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Eye lasik. Worth it or no?

ChrisV

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Anyone ever done this?

Regrets?

How many years did your vision stay good?
 

Done-it-again

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Paid for my wife to get it done 18 yrs ago. Best thing she ever did. Still no glasses and all is great, the only thing is dry eyes sometimes.
 

BHC Vic

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Did it 20 years ago, I'm back to wearing glasses. It was awesome for about 15 years.
I think you can do it again. My wife had a touch up and no glasses. I did it about 10 years ago and still good. Hoping it stays that way
 

renodaytona

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I think you can do it again. My wife had a touch up and no glasses. I did it about 10 years ago and still good. Hoping it stays that way
Yeah it's on the list to get an appointment and see what I can do. It was definitely great to not have to be dependent on glasses.
 

HNL2LHC

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Wife is going on over 15 years. Maybe 20. Couldn’t see much without glasses. Had the correction and been perfect all this time. Just now in her mid 50s is she seeing a change. This was done at a time when money was tight. Was not totally sold on spending all the $$$$. Looking back it was the best thing for my wife and money well spent. She found the best doctor in Hawaii and went there to be sure she had the best care.
 

17 10 Flat

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Son had it done at 24, 50 now still has 20/15.
 

HNL2LHC

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Debbie had it done before I met her.
She always said it was easily the best thing she ever did.
(Marrying me was second best thing of course…😉)
🤣 🤣 🤣 I always say that it is good that the wife had poor vision or she would not have married me. LOL.
 

n2otoofast4u

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My only regret was not doing it 10 years earlier. I had it done 2 years ago or so. Recovery was a breeze. My only suggestion is take a sleeping pill of some sort right as you go in for procedure. When you get out, go home and take a nap. When I woke up after a 3 hour nape I could already see better than I could with my contacts.
 

t&y

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Anyone ever done this?

Regrets?

How many years did your vision stay good?
Yes, it was well worth it. A lot of it depends on your age and eye specific issues. I think I went from somewhere around 20/50 to 20/15. That was 20 years ago. Just had my eyes checked and now I'm still 20/15 in one eye, 20/20 in the other. Natural degradation of the vision is starting to affect my short vision, but distance is still spot on. I had a stigmatism in at least one eye and that was not a problem.

The one thing my doctor told me recently was I could do LASIK again to help with the short vision, but I would be giving up the distance. They cannot correct for both unless you do one eye different than the other. Recommendation for me was to go to the 99 cents store and by a cheap couple pair of the lowest corrected reading glasses I could find.

Sitting in front of a computer screen does not help you vision much... fyi.
 

ChrisV

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Yes, it was well worth it. A lot of it depends on your age and eye specific issues. I think I went from somewhere around 20/50 to 20/15. That was 20 years ago. Just had my eyes checked and now I'm still 20/15 in one eye, 20/20 in the other. Natural degradation of the vision is starting to affect my short vision, but distance is still spot on. I had a stigmatism in at least one eye and that was not a problem.

The one thing my doctor told me recently was I could do LASIK again to help with the short vision, but I would be giving up the distance. They cannot correct for both unless you do one eye different than the other. Recommendation for me was to go to the 99 cents store and by a cheap couple pair of the lowest corrected reading glasses I could find.

Sitting in front of a computer screen does not help you vision much... fyi.
I do a lot of welding so pretty sure what caused my bad vision. Constantly focusing on small welding puddle. My bad vision made me really hate fabricating lately and I dont want to lose that drive.

I just set up an appointment to go get check out. Thanks guys.
 

caribbean20

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Had it done 23 years ago. I was coke bottle central, minus 5.5 diopters or something like that. It was a miracle. Still no glasses, not even reading glasses like most of my peers.
 

Gramps

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I had it done 20+ years ago...GREAT About 5 years ago I had a cataract done and that eye retweeked .... the eye without the cataract work is 20-15 right now and the tweaked eye is 20-unbelievable superman good....the eye doc can't believe how good that one is....BUT have to use readers
 

JDKRXW

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100% worth it for me.
Did it 16 yrs ago zero complaints.
Was a full time contact lense wearer with a -5 and -4.5 , with some astigmatism.
Don't get talked into letting them correct for distance in one eye and reading in the other.
 

JFMFG

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I’d do it again. I had mine done about 10 years ago best thing I ever did. I used IQ laser in Rowland heights.
 

JDKRXW

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I had it done 20+ years ago...GREAT About 5 years ago I had a cataract done and that eye retweeked .... the eye without the cataract work is 20-15 right now and the tweaked eye is 20-unbelievable superman good....the eye doc can't believe how good that one is....BUT have to use readers

Exactly the same as me.
I'm almost looking forward to getting a cataract in my other eye.
 

FENDERFAB

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Generally speaking, what’s the cost?
i paid 6k for mine.

