Laser Eye Surgery

[Lark]

DJFish said:

That's who I opted for in the end and I'm very happy with the results so far.
I'm back there this afternoon for my W+1 check up.

Edited by DJFish on Thursday 10th May 09:58

Can I ask how much it cost there?

[Lark]

tank slapper said:

It depends what procedure you have. I had one which didn't use a microkeratome, and didn't involve creating a flap. It had slightly longer recovery than LASIK, but leaves the structure of the cornea undisturbed.

So was that the trans-epi procedure that sounds like the older PRK method where there is more pain?

[DJFish]

Lark said:

Can I ask how much it cost there?

A shade over 2k (with an online voucher from Treatmentsaver.com)

Had my check up today, I now have a prescription of 0. and could clearly read two lines smaller than 20/20 on the chart on the wall.
Happy days.

Edited by DJFish on Thursday 10th May 21:54

[Lark]

DJFish said:

A shade over 2k (with an online voucher from Treatmentsaver.com)

Had my check up today, I now have a prescription of 0. and could clearly read two lines smaller than 20/20 on the chart on the wall.
Happy days.

Edited by DJFish on Thursday 10th May 21:54

Great result, that's 20/10 vision I think, better than a fighter pilot needs!

I hope it lasts for you, I have read of people that have had to go back to glasses a few years after having it done. Is your night vision ok?

I think I will go for consultations with Accuvision and Focus and decide from there.

[tank slapper]

Lark said:

So was that the trans-epi procedure that sounds like the older PRK method where there is more pain?

It was the trans-epi procedure, but it is different to PRK where the top layer of cells are removed physically with alcohol or mechanically, as it is done entirely with the laser. I had that because they considered my corneas to be a bit thin for LASIK, but having had it I'm glad that I had that procedure as there is no possibility of complications with flaps. At one of the follow up examinations the ophthalmologist said that it had healed well enough that it was impossible to see that any surgery had taken place.

The procedure itself was painless, and I didn't really have much pain afterwards. It was more like the kind of itchy feeling you get when you stay in an over treated swimming pool too long, and my eyes were quite sensitive to bright light. It was only really uncomfortable for 2 or 3 days and was completely gone after a week. It took longer to get proper vision back. It was about a week before I could function properly and see well enough to do things, but it improved rapidly after that. It took a few months to get as good as it was going to be, and by then I could easily read the bottom line of the chart and I still can.

[Lark]

tank slapper said:

It was the trans-epi procedure, but it is different to PRK where the top layer of cells are removed physically with alcohol or mechanically, as it is done entirely with the laser.

Ok that sounds a bit better - but it must be still painfull/irritating while it heels over/grows back again.

tank slapper said:

It took longer to get proper vision back. It was about a week before I could function properly and see well enough to do things, but it improved rapidly after that. It took a few months to get as good as it was going to be, and by then I could easily read the bottom line of the chart and I still can.

Wow that must have been a long week, I would have been worried some permanent damage had been done! It's strange that they do offer this transi-epi all laser method, but not intralase where the flap is cut with a laser. I guess they treat each case on its merits so it depends on the individual which process they recommend.

[tank slapper]

That's very much the impression I got. After the initial consultation they said "this is the procedure we think is best, and it costs this much", and that was it. There wasn't any attempt to persuade me to do anything other than what they thought would have the best outcome. I'm sure if you ask them they will tell you their reasons for not using the laser to cut the flap.

It was a bit odd to start with after the operation but the improvement was rapid enough that it wasn't a serious concern, though I must admit that there was a slight moment of apprehension waking up the next day and not being able to see properly. The week went fast enough, and really the problem was more tiredness and light sensitivity rather than not actually being able to see that prevented doing much.

[Lark]

tank slapper said:

... and really the problem was more tiredness and light sensitivity rather than not actually being able to see that prevented doing much.

Do you still suffer from the light sensitivity now ?(a problem I already have prior to any surgery) Also how is your night vision?

[tank slapper]

No, the light sensitivity was only during the initial healing period. Night vision is excellent now, though again during the initial healing period there were slight halos around bright lights, but that has completely gone now.

[DJFish]

Lark said:

I hope it lasts for you, I have read of people that have had to go back to glasses a few years after having it done. Is your night vision ok?

Thanks, I'm told there's a settling period where my vision may still degrade a little. Will just have to wait and see.
Night vision is fine, I'm seeing halos around bright lights as well but am confident that'll pass and it doesn't affect my ability to drive, it's no worse than wearing scratched specs.

[lost in espace]

I am -8.5 and my glasses are getting expensive, seriously thinking about laser surgery at 42. Any tips on where to start?

[968]

lost in espace said:

I am -8.5 and my glasses are getting expensive, seriously thinking about laser surgery at 42. Any tips on where to start?

I can certainly give some recommendations, but prefer if you PM me.

Be careful though, you're 42 and beginning to be presbyopic (needing to hold things further away to read) and LASIK/LASEK doesn't really treat presbyopia yet, so you won't be glasses independent. I suspect you'll be less reliant on them. Also at -8.5 you're very short sighted and most refractive surgeons would be confident of bringing you to approx 10% of your original correction, in your case that might be about -1, so you might still need a weak prescription, though may be able to manage without glasses at -1. It's certainly worth considering but go in with eyes open (beg the pun).