

It really is a case of rolling the dice isn't it...

Although I believe the inability to see close up is a natural part of ageing and laser eye surgery doesn't and cannot correct it.

[ChimpMaster]

Had it done 11 years ago, still pretty much 20:20. Night vision is slightly worse but am accustomed to it now.

My eyesight was very poor, something like -6.0, and I hated wearing contact lenses every day. Glasses just made me look thick.

Don't skimp - go for the best: you only have one pair of eyes.

[vetran]

ORDQ

Mr Flibble is very cross

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOE7qTAK87o

[rl4engc]

Nope as it's essentially a destructive, non reversible surgery.. When I was looking into it about 15 years ago, I remember seeing a documentary where it was at some convention of optomotrists or something, they asked the hall who'd had this procedure done and not one of them put their hand up.. Things may well have changed since then to be fair.

I wear contact lenses and can't feel them at all, they're made of really soft material now unlike the old days where you had to train your eyes to be able to use them. Perfect vision in all lighting (including night driving - I've heard you'd still need glasses for night driving after laser surgery as you get more glare or something.)

For £7/month it's contacts all the way and my eyes stay intact.

[jamesbrown]

It really is a case of rolling the dice isn't it...

Although I believe the inability to see close up is a natural part of ageing and laser eye surgery doesn't and cannot correct it.

Not really. If you pay for the best, you get the best (i.e. they will outline the risks in your particular case, as opposed to encouraging you to proceed). There are obviously residual risks though. Indeed, LASIK cannot correct for ageing You can have one eye corrected differently than the other, but it won't correct for ageing (presbyopia).

Personally, I had to balance it against the risks of riding a motorcycle into work every day in all weather; bloody glasses were a face-plant waiting to happen (steaming up, reflections at night etc.) and I hate contact lenses. No long-term side effects, but slightly dry eyes and minor halos at night for a while. Definitely worth it for me.

[NibblyPig]

Hmm lots of people saying pay for the best, but what exactly is the best? I was just gonna go to optical express or something, they quoted me about 3000 quid a while back for wavefront.

Unfortunately I can't really wear contacts as they just drive me berserk.

[BoredBloke]

As the proud owner of a really lazy left eye, I really only use my right one. As such I'm not that ken to go down the laser eye surgery route in case they cock my right eye up. I hate having to wear glasses and I've found I have started to take them off to read small text. When I have a contact in I really struggle to read and find it itches. On the plus side 1 pack of contacts lasts me twice as long as it does for others.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Had it done several years ago. No regrets, cost me about £3.5k IIRC, had it done by Focus clinic on Wimpole St. in London. Went from a -8.5 prescription to having 20/15 vision (that's the second from bottom line on the chart) which is a pretty good result from that starting point. Worth every penny. I went with Focus over one of the better known clinics based on reviews and their consultant's backgrounds. Probably paid a bit more than somewhere like Ultralase but worth paying more for the best I think.

Had dryness in my eyes that took a year to go away completely and I'd say I'm probably a bit more susceptible to dry eyes if I'm tired but it doesn't cause my any problems.

As somebody else pointed out, even if you have laser eye surgery it won't mean you won't need reading glasses at some point in the future as this is caused by aging of the muscles around the eye.