Lasik to fix my eyes?

[Kev Godwin]

This morning I went in to get both eyes zapped to correct my vision. So far so well. 12 hours later I can already see better than I could for the last 30 years. It is still very uncomfortable though. Before I couldn't see clearly beyond 15 feet and not closer than 30 inches. Working in the shop was getting frustrating when trying to set a saw blade or router bit for height, etc.

I sure didn't try to run any tools tonight since my vision isn't good yet and healing needs to be done. Dust would be really bad too!

I did just look around some of the typical setups I do often and I can already tell I am way ahead of where I was before. My surgeon told me I will have better than typical results due to the thickness of my cornea before beginning the operation. (The eye drops are making my throat taste awful.) The surgeon said I can't do any WW till he gives me the okay.

He said when I do get back to it, I'll have to wear some good goggles for a while. I'll post some progress in the days to come :cool: <--- Looks like the shades I'm wearing now!:D
Kev
--------------
Update 32 hours after my eye surgery....
Wow, wow, wow. I can see better than I ever have in my entire life!
I drove to my own eye checkup appointment at 8 am this morning. An animal ran across the road about a half mile ahead of me and I could clearly tell it was a squirrel. I couldn't even do this with my former glasses on.

The whites of my eyes have some red spots but I was told they should be nearly gone by the end of the week. I'm taking eye drops as needed for some very slight dryness.

I can see clearly 12 inches from my eyes and out from there. All discomfort was gone by late last evening. I was told this morning my sight will continue to improve even more over the next 60 days.

There was no pain at all during the surgery. I could see some dots and flashes of light for about 10 seconds and it was over. I too was warned about how things didn't go good for some people in the past but the techniques have changed dramatically. (The surgery I had was the same as what Tiger Woods had done.) I'll post another update in a few days.

[Clifford Mescher]

Keep us posted, as there must be a ton of babyboomers who are very interested. Clifford.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Kev,

Listen to the doctor and don't push it.

May you heal quickly and fully!

[Mitchell Andrus]

Good luck with this and I hope you heal quickly.

I looked into it a while ago and while I have no or few reservations health-wise, the nature of the work calls for safety glasses most of the time. More than once I was very glad I had glasses on.

Wearing sunglasses is a must for me also (I have needed photo-greys since the 70's) so I'm going to wear something anyway.......
.

[Jim Kountz]

Yes do keep us posted on your results, Im very interested. I had a friend who had it done and she loves the results. My eyes arent horribly bad but still if I could have them fixed so I dont need the glasses it would be worth it to me. I hate glasses!!

[Paul Ryan]

Kev,

I had my eyes done about 3 years ago and it is the best $$ I have ever spent. I would spend it again over any tool in my shop. I had worn contacts for about 15 years and never minded putting them in an out. But the last 3 years my eyes had been having problems breathing and blood vessels were going to start effecting my vision permenantly if I contiuned. I tried a new kind of contact but they ittched like hell, and glasses were out of the question I hated glasses. So I had my eyes fixed. I had a real trouble with dry eyes for about a month but after that everything has been great. I can see better than I can every remember. My vision is now 20/12, they promised 20/20 but mine turned out better. Every so often I wake up a one of them, is dry after about 30 minutes it clears up. The drop thing sucks for a few weeks, but it will be worth it in the long run. For that month after the surgury the dryness was so bad I had to put this thick, almost like grease, liquid on my eyes went I bent to bed and close them until I get up in the morning. That helped but eventually the dryness went away. The dryness just makes your vision cloudy in the effected eye. I am sure you will be very very happy in the long run. 6 months after I did my eyes I was so happy my wife did hers to. She is as happy as I am. What is so nice is the vision I have now, I can finally see. Even with the contacts my vision wasn't the greatest, maybe 20/40. Now the world is just crystal clear. And I dont have to wear anything artificial. Good luck

[Steve Schlumpf]

Kev - best of luck to you and heal quickly!

My wife is going in next week and having both of her eyes done. We have to drive 4 1/2 hours (one way) to Appleton - so at least I get to go to Woodcraft for a little bit! We don't know anyone personally who has had the surgery, so reading about it here helps take some of the worry out of it! Thanks!

[Clifford Mescher]

Kev - best of luck to you and heal quickly!

My wife is going in next week and having both of her eyes done. We have to drive 4 1/2 hours (one way) to Appleton - so at least I get to go to Woodcraft for a little bit! We don't know anyone personally who has had the surgery, so reading about it here helps take some of the worry out of it! Thanks!

I agree, Steve. A few testimonials are what I need for me to pull the trigger. I have been thinking about this procedure for a long time. I guess I'm a big scardy cat. Clifford.

[Curt Harms]

. I guess I'm a big scardy cat. Clifford.

