Laser eye surgery

[GreenTeaFrapp]

I can't imagine sitting there while they are cutting your eyes. As a kid I once got in a fist fight with the eye doctor when he trying to put drops in my eyes and I've had issues with putting things in my eyes ever since.

[dubc80]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

It was PRK (The one where the laser just reshapes the cornea, and there's no flap cut.)

The situation really sucks beyond belief. I had just graduated from high school, and I thought it would be cool to get rid of my classes. Now, it will take me years to recover from a very painful and somewhat risky surgery. But I need better eyesight than what I've got now.

Oh man, sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience. That would totally suck, and I guess that is one of the risks people take when getting this procedure done.

Thanks for the responses so far. Looks like I need to take it a step further and schedule some assessments!

[joe_mullen]

As with any procedure, complications can occur. Someone has to make up the statistics when it comes to these things. Obviously the chances are very small, but for that miniscule percentage of people, the complications can be catastrophic.

[OilersBaby]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

I can't imagine sitting there while they are cutting your eyes. As a kid I once got in a fist fight with the eye doctor when he trying to put drops in my eyes and I've had issues with putting things in my eyes ever since.

Yeah the only hard part was not being able to blink while they did the whole procedure..they keep putting drops in (lots of them) for you so your eyes dont get dry and your eyelids are held open by them so you dont have to worry about it. The whole procedure takes less than 4 mins per eye.

[BOSSY]

Originally Posted by chuckchick

2 girls I work with had it done in the last couple weeks(one just on Friday), both at Lasik MD. Lifetime guarantee. Both had great results. Lasik MD offers free assessment. I will be looking into it as well in the new year. Good luck!!!

Looked into that place when I was investigating... Something about a place that comes off like a Walmart when it comes to my vision didn't feel right - That being said although scary cheap in comparison I'm sure the don't do a discount job or they wouldn't still be around... Probably just the psychology of paying a third what Gimbel is charging... or is it

[Knut]

^^^^ my thoughts are this.... When it comes to eye surgery, why cheap out ?

[Smyth's Skate]

I had mine done 8 years ago at Mitchell Eye Centre in Calgary. No problems thus far.

www.mitchelleyecentre.com

[3 Justin 3]

Thought I would bump this up seeing as I am most likely getting PRK done soon.

Just a question for anyone who has had it done, how old were you? I am 18 and I am going to Gimbel, but seeing as I am 18, I am really nervous because I don't want something to go wrong and then have effed up eyes for the next 50 years. I hear Gimbel is one of the best, and I have read the other threads, Hesla recommending them along with other info about them really helps.

Does anyone know if there is anything they can do for my lazy eye? She asked me a question today about "if I could get around for a day just using it" and I said yes, but that was all. My other eye is only like -1.25 or something, and the one is +2.75, both with astigmatism. So they aren't that bad, but I want perfect vision.

[Kipper is King]

Get one eye done at at a time. (See my posts above) Also, you made a good choice going to Gimbel- he's got great technology.

In terms of your lazy eye, that's a muscular problem, and I don't think there's much they can do to correct that.

[Morozee]

Originally Posted by BOSSY

Looked into that place when I was investigating... Something about a place that comes off like a Walmart when it comes to my vision didn't feel right - That being said although scary cheap in comparison I'm sure the don't do a discount job or they wouldn't still be around... Probably just the psychology of paying a third what Gimbel is charging... or is it

I had mine done at Lasik MD 2 weeks ago. I opted for the Zyoptix procedure which comes with the lifetime gaurantee. The total bill was $3480. The other option was "Standard Lasik" and the price was $2378. No lifetime gaurantee with that option. A few details from the information they provided me:
-they use the z100 laser, which is a Baush and Lomb. They claim it is "the latest technology available in the world".
-it removes 20-30% less corneal tissue (than it's predecesor, I guess?).
-3 dimensional eye tracker for improved accuracy and safety.

Walmart? They were professional and thorough in every aspect. I choose Lasik MD on the recommendation of 2 good friends of mine. They are very pleased with their results, as am I. Worth every penny!

[FireInTheHole]

I had my surgery done in 2007. I went with Dr. Mitchell and had the AST procedure done. It cost me $3000, am I am quite happy with it. I recommend looking into AST before you make a decision.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Smyth's Skate

I had mine done 8 years ago at Mitchell Eye Centre in Calgary. No problems thus far.

www.mitchelleyecentre.com

Same, I do need +125 reading glasses for comfort and small print but I still see the distances like a hawk wheres as before I would lose a golfball after 50 yeards.

