Laser eye surgery

Nos4r2 · 03 November 2007, 13:20

Anyone had it? Any comments?

I'm thinking about it and I'm a tad apprehensive about the results as my job depends on my eyesight.

Cookee · 03 November 2007, 13:27

Thinking about it as well, there seems to be quite a few extras you can have that bump up the price - a bit like buying a BMW!

The best advice I have been given so for is that it's the equipment that is at least as important as the person operating it!

Nick Hearne · 03 November 2007, 14:16

I know someone at Director level at one of the largest in the UK & he has said he would not have it done to him!!
My mother also had it done & was not quite right so went back for a correction & now has double vision & still has to use glasses!
Having said that I also know of several people who have had no problems at all, I went for contact lenses as I hate glasses & I'm very happy!

Andy Moore · 03 November 2007, 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Anyone had it? Any comments?

I'm thinking about it and I'm a tad apprehensive about the results as my job depends on my eyesight.

I have not had it done but a couple of weeks ago I had to go to the Centre For Sight at East Grinstead for a check up as I have a problem with my eyes.

I too was nervous. I found this place to be *very friendly* and I did not feel like a number, if you know what I mean. They tested me very thoroughly and set my mind at ease.

It might be worth considering for you. I believe them to be one of the best place for eye treatment in the country. I think they do both NHS & private work.

http://www.centreforsight.com/index.php

Hope this helps a little.

taurus · 03 November 2007, 17:02

Go and get an opinion from an NHS opthalmologist. They'll (usually) have no bias and will be honest about outcomes. Unless they own a private laser eye surgery clinic?! Wouldn't go for it myself.

Same with laser tattoo removal, a friend was told by a private clinic they could remove all his tats, went to an NHS clinic who said there was no laser around at present to remove green colour.

mcinfantry · 03 November 2007, 17:08

i had it done 9 years ago and went from 20/800 to 20/15

the "i know an eye surgeon" and he wouldnt do it can be taken another way.

if doctors are so smart, then why dont they live disproportionantly longer than average?

i bet theres a brain surgeon who says he wouldnt do it either.

and as for the eye surgeon, if he wears glasses, in his line of work why do it?

in my line of work/hobbies the benefit far outweighed the risk.

Poly · 03 November 2007, 19:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Anyone had it? Any comments?

I'm thinking about it and I'm a tad apprehensive about the results as my job depends on my eyesight.

Nos - i have been considering it too... I discussed it with my Optician last time I was there. I feel she gave me an honest opinion as she doesn't make referals to any surgeon or organisation (which had actually been what I was hoping for) and stood to lose my business for glasses etc every 2 years.

She was fairly positive. I don't wear contacts and was also considering them but was less keen... she was certainly not discouraging me from getting the surgery, again despite having the opportunity to sell me contacts. Her advice was: go and see them for the free consultation; ask lots of questions; find out exactly who the surgeon will be - and how many similar opperations he has done (you don't want to be his training); ask about their predicted success rate... and their prediction for YOUR eyesight. If they don't make you feel 100% comfortable or have any doubts after that then you simply walk away.

What she did say was most people will have a successful opperation which would mean they no longer need glasses for driving or most normal activities but she has seen a few people who are disappointed because they don't get perfect eyesight at the end of it. So long as your expectations are reasonable you stand a better chance of being satisfied.

I would be inclined to agree with McInfantry's point - it is easy for someone who doesn't wear glasses or who is perfectly happy with contacts to say they would never risk it - but I genuinely believe it would make my life easier/better.

MAHA · 03 November 2007, 23:05

I had my eyes done six months ago.

Had been putting it off for years as I had an earlier problem with contacts which made me very nervous of doing anything else to my eyes!

I am happy to say it is the best thing I have ever done (apart from buying a RIB).

I use to wear glasses all day for everything, couldn't even watch telly in bed.

I now have perfect 20/20 Vision.

As previously mentioned there are different levels of cost. I opted for the most expensive (£2500), decided that eyes are very important to me so wanted the best.

I had the surgery in the afternoon, Mrs drove me home and I went to bed with slight pain, felt like I had scratched my eyes but nothing to bad.

Next morning I woke with good vision, slightly cloudy but this surpassed within 24 hours.

Had to take drops several times a day for several weeks & wear goggles to bed for a week.

I haven't had any dry eyes or any problems whatsoever.

Thoroughly recomend it.

Any more questions, let me know.

waverunner · 03 November 2007, 23:23

I have worn varifocal contact lenses now for about three years, and at first found them really difficult to fit, but soon got used to it.

