Wow. For the first time in 30 years I woke up and could see clearly.

[Arugula Latte]

I have been severely nearsighted since I was 11. Glasses and contacts and all that goes with them have been a constant part of my life. A lot of you know how it is -- scratched glasses, steamed-up glasses, cracked glasses, raindrops on glasses, glasses slipping down face, uncomfortable contacts, lost contacts, contacts with sand and dust and cathair trapped underneath them, trying to swim blindly in a pool or to swim with contacts while hoping you won't get too much burning chlorine in them. And on and on.

Well, I had Lasik procedure done yesterday. I'm telling you, it's a new world for me. My eyes can see the outlines of leaves on 50-foot trees across the street. I have next to no side effects -- just a very slight halo effect around the brighter lights, which is very normal and should diminish within a week or so. I had the procedure done less than 17 hours ago.

My contact prescription was -5.5 and -5.75 --> that is quite nearsighted. I also had astigmatism. The laser took care of both problems. The technology has really improved since days of yore in the 90s. My doctor uses a technology called "wavefront" which is a big improvement over manually cutting the flap on your eye. It significantly reduces the occurrence or severity of traditional Lasik side-effects or eliminates them.

"Wavefront guided laser treatments work just as elegantly as the optical upgrade on the Hubble telescope. By measuring all of the lower and complex higher aberrations in your eyes, we can create a unique laser treatment plan that can reduce or eliminate all of the weird distortions that are specific to your particular anatomy...And the results can be just as amazing. With Wavefront, your vision can frequently be even superior to normal 20/20 acuity. Kind of ”supervision” for the ordinary man."

Well, anyway, just felt like sharing.

[unpossibles]

1. thank you. I want to get it done

but am kind of afraid still, plus it's not cheap.

[Arugula Latte]

3. I know what you mean. I thought long and hard about it.

Then, in August, when I was visiting family in the S.F.Bay Area, my contacts started becoming uncomfortable. I thought, "Ah, crap, when I get back to Portland I'll have to make an appointment to replace them." Then I realized: "No. I'm done with that."

Two friends who didn't know each other recommended the same doctor (they'd both had great results). Once I decided to do, I wasn't nervous, just excited. Hearing about the newer technology improvements did a lot to ease my mind.

My doctor's fee is higher than most, but it's worth it for peace of mind for me. $3200 is the flat fee for everything -- exams, the procedure, follow-up, etc. He offers financing through Carecredit, and we got a plan that let's us pay it off over 18 months with no interest. So if you can afford a payment of less than $200 a month, you might want to consider it. :hi:

[unpossibles]

8. that's not too bad

and considering both my contacts and glasses are old and need replacing, not that much more over the course of a few years.

[Arugula Latte]

29. That's what I was figuring as well ... It's not cheap to replace contacts & glasses

:)

[huskerlaw]

23. I've had it done too

My surgery cost more like $5000, but his office is in Beverly Hills, so I'm sure it was higher than nearly anywhere else in the country. The thing is, this isn't a surgery you want to cut costs on.

That said, I got a *fabulous* payment plan. I only pay $120/month. Granted, I'll be paying it back for a while, but it was the best $5000 I ever spent. Honestly.

As for being afraid, I was too. Most doctors will give you a free consultation, and that's a really good time to address anything that makes you nervous. I was put at ease by hearing the number of surgeries my doctor had successfully completed (tens of thousands). Also, they go over exactly what the surgery is, and assure you that there is NO way that you'll go blind (which was a huge fear of mine). They only touch the extreme outer layer of your eye, nowhere near the nerves, etc.

[In_The_Wind]

2. Congratulations!

:thumbsup:

[Arugula Latte]

4. Thank you!

:hi:

[meegbear]

5. I have a question about the procedure ...

what do they do for anesthetic, if any, and do you feel anything during the procedure?

[huskerlaw]

18. I had it done 6 months ago...

They gave me Valium and Vicodin before the surgery. And I think some topical drops in my eyes. Honestly, you don't really feel anything.
There is a point during the surgery, however, where your vision gets REALLY blurry. That's kinda disconcerting.

But I remember laying there and thinking "Hmm. I know what they're doing and I should be grossed out...but...meh, I don't really care!"

As for post-surgery, they sent me home with 4 Vicodin. I took one just to knock myself out for the afternoon, proceeded to sleep for a few hours, woke up and could see really clearly. There was a bit of discomfort...not pain...kinda like there was sand in my eyes. But that went away by the next morning.