Best thing I ever did.

[Crispy's Critter]

since this has been bumped I'll ask a question that has been bothering me, and essentially keeping me from doing it. I've had three people I know get laser eye surgery done (sorry, not sure which procedures) and they all told me one of two things have happened to them: one said she lost a lot of her night vision, to the point she can't drive after dark, the other two both said they lost peripheral vision, which also affects driving. Since driving is quite important to me, and to an extent I do some as part of my job, I preferred to keep my glasses rather than risk anything happening that would interfere with driving. So my question is have any of you experienced any of these things after having it done?

[Tyler]

I hate to bump an old thread, but I've just been confirmed for PRK surgery at Gimble on Sept. 1st, and I'm starting to have second thoughts.

Read a lot of horror stories about PRK and the complications and healing process. Anyone else have PRK surgery from Gimble before? Dr. Kassab is doing my surgery.

How long were you off work for, and what did you do for a week at home not being able to see? I'm worried I'm going to go crazy. Help!

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Tyler

I hate to bump an old thread, but I've just been confirmed for PRK surgery at Gimble on Sept. 1st, and I'm starting to have second thoughts.

Read a lot of horror stories about PRK and the complications and healing process. Anyone else have PRK surgery from Gimble before? Dr. Kassab is doing my surgery.

How long were you off work for, and what did you do for a week at home not being able to see? I'm worried I'm going to go crazy. Help!

That is what I was recommended for too, IIRC, but I didn't go through with it because they recommend me wait a few years since I am only 19. But I would have done it. Gimble is supposed to be the best, and recommended from everyone. I am sure everything will be fine for you. The healing does suck, supposed to hurt for a few days, take like 2 weeks to heal properly.

[Peanut]

My optometrist told me he never recommends laser eye surgery for anyone younger than 30, due to night vision concerns/complications. His recommendation plus some of the horror stories you hear has me waiting for a couple more years at least.

[FlamingLonghorn]

I got mine at age 20. I am now 29 with no problems. My eyes didn't hurt afterwards just felt like sand was in them. Also, unless the procedure has changed you can see immediately after the surgery is performed. You just have to wear shades everywhere.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Peanut

My optometrist told me he never recommends laser eye surgery for anyone younger than 30, due to night vision concerns/complications. His recommendation plus some of the horror stories you hear has me waiting for a couple more years at least.

A decade ago this was the case. But now with IntraLase and better post-operative management you can eliminate night vision issues.

While there are horror stories, they are few and far between.

[tete]

Originally Posted by Tyler

I hate to bump an old thread, but I've just been confirmed for PRK surgery at Gimble on Sept. 1st, and I'm starting to have second thoughts.

Read a lot of horror stories about PRK and the complications and healing process. Anyone else have PRK surgery from Gimble before? Dr. Kassab is doing my surgery.

How long were you off work for, and what did you do for a week at home not being able to see? I'm worried I'm going to go crazy. Help!

I had PRK done at Gimbel almost 1 year ago now - Dr. Gimbel did my surgery, but my hubby had Dr. Kassab for his Intra-Lase Lasik.

I'm not going to lie, PRK is a slower recovery than lasik - you won't be seeing well for the first three days or so - I also did have some pain the first couple days. You are given a painkiller prescription along with a variety of eye drops, and I used the painkillers. I took a week off work - there is no way possible that I would have been able to look at a computer screen for more than a few minutes for the first four days or so. TAKE THE TIME OFF WORK! The Olympics were on during my recovery, so I "watched" (more like listened) to them quite a bit on TV as I recovered. I slept a ton the first few days as well. It's an odd feeling to have better vision than before but not perfect - I kept wanting to reach for my glasses. My surgery was on Monday and on the Thursday, we flew to Saskatoon to attend a conference - it was okay, but I'd suggest staying close to home if you can.

I was on a regime of eye drops for about four months and my eyes stabilized to 20/20 ish in that time. I was cleared to drive about a week/week and a half after surgery - though 4 days post op, I was technically able to have the eyeglass provision removed - but there was no way I would have driven then.

I have absolutely no regrets having the surgery. PRK was the best option for me, so I trusted their opinion. Hubby also has 20/20 (a bit better than that I think actually), from his Intra-lase lasik last September long weekend.

Good luck! Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

[Engine09]

It's been 2 years since I got my eyes done at Culver, I remember asking a few questions here on the board before goign down.

Just last night I was driving home and noticing how crisp my vision is, sometimes I think there is a slight halo effect around headlights but it's barely noticeable. I paid $1800 for both eyes at the time, looks like it's become more expensive.