Reply to: Laser Eyes

[NibblyPig]

Whoever you go with, I'd recommend looking at Z-LASIK, if its suitable for you.

Huh. Solid advice, after a quick google. Seems that when they go right, there's no difference, but if there's a complication, it's almost always due to non z-lasik.

[stek]

I had mine done in USSR for 40 rbls and now I can't see a fukn thing...

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

I'd also say a good, reputable place would be more concerned with doing the right things for their patient than simply making another sale. If they feel it wouldn't be suitable for you or get the desired outcome then they should be telling you as much.

I can't remember how I came across Focus or what finally made me go for them above the more well known names but part of it was gut instinct, part of it was that the main surgeon (David Allamby, who did my operation) seems to have a lot of experience and clout in the field. They do also boast a 100% success rate (20/20 or better) for prescriptions down to -8.0 and 95% for worse prescriptions (like mine). That in itself is pretty impressive. They seem to boast some celebrity clients too although this played no part in my decision (seems a bit weird to think that the same guy that did my eyes also did Rick Wakeman's though!).

I found the whole experience from beginning to end to be reassuring, not at all pushy and the follow-up treatment and appointments were top notch. The whole thing was very professional. Lots of good reviews online, I couldn't find anyone with a bad thing to say about them and I've happily recommended them to a friend who was thinking of getting treatment done.

You often hear the claim that laser eye surgeons would never have it done themselves...seems pretty anecdotal to me with little to back that up, but according to their website close relatives and friends of the surgeons themselves have had the work done by them.

They also offer a lifetime guarantee too so if your vision deteriorates again they will re-treat you for free as long as the deterioration is the same as before.

Whoever you go with, I'd recommend looking at Z-LASIK, if its suitable for you.

[jamesbrown]

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.

It means doing the research and finding the best combination of current procedure/equipment and the best surgeon you can. The surgeon will probably be a recognised expert (i.e. publishing, pioneering new techniques) and have decades of hands-on experience and success stories. It doesn't guarantee a successful outcome, but it minimises risk (esp. if something goes wrong during the procedure). It isn't simply about using the latest equipment. It's also worth talking to the surgeon. I had mine done in the US and it cost about $10k IIRC.

[Grasser73]

Had it done about 10 years ago to correct -3.0 myopia. No issues with dry eyes or night vision but slightly more light sensitive now.
As others have suggested, pay as much as you can afford. I used a private clinic near Southampton and met with the surgeon beforehand. I was unsuitable for Lasik so had EPI-Lasek instead. Allegedly a slower recovery time but I was back at work within a week.

[NibblyPig]

How long ago did you try them? How flexible/breathable were they? What make? Daily disposables? Monthlies?

Like I say I use Specsavers ones, pop them in in the morning, forget about them till evening. The only time I know they're their is if my eyes are dry (but I'd have dry eyes regardless of contact lenses anyway..)

I tried them a couple of years ago. I have a problem with my eyelid that I have spent an eternity of time and money trying to get resolved which makes it quite itchy on the inside, and contact lenses irritated it more than normal. Plus I hated trying to get them in and out to the point where I'd become enraged. I also needed slightly thicker ones due to asigmatism or whatever it's called in that eye, which didn't help.

[NibblyPig]

The whole area of LASIK is just so shady, everyone sounds like a dodgy salesman. I can pay 3000 odd at optical express or more or less depending on what amazing deals they have on at the time, or I could pay I think it was 4500 to have it done at the eye hospital.

But what's the difference really, apart from the pushy sales tactics presumably the machinery is identical as it's the same procedure, and both places will use a certified bod who has done 1,000s of them.

From what I can see the hospital charges 4500 because it's a flat rate for all customers whereas most places it depends on what you're having done.

Still feels like rolling the dice :S Unless anyone has any suggestions on how to weed out 'bad' places to have it done.

[rl4engc]

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

How long ago did you try them? How flexible/breathable were they? What make? Daily disposables? Monthlies?

Like I say I use Specsavers ones, pop them in in the morning, forget about them till evening. The only time I know they're their is if my eyes are dry (but I'd have dry eyes regardless of contact lenses anyway..)

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[vetran]

ORDQ

Mr Flibble is very cross

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

[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.