Laser Corrective Eye Surgery

[Retrochic]

Has anyone personal experience of this procedure? Would you recommend it? I wear contacts for shortsightedness but am now having to use reading glasses even when at the PC. My only other option is varifocal glasses but I'm really thinking about this surgery.

[marje]

Hi, not personal experience but my sister decided to have laser eye surgery after years of glasses and contact lenses. Unfortunately her eyes were so bad that the procedure could not be done at that time, a few years ago. However, they said they would keep in touch as there were advancements all the time. Sure enough they did and she had a similar procedure to a cataract operation. Her eye sight's been perfect ever since. A friend at work had laser eye surgery and she said it was one of the best things she'd ever done. Go for it, I know I would.

[paddyk]

Hi. I had laser eye surgery 9 years ago as I had been short-sighted since childhood. For me personally it's the best money I ever spent as it worked and I now have excellent distance vision. A word of caution though - you may then have to wear glasses for reading after the procedure - depending on your age. I now use them for reading but it's better than wearing them all the time (I was 43 and they did warn me about this to be fair) Also I would use a well-established and reputable company. It's like anything else - you get what you pay for and I did some research before I had it done. Hope this helps

[paddyk]

Hi - forgot to add this to earlier post.
If you use one of the more reputable companies, the treatment may be more expensive - but it has a lifetime guarantee. In other words, as long as the eyes are healthy, they will re-do the procedure free if it didn't work properly the first time or if it deteriorates later. Not sure if the budget providers do this.

[Retrochic]

paddyk you have brought to my attention something I'd not thought of. I thought the laser vision would give back 20;20 vision for both long and short distances. I currently manage with contact lenses for long distance but its now becoming annoying that I have to take reading glasses everywhere with me as my ability to read or see close up with my contact lenses has deteriorated dramatically with age. I do have a pair of glasses that I wear at home and its much easier wearing these for long distance vision as when I need to read something I just take them off or peek under them.. I can see no benefit of having laser surgery if I still have the inconvenience of wearing reading glasses in my daily life.

[Clanad]

Lasik surgery is quite advanced and far better and more consistent results are available today as opposed to, say even 10 years ago.

However, no surgery or other treatment can correct presbyopia. This a natural occurring thickening of the lenses within the eye structure. It simply slows down the ability to re-focus as often as required.

One technique is to have the Lasik (as it's most often known here in the U.S.) procedure done to only one eye... called monovision... one eye is corrected for distant acuity and the other left for near vision. I've a couple of acquaintences that have had this done and neither is very satisfied with it.

Welcome to the over 40 club (eyesight wise, that is).

[corylus]

What is wrong with wearing glasses?

[paddyk]

Clanad is correct. I don't think they can correct presbyopia with the science available at present. It is just natural aging of the eyes that occurs for some people in middle age - though it doesn't happen to everyone.It's just the luck of the draw. I need glasses for reading and PC use so always carry them with me. But I have 20/20 vision for everyday life - watching TV, driving, cinema, going to football matches etc - so for me it was worth it.

[Retrochic]

Corylus nothing is wrong with wearing glasses. I am a very active sporty person and its just not practical to rely on glasses all the time. I always wear my glasses when I'm in the house relaxing.

[Retrochic]

Thankyou for all replies so far -i'm so glad I asked this question as it may just have saved me a few £1000. apparently you can now get varifocal contact lenses but I bet they are expensive. I am going to make an appointment with my optician to discuss options -and thanks for the welcome into the over 40's club -guess I'm just starting to drop to bits LOL!