What is your main reason to get lasik surgery and what is holding you back?Gabriele
Your vision changes throughout your life. But the importance of caring for your eyes and maintaining your sight never goes away. With constant advances in technology, more people can now be considered excellent candidates for laser vision correction than ever before. Whether it’s the hassle and expense of glasses or contacts, health issues, or even that you missed doing spontaneous activities like cannonballs, you have your own unique reasons for considering laser vision correction. Please share with us, your unique reason.
Camilla
I want laser surgery. I even went to get a pre-exam. They told me that, because my prescription is too high (-10 diopters), they can't perform the surgery without cutting my eye too thin and endangering my vision.I want to get lens implants, but at $8, 000, the procedure is too expensive for me to afford now or any time in the foreseeable future.The reasons I want my vision corrected:1. At my prescription, glasses do not give me perfect vision. I have a narrow area of my lenses that are actually my prescription, and the rest is distorted. 2. I want to wear colored contacts. Colored contacts are not available in my prescription.3. There is always the danger when I am traveling or camping that I could lose my glasses, and then I'd just be screwed.4. I'd just plain like to have prefect vision without having to put on glasses or contacts every day!
Jenise
Our bodys are the best technology on the planet. We are nowhere near matching their ability to repair and function optimally.Blur is a sign that we are interfering. Artificial corrections(glasses, contacts, surgery) are only superficial and don't address the real issues of blurry vision. Because of this people who depend on artificial corrections will always be susceptible to more blur and the diseases that accompany high prescriptions for many years.Eye surgery further complicates things by cutting up the delicate structure of the eyes adding on top of the eyestrain and squeltched circulation of artificial corrections.It was discovered that blur was a sign that we were interfering with natural perfect eyesight 100 years ago. The Optometric Society kicked out the brilliant opthamalogist who discovered this because it intefered with their work. Others tried to copy him and came up with eye exercises.
Althea
For me it would only be worth it if I truly would not need any other vision correction (contacts or glasses), and according to my optometrist it's unlikely that my eyes (with severe nearsightedness and astigmatism in both eyes) could be corrected enough to go without contacts. So it's not really worth the pain and cost of surgery to still have to wear contacts like I do now. I was also told I don't make a good candidate because my vision has not stabilized yet and I've still needed a prescription adjustment every year (at almost 30). I've weighed the risks and benefits, and even if I do become a good candidate in the future, I don't think it's for me. I've been wearing contacts since I was 13, they really aren't enough of a hassle to risk surgery when I wouldn't consider anything less than perfect results to be a good outcome.
Gregory
Researchers followed 290 patients who had "definite" or "probable" dry eye before LASIK surgery. In the year after surgery, the patients with dry eyes saw the same vision improvement as other patients. But their dry-eye symptoms were worse throughout the year, according to the study. A new study has raised concerns regarding the long-term effects of laser eye surgery. New research indicates that laser surgery for short-sightedness can cause haze, glare and blurred vision as people reach their senior years.Laser surgery for short-sightedness flattens the central cornea, which provides better eyesight, but can seriously affect the movement of corneal cells. Normally, these cells start on the outsides of the eye and migrate toward the center. When they meet, they create pigment, which scatters light and can cause haze and blur. This occurs just below the pupil, in an area called the Hudson-Stahli Line.The laser surgery causes these cells to move at a different rate down the flattened cornea. They meet in front of the pupil, intensifying the haze.At present, the problem cannot be fixed.
Coleman
Well, I'm interested in LASIK so as to have a perfect range of vision without the need for the hassle of things like glasses or contacts. Both require more maintenance than perfect eyes would.I think the main reason I haven't seriously considered the treatment is cost. Though in reality, I don't have a strong idea of what its cost is. I've never seen a ranged price of what it might potentially cost, which could influence thing differently.Learning the procedure also made me a bit uncomfortable. Particularly being completely awake while a flap is cut into your eye. But if I were to otherwise seriously consider the operation, I wouldn't let this detail stop me.I also consider glasses to suit my character very well. It is because of this that I haven't tried even contacts (plus I don't seem good with putting my finger near my eye).Those things aside, I am completely fine with the operation itself. From lasers in my eyes to the various side effects listed, I'm not worried about it. I trust the operation well enough. I expect that if I were to go for it, I'd appreciate the results.If Lasik sounded affordable, I'm pretty sure I'd go for it.
