Lasik Refractive eye surgery

I’m am looking into this procedure. Any one have any opinions? I am nearsighed just enough to have to wear glasses. I do wear contacts for outdoor stuff like fishing and hunting.

Bob, I had it done over 5 years ago. I’d definitely do it again.

Scott Steil said it was awesome.

MossBoss will have some things to say for sure on this….I think he still has problems

The Alexander Clinic in Appleton Wisc is the absolute best…according to the Mayo.
I was in trifocals 7 years ago and I am still 20/20 today w/o an ajustment. The best $4500 I ever spent!

Bob, You might talk to James about this as well. From what I hear he has an inside connection in the world of optometry.

My wife used to do seminars for Dr Henry Chu at Chu Laser Eye Clinic in the Cities. He’s supposed to be one of the best. The main thing to look at is how many procedures the Doc has done. The more, usually the better.

Had the procedure at Lasik Plus about 5 years ago. Very happy with the results.

Bob,

I had this done just over a year ago. I had -1.75 in my left eye and -1.5 in my right. So my vision wasn’t that bad, but like you say, out hunting/fishing always required contacts for deal with the hassles of glasses. In the past 12 months I’ve had absolutely no regrets!!!

My surgery went off without a hitch, literally 8 minutes from table to knife to waiting room. Wife picked me up in Maple Grove at 5:20 PM. By the time I got to the house(45 mins) had quite a bit of light sensitivity. I wouldn’t call it pain, more like my eyes wouldn’t stop watering and they were uncomfortable. Of course you can’t touch them so that added to the stress. Needless to say by the time I got crawled into bed the valium(don’t skip this pill, if choose too, keep it, I’ll take it. ) was in full effect and I was out for 4 hours. Thankfully it was dark out by the time I got up and walking through the house in the dark didn’t bother my eyes. Ate something, hit the restroom and back to bed the rest of the night. Got up at 5AM the next day and drove to work. Crystal clear vision ever since.

I did use the moisture drops religously for the first few days, however I was suppose to use them for a something like a week.

Now I get up, don’t worry about the glasses, sunglasses easy to wear(no more clip on stuff). I highly recommend it if you are a candidate for the surgery. Best money I’ve ever spent on myself.

John

BTW: I got the insurance policy so I get free adjustments for life. Extra $300.00. PM me if you want any more details. I had my done at Lasik Plus in Maple Grove. If you choose to come down here, let me know. I’ll split my referral with you.

John, what was your total cost?

Thanks,

I don’t recall exactly. I think in the $2800.00 range. I got the “middle of the road” lazer. There was a higher end choice, but I opted for this price point on Dr. Whiting’s recommendation.

My wife just had it done Friday. She has 20/20 in her R and 20/25 in the L. I’m next and I’m getting it done soon!

dd

I had it done 20 months ago, and not a day goes by I wish I would not have.

I have 20/20 vision in both eyes now, during the day. Not as good at night. I also have the wonderful sensation of about a 50 times increase in the numbers of floaters in my eyes, which are now much bigger and more easily seen in all light conditions than the ones I had during the surgery. I have troubles with glare from any bright source, not just headlights at night, from the flouro lights in my office, bright lights in my house, white on black writing on the TV, etc. etc. Some days gives me headaches. My night vision is marketly worse (real fun for night activities) and every light at night has nice big rays coming off it. Sometimes it’s hard to focus on things at mid distances (10-20 feet), kinda like my autofocus can’t lock in on something. Over time, it seems to slowly be getting worse as well.

The best part is, none of the docs can agree on exactly what the problems are being caused by, or if any solutions can be come up with. Well, I should say the 2nd-4th opinion docs that is. The idiots that did the surgery continue to say that nothing is really wrong, I am just too picky.

So now, I can’t really have any kind of enhancement or anything to work on the night vision, as that would risk the 20/20 I see in bright light during the day. The floaters are now my permanent guests for life.

If you can comfortably wear contacts, I would NEVER do it. If you really think about it, the “inconvenience” of contacts isn’t really all that bad. I admit, I HATED wearing glasses, there are alot of tradeoffs with glasses. You will likely also find alot more people willing to tell you how great it has been for them (and there are alot of people who the surgery has been great for) than find people who are willing to admit they dropped 3000-5000 bucks and came out with crap. It’s like anythig else, like the guy who buys a Chevy (Ford, Dodge whatever), has it in the shop 12 times in the first year, but still claims it is the best truck ever becuase he spend 35 grand on it. I am amazed at the people I meet who have problems of varying degrees from the surgery. Some with annoying small problems, some with major problems. The other thing is people have different perceptions. I have a friend who had it who just couldn’t see well at all with glasses or contacts, and now sees better after LASIK, still has some problems at night, but for him, it was great. If you saw very good with contacts before, and you got the same after effects he does, you may feel differently.

As for their “statistics”, I am considered 100% a successful surgery to their statistics they hand to everyone at their seminars.

I don’t really want to tell you not to do it, it has helped alot of people. But, just remember you are cutting your eyes, nothing is guaranteed. And some problems are not correctable with glasses or contacts.

I also had all the latest technology for my surgery. Intralase “no blade” flaps, CustomCornea wavefront Lasik. Didn’t make a bit of difference, and in all likelyhood contributed to my problems. My surgeon also had a high number of cases performed, so again, that is no guarantee of anything.

I could probably write another 2 or 3 pages on the subject. If anyone wants any more info, they can pm me.

Well just an update, I made my first appointment today for Dec. 5th

I decided to go with Lasik Plus in Maple Grove,Mn

Thanks for the comments!!

Sorry to hear about your issues Moss. I dated an opthemologist (sp?) for a time that told me “don’t even think about the surgery” unless I was having difficulties with wearing contacts or glasses. As Moss related, a success to the surgeons means you can see well in the office… basically read the chart under optimal conditions. Real life is a different story. This gal I dated wore glasses / contacts and told me she’s never consider the procedure for herself.

Enough said as far as I was concerned. That and the only other person I know personally that had it done, my father, needs to wear contacts / glasses after the procedure to fine-tune his vision.

Like I said Bob, the best money I’ve ever spent on myself. I’ve got 2 high school buddies who will tell you the same thing. Good luck!