I wouldn't say you're a scaredy cat. You can't new peepers at Wal-Mart so caution with the issued ones seems prudent.

[mark page]

I'm still trying to pull the trigger on this procedure. The only thing that keeps me from it now is that my eyes are really bad plus I wear bifocals. Am trying to decide whether to do it and wear reading glasses or to do the one eye far distance and the other for reading. I don't know if I would like that one or not. Guess I'm still in the decision mode on which to do.

[Sean Troy]

I had it done 8 years ago and last week I had my first eye exam sense the procedure. I have 20/20 vision. money well spent.

[Neal Clayton]

mine wound up better than 20/20.

the halos should go away after a few days, after that enjoy your new machine made eyes ;).

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

I am askeered o' any one messing wif my eyeballs.

Not for me.

[Chris Padilla]

Kev,

I had my eyes done about 3 years ago and it is the best $$ I have ever spent. I would spend it again over any tool in my shop. I had worn contacts for about 15 years and never minded putting them in an out. But the last 3 years my eyes had been having problems breathing and blood vessels were going to start effecting my vision permenantly if I contiuned. I tried a new kind of contact but they ittched like hell, and glasses were out of the question I hated glasses. So I had my eyes fixed. I had a real trouble with dry eyes for about a month but after that everything has been great. I can see better than I can every remember. My vision is now 20/12, they promised 20/20 but mine turned out better. Every so often I wake up a one of them, is dry after about 30 minutes it clears up. The drop thing sucks for a few weeks, but it will be worth it in the long run. For that month after the surgury the dryness was so bad I had to put this thick, almost like grease, liquid on my eyes went I bent to bed and close them until I get up in the morning. That helped but eventually the dryness went away. The dryness just makes your vision cloudy in the effected eye. I am sure you will be very very happy in the long run. 6 months after I did my eyes I was so happy my wife did hers to. She is as happy as I am. What is so nice is the vision I have now, I can finally see. Even with the contacts my vision wasn't the greatest, maybe 20/40. Now the world is just crystal clear. And I dont have to wear anything artificial. Good luck

Interesting...this is my story exactly! I wore contacts for 12 years and then my eye doctor said he started noticing excessive blood vessel growth. The reason is that one's eyes get oxygen from blood AND from air: contacts can block the air.

He gave me 3 options:

(1) Different more expensive less comfortable contact lenses (ones that allowed air passage)
(2) Glasses
(3) Eye Surgery

It has been wonderful since surgery about 4 years ago. I hardly remember what it was like wearing contact except that I hated them.

My understanding about the drops is that they are a type of steroid that slows the healing process. The doctors believes this allows minimal scaring and therefore improved vision. I had halos at night surrounding strong light sources and either I don't notice them anymore or they've gone away. It took about ~6 months. Yes, you get the taste of the drops in the back of your throat because it flows back through your tear ducts in your eyes.

[Chris Padilla]

I am askeered o' any one messing wif my eyeballs.

Not for me.

You're not alone, Cliff. My wife is the same way. I've been trying to talk her into the surgery ever since I had mine done but the thought of anything touching her eyes makes her queesy. However, she has the excuse that her eye prescription still seems to change yearly and until you have a stable prescription for 1-2 years, you can't have the procedure done.

[Neal Clayton]

I am askeered o' any one messing wif my eyeballs.

Not for me.

well the machine really doesn't touch the eye itself, it's all laser heat.

once the top layer of flesh from the eye is peeled back it's all automatic from that point, you just look at the light for a few seconds.

the doctor that did mine kinda did a misdirection thing on you, once they got the top layer peeled back and the machine ready to go, he handed me a football and said "here hold this". when you stop concentrating on what's going on and switch your mind to holding on to the thing in your hand, he hits the button and by the time you realize what's going on, it's over.

[Jim Kountz]

well the machine really doesn't touch the eye itself, it's all laser heat.

once the top layer of flesh from the eye is peeled back it's all automatic from that point, you just look at the light for a few seconds.

the doctor that did mine kinda did a misdirection thing on you, once they got the top layer peeled back and the machine ready to go, he handed me a football and said "here hold this". when you stop concentrating on what's going on and switch your mind to holding on to the thing in your hand, he hits the button and by the time you realize what's going on, it's over.

Top layer of flesh peeled back?? What?? Oh man I feel dizzy...............getting weaker................*FLUMP*............Wow ok now that Im awake again, let me see if I got this right, they freakin peel the top later of flesh from my eye? And Im awake for all this right? How in the.............what if they.............where does the.........Oh man I dont know!!:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek ::eek:

[Clifford Mescher]

well the machine really doesn't touch the eye itself, it's all laser heat.

once the top layer of flesh from the eye is peeled back it's all automatic from that point, you just look at the light for a few seconds.

the doctor that did mine kinda did a misdirection thing on you, once they got the top layer peeled back and the machine ready to go, he handed me a football and said "here hold this". when you stop concentrating on what's going on and switch your mind to holding on to the thing in your hand, he hits the button and by the time you realize what's going on, it's over.
Well, with my luck, an earthquake would probably happen at the very wrong time. I have this terrible fear of being sightless.:( Maybe I should just do one eye? Clifford.

