Lasik Surgery/Laser Eye Surgery?

[HAnn521]

(posted this in Chatterbank also...probably shoulda just been here)

I want to know if anyone has had this surgery to correct your vision? I have wanted to have it for years (worn glasses/contacts for 10-12 years)...and I've been told I'm a good candidate...

but I've heard good and bad, what about your experience? Do you recommend it?

[metagirl]

Hi there,

If I remember correctly - you are in America? I mention this, coz I used to temp in an Opthamologist's office back in California. The two doctors were leaders in performing Lasik surgery (had pictures of celebrities who they worked on in the office) at the time (2001) and I can honestly tell you that after 2 years, a good portion of the patients who had Lasik done had to have "enhancements" done. An "enhancement" involves taking out another slice of your eye. Basically, Lasik is still a cosmetic procedure and the results are not permanant. In some cases, patients' eyesight gets worse after 2-5 years.  Also, all the Doctors assistants wore glasses, which should tell you something.

[Clanad]

My judgement, not having had the Lasik surgery (either wave-front guided or wave-front optimized) parallels metagirl in that if the surgery does have a problem, it can be quite serious and usually cannot be corrected. Granted, that chance seems to be fairly small, but I wouldn't want to chance it...(My Dr. wears glasses as well... hmmm?)

[HAnn521]

great...well, i like this sort of to-the-point advice...you have been helpful....

and as I have already done for many years, I think I will continue to put it off until the surgery is more "perfected"!

[MargeB]

Hi. You'll need to get your eyes sorted fast to see all those pics of me pasted on to a beach scene with birds in the background. lolol.

I think "Lasik' were the firm supplying Boots, the number one 'personal care' chain in the UK. Boots recently dumped the whole lot, equipment, and idea, after several 'anomalies' in the machine operation. I think 'permanent eye problems' resulting from use of these procedures is about 10 percent. I was told 15 percent by my Harley Street consultant 4 years ago, and he told me not to bother.

[El D]

Had it, would recommend it. I get slight glare but if someone had offered me the exchange for contacts/glasses I would have jumped down their throats. Been 2 years now and no corrective surgery needed. Probably one of the best decisions I have ever made.

[HAnn521]

Wow El D, that's nice to hear...as I said, it's just a little odd still that when Lasik is discussed I hear 50/50 good and bad experiences....I have no real problem with my contacts...I think I'll stick with them a bit longer...

...and MargeB...are you suggesting that I made up my photo?? That's pretty sick...and last time I checked, you're the one who (for some unknown reason) can't show your face! ...uh huh.... ;0)