Judith
LASIK ablation profiles are a maximum 6mm in diameter over the central cornea. This is fine for photopic and even mesopic lighting conditions. However, scotopic lighting conditions typically use a natural pupil above 6mm, all the way up to 9mm in some patients. The combination of a 6mm ablation zone with a 6+mm natural pupil creates halos, diffractive irregularities, and refractive blur. This is just a case of not enough treated surface area in the periphery of the anterior cornea.When the technology improves to where custom wavefront guided ablation profiles can be extended out to 8 or 9mm in Zernike normalization pupil diameter over the anterior cornea, i.e., the ablation zone covering more corneal surface periphery, then I will say "OK do it". This would also assist in letting more hyperopes become candidates, creating a larger potential market.I should be charging consulting fees to you, LasikPlus.
Jacquline
I want to get laser vision correction because I want to be able to just fall asleep somewhere and wake up and fall back asleep without having to worry about contacts or glasses. Sleeping with glasses is painful and having to carry around contact case, solution, and extra set is a hassle.I travel a lot so being able to just fall asleep when I have the chance would be amazing. Not to mention the savings from not having to buy contacts and solution.I have to say, the only thing right now that is holding me back is the fact I think I am too young. I don't know the exact age you have to be to get laser surgery. My family also thinks I should concentrate more on actually getting into a college and spending money on that.But once I get the money saved and reach the age I'm definably getting LASIK surgery.
Antonio
I was too concerned that I would have dry eyes, or irritated eyes after the lasik procedure was done. That is a side effect for some people. Having the feeling of irritating or dry eyes is one of the most unbearable pains I know of. I would rather have the hassle of contacts then risk an eye condition that at it's worst- could make someone feel suicidal. I mean, even the pain of an eyelash in an eye can make the whole world come to a complete stop- Allergy eye pain can be the same way. It still seems like too great a risk.Also, the cost may be prohibitive- but I would NEVER go to get cheap or discount eye surgery. It's not something I'd use a coupon for. I don't see health insurance covering seeing as they already don't cover eye exams or contacts & glasses- it's usually on a seperate policy.
Catina
Well, I am in the first stages of cataract development in both eyes. I have talked to people who have had cataract surgery, and their eye sight improves significantly afterwards - not just because of the cataract removal. The notion of an invasive procedure into my eyeballs is just too creepy for me to choose this option for better eyesight, and I know that there is always risk involved - doesn't matter that it is a small risk - just my luck that I would be that 1%. So, I'll stick with my glasses until the time comes when I am forced to have cataract removal surgery. Better eyesight without glasses will give me motivation to go through with the cataract surgery and give my aging body and mind a positive slant to look forward.
Ashley
I'm someone who can't function without glasses or contacts. While I would love to get laser vision correction, but it is still much too expensive. You say one of the reasons to get it is the high cost of glasses and contacts - but the cost of lasik far exceeds this price. Also, glasses and contacts can be paid for a little at a time - as you need new prescriptions etc and Lasik is a large one time expense that most people cannot afford.Maybe if the procedure was covered by insurance - or more insurances I'm not sure if some do cover it, it would be an option. $3, 000+ is a LOT of money to most people.
Georgeann
contacts irritate my eyes no matter what brand I get. and it's a hassle to have to put them in, take them out, put them in, take them out...and then to not be able to sleep in them (I know there are kinds where you supposedly can, but I can't). I hate waking up not being able to see until I use some kind of corrective lenses. I have to put on my glasses now to see. and they're a hassle. you want to dress as a certain 20/20 vision character for Halloween, but the costume is ruined by glasses or you can't wear a mask because of your glasses. you can't be very spontaneous in any way because of corrective lenses, whether they're glasses or contacts. theatrical contacts come in far less designs when you need the prescription type and they're more expensive.