[Dan Friedrichs]

There are lots of reports of people having really terrible experiences with LASIK - I'd google some of these before deciding...

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

once the top layer of flesh from the eye is peeled back it's all automatic from that point, you just look at the light for a few seconds.

The sound of a man screaming in horror would be appropriate here.

[Jim Finn]

[QUOTE=I wear bifocals. .............. I had this surgery done 5 years ago when I was 61 years old. Before the surgery I needed distance glasses and reading glasses or bifocals. The doc. made one eye for distance and one for reading. It took over a year to get used to this but I can see both near and far. After 4 years I got some distance glasses to help with night driving and when reading a book I use reading glasses again. I can drive and read a menu without glasses if the light is good but low light situations I need help by wearing glasses. It is not perfect but better than before.

[Kev Godwin]

My original post is upated at my original thread.

[Jeff Caskie]

I had it done ~10yrs ago. One of the best things I have done... with no regrets. I had to go to Canada for my operation as they are way more advanced than the states. Apparently my pupils are abnormally big compared to normal people which was the reason I had to look abroad. I think the technology lags about 10yrs due to FDA regulation, though that was back then. I think the process has improved a great deal since I had it done, which is good news for everybody.

I do understand people's reluctance though. It is scary to know what could go wrong...

[Jim Becker]

17 January 2003, about 9:30a ET. That's when mine were done. No regrets in the least, even with some continued dry eye issues, but that existed before the surgery and I opted to go ahead knowing it could remain a factor.

Professor Dr. SMWBO, however, still is not a good candidate. She even had to discontinue contacts a few years ago because her eyes fluctuate so much.

[Jeff Heil]

Had my eyes done just over a year ago after thinking about it for over 5 years. Wish I would have done it sooner! I was hesitant as I work the mid night shift and drive in the dark most of my workday. 20/15 in both eyes, no problems. Had the same proceedure as Tiger Woods, but didn't help my golf game.

I highly recomend the surgery to anyone, getting up and not having to put on glasses to check on the kids in the middle of the night is priceless.

[Neal Clayton]

Top layer of flesh peeled back?? What?? Oh man I feel dizzy...............getting weaker................*FLUMP*............Wow ok now that Im awake again, let me see if I got this right, they freakin peel the top later of flesh from my eye? And Im awake for all this right? How in the.............what if they.............where does the.........Oh man I dont know!!:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek ::eek:

they use a little device that cuts a few thousandths or so from the top of the eye, and then peel that layer back. it's less than the amount of skin that peels off from a sunburn by about half.

then the lazer reshapes the cornea, and they fold the piece they cut back over. the tear moisture native to your eye holds it in place when it moves back.

there are no nerves in any part of the eye being cut or burned, so there's no pain. just a bit of itchiness for the couple of days after as it heals up.

[Chris Padilla]

Yep, itchy as all get out for the first couple of days after surgery.

They taped "eye protectors" over my eyes after surgery and I was instructed to keep my eyes shut for the rest of the day after surgery. My eyes were itchy and watery the rest of the day but I couldn't touch them. The next morning I carefully, slowly opened my eyes and while it was a bit blurry, I could already tell my sight was better.

[Clifford Mescher]

I'm resurrecting this thread because I have a question about this eye procedure. A friend of my LOML went to Canada to have the operation. He said it was less expensive. I don't understand. If Canada has government-run health care, is it legal for doctors to perform this operation?
LOML and I are seriously considering to take a vacation up north and kill two birds with one proverbial stone. Can anybody enlighten me? Clifford.

[Scott Shepherd]

My Dad had it and they screwed up one of his eyes. They apparently nicked something they shouldn't have, it caused his pupil not to work any more. So one pupil is stuck wide open. They told him later after it didn't get better, and they told him that it happens from time to time and it was nothing they could do. He found a specialist who told him it happened because they made a mistake and he saw it all the time. They pulled his pupil shut some and sewed it up. So it's not wide open all the time now, it's stuck in the middle. Bright lights or very dark causes him issues.

Be careful, it's a great surgery, but it's not without it's dangers (as with any surgery).

[Steve Schlumpf]

Colleen's surgery went well. Was with her through all exams and watched the entire surgery from an observation room set up with a big screen TV. All I can say is it was amazing! Sort of mixed feelings while it was happening. I'm not the squeamish type, so the actual operation did not bother me but the fact that it was being performed on Colleen did indeed add to the apprehension level! We were only in the clinic for about an hour and then hit the road for the 4 1/2 hour drive home!

