Laser Eye Surgery...

[T@T]

Originally Posted by OilersBaby

3 days? Really? Here, the doctor said a lot of the patients are even able to drive themselves back to the followup appointment scheduled the day after.

I could drive after my first sleep but not a good idea at night for about 4-5 days, I tried after 2 days going down town at night and had to pull over and phone a buddy to get a cab and pick me up, every light had a huge bright halo...eyes were tearing up and couldn't tell a pole light from a traffic light...crazy!

Anyway, 13 years now,still no "dry" eyes and still see like a hawk. tested last year at 20/15

[T@T]

Originally Posted by TSXCman

Good things to hear.

I guess I am now left to decide as to get both done at once or one at a time. With longer recovery times I'd be tempted to get them both out of the way, but I need to weigh it with the risk of problems.

Get both done, in the rare case (very rare) of a problem I highly doubt it would effect both eyes anyway.

[Southside]

I was an ideal candidate when I had mine done at age 30. The immediate results were great, within 10 years my vision had deteriorated significantly and now it isn't much better than it was before the surgery. Apparently it happens. I inquired about another surgery and was told it is generally not recommended. Just realize it isn't for everyone and despite what many people think, it may not be forever.

[Kipper is King]

Originally Posted by TSXCman

Any updates for you yet? Get the transplant or waiting?

Well, I was very fortunate, thanks for asking. Corneal haze tends to dissipate over time, so my time on the transplant list actually became time for my eyes to recover a fair amount. I still wear glasses, and my vision is not as sharp as it was before surgery, but I am really grateful I don't need cornea transplants.

[puckhog]

So I just had my consult with the Gimbel clinic. Due to the thickness of my corneas, I'm not a candidate for LASIK or PRK; the only option is the implantable contact lens. I was wondering if anyone here had experience with this. Any thoughts on the risks and benefits?

Thanks!

[TSXCman]

I am going in tomorrow morning for PRK with Dr. VanWestenbrugge at Gimbel.

A little bit nervous now that it is coming up. Will update as soon as I am able to.

Hope to have my drugs and entertainment in check for the weekend

[cral12]

My advice: go see Dr. Anderson Penno at Western Laser Eye for consult (free) when consider laser eye surgery. Very thorough; she branched off from Gimbel after seeing so many complications from LASIK procedures. I have a colleague who didn't take my advice and has struggled since. Just one example and many do do fine on LASIK, but I wouldn't mess around with your eyes.

My 20 pesos.

[OldDutch]

I had mine done in 1999 at the age of 19 with Dr. demong. I paid a high premium back then about $4K, but I had him do it, not an associate. I was very picky about that.

14 years later I think I am a 20/19, but I have no major issues. I had dry eye for a year or two after, and halo effect for a year, but no major problems for the last 12 years.

Best money ever spend hands down. Wore massive glasses with my -4.75 and astigmatism as a kid, now I can't imagine wearing contacts or glasses.

Big thumbs up to Dr.Demong and his practice.

[something]

Originally Posted by TSXCman

I am going in tomorrow morning for PRK with Dr. VanWestenbrugge at Gimbel.

A little bit nervous now that it is coming up. Will update as soon as I am able to.

Hope to have my drugs and entertainment in check for the weekend

Hope it all went well. I am sure it did though.

Just curious, how much did Gimbel charge you?

I have been quoted by Lasik MD (to have my operation done with Richard Legere - custom wavefront) at about 3200. Just wanna know how that stacks up to how much others are paying.

Oh, and I am 26, with -1.5 stable for a few years now.

[TSXCman]

i am 26 with a stable -1.5 too.

Procedure went.well, easy to do, no.pain. because you can smell the flesh burn I recommend you exhale as the laser.

3200 for both eyes.prk.

Will update again

[Ahuch]

I'm 24 and I had it done last year, was -4 or so in both eyes with a bit of astigmatism beforehand. Was still 20/15 at my one year checkup.

