LASIK input

I had my LASIK surgery done in 2008.  I was pretty far sighted and even with glasses or contact my upclose vision was a severely straining event.

The doc (Stanley Teplick) suggested I be slightly over corrected to the near sighted window.  It was weird at first due to my lenses being pushed so far in one direction for so long to try and see close up that for about two weeks I could see "Made in China" on every grain of rice, but everything was blurry past my arm's reach. 

I purposely scheduled it during winter around Christmas time when I would not be doing anything water related, or around any kind of dust or pollen (allergies).

Standing around watching the kids go sledding in the snow wasn't too bad, as everything was white so the blur wasn't as noticeable.  Now over the years since the procedure, my eyes have settled into a very comfortable state that I am very happy with.  Up close vision is fantastic, and my distance focus has cleared up to the normal person with 20/20 vision.

As we get older, everyone's lenses will get tired and not flex to the extremes as they did when younger so I'm sure that reading glasses will probably come into play for me in 15-20 years.

The worst part of the whole experience for me was keeping track of all the different drops I had to use on a strict schedule.  That was only for about two weeks.  Past that, no issues whatsoever.



 

I too had it done about 7 years ago. I don't regret it for a moment, though it took my sons about 5 years to convince me to do it. My advice, as some others on the board have said, follow the doctor's orders to minimize the recovery time. I had an enhancement too, so it was a good thing I paid for the lifetime enhancement, though I'm not sure whose lifetime they were referring to.
Hooper

I had Lasik about 8 months ago. My vision went from 20/400 to 20/15. My eyes occasionally have a "burning" feeling, but it is worth it to no longer need contacts/glasses!
 

I had Lasik done seven years ago when I was 60. My contacts were -7.5 diopters with astigmatism, too. I opted to have my left eye set for far vision (I'm left handed) and my right eye slightly under-corrected to I could read without reading glasses. Prior to the surgery I needed both contacts and reading glasses (about 2.5 correction).

As I recall the procedure was very fast and painless. Wife drove me home, I kept my eyes covered for a few hours, went to bed and really had no pain or side effects. Two years ago I went back in for a checkup and my left eye was 20/30 and right eye (which was intentionally under corrected) was 20/40.

I read and use my computer and iPhone with no glasses. It's so great to swim, play tennis, fish, etc. with no contacts or glasses.

Best $3500 I ever spent. At the time I got it done there were some $500 "bargain" Lasik centers but I spent the money to have the best doc I could find do it.

Good luck,

iHop

I had Lasik about 8 months ago. My vision went from 20/400 to 20/15. My eyes occasionally have a "burning" feeling, but it is worth it to no longer need contacts/glasses!

That burning will go away pretty quick.  What you may be feeling is the direct wind and sun hitting your eyes now, where glasses/contacts blocked it from direct impact.  I noticed the same thing.

Because of this, your eyes will eventually adjust to a new need for liquification/lubrication.  Because your glasses/contacts blocked most of the direct hits from the wind, and rays your eyes didn't feel the need to produce what it will need to now.   It just takes a little time. 

Best $3500 I ever spent. At the time I got it done there were some $500 "bargain" Lasik centers but I spent the money to have the best doc I could find do it.

Serious emphasis on this.  Eye surgery is NOT something you want to get a 'bargain' on.



Dryness:  Sometimes the dryness never goes away.  I have to use drops 2-3 times a day if I'm working that day.  If I'm not working, I typically only need drops right after a shower.  I also have to wear glasses if the defrost is on in the car.  All that hot air right in the face dries my eyes out with a quickness.

Dryness:  Sometimes the dryness never goes away.  I have to use drops 2-3 times a day if I'm working that day.  If I'm not working, I typically only need drops right after a shower.  I also have to wear glasses if the defrost is on in the car.  All that hot air right in the face dries my eyes out with a quickness.

No wonder you hate rain so much, you have to soak your eyes after each shower. 
Do you do the same after a good rain shower?   

I had Lasik done seven years ago when I was 60. My contacts were -7.5 diopters with astigmatism, too. I opted to have my left eye set for far vision (I'm left handed) and my right eye slightly under-corrected to I could read without reading glasses. Prior to the surgery I needed both contacts and reading glasses (about 2.5 correction).

As I recall the procedure was very fast and painless. Wife drove me home, I kept my eyes covered for a few hours, went to bed and really had no pain or side effects. Two years ago I went back in for a checkup and my left eye was 20/30 and right eye (which was intentionally under corrected) was 20/40.

I read and use my computer and iPhone with no glasses. It's so great to swim, play tennis, fish, etc. with no contacts or glasses.

Best $3500 I ever spent. At the time I got it done there were some $500 "bargain" Lasik centers but I spent the money to have the best doc I could find do it.

Good luck,

iHop

iHop, who did your Lasik?

Big day tomorrow, Kardinal.  Just wanted to extend some best wishes in your direction.  Just think, the days of buying excellent sunglasses that don't cost more than $1K -- within reach.  Goodness, you'll be unstoppable when you can SEE the fish on top of everything else you do.

Here's to your speedy recovery to restored 20/20!

Thanks Akfishergal! Definitely nervous. But everything says its worth it!  I've had glasses since second grade. I can't even imagine what it's gong to be like waking up and not reaching for my glasses! Now is the time, summer is short. Th dry winter weather is over and other commitments will keep me off the water this weekend anyways. I've had a few great things happen this week and I hope this will be the icing on the cake!  Watch out fish! Peripheral vision, no more water spray, and decent polarized glasses that actually fit means TROUBLE for YOU!!

I've been wanting to get this done, but decided to buy a Revo instead

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kardinal_84, you'll still wake up in the morning and reach for those glasses for at least a week.  It was the same when I was climbing into bed, always went to pull the glasses off my face to put on the night stand. Jabbed my eye with a finger one or two times doing that, but it was worth it. 

Thanks for all the input. Five hours after the procedure and my eye is pretty irritated but for the first time since second grade, I'm walking around and typing this message without glasses.  My correction will take a few weeks to really settle in but it's supposed to only get better from here.  If that's the case I think I'm going to be happy with this barring any complications.

I appreciate everyone's input!  Watch out fish! An improved top predator will be after you soon!  Lol.

I remember the first evening of the procedure my eyes felt like they had mild sand in them.  I slept it off and woke up with no irritations from there.

Glad to hear you are seeing on our own for the first time in a LONG time.
You're going to love it!   

Congratulations!  4 weeks, then the other eye?