Laser Eye Surgery - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Nehkara · 06-10-2006, 03:55 PM

Hello everyone!

I am considering undergoing laser eye surgery. I have had to use glasses for 10 years and that's enough for me, I think. I was wondering if anyone on here had had it done and could give me any advice?

Thanks!

pepper24 · 06-10-2006, 04:04 PM

Great idea for a post. I am also looking into laser eye surgery early next year as my health spending account at work will be able to cover the surgery by then.

I have an inside track as my girlfriend is an optometrist so I'll get some suggestions/recommendations from her to post. Also, looking forward to others experiences and advice.

Nehkara · 06-10-2006, 04:18 PM

Absolutely. I am thinking of Gimbel Eye Centre because I know they are the best of the best but, are they over priced for what you get? Are there other places that are slightly less famous, just as good, and that cost less?

Edit: For example, LASIK MD starts at $390 per eye. Gimbel Eye Centre starts at $995 per eye. Why the difference?

Vulcan · 06-10-2006, 04:34 PM

Check out last months thread under Lasik.

Hyde · 06-10-2006, 05:18 PM

[quote=Nehkara

Edit: For example, LASIK MD starts at $390 per eye.quote]

I just went to Lasik MD and it isn't really $390.00 a eye after they do all the tests it is closer to $900.

Sylvanfan · 06-10-2006, 05:33 PM

Something thats mentioned in the other thread is how old you are and how your prescription has changed in recent years. I never needed glasses till I was about 19, but even my prescription changed considerably between the age of 25 to 28 going from -1.75R -2.5L to -2.5R and -3.5L. I'm sure when I go for my next test later this year it will have increased a bit again since when I put on my wife's -.75 sunglasses on top of my contacts my vision feels perfect again. So even though I'm 30 my eyes are still changing.

HelloHockeyFans · 06-10-2006, 07:19 PM

^^ Syl, are you still taping your frames together, or did you finally get a new pair??

return to the red · 06-10-2006, 08:59 PM

thought I would add my input, I have had mine done for about a year and a half now and I recommend it to anyone!

Got mine done at Gimbel for 1000 an eye. Unfortunatly I had to get PRK done (scraping the top layer of the cornea off and having it regrow) so that was about a weeks worth of annoyance but well worth it

If you have the money...get 'er done!!

oldschoolcalgary · 06-10-2006, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by return to the red

thought I would add my input, I have had mine done for about a year and a half now and I recommend it to anyone!

Got mine done at Gimbel for 1000 an eye. Unfortunatly I had to get PRK done (scraping the top layer of the cornea off and having it regrow) so that was about a weeks worth of annoyance but well worth it

If you have the money...get 'er done!!

i've heard that there can be some distortion with your night vision? Have you noticed anything with regard to that?

flamesfever · 06-10-2006, 09:31 PM

My daughter had laser eye surgery about 8 years ago by Gimbel himself. I believe her eyes were +4.75 in each eye before the operation. She was tested recently at 15/20 in one eye and 20/20 in the other.

In her recovery, she experienced fast healing and had to take extra drops to slow down the healing process to prevent complications.

She is an LPN and thinks that her success is due in large part to rigidly following the doctor's orders, particularly with regard to taking the eye drops.

Knut · 06-11-2006, 11:43 AM

As a new Optometrist I recommend going to one of the guys in town with a good track and long service record.

Gimble, Mitchell, Demong.... you pay a couple hundred more than with Lasik MD and other "discount" laser centers, but in my opinion it is worth it when dealing with your eyes.

If you are far-sighted, have significant astigmatism or have a high Rx you should use one of the 3 i listed above. If you just have a lowish nearsightedness.... Lasik MD should be ok... but they are a new company and their long-term success rates are not yet established.

Remember you pay for what you get..

The Majority of complications are because of non-compliance with the medications/instructions you are given after the surgery.... so follow the rules and things will work out great.

JiriHrdina · 06-11-2006, 11:52 AM

I went to an information session about the surgery and it scared the holy hell out of me. The tearing of things particularly dissuaded me. Glasses don't bother me and I don't want to risk making things worse. I'll wait a few more years until they've perfected things 100%.

Nehkara · 06-11-2006, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I went to an information session about the surgery and it scared the holy hell out of me. The tearing of things particularly dissuaded me. Glasses don't bother me and I don't want to risk making things worse. I'll wait a few more years until they've perfected things 100%.

No procedure is ever 100% successful. They are as close as you can reasonably expect them to be given the kind of precision required.

Nehkara · 06-11-2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

i've heard that there can be some distortion with your night vision? Have you noticed anything with regard to that?

That was a problem with an old technique. Apparently new lasers (post 1997) do not have that problem.

Nehkara · 06-11-2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Something thats mentioned in the other thread is how old you are and how your prescription has changed in recent years. I never needed glasses till I was about 19, but even my prescription changed considerably between the age of 25 to 28 going from -1.75R -2.5L to -2.5R and -3.5L. I'm sure when I go for my next test later this year it will have increased a bit again since when I put on my wife's -.75 sunglasses on top of my contacts my vision feels perfect again. So even though I'm 30 my eyes are still changing.

I'm 21 but my prescription has been the same except for a VERY minor correction for at least the last 3 years, maybe 4.

Nehkara · 06-11-2006, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by return to the red

thought I would add my input, I have had mine done for about a year and a half now and I recommend it to anyone!

Got mine done at Gimbel for 1000 an eye. Unfortunatly I had to get PRK done (scraping the top layer of the cornea off and having it regrow) so that was about a weeks worth of annoyance but well worth it

If you have the money...get 'er done!!

How much correction did your eyes need? (i.e. what was your prescription before the surgery?)

Sample00 · 06-11-2006, 04:17 PM

I had mine done about 10 years ago at Gimbel in Edmonton.
cost $2000.00 per eye.
I still have 20/20 in one eye and 20/15 in the other..
previously I was 20/400 in each eye.
I would do it again, in a heartbeat and would pay the same amount if I had to.
best decision I ever made..

Nehkara · 06-11-2006, 05:40 PM

I am much closer to 20/600 (-5.00) or 20/800 (-6.00)

I believe one of my eyes is -4.75 and the other is -5.75.

Based on the opinions of people here I am definitely leaning towards going for it. I will do it at Gimbel. I don't have the money right now but soon. I can probably save up enough in a month or two.

Knut · 06-11-2006, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nehkara

I am much closer to 20/600 (-5.00) or 20/800 (-6.00)

I believe one of my eyes is -4.75 and the other is -5.75.

Based on the opinions of people here I am definitely leaning towards going for it. I will do it at Gimbel. I don't have the money right now but soon. I can probably save up enough in a month or two.

Good idea to go to Gimbel.... especially with your moderate/high near sightedness.

ericschand · 06-11-2006, 09:45 PM

I went to a regular optometrist, who had nothing to do with laser surgery.
He didn't recommend any, send you anywhere, nothing.

He gave me the following tip.

If you can go 3 years, 3 visits without ANY change, go for it.
Any change, even so slight that it doesn't require new glasses, isn't
good enough.

If you can't do the 3 years, it's not recommended.

ers