has anyone had LASIK done? (I did!)

Kesh · Dec 8, 2004

Unfortunately, I doubt I qualify. I have macular degeneration, which means the retinas are seperating from the back of my eyes. I need surgery to keep from going blind, and I doubt LASIK would help.

I just wish I could afford to get my eyes fixed.

EricNoah · Dec 8, 2004

Anyone have a ballpark figure for how much it costs? I thought I'd heard around $3000. That might be worth saving up for...

GlassJaw · Dec 9, 2004

Anyone have a ballpark figure for how much it costs? I thought I'd heard around $3000. That might be worth saving up for...

That's about right. Maybe a little bit more if you go to a higher-end surgeon. I'm actually getting Custom LASIK and it's a bit more than that. I do have a connection though....

Queen_Dopplepopolis · Dec 10, 2004

EricNoah said:
Anyone have a ballpark figure for how much it costs? I thought I'd heard around $3000. That might be worth saving up for...

One of the better clinics in the DC area actually does Custom on a payment plan.

I'm legally blind... have been planing on having it done for a long, long time... however, they want my eyes to stop shifting RX before they actually *do* the surgery. Lord only knows how long THAT will take.

Alas, they don't believe I'll be able to wake up with near perfect vision... but, anything is better than the price I pay for my ridiculously thick glasses.

Larcen · Dec 10, 2004

GlassJaw said:
From what I've gathered, the majority of problems are the result of people going to lower quality "chop shops." The key to finding a good facility is to not get the cheapest procedure possible and verify that the place in question has actually refused people. That's key. My uncle is an optometrist and he said that there are no "borderline" candidates for LASIK. You either are or you aren't.

I'll be going to TLC in Providence. They are very well-known and reputable around the country (Tiger Woods had it done by them ).

Im curious how it goes for you since I live in Warwick, RI and have been thinking about getting it done myself. Good luck!

GlassJaw · Dec 10, 2004

Ooh, a fellow Rho d'Ilanda! Don't see many in here. You gaming at all? Send me an email: chris7476 at yahoo dot com.

I actually went for the pre-op screening today. My eyes got a workout. TLC is a great place. Really nice people and they make you feel very relaxed. I went through a battery of tests, most of which consisted of keeping still and looking into some kind of light while they scanned your eyes.

One of the main tests though is to measure the thickness of your cornea, which is crucial for determining if you are a candidate. The doctor gave me some topical anesthesic drops. The doctor then uses a small hand-held instrument that he uses to touch the surface of your eye. I didn't even feel it because if I did, I know I would have twitching like a spaz (I can't wear contacts). It was a slightly odd feeling though. There were some other tests with some really bright lights that gave me a headache.

They really talk you through everything and also what to do on the day of the surgery (next Thurs for me).

I had to go to my optometrist afterwards to have my eyes dilated too. So now I'm just chilling at home.

Zappo · Dec 10, 2004

I am considering it but I'm waiting for a while more. Don't forget to tell us how it goes!

Warrior Poet · Dec 10, 2004

I'm gonna wait about twenty-five years until the procedure and technology are so refined and routine that it'll cost $9.95 and I can get it done at the kiosk in the 7-11 . . . .

Good luck GlassJaw, and everyone else who's going to have it. Here's wishing you all better vision.

Warrior Poet

qstor · Dec 15, 2004

Good luck. My uncle had it done. I wear disposable contacts and don't mind them. I'm still a little leary of having my eyes laser beamed. I also heard of some problems with the surgery. I guess as others mentioned its problems with "chop shops"

Mike

GlassJaw · Dec 15, 2004

I also heard of some problems with the surgery

Well I asked the surgeon specifically about this and problems I have read about online. He was honest and said if you read something, it probably did happen.

But the vast majority of problems are because the person should never have had the procedure in the first place. As I said before, one of the most important factors in choosing a surgeon/facility is if they will actually refuse people.

The surgeon that will be performing mine has been donig them for 10 years and has never seen anything that isn't correctable. Can something happen? Sure, no surgery is 100% safe. But you take more of a risk getting into your car everyday.

Tomorrow is my big day, 8:30 AM EST. I'll try to post an update as soon as I can.