Allison
Actually, I was thinking about LASIK because my diopter deviance had increased from +1.9 to +4.98 in 11 years and it will get worse. The diopter aging was due to my nearsightedness (or myopia), and the bad news is that this puts me at a risk of POAG---primary open-angle glaucoma.But I also know the risks. I fear that if the surgery goes way, way wrong, I could end up blind for the rest of my life and I fear that all of my lifestyle routines will be changed dramatically. It is similar to a diabetic who is paying the price with terminal diabetic retinopathy in the eyes for failing to control the diabetes.....paying the price with often complete blindness. I also know another side effect....something akin to someone having xeroderma pigmentosa....stronger sensitivity to light in the eyes. Xeroderma patients have to stay away from the sun for the rest of their lives, even on cloudy days.
Carlo
For one, the cost of the surgery. Even though it would be worth it, you still need the money to actually undergo the surgery.I'd also be scared that something would go wrong. I have never heard of any mistakes being made, but I would be extremely worried about being the first where a mistake was made. Anything to do with eye surgery worries me, primarily because I rely on my eyesight so much and any mistake would destroy that.I would consider surgery for cataracts or glaucoma; however, that would be to cure a problem for which no other cure exists (as far as I'm aware, that is). I can use glasses and I am used to them, meaning that laser surgery to correct my eyesight would be more of a cosmetic thing for me.
Guillermina
In Canada you can get it done for around 1500 dollars or less. When a pair of glasses costs 2 or 3 hundred and they have to be replaced constantly, you actually save money by having lasik. My doctor left one eye for distance and the other for reading so I am 55 and only need readers if the print is very fine or the light is bad. Being an athlete - putting contacts in and out gets tedious. Lasik is amazing - to wake up and see the clock - can't beat it.
Antwan
I'd had severe nearsightedness all my life. I couldn't see past the end of my nose. I abused contact lenses and never properly took care of my eyes, wearing a single pair for weeks and sometimes sleeping in them.When I had the opportunity to use flexpay (employer directs pretax income into kitty for non-covered medical expenses) to pay for this procedure I jumped. I began redirecting a few hundred dollars a month into my flexpay program and after 9 months or so I had enough to cover the procedure. It was a little frightening. I'd opted for the chill-pill and clutched a stuffed animal to fight the anxiety. Its not fun but it all payed off. 5-6 weeks of eye drops and sunglasses and post procedure checkups later and I have better than 20/20 vision (20/10 and 20/15) but most importantly I am no longer blind.
Burma
Laser surgery most certainly helps improve distance vision but often spoils close-up acuity. Everyone I know with this surgery (more than a few) has noticed this.I need my glasses to see distant objects, but I can read very tiny print without much strain. Ask a laser customer to read one of those pink sugar packets, and you'll see what I mean.Anyway, for me, close-up vision is very important for the technical kind of work I do, and it is not worth losing it for the convenience of not using glasses to drive, even though I have a pretty strong prescription.Cost and risk are, of course, other considerations, but that's my main reason. Other people have other priorities, and it doesn't hurt my feelings if they make other choices..
Brenna
I guess cost is the main thing that holds me back. I was made redundant in December and am still looking for a job. My last examination was in March last year.I also need to square up the cost of normal glasses verses the payment of treatment, which in my case is about the same either way.Another important factor is if the subscription will have changed in any way. Maybe holding out a while will be good in a way as this will enable me to determine if it is stable enough to go ahead.I considered asking this question when I reached 30, and now what with all the delays I am now 31 and half years old! :S
Doretta
I find it increasingly hard to wear my RGP lenses for over 8 hrs (my eyes water and feel irritated). To think I have worn it for over 2 decades.I also don't like wearing glasses from the time I wake to the time I go to sleep. Reading glasses (which I use with contacts) are fine because I do not have to wear them continuously. Between my problem with my contacts and dislike for glasses (my Rx is 500-600, with astigmatism), I don't know else to do except be screened for Lasik.I scheduled screening later this month and have weaned myself from contacts, wearing glasses exclusively since middle of last month. I am seriously considering Lasik. I will have to interview my opthalmologist about it extensively when I go to the screening. I have scoured many websites for the pros and cons, pre- and post-op care, and find a lot of the sites to be at least somewhat biased. My friends are happy with the results when they underwent Lasik, but that's them. I really need an unbiased opinion.
