Lasik Eye Surgery

[brainiac]

Has anyone on AB had LASIK or any other kind of corrective eye surgery for short-sightedness? Thinking of having my eyes done, but very wary as there are many scare stories out there!

[barry1010]

I seriously considered it some years ago, had a couple of consultations but decided against it.
I have worn glasses all day, every day all of my life and I don't look like me without them, so I'm told

[smurfchops]

Where do you live? If possible go to Moorfields, it’s not a big operation, you will have to go on two consecutive weeks, they do one eye at a time. 100% worth it. But go private and if not to Moorfields, get a recommendation.

[smurfchops]

Sorry I read the question wrongly. I am talking about cataract surgery, not sure about LASIK.

[Fitzer]

I had it done 20 odd years ago and it was flawless from -4.5 to -0.25. My surgeon was Steven Bailey and I saw him from consultation to aftercare, at the time it was more expensive than using one of the chains (although he used their laser) but I liked the continuity of care. Of course I now have to wear glasses for ready (being 61) but for 15 odd years it was great to not need glasses. He did stress that all procedures carry risk and that one really doesn’t need the surgery as glasses were not that much of a pain.

[barry1010]

I was put off because the two consultants I saw were wearing glasses

[Old_Geezer]

Surely a benefit, barry ?

[Bazile]

//I was put off because the two consultants I saw were wearing glasses//

Barry , that's because they couldn't afford the surgery

[barry1010]

Yeah, right. Poor consultants, wages topped up with Universal Credit :D

[Barsel]

I know I can google this but what exactly is Lasik surgery?
Is it something you can have if you've already had cataract surgery?

[barry1010]

It corrects your vision, it can be done after cataract surgery

[bhg481]

What's the point - cataract surgery corrects your vision. I went into cataract surgery needing -4.5 and -6.5 correction lenses and came out only needing specs for reading.

[barry1010]

bhg, some people have refractive problems after cataract surgery and Lasik can rectify that

[bhg481]

barry - what do you mean by "Refractive problems"? Do you mean the lens inserted to replace the removed one is not quite the correct focal length? If that is so I'm surprised that they can correct it with laser surgery.

[barry1010]

I don't know how it's done, I just know people that have had laser surgery after cataract surgery

[Barsel]

When I had cataract surgery they told me I would still need glasses but I could choose between needing them for reading or distance, so not perfect vision.
I've never needed glasses for reading so I chose to still wear them for distance thinking I wouldn't need them as strong, but every time I have my eyes tested I need a stronger lens and I'm now having to wear my glasses most of the time.
Just wondered if there is a procedure where I don't need glasses unless it's a great distance.

[tamaris]

I've had cataract operations on both eyes. I have had problems with them since. The one eye has been the worst. I had lazic treatment on it some years ago. I had to have the cataract op done twice on that eye. My friends husband has also had problems with his eyes after the operation. It is not without risks.

[Ellipsis]

I haven't had LASIK but have had RLE (refractive lens exchange), which is like a cataract operation but with corrective lenses in it.

https://www.moorfields-private.co.uk/conditions/refractive-lens-exchange

[bhg481]

In a young person the eye contains a squashy lens which can be focused. As people age the lens becomes harder and more difficult to focus on close objects hence the need for reading glasses. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens and the cure is to replace the natural lens with a plastic one which has a fixed focal length and can be set to the patient's choice. There is also an option, available for private patients, to have a more squishy replacement lens which can be focused.

[Barsel]

I sit about 2ft away from my computer and never needed to wear distance glasses until I had my cataracts done, now I do.

[brainiac]

Many thanks for your responses. No, nothing to do with cataracts, just correction. I've been wearing contact lenses for over forty years and am well used to them, but I've often wondered about 'having my eyes done'. I think one problem might be that both eyes are about -7, which I reckon would be harder to correct.
Will keep looking into it, but I'm pretty risk-averse.