For some reason, the day after surgery I was *really* tired. I don't know if that was just a Vicodin hangover or what, but I had the surgery done on a Friday, slept most of the day on Saturday, was fine on Sunday and was back at work, staring at a computer screen on Monday.

[Arugula Latte]

30. My experience was almost exactly the same as huskerlaw's.

There was a time when I was trying to go to sleep for my post-op nap (w/ Valium and Vicodin in my system) where the drugs weren't quite kicking in enough yet, and my eyes were sort of stinging and burning a bit (not horribly, though). Then I fell asleep and when I woke up there was no pain. Today my eyes are just a tiny bit sore every now and again, like a speck of dust is in them, but nothing bad at all. :hi:

[Connonym]

6. awesome

it feels great doesn't it? I did it 8 years ago and have not had one single regret. I still sometimes wake up in the morning and have that thrill of amazement at being able to see. It's miraculous, really. It's a big step, so good for you! I'm glad it has thus far been a success for you and I hope you recover perfectly and enjoy the benefits for years and years to come!

[Arugula Latte]

31. Thank you so much!

Glad you're still reaping the benefits 8 years later.

I keep thinking "There has to be some sort of catch to this!" :)

[Connonym]

51. they didn't tell you about the part where satan comes to your deathbed and grabs your soul?

:silly:

[Arugula Latte]

56. Oh, well, that's no big deal.

I gave my soul away yeeeeears ago ... :)

[LaraMN]

7. Neato! I wish they had something that worked like that for brain function!

:crazy:

[Blue-Jay]

11. They do!

[LaraMN]

13. Before I even clicked on that, I thought, "lobotomy."

:rofl:

Wonder if they can just cut mine open and stuff some extra brains in there...

[SacredCow]

9. My sister had it done last week....

Congratulations! I've never met anyone who regretted having it done.

[Arugula Latte]

32. Thank you!

Hope your sister got good results as well. :hi:

[lizziegrace]

10. Yay!

I'm glad it worked out so well for you. Lelapin's eyes are -4.25 and -4.75. Almost as bad as yours. I wish I could afford the procedure for her. :(

[Arugula Latte]

33. Aw, that's sweet. I know as a mom I would feel the same.

Who knows ... Maybe if your circumstances change just a bit down the road, you and she could maybe get a great finance plan (mine is interest free for 18 months) and perhaps split the cost or something. :hi:

[radfringe]

12. been thinking about having it done

have worn glasses since 6th grade, now wearing tri-focals...

what's the long term expectations? what's the norm before needing glasses again?

[Arugula Latte]

34. It seems like the long-term outlook is very good.

Granted, who knows 30 years down the road ...

They normally do the procedure on people whose eyes have stopped changing. My perscription was stable for years. I'm expecting to have great vision for years. Although, I am over 40 so that presbyopia (need a long arm to hold the menu away from your eyes) might kick in. Then I'll just get those drugstore reading glasses to have around.

[Shine]

14. I've been there, my friend. It was a total transformation for me.

Best money I ever spent. Seriously. For me it was 35 yrs of wearing glasses and contacts before I had it done.

That was over 8 yrs ago and I still continue to enjoy clear vision.

Congrats to you! :toast: Here's to Clarity!

:hi:

[Arugula Latte]

35. I'll drink to clarity!

:toast: Here's to your eyes as well! :hi:

[Zookeeper]

15. Wow! Waking up to clarity...that would really be a shock for...

me since I've been nearsighted since the 3rd grade.

Did you wear bifocals before you had the procedure done? One thing I've heard is that some people need reading glasses after the procedure. Because I'm a visual artist and do some botanical illustration, I've been VERY reluctant to try Lasik, lest anything go wrong.

Your post is encouraging, though.

Congratulations, Oregonian! :)

[Arugula Latte]

36. Thank you!.

I didn't have bifocals as I haven't developed that over-40 presbyopia yet. *crosses fingers*

I had the same concerns (it IS your eyes, ferchrissakes), but my doctor has done tens of thousands of these things and the technology is truly amazing these days. Also, knowing people who had gone to this doctor helped ease my mind.

:hi:

[huskerlaw]

16. Isn't it great?

I had it done 6 months ago, and I LOVE IT.