[TSXCman]

I am on Day 2, slept with my thick nighttime drops in and taped some protective eye covers on.

Slept great, woke up without the covers (fell off when I turned sideways).

Can see clear today, no pain, no graininess, can see fairly sharp.

I have been putting in moisture drops more often 10-15 minutes, rather than the 15-30 minutes increments. Can't be too moist and Calgary's air is dry.

[TSXCman]

After 5 days I got my bandage contacts taken off. They wanted the first layer to heal up 100% so i had them on for an extra day.

But, after 5 days I could see 15/20.

IT's been 10 days or so now. I can see 15/20, never had any pain, no extreme dryness issues, and feel great.

I can do all normal activities, but I keep on some tight fitting sunglasses to keep out particles while the other layers grow in.

I take my normal eyedrops a few times an hour to keep moist/lubed for healing, and my steroid drops 4 times a day.

Great experience.

[PeteLFan]

Went for a consultation today. Felt really comfortable with everything and the explanations. 1800 per eye, my eyes tested reay well which allowed me every option.

I'm now deciding between PRK and intraLase LASIK.

Only real big con of PRK is the 7-10 day recovery.

Any advice?

[AMG_G]

I did mine last Thursday and was diving on Saturday morning. I went with LASIK MD because 5 different friends used them over the years and this made me comfortable. Best $3500 I ever spent. No dry eyes, starbursts or halos yet. I would recommend LASIK MD to anyone because the number of hot girls working there. I mean jaw dropping hot eye techs. I did custom wave front LASIK.

[Francis's Hairpiece]

I had ICL surgery done through Gimbel 3 years ago so I could join the Mounties. (implantable corrective lenses)

$3500 per eye.

Took a week and a bit, but my vision was, and has remained 20/15, and it was 20/3000 before. Yes, not a typo. My vision was so bad that LASIK wouldn't have worked.

Greatest thing in the world, and I am so thankful for it every single day of my life.

[AMG_G]

Originally Posted by fotze

Not sure if you are supposed to be diving that soon.

Sorry typo I meant to type driving.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by PeteLFan

Went for a consultation today. Felt really comfortable with everything and the explanations. 1800 per eye, my eyes tested reay well which allowed me every option.

I'm now deciding between PRK and intraLase LASIK.

Only real big con of PRK is the 7-10 day recovery.

Any advice?

The main benefit of PRK is better longer term vision. Short term pain for long term gain. This benefit shrinks the smaller your prescription is. If you are under -3.00 it likely will not make a big difference.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Francis's Hairpiece

I had ICL surgery done through Gimbel 3 years ago so I could join the Mounties. (implantable corrective lenses)

$3500 per eye.

Took a week and a bit, but my vision was, and has remained 20/15, and it was 20/3000 before. Yes, not a typo. My vision was so bad that LASIK wouldn't have worked.

Greatest thing in the world, and I am so thankful for it every single day of my life.

This right here is the future. Implantable CL will likely overtake LASIK in a decade. The main benefit of this is that it is reversible (ie can take it out / change the lens as your prescription changes). If you are over 55 you should to with CLE ( clear lens extraction), which is basically cataract surgery before you have cataracts. You will eventually have to get it anyways (Due to cataracts) and they can customize a prescription in the lens implant.

The group of people I recommend do not get the surgery are those that are at -1.50 and below. That group of people will be able to remove their glasses to work at the computer well into their 50's (66 cm working distance as their focal point). Essentially getting laser surgery means you will have to start using glasses at the computer in your mid 40's. So essentially you could be increasing your glasses use by getting the procedure done.

[PeteLFan]

Originally Posted by Hesla

The main benefit of PRK is better longer term vision. Short term pain for long term gain. This benefit shrinks the smaller your prescription is. If you are under -3.00 it likely will not make a big difference.

Yeah I'm -3.75. Pretty ecstatic that I can get this done, and I was leaning towards PRK. Not sure if I would be comfortable with a flap being created and the potential risk of it being dislodged at some point.