Laser eye surgery

monkeylugs

I am short sighted (-4 in both eyes) and am thinking/fantasising about having laser treatment.

Has anyone had it?

Is there any threads on it?

How much does it cost roughly?

Any one like to share experiences with me?

Many, many thanks xx

Ted_Hutchinson

Laser Eye Surgery (Cheaper long term?)
Laser Eye Surgery?

But do spend time reading the NICE guidelines and also pay heed to input from professionals. It is all very well people being very satisfied in the immediate period after the operation they may not be so satisfied when natural ageing takes place.

nearlyrich

Ted_Hutchinson wrote:

Laser Eye Surgery (Cheaper long term?)
Laser Eye Surgery?

But do spend time reading the NICE guidelines and also pay heed to input from professionals. It is all very well people being very satisfied in the immediate period after the operation they may not be so satisfied when natural ageing takes place.

I still have 20:20 vision almost 13 years after having mine done and I am now in my mid 40's. I have to say your optician is not going to recommend a procedure which cuts off a lucrative revenue stream be it contact lenses and the care products or glasses. ;)I didn't have mine done to save money but if you add up all the costs involved in being shortsighted I have easily paid for the op and I had mine done when it was expensive (and painful.)

Ted_Hutchinson

2004/051 NICE issues guidance on laser eye surgery (LASIK) for treating refractive errors

bluep

My tutor at financial college told us on Weds that he'd had his eyes lasered a couple of years ago, then went back 6 months later after getting some blurring developing. They told him that scar tissue had formed and there was nothign they could do about it - aparently it happens to 5% of people and he was one of the unlucky ones. He now has problems seeing the difference between some numbers (like 0 and 8) and reading. They can't do anything further to help him and obviously glasses or contacts make no difference. He said that he wouldn't have chosen to have it done if he'dve known it would turn out like that and although it was in the small print, he didn't feel he'd been made sufficiently aware of the risks. He wasn't all bitter and twisted (less so than I would have been in his situation!) , just told us to think very carefully about it and make sure you know all the facts!

However I don't know much about it at all - but thought I would relay a personal experience of it.

profpatpending

I had mine done at Ultralase in Leeds three years ago at a cost of £2000. They were by no means the cheapest but after having spent months reading info and debating whethe to have it done they gave me a lot more confidence after their consultation than when I had one at Boots. It took my eyes at least three months to settle down afterwards, although the initial results were still fantastic as I had spent over 30 years not being able to see the time on the clock in the morning. It was money well spent, not only because the savings have now outweighed the cost but because of the extra confidence and freedom it has given me. Just wish I had had it done years ago. Best of luck Monkeylugs if you decide to go ahead.

quids_in_2

I know of three people that had it done with no probs. They still dont wear any eye correction. One of my friends had it done 8 yrs ago, another 3yrs and the other 2 years.
I too considered it, but was too chicken!!

fabwitch_2

I had it done three years ago with Opitimax in the Finchly Road, London. I had no pain and have 20/20 vision now. My prescription before was - 8 in both eyes so I was really blind as a bat. My eyes were a little dry after but was easily sorted with clear natural eye drops. Having lazer was really the best thing I have ever had done as its fantastic to be able to wake up and see I would recomend it but look into it carefully and choose a Clinic that has a good reputation and experience.

terrierlady

am i right in thinking that it can not be done to correct ageing eyes, my husband is just getting to the stage of needing reading glasses.

profpatpending

Yes, when I had mine done I was warned that when I approached my late 40's (not that far away now!!!) I would probably need reading glasses and that was something that they couldn't correct. I'm just enjoying my spec free years as long as I can, although reading glasses don't seem too bad a prospect as they won't have the jam jar bottom thickness my old specs had.

weaver

profpatpending wrote:

Yes, when I had mine done I was warned that when I approached my late 40's (not that far away now!!!) I would probably need reading glasses and that was something that they couldn't correct. I'm just enjoying my spec free years as long as I can, although reading glasses don't seem too bad a prospect as they won't have the jam jar bottom thickness my old specs had.

This is apparently a normal thing that happens to your eyes at 40ish thats why nothing can be done. Effects different people in different ways.

I had my eyes lasered end July at Accuvision in Solihull birmingham, the day the tornado hit, though luckily was a couple of miles away from clinic.

I am over the moon, I checked out Ultralase in leeds and Accuvision, My appointment with Ultralase was not very good (wasnt happy with the level of service and much more expensive - £1000 - I may have got them on a bad day as many people have been happy with them )

I had the new custom wavefront cost £2000 for both eyes (offers on at moment I think ) The clinic was spotless the consultant friendly, informative and put me totally at ease. day of surgery I wasnt nervous as everyone was friendly and professional. There was NO PAIN at all - only discomfort for a couple of hours after and this came and went (as bad as leaving lenses in too long and your eyes getting too dry ) my eyes were -3.00 in both with astigmatism in one eye

2 of my neighbours have also had it done on my recommendation and they both had no pain and very impressed with clinic,

I can actually use computer for longer now, my eyes dont go blurry, it does however make you more careful with your eyes and appreciate just how lucky you are to see. my vision is 20/20, night halos are getting better all the time. I used the Lasik eyes site to do my research.

My advise to you is read all about it - Lasik eyes site very good. But do not go into it half hearted - I would say only go for a consultation to choose which clinic you want to have the surgery done at, not if you are only thinking about it. You really must have made the decision you want this done before going to a clinic. Weigh up the pros and cons and be 100% sure it is for you.
I would never go back its the best thing Ive ever done, money very well spent,I can actually see leaves on trees (sounds daft ) but I realise just what Ive missed.

I wrote a very detailed account of the procedure the day after I had it done, If you want me to email it to you send me a PM, It is a step by step of what happens on the day.