Adina
I wouldn't get it done. Even though I have astigmatism and myopia, and my vision without glasses is 20/70, I still wouldn't get it done. A friend of mine did, and now his eyes are drier and more sensitive to heat, sun and wind, getting dry and irritated much more easily. Also, his sensitivity to onion has tripled. Not doubled, tripled. When he cuts onion, the burn is literally three times as bad as before surgery.I'd rather deal with glasses than have permanently dry, irritated and hyper sensitive eyes.
Carrie
I had my eyes done 10-15 years ago. At that point, even though LASIK was available, my doctor decided that I was a better candidate for RK (which instead of using a laser, uses an actual diamond blade to make the incisions). The procedure was done over a 2 weeks period (first week they did one eye and the second week they did the second one). Even though RK had more hassle than LASIK, I have never regretted my decision. The fact that every morning I can just open my eyes and be able to see everything clearly right away, or at night go to bed and fall sleep without having to worry about falling sleep with my glasses on, is the best thing ever.
Cordelia
I had the consultation and found out laser would change my vision to where I would need glasses to see close up things and i dont want to sacrafice that. Even though I would be able to see far away good it's not worth it to me.For instance, lets say I get a splinter in my finger and I wanna see to get it out right now with the way my eyes are now I could but after laser surgery I would need glasses. Also lets say I'm at the beach and I pick up a stone and want to look at it closely, if I had the laser sergery I couldnt unless I put on glasses.One other thing I want to add is the laser surgery business seems more like a racket, less like a medical procedure to me. It feels like one of those places that sells tanning packages for outragous amounts of money. And that turned me off.
Blanca
There are a couple of things holding me back. First of all, contact lenses are not a hassle for me. After a childhood of wearing those clunky "coke-bottle" glasses, then several years of wearing hard contact lenses (they didn't make soft ones in my prescription back then), due to those advances in technology I can now wear toric soft contact lenses, that to me, are the best thing since sliced bread! Expensive, yes, but my insurance covers a portion of the cost and I find them extremely comfortable. I don't sleep in them, but so far, they haven't hindered any of my activities whatsoever. I may not do cannonballs, but I have had many happy days in the pool and at the waterpark with my contacts in!As for my glasses, the lenses can now be made so thin that I no longer feel unattractive in them. As silly as it may sound, I just don't want my eyes messed with. Even though my vision is of course not perfect by any means, I feel that I'd be paying out all kind of money to fix something that to me, really isn't broken.
Garry
I have considered it for correcting my near-sightedness, but I am not confident enough in the technology.For starters: I have green eyes, and green eyes, according to my ophthalmologist, scar easily.Second, the price is overly exorbitant and not fully covered by insurance.Third, My eyes are sensitive enough to detect colors that are less than 1/10 of a shade off, and very fine details others need a magnifying lens for. As an artist, I am extremely concerned that LASIK might compromise that ability.Finally, and most importantly:My partner had LASIK done 6 years ago, and while it worked well at first, his eyesight is now WORSE than before the procedure. He is 2 points off being legally blind in one eye and cannot afford the additional $6, 000 to "touch it up."
Roxann
My husband recently got PRK eye surgery. His vision was 20/350, and he's in the military. The Navy agreed to cover the cost, which was great, because we could never have afforded the surgery on our own.Reasons for getting PRK:- Opened more career opportunities in the military- Contacts were irritating his eyes constantly- Ease of day to day activitiesReasons we waited:- Submarine duty states you can't be on a submarine for 12 months followin geye surgery- Financial - Worries over recovery time and duties in the military (also why he got PRK vs Lasik, which would have disqualed him from a lot of things he loves to do!)
