Laser Eye Surgery...

[OilersBaby]

Originally Posted by eazyduzzit

Both my friend and my mom couldn't drive for atleast 3 days. In between the pain due to the sensitivity of the eyes and putting in the drops...driving was the last thing on there minds.

Maybe it's a more painful experience depending on how bad your vision is.

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.

My vision was HORRIBLE... - 11 in one eye and -12 in the other eye, almost legally blind. That's one of the main reasons I got it done, I was afraid that they wouldnt be able to make regular contacts and I'd have to fork up the dough to get custom made contacts.

I have to say though...it didn't hurt at all during the procedure, but they force your eyelids open and you can see an instrument coming towards your eyes. Human instinct is to blink, and since you can't, it feels wierd. It didnt hurt at all though.

[automaton 3]

My wife and I both had the procedure at Lasik MD. We are both 20/15 with no complications. PM me if you'd like the details.

From what I've read/heard, the Canadian military will accept PRK or Lasik just fine...just not for pilot where neither is accepted as it stands. The reasoning is that there has not been enough research into the effect of high-G's on laser corrected eyes. I've heard in the US they may be accepting PRK, but I'm not sure about that.

[Knut]

There are cases where for some reason or another the vision regressing back towards where it was before.. and it is more prevalent in younger people. This used to happen more often, but it seems to happen less and less.

If you get the option... go for Intralase.... it is using a Laser instead of a blade to cut the flap... this creates less scar tissue and really cuts down on the halo's... this will run you an extra 400 per eye.. but if you have moderate to high nearsightedness it is worth it for the improved night vision.

there is not necessarily the best equipment at the corporations. I know that Gimbel replaces their laser machines every 6 months with the newest technologies.

Just make an informed choice.. and dont think it will 399 an eye..... more likely it will stretch into the 2000's for the both eyes after all is said and done.... marketing ploy.

Anyways... PM me your prescription and i can send you a Gimbel quote.... i have their fee structure at my office.

Good luck.

[joe_mullen]

Complications are definately rare, but they do happen. Nothing worse than getting an elective procedure done and suffering because of it for the rest of your life...I've seen it happen.

[atb]

Thinking about getting vision correction, the three choices I am looking at are Gimbel, Demong, and Mitchell. Both Gimbell and Demong offer LASIK while Mitchell offers AST (Advanced Surface Treatment), which seems to be a new procedure.

Has anyone heard of the AST procedure? Apparently since it doesn't create a flap as with LASIK, there is less risk of dry eye syndrome post surgery.

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by joe_mullen

Complications are definately rare, but they do happen. Nothing worse than getting an elective procedure done and suffering because of it for the rest of your life...I've seen it happen.

same here. I wear glasses/contacts and I just can't imagine getting something done that isn't necessary and it only getting worse.

I suppose if i had terrible terrible eyesight, i'd consider it, but mine is still manageable *knocks wood*.

[Knut]

AST procedure, from what i gather, is just removing the top layer of the cornea, instead of a large chunk of the middle layer.... this is beneficial in that healing should be more even (The top layer can heal in 24 hrs without any scaring). While the technology sounds promising, I do caution you that it is a new procedure and really hasn't had any studies done longer than 1 year post-operatively.

Honestly, Demong and Gimbel provide a similar success rate using a procedure called Intra-lase Lasik.. Which uses a Laser to create the Flap instead of blade. This also decreases the level of scarring and shows an improvement in dry eye problems. It also has studies much later post-operatively which are promising.

AST is exciting, but be careful with anything brand new.

BTW.... i have no affililiation to any Laser clinic.

[Sample00]

had mine done at Gimbel's in Edmonton about 10 years ago.
I had the Lasik procedure. Not ever an issue with my eyes since*knock on wood too*, unfortunately age is now catching up and I will probably require reading glasses in the next 5 years.

[return to the red]

had mine done about 2 years ago for 1000 per eye from Gimbel. I had to get PRK done so the healing and discomfort was more then with Lasik. I would highly recommend it, I can't even imagine what it was like when I did wear glasses

[atb]

Originally Posted by Hesla

AST procedure, from what i gather, is just removing the top layer of the cornea, instead of a large chunk of the middle layer.... this is beneficial in that healing should be more even (The top layer can heal in 24 hrs without any scaring). While the technology sounds promising, I do caution you that it is a new procedure and really hasn't had any studies done longer than 1 year post-operatively.

