asv108's Journal: Thinking About LASIK

After wearing glasses for almost two years now, I'm seriously thinking about getting LASIK. I tried to wear contacts, but I'm pretty squeamish when it comes to sticking stuff in my eyes. My prescription is really light, I have slight case of myopia with a moderate astigmatism.

I've had a few friends/acquaintances get LASIK with great results and no side effects. I seem to be a perfect candidate for LASIK but I'm wondering if there is anything I should worry about besides the slight risk that I may need an adjustment or the rare possibility that I might need glasses? I understand that there is even an extremely rare possibility that the procedure could cause irreversible damage or even blindness. I've read about the possibility of halos and other night vision problems. Does anyone here have any experience/opinions concerning LASIK?

I'll take my contacts, thanks.

[Some Woman]

I'm pretty squeamish when it comes to sticking stuff in my eyes.

I'm pretty squeamish when it comes to people slicing my eye open with a laser.

Re:I'll take my contacts, thanks.

[John Harrison]

They actually slice it open with a scalpel and then burn it with a laser. I hope you feel better about it now.

I am constantly waiting for better technology. There is a system in development (maybe deployed?) in which the back of your eye (retina) is scanned and then your lense is shaped to give you the best possible image. Of course once that becomes possible then something better (bionic eyes?) will come along.

If youre new to glasses you might be bad candidate

[Cy Guy]

I'm thinking of getting LASIK as well, but you're statement that you've only been wearing glasses for two years seems like a red flag. You shouldn't get LASIK unless your prescription is pretty stable.

For example, while my eyes are real bad, (+6.00 in both eyes) they have only changed by +0.25 in the last five years (I'm now almost 40).

What you don't want to happen is to get the surgery, then five years from now have your vision be just as bad as it is now - you can't go in every couple of years to get t

Re:If youre new to glasses you might be bad candid

[asv108]

I was worried about the stabilization problem too but I went to my doctor yesterday to get my eyes checked and to ask about LASIK. My prescription was stable so he said that there should be no problems with LASIK.

He went through the discussion of follow-ups and said that because my prescription is so light there would only be a 1% chance that I would need follow-ups instead of their 3% average but he recommended getting them included anyway if I don't mind spending the extra money and want peace of mind.

Re:

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:Night Vision?

[asv108]

This was a big concern for me too, because with my astigmatism I already get halos if I'm not wearing glasses and it is extremely annoying. I've been told that there is about 5% risk for such complications but I have yet to see any hard stats myself.

mom got LASIK; it reduced her night vision

[memfree]

My mom's night vision was never good, but it became worse after the surgery. She simply refuses to drive at night now because of it. Note that she's never enjoyed driving, so she may be exaggerating her problems with night vision to excuse herself from the task, but I expect there was at least some reduction.

She seems more cautious about doing simple things at night. If the cat won't come in, she won't step outside to look for it anymore. She'll just squints at the doorway and call for it (which rarely