I got it done 2.5 years ago and its been great. Zero issues and my vision is perfect. I do alot of welding etc and computer work, no issues with vision at all now.

I had bad eyesight before and couldnt wear contacts so i had prescription clear glasses and sunglasses. I was spending about 4-500 a year on glasses so i figure the lasik pays for itself after 10-12 years and i dont have anything on my face which is the best part about it.
 

17 10 Flat

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I'm old so I'm waiting for cataract surgery, between medicare and TFL there will be no cost to me. Have had my eyes evaluated and I qualify for cataract surgery now, but I still see pretty good so..
 

Rogers Hopeful

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Had mine done at NVision in 2019 in Newport Beach. Dr tooma was great. I paid $5500. They give you half Xanax before the procedure and you take the other half when you get home. Slept for 15 hours. 5pm-8am. Crystal clear vision. 20/15
They map 22,000 points on your cornea. As long as you go to an approved optometrist every year you get a free touch up if your vision ever diminishes.
 

elco

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Best thing I ever did. Been 15 years and no changes. 20/10 vision after the surgery, I couldn't see at all without my glasses prior.
 

Riverbottom

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Had it done twenty years ago, had perfect vision for ten days. Been miserable ever since. Have had two operations on my right eye, and a lens replacement to try and save my vision. Vision worse than before Lasik, and cannot wear contacts now. My only regret in life is Lasik.
 

Chevy5150

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Had mine done 20yrs ago as well. Still 20/20.. I would 100% do it again.
 

TimeBandit

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I went to Montreal Canada 20 years ago to do it.

They tested me twice and said NO.

The shape of my eye was wrong and they said they could not guarantee a good outcome.

They were using state of the art equipment years before the FDA allowed it here, and MUCH cheaper.

Now they have a San Diego location, from $2K to $5K depending on equipment used.

Many have bad night vision or dry eyes after, up to 5% have bad outcomes... do your homework.

 
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शू॑र

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Does this work for wearing reading glasses?
Other than having to wear 1.5X cheap readers, my vision is sharp.
I hate readers. One more thing I have to worry about, remember and fumble with.
Wallet, keys, sunglasses, phone and readers.
Would love to eliminate that last one.
 

MeCasa16

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I did it almost 20 years ago. It was the best thing I ever did. It was actually life changing for me. I had worn glasses since I was in 3rd grade and couldn’t wait to turn 25 to get it done. If you do decide to go through with it, just be sure you really follow the instructions with the drops to help your eyes heal. Use the drops constantly. All the surgeries are perfect. It’s how your eye heals that dictates the results..
 

185EZ

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I had radial keratotomy about 30 years ago before lasik was approved by the FDA.
You watch them come at you with a knife and cut the cornea to flatten it out.
Best thing i ever did. I had a hard time at work and doing things like snowmobiling and water skiing.
I think it was about $500
Only thing now is needing reading glasses
 
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Roosky01

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Had it done twenty years ago, had perfect vision for ten days. Been miserable ever since. Have had two operations on my right eye, and a lens replacement to try and save my vision. Vision worse than before Lasik, and cannot wear contacts now. My only regret in life is Lasik.
This seems to be the deal with it. It is fantastic for the vast majority who have done it, but when it goes wrong it goes really wrong.

Didn't the Whistlin Diesel kid have it done and is having major issues now?
 

boatpi

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X100 yes. Had it done over 20 years ago, but Dr in Orange County advertising the radio. It was pretty primitive back then and other than reading glasses here and there I need I have 20-15 vision.
 

samsah33

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Had it done about 15 years ago, vision was stable and not deteriorating so it's held up all this time. Some dry eyes, but that was an issue pre-lasik plus I'm in the desert so everything is dry... Use reading glasses these days, and Dr told me pre-lasik that I'll need them regardless, so now wife and I have about 25 pairs of WalMart readers scattered all over the house and cars, bakcpacks, etc...

It's very liberating - used to have to carry glasses, contacts, spares, solution, drops, regular shades, prescription shades, etc... but no more. Same with hair - I can grow a full head but started shaving it clean and that's equally as liberating. No more packing combs, brushes, cuts, gels, shampoos; now I just shower, grab my drug store shades, and hit the road and hope the wife didn't steal the readers from my car!
 

crzy2bealive

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I’m scared, my eyes are super sensitive to changes and I get crazy ass migraines if they are not right.
 

Tank

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Did it 20 years ago, I'm back to wearing glasses. It was awesome for about 15 years.

This.


I had it done in 05 when I was like 30. Was the best 5k I ever spent. Went from wearing glasses all the time not being able to see a foot front my face to 20/15 vision. Just this past year I have to wear glasses again when I drive. Losing the crispness. I asked about getting lasik done again and Dr said I’ll lose my reading vision big time. 🤷🏻‍♂️
 
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YeahYeah01

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Any ever had it done after having CSR? Central serous retinopathy. I have it currently for the past few years. Still pretty sure it was the stupid covid shot that did it to me. I'd love to have it done but I'm thinking I might not be eligible. I am going to ask next eye appointment.