I just had a follow-up appointment and I'm 20/15. I think my old prescription was the same as yours, actually...or very close. I also had the astigmatism.

If you happen to notice any imperfections in your vision over the next couple of days, fear not...my vision continued to improve for nearly 3 months. Also, pay attention to any dry/itchy eyes. About a month after surgery, I had a horrible time, but changing from drops to a gel worked wonders.

Congrats!

(have you bought your first pair of 'normal' sunglasses yet? I found that to be strangely liberating)

[Arugula Latte]

37. Thanks!! I just had my follow-up and I'm at 20-15 as well.

The only thing I have so far is just a slight haloing, which is not bad at all.

They gave me some sunglasses yesterday and it was great to wear them today. Then it started raining, and I was enjoying not having the raindrops splatter on my regular glasses (I'd been wearing my glasses non-stop for more than a month now because I had hard contacts and had to let my eye go to it's "real" shape).

:toast:

[LSK]

17. are there any precautions you have to take afterwards

Like no rubbing eyes, or have to be careful with showering for a few days? Anything like that?

[huskerlaw]

20. I hope Oregonian doesn't mind me answering...

but I had the surgery 6 months ago.

And yes, you're right on. No eye rubbing for, I believe it's a month. They give you glasses to wear to bed for the first week, just to be sure you don't rub them in your sleep.

Also, you have to be careful about shampoo in the eyes for the first week. Also, I believe there's a swimming restriction, particularly in the ocean.

There are also eye drops you have to deal with for the first few weeks.

Honestly, none of the precautions were difficult to follow.

[LSK]

26. thats what I heard from someone a few years ago

Was hoping the technology got better. I dont think I could keep from rubbing my eyes.

[Arugula Latte]

38. Thanks for answering LSK... I was at my follow-up visit.

:)

They told me no swimming for two weeks -- no big deal.

I cannot WAIT to go to the beach and not worry about sand in the ol' contacts! :woohoo:

[Parche]

19. Its Raining

And it starts to rain as soon as you can see good!!
My fellow Oregonian.....

It poured this morning.........:hi:

Congratulations!!

[Arugula Latte]

40. Thank you Parche!

No raindrops on glasses for me anymore! :hi:

I had to go up to Vancouver, Wash. for the follow-up and there was still some bright sun up there in the morning, so that was nice to experience both sun and rain with my new eyes. :)

[Richard Steele]

21. I've heard a lot of good things about that, and considered it myself...

But it seems my prescription is still changing, although
more and more slowly as the years go by. So if I got it
done now, wouldn't I just need lenses again in a few years?

[Arugula Latte]

41. I think you might need either new lenses or a touch-up Lasik...

My eyes had been stable for years, so I'm not sure. Most Lasik doctors will give you a free consultation and you could find out your options.

[WildEyedLiberal]

22. Oh, that's awesome - I'd love to have that done

But I think my vision is too bad. My contact rx is -7 for both eyes, and I think your prescription is about as bad a case of myopia as they think Lasik can help. I'm also afraid of side effects, because I've always had dry eyes and such. I would LOVE to have 20/20 vision but I would rather wear contacts than have something go horribly wrong and be blind.

But I'm really glad it worked out for you.

[huskerlaw]

25. See if you can find

a doctor that will give you a free consultation. I believe that most of them do. They'll run all sorts of tests and measurements of your eyes and tell you if you're a good candidate for the procedure. Also, there are numerous different kinds of surgery, so while you may not be a good candidate for one, you may be for another.

As for going blind, talk to the doctor about that fear too. I did, and my doctor assured me that it's not even possible. They only touch the extreme outer film that covers your eye. They go nowhere near the nerves, etc. I forget exactly what he said, but it was something like, "for us to even get close to the area where you going blind was even a possibility, we'd have to leave you under the laser for DAYS." I believe it was days...in the very least, it was a large number of hours. The procedure takes about 30 seconds per eye...they're nowhere near putting you in danger for blindness.

[WildEyedLiberal]

28. Oh, thanks for the info

Right now I'm a poor as hell college student so this isn't even an option for several years, which is actually a good thing since technology is constantly improving. When I have a steady job and my own money I very well may go in and ask about it - God, I'd love to be able to see without dealing with contact lenses and crap. I've had glasses since I was 9 and before then I didn't realize you could actually see individual leaves on trees. It'd be amazing to have 20/20 vision.