I guess the lack of long term studies is something to consider for sure. My eyes seem pretty dry naturally, which causes my contacts to pop out once in a while. I'm worried about having my eyes become even more dry after having LASIK.

How does the Intra-Lasik differ from regular LASIK/LASIK MD?

[Azure]

Originally Posted by return to the red

had mine done about 2 years ago for 1000 per eye from Gimbel. I had to get PRK done so the healing and discomfort was more then with Lasik. I would highly recommend it, I can't even imagine what it was like when I did wear glasses

Thats why I wear contacts.



For now.

[troutman]

glasses make me look more smarterer

[Knut]

Originally Posted by atb112

I guess the lack of long term studies is something to consider for sure. My eyes seem pretty dry naturally, which causes my contacts to pop out once in a while. I'm worried about having my eyes become even more dry after having LASIK.

How does the Intra-Lasik differ from regular LASIK/LASIK MD?

The Flap is cut with a Laser, instead of a blade... which means it is a much finer, straighter cut. That means that the healing will occur with my less scarring. Scarring and uneven healing distrupts the tear film and may lead to dryness. If you allready suffer from Dry eye the AST may be something to consider.. You are not cutting the nerve fibers that control the tearing mechanism like you are with other procedures. Therefore the eye is better able to tell when it is dry.

You should book yourself a consultation with both Mitchell and Gimble/Demong and see who you have more confidence with. Ask tough questions. I personally know that Demong and gimbel are honest and straightforward... I have never met Dr. Mitchell so i do not have an opinion on him as a person. Gauge your comfort level with each of them.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by fotze

Not after they have been punched and they just hang of your nose, broken in half with a cracked lens.

Who would hit a guy with glasses?

[Eagle Eye]

If you saw fotze you would want to punch him too!!

[Neeper]

I had PRK done at Lasik MD and I couldn't be happier. The treated me really well and offered me counselling from someone who already had the surgery done. I went to my checkup and everything was good. After 2 weeks, when I healed, my vision was tested at 20/10. I got eagle eyes now!

Yes they market a lot and they are cheaper. But the surgeon I had has done over 15,000 procedures. I felt that was good enough for me. I paid $1800 for both eyes because I had astigmatism.

[FireInTheHole]

I had the AST procedure done in August with Mitchell. Cost was $3000. For the first 3 weeks my near vision was blurry, which was frustrating, however everything is crystal clear now. All said and done, it was very worth it. The only real frustration was the 3 weeks before my eyes healed enough so I could read properly. I haven't been having trouble with dry eyes, either - even though it's October in Calgary.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Neeper

I had PRK done at Lasik MD and I couldn't be happier. The treated me really well and offered me counselling from someone who already had the surgery done. I went to my checkup and everything was good. After 2 weeks, when I healed, my vision was tested at 20/10. I got eagle eyes now!

Yes they market a lot and they are cheaper. But the surgeon I had has done over 15,000 procedures. I felt that was good enough for me. I paid $1800 for both eyes because I had astigmatism.

I have really bad astigmatism and contacts are no longer working, unless I buy some specially ordered ones.

I'm really eager to get this done, I've had glasses/contacts since I was 14yrs old (I'm 34 now) and my eyes show the wear of contact wearing so even my eye doctor suggest I do not use contacts for many more years.

So I think its time for me to take the plunge, its something I wanted to wait till it was a well safe procedure with a very small risk and I think that is certainly safe to say these days.

I would just love to wake up in the morning and actually see clearly my room before putting on my glasses, or swimming! haha. Sorry, anyone with bad eyesight knows what I'm talking about.

This is a great thread, I've been sort of wary and some of my fears of the actual procedure are gone, knowing I can't blink and you feel nothing is comforting!

[evman150]

I can't wait to be able to get the surgery done. Unfortunately I'm only 21 and my eyes haven't stopped growing (getting worse).

[Nehkara]

I am having Intralase Lasik at Gimbel on Monday! (November 5th)

I am excited... little nervous now though because I was reading through all the disclaimers and medical clearance forms and stuff last night. I realize much of it is worst-case but it still makes me nervous.

Mine is coming out to $2940 which includes a $400 discount because I work in the Calgary Health Region.

Wish me luck!

I'll keep you all updated on my results.