Ethelene
No, I won't be getting LASIK surgery any time soon. Here are my reasons:1) I'm *very* wary of having lasers used on my eyes. Maybe it's just being overly cautious, but that scares me a lot.2) It's extremely expensive, and my insurance doesn't cover it. I don't know if, over the course of my life, the cost of contacts/glasses will exceed the cost of the surgery, but it's important to remember that that expense is spread out over a lifetime (and is, in part, covered by my insurance).3) I have not done any research on this, so I don't know firsthand...but my understanding is that this kind of surgery is not permanent. By that I mean that getting LASIK will fix your eyesight at that time, but it doesn't guarantee that your eyesight won't continue to deteriorate. If I'm going to spend that kind of money, I want some assurance that the problem will be fixed permanently.
Chantelle
While the idea of having perfect eyesight is a nice thought, my biggest concern is the lack of long-term research done on the LASIK process. It's not been around long enough for anyone to have studied the effects of radical eye surgery thirty or forty years down the road. Considering the long-term impact it could have, it's not a risk I want to take.
Allegra
Mainly the price, but also my problem with things touching my eyes. I have a hard time getting through a regular eye exam with that eye pressure machine blowing in your eyes. I get through them, but I figure if I can't get through a regular eye exam comfortably, how could I handle my eyeball being sucked up with my eyelid pinned open? Even with some valium I think I would still freak out. And then I worry that I could be apart of the group who has halos and/or problems. Maybe one day when I have the money and the courage and I am more confident with the technology I will go and do it, but I am still reluctant now. I've been wearing contacts for the past 14 years and I am used to them, but it would be nice to watch tv at night in bed without glasses. Maybe I'll get the courage one day.
Noah
I would love to have the surgery. I have worn glass/contacts since I was in 6th grade. That is 13 years of having to always have something on when I get up. I would love to wake up and look out the window and see the trees and birds without having to put glasses on. When I am out with my contacts I always have a pair of glasses or extra set of contacts because I have lost a contact before and then I am left half blind. I love swimming but that is almost imposable with contacts in. I also love to ski and ride horses. Both task that are really hard with glasses and with allergies there are times when I have to wear them because my eyes are too irritated. However the cost of the surgery is just way too much. Also I am still a little nervous to have a lazer pointed at my eye and my eye cut open.
Dora
I'm only 22 and I have severe astigmatism that seems to get worse with every passing year. I would love to get LASIK surgery, but I'm afraid it cost too much for me. I do not have insurance either- so glasses and contacts are the least costly for me. I've also read about the side effects of LASIK, which are a bit unsettling. I realize that side effects are rare, but I would rather not take the chance. I would love to have perfect vision without the aide of glasses or contacts. Someday when I can afford it I will consider getting LASIK done.
Eveline
My husband and I both had laser correction together 2 years ago. We went through LasikPlus. They were super busy. We would go in for our appointments and wouldn't be seen for 30-60 min later. They were very unorganized. They would take us back leave us there to help other patients. At the time we just chalked it up to being very busy. We should have known better. My lasik came out wonderfully. Unfortunately, my husband didn't have such a great outcome. Apparently the laser was set incorrectly and his vision was really marred. He was upset because it couldn't even be corrected with glasses. Its been 2 years now and it has gotten better but still blurry. He seems to have good days and bad days. He says it was the worse decision he ever made, I say it was the best decision I ever made. Go figure..
Fatimah
It seems that the only people who tout Lasik surgery as being without problems are those who perform/sell the procedures. I had one friend who ended up with a detached retina, another who couldn't see for 3 weeks and was terrified. My research into medical sites (non-affiliated with the surgery) and latest independent news says that, even tossing aside the obvious risks, a person's eyes deteriorate at a faster speed after the surgery - so you might see better NOW and not use fashionable glasses or contacts - but then you'll have poor eyesight earlier as your age advances. Too risky. We decided to stick with glasses.
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