I have found that during the day I forget I am wearing them, but after about 12hrs of use they feel like they are drying up and become a little irritating. I work shifts and have particularly noticed on nights I have to rehydrate the lens a couple of times in a solution which can sometimes be time consuming when I am busy.

I recently went back to my optician to explain my concerns, and he has prescribed some silicone based lens which seem to be a lot better and don't seem to dry up, and they can be left in for upto a month before they are replaced, but they are more difficult to handle.

Before I had lens prescribed I struggled with reading, but my long vision was pretty much okay and was told for my condition Laser surgery probably would not be an option.

I was told that laser surgery is an irreversible process, so it is imperative that if you are considering surgery you make the right choice. Personally I would stick to lens or glasses.

The jury is still out on my new lenses, but so far so good. If you need any further advice on lenses send me a private message and I will send you a contact phone No.

Biggles · 04 November 2007, 00:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAHA

As previously mentioned there are different levels of cost. I opted for the most expensive (£2500), decided that eyes are very important to me so wanted the best.

What did the NHS offer ?

A magnifying glass ?

Poly · 04 November 2007, 00:58

Nos,

Here is a link to an impartial review of laser surgery techniques with an honest apprasal of the risks - it generally seems to have real %age success/complication numbers rather than "very rare" "uncommon" and "extreemly successful" which the marketing people tend to go with!

Hope it helps with your decision...

Neil

[Edit: Nos - the visual accuity for driving referred to in that document is for "normal" drivers. The standard for driving trucks is more specific:

• at least 6/9 in the best eye and
• at least 6/12 in the other eye and
• without glasses/contacts each eye must be no less than 3/60.

Nos4r2 · 04 November 2007, 07:33

Thanks Polwart. I've just read through that and it all looks good from where I'm sat as I don't have a particularly strong prescription.

Proper facts too. I think I'll go for it during the winter.

Poly · 05 November 2007, 10:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Thanks Polwart. I've just read through that and it all looks good from where I'm sat as I don't have a particularly strong prescription.

Proper facts too. I think I'll go for it during the winter.

Given that some people are reporting initial problems with night vision driving would it be best to do this when you are least likely to be driving in the dark...

just a thought.

Nos4r2 · 05 June 2010, 21:23

Finally an update-went for the op about 12 hours ago.

Wow!

Into The Blue · 05 June 2010, 21:28

Keep the posts coming, I've been considering this for years.

What sort of op did you go for?

Neil Harvey · 05 June 2010, 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Finally an update-went for the op about 12 hours ago.

Wow!

sounds like putting up with all the nerves was worth it... do let us know more

Nos4r2 · 05 June 2010, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Into The Blue

Keep the posts coming, I've been considering this for years.

What sort of op did you go for?

Intralase custom wavefront-basically the most expensive option. It was worth it.Apparently using a laser to cut the flap means they seal back down better when replaced.

At the moment my distance vision is crystal clear, but I'm still having fun focusing close up while my eyes/brain work out what's going on.

The procedure was completely painless and was over in under 5 minutes from going into surgery to leaving the theatre. I was in the clinic about 3 hours all told.

It was an odd experience to say the least-you're looking at a small orange light and you can see your focus changing as the laser works.It's very blurry during the procedure while the flaps are open.

It'll be 4 weeks before I can use the boat again though as I've got to avoid getting water in your eyes til it's completely healed so my next outing will be Priory Bay.

Nos4r2 · 05 June 2010, 23:52

Forgot to say, you have to wear sunglasses when you leave.
It's a good idea to take a brand new, clean pair of non wraparounds with you. I took an old pair of Liz's wraparounds with me and they distorted my vision a bit compared with not weaing them. I suspect (though I'm just a patient not a doc!) that it's to do with the brain learning to process the changed signals.

Just been outside and I'm getting halos around street lights at the moment, though that should pass.

Cookee · 06 June 2010, 08:49

Good luck with that and let us know how things progress - the issue I have with the whole thing is how long will it be before I need glasses or contacts again?

Nos4r2 · 06 June 2010, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

Good luck with that and let us know how things progress - the issue I have with the whole thing is how long will it be before I need glasses or contacts again?

Probably immediately for reading if you're past 40-45. It doesn't halt age related macular degeneration.

I'm having fun focusing at around the 18"-2' range at the moment while looking at the screen.I'm wearing sunglasses at the mo as it makes focusing on the bright screen easier.

It takes a couple of seconds to actually focus as I've got to think about it when changing the focal point from afar to within 5' or so.If I close my eyes for a few seconds everything is in sharp focus when I open them.
I'm fairly sure this is just my brain adapting to different signals.

Eyes feel a bit crusty at the moment as I can't wash/rub them and the eye drops run out and dry after using them. No pain at all though!