[Arugula Latte]

42. W.E.L -- My doctor said they have done people with -12, -13, and -14

So, your -7 is very nearsighted, but very correctable with Lasik. It is impossible to go blind with this procedure; the laser just doesn't penetrate very far and as far as I know there are no recorded instances of blindness.

[WildEyedLiberal]

50. Encouraging!

Someday I'll have to get a consultation about this. It would be so nice to be rid of the daily crap of contact lenses.

[racaulk]

24. Awesome!

I'm thinking of having it done in the next couple of years. I've been wearing corrective lenses for about 15 years--wow, until now I didn't realize it had been that long! I'm done with the dry, itchy contacts and the glasses...and it always seems to rain when I'm wearing my glasses! My lens magnifications are -3.0 and -3.75, so I'm not as nearsighted as you were, but my vision is still pretty bad.

I'll probably bite the bullet, commit $4,000 to my flexible spending account next year, and go for it. Thanks for posting your story, it's very encouraging!

:hi:

[Arugula Latte]

44. Thanks ... I hope you get great results!

Let us know if/when you go through with it! :hi:

[AlCzervik]

27. wow that is wonderful! I have an astigmatism in both eyes and when i had contacts

they were the size of nickels so i went back to glasses, i wonder f lasik would improve my eyesight?

[Arugula Latte]

45. Yes -- I had the nearsighted/astigmatism combo and now I'm at 20-15

:hi:

[Book Lover]

39. You are braver than me!

I am glad to hear it worked for you. I have -6.75 and -8 scrips, so I understand what you mean by quite nearsighted, but I am still scared of putting my eyes under the laser...

[Arugula Latte]

46. I understand. I dragged my feet for years.

I don't regret waiting, because the technology has been improving steadily.

[pitohui]

43. congratulations

it's a wonderful feeling, isn't it?

[Arugula Latte]

47. It sure is. I never thought I'd have this kind of vision ...

Modern technology...ain't it somethin'? :hi:

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

48. I have a client who had one of the early procedures done

15 years ago.

It permanently blinded her 100%.

I can only imagine the rage she must have felt.

I'm so glad things have improved since those days- if I had the money I'd LOVE to have the procedure. I've worn glasses since I was about seven years old.

[Arugula Latte]

53. Wow. That is horrible.

I'm glad I waited several years to have it done, but I feel horrible for your client and people who had early botched jobs.

[City of Mills]

49. I understand completely

I had PRK surgery over the summer (my eyes were too weak for LASIK; -8.25 on one and -8.75 on the other) and all these months later, the newness has not worn off - I feel like I have bionic vison, one eye is now 20/20 and the other 20/15. Just amazing and remarkable, for someone near blind most of my life, now just shy of my 33rd birthday. Best thing that's happened to me that I can remember. Ever.

[Arugula Latte]

54. How cool is that?!

Congratulations! I'm glad they could help you! :toast:

[WinkyDink]

52. I'd do it (severe n-sightedness), but my 50 years to the year of wearing specs have given me

a nose bump that my glasses hide!

[Arugula Latte]

55. Hmmm ... first Lasik, then rhinoplasty ...

;)

[KatyaR]

57. Congratulations--I'm so jealous!

I asked my eye doctor about laser surgery, and he said that it would only "flip" my vision--I'm very nearsighted and have astigmatism in both eyes. He said I would be farsighted and have less near vision, so I guess I'm out of luck.

A friend of mine had the surgery a couple of years ago, and her sight is great. I'm so damn jealous, but actually my eyes are improving somewhat as I get older--go figure . . . . :eyes:

[Breeze54]

59. That happens as you get older.

My doctor said the same thing, that my very nearsighted sight had actually improved and that
my old prescription was now to strong and that had been why I was having trouble focusing.
He reduced my prescription and a year or so later, I had to get bifocals. I just want contacts
but now they're saying that with my astigmatism, nearsightedness and the bifocals, that they
don't recommend them. :( Wah!! I want contacts!!! I bought new glasses, those Flexon one's,
because they bend and because I tend to fall asleep with them on, they are still in good shape! ;)
But it would be so nice to wake up and not stub my toe or hit my knee on a table, just trying
to get to the bathroom without my eyeglasses! :crazy:

[Nikia]

58. That must seem miraculous

My prescription is close to yours (both eyes -5.5 now) and I would also be so happy to wake up seeing clearly.
Anyway, congrats.