Colleen dozed off and on during the trip home - which helped make the time go by faster for her. She told me that the actual operation hurt like hell and was not happy when the first eye was finished - knowing what she was about to go through on the other eye! As the long ride home progressed she started to feel slightly better. She was extremely light sensitive and kept her eyes/face totally covered to block all available light. I stopped for gas about 1 hour from home and she sat up and looked around for a minute or 2. For the first time in her life - she could see without glasses and was noticeably excited about what was happening!

This morning we had a 10 a.m. follow up appointment to check on the results and see how well she was healing. The Doc was impressed with how rapidly she was healing and then ran a few vision tests. Her eye sight went from 20/1000 in each eye to 20/15 in each! Doc also says it is possible that in a few weeks - after healing - her eye sight may even improve! Wow! That impressed me! I always kidded her that her eye sight would be better than mine once the surgery was competed - I am thrilled that it actually happened!

Just talked to Colleen and told her I was going to let the folks on SMC know about her surgery and asked if there was anything she wanted to add. She said - to be honest, her surgery was painful and in her words very close to unbearable! The only thing that got her through it was that the extreme pain was short lived. She took a lot of ibuprofen during the trip home to take the edge off and it helped. The pain went away around 10 pm last night and today is pain free.

I asked if she would recommend the surgery to others? Absolutely! She is thrilled with her sight - which is better than with contacts or glasses! She also wanted me to mention that anyone out there who is a good candidate should not wait - just get it done - the results are worth it!

So, not trying to scare anyone about the surgery - just wanted to be honest about what happened with Colleen. Seems like most folks experience no pain at all. Guess it just depends on the person.

To all those considering Lasik - I wish you luck! If you could see the excitement in Colleen on being able to see things for the first time without glasses or contacts - you would know the surgery is worth it! Also, having just gone through this - if you have any questions, I can tell you what we experienced.

[Clifford Mescher]

My wife and I have been talking about having it done. Steve, can I ask you how much it cost you? Clifford.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Clifford - Colleen had this done through Opti-Vision and it cost $3400 for both eyes. That included pre & post op exams.

[Clifford Mescher]

Clifford - Colleen had this done through Opti-Vision and it cost $3400 for both eyes. That included pre & post op exams.
Thanks Steve. A friend of a friend said he got it done for $1000 an eye in Canada. Problem with that is the money spent for travel and board. $3400 sounds reasonable to me. Clifford.

PS. Thanks for the follow up post. Glad to see that she is doing good.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Clifford - I wouldn't be surprised if that price doesn't vary somewhat depending on where you are located. Initially I thought it was a little on the steep side - then reality kicked in for me. I am a turner and if I decided to upgrade my lathe to the next level up - it would be the same price as her surgery. Duh........ Thing is - there are very few things out there that you can point to that can actually change your day to day life for the better. This is one of them!

[Clifford Mescher]

You are absolutely right, Steve. How can one put a price tag on one's eyes (vision)? I would love to sit down in front of this computer screen without searching for a pair of glasses.
Still, it will cost us $7000-8000 for the two of us. *sigh* Clifford.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Still, it will cost us $7000-8000 for the two of us.
True.... but it is only money! I know it is a hard decision and I wish you luck in talking it through. Like everything - it is a matter of priorities. I wish you and your wife the best!

[Jim Becker]

I'm really surprised that Colleen felt pain...I had none during or after my surgery. My eyeballs were numbed, but working...I was so near sighted that I was able to actually "see" the work they were doing.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Jim - I talked to Colleen about your experience and the lack of pain and I got a little different answer than when I had asked her earlier this afternoon. She told me that she has always had very sensitive eyes and even applying eye drops have been a big problem. She now says the procedure was more discomfort than actual pain as she had her eyelids clamped back and a number of different eye solutions applied before actual surgery. The eye drops bothered her, the clamps bothered her, having her eye touched... The doctor talked her through every step and made sure that with each successive drop her eye felt a little better - before any actual surgery. She said that the real pain did not happen until after everything was done and we were on our way home. I suppose by then the numbing solutions were wearing off. I do know that during the ride home she was in pain but with ibuprofen she was able to get through it.

[Neal Clayton]

Clifford - Colleen had this done through Opti-Vision and it cost $3400 for both eyes. That included pre & post op exams.

that was my price as well, within about 50 dollars. that included a year of post-op checkups.

[Wade Lippman]

Keep us posted, as there must be a ton of babyboomers who are very interested. Clifford.

Doesn't help babyboomers. It only works on nearsighted people, and they have been wearing glasses since they were young.

I wanted to do it, but on farsighted people it is only temporary, which seems worse than nothing. My eyedoctor says that replacement lenses should be available soon.