 

kurtis500

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friend had it done at 68 years old in 1993 after wearing coke bottles since WWII in the Navy. He lived until 2015 and could see perfect until the end. 22 years of seeing as good as me and he loved it.
 

BabyRay

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Not me. I have a bit of a phobia related to my eyes being touched. Nobody and nothing is coming near my eyes, not even contact lenses, until cataracts get so bad that I finally beg for lens implants!

Stay the fuck away from my eyes! 😳
 

PlanB

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Paid for my wife (then girlfriend) to have it done 25 years ago. It was money well spent. No more contacts to give her problems while boating and doing other activities. Her vision is still good and she does not wear any glasses at all.
 

TBulger

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Did it 25 years ago, 3k at laser eye center. I’m 83 now and still fine. Had appointment today to see about a touch up and they said it wouldn’t be worth it, I’m still good.
 

boatnam2

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Did it 20 years ago, been wearing glasses again for a while, but I'm 62
 

pronstar

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Had it done twenty years ago, had perfect vision for ten days. Been miserable ever since. Have had two operations on my right eye, and a lens replacement to try and save my vision. Vision worse than before Lasik, and cannot wear contacts now. My only regret in life is Lasik.

Yeah my eye docs said I’m not a good candidate, will still require corrective lenses, and I won’t be able to wear contacts anymore.

Hard pass for my situation.

But lens replacement…I’ve got a cataract and everyone I know who had had lens replacement raves about it.

Your post is the first I’ve heard of anyone getting a bad outcome, but your situation is also a lot different.
 

wzuber

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I think i'm fine with that so i can take advantage of my younger years. Really making it tough to fabricate lately.
You can get prescription lenses for your welding helmet. Or wear corrective glasses in your helmet might be easier.
 

77charger

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Wear glasses here well contacts for many years. Now that I’m older 51 eyes changed before 45 I could see see clearly with glass or contacts close to far.

after 45 with contacts I began not seeing close up got worse the past 5 years. So my options now are contacts and readers or glasses and take off to read close.

So for eye surgery I’ll deal with the glasses either way I’m going to need them.
 

BTR

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Buddy had it done. All kinds of issues. Legally blind now.
Meanwhile I go back and forth on having another cornea transplant. Goes well great but 50-50 if it does. No take, I have to get an artificial one with antibiotics for life. Infection means out comes the eye. I’m good with one for now I think.
 

crzy2bealive

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I’m scared, my eyes are super sensitive to changes and I get crazy ass migraines if they are not right.
Also my eyes haven’t stabilized my prescription changes every year. So I’m not a hot candidate.
 

Ren

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Anyone ever done this?

Regrets?

How many years did your vision stay good?
Yes worth it. It will settle after a little bit but still be better than before. Been about 10 years for me. Worst part will be first night wanting to rub your eyes. After that lights will be really bright for a while. I wore sunglasses at night for a little while because the starburst type effect from car head lights and street lights was so bad while it heals (at least for me). No regrets.
 

mash on it

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Not me. I have a bit of a phobia related to my eyes being touched. Nobody and nothing is coming near my eyes, not even contact lenses, until cataracts get so bad that I finally beg for lens implants!

Stay the fuck away from my eyes! 😳

First visit to the eye doctor, I was legally blind from cataracts. And I was driving 40k+ miles a year.

Found THE professional in Vegas, he does 10 cataracts every Tuesday. Year round. For 20+ years.
Probably a 20 minute prep and a 20 minute surgery. I could have easily drove home (BHC). Just eye drops for 2 weeks. No complications. He did my other eye 6 years later.

I know several that went to a "recommended" Dr, and had complications. But what do I know?

Now 7 and 13 years later, still crystal clear. Lenses for distance, so I'll always have cheaters. (1.50s)

Dan'l
 

GetNautical

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Lasik was a game-changer for me. 20 years ago I had Lasik at Dr. Manger's office in Laguna Hills and to this day I have better than 20/20 vision at a distance. No night vision issues. A couple years ago after turning 50, I found that reading glasses were needed for up-close type work. I recommend get it done.
 

Not So Fast

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Just had mine done last summer, should have done it sooner, see fine nowadays 🤙
 

PlumLoco

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I used to get my contacts from Dr. Schneider at Tri County Eye in Corona. He was one of the inventors of the lasic procedure. He maintained a clinic in Tijuana where you could get the procedure done with state of the art equipment, and surgeon, but for half the price. I'm sure he is long since retired but if you are in the Corona or San Diego area it might be worth seeing if this still is a viable option.
 
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