Lasik MD?

[Engine09]

Anyone here had the procedure done?

Would you recommend them?

[Knut]

Well...

Here is my sorta expert opinion (I have just finished my Optometry degree)

Lasik MD is ok if you have a straight forward refractive error. (ie. -3.00 (low to moderate near sightedness with no astigmatism).

Personally, I would get it done by someone like the Gimble eye center.... they are trailblazers in the field... at the forefront of new technology and have an extremely low complication rate.... if you are in Calgary/Edm of course.

Lasik MD has more of a corporate mindset... ie.. making money.... It is a new company, so its track record is not certain right now.

However,for easy procedures they are going to be cheaper than other places.

[Sample00]

had mine done at Gimbel about 9 years ago.
Nay a problem and still have 20/20 in one eye and 20/15 in the other.
I had 20/400 in both eyes prior to the surgery.
GO Gimbel!!!

[Engine09]

I do have slight astigmatism, but my prescription isn't very strong, been wearing glasses for 3 years now.

I am in Calgary, I should check into Gimbel.


What is the word on Culver?


Thanks!!

[Knut]

Havent heard much about Culver... my education has been in Ontario.

The best thing to do is to shop around a bit, and see who makes you comfortable...

Your local optometrist would probably have an opinion on him....

all i know is that the Gimble eye center is internationally recognized as a leader in the field.

[Neeper]

Lasik MD was the best decision I ever made. I also have slight astigmatism. The Dr.'s that perform the operation are VERY VERY experienced. The head Dr. has over 25,000 surgeries under his belt. The other Dr.'s have over 13,000 and 8,000. It just didn't make sense to spend $4000 on the same surgery I got done for $1800.

Their follow-up visits are good. They took really good care of me, and I would never hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

[evman150]

Do they still say 25 is the min age?

I have money to do this but am still only 19. To be able to see without corrective lenses would be....life changing.

[Hack&Lube]

I always hear about laser eye surgery ruining your night vision. Is there truth to this?

[Neeper]

They say the minimum age is 25 because your eyes are still changing. If you prescription hasn't changed in 3 years then they would consider it, I believe. Either way, if your prescription is still changing, there's no point in getting the surgery done.

Night vision is not affected. That was the old method they used to use when they only cut a small hole in the cornea. Now they cut around the whole pupil, which solves the night vision "halo" problems.

[evman150]

Ya guess not. My prescription has gone from -2.5 gradually up to -4.25 over the years and shows no signs of stopping any time soon. Five more years of being shackled to my glasses or my horribly uncomfortable contacts.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Neeper

They say the minimum age is 25 because your eyes are still changing. If you prescription hasn't changed in 3 years then they would consider it, I believe. Either way, if your prescription is still changing, there's no point in getting the surgery done.

Night vision is not affected. That was the old method they used to use when they only cut a small hole in the cornea. Now they cut around the whole pupil, which solves the night vision "halo" problems.

That is correct for the most part. Prescriptions that are -6 or larger or people with larger than normal pupils may still experience night vision issues...but most people will not have any problems.

Also....in regards to Lasik MD. Yes their surgeons have alot of experience on their own, but their company is rather young. In fact alot of their experience hails from an old company called "laser vision canada" that was shut down by the government for concerns over complication rates, as well as public complaints. Generally, Optometrists have been wary about Lasik MD, but are not yet going to pass judgement until some complication rate figures come out.

Overall, an easy surgery is pretty hard to screw up with the technology they have now adays. If you have a low to moderate near sightedness with only a small amount of astigmatism any place should do a good job. Personally, as a future eye care professional myself, I would go with Gimble or other companies with good track records, but that is because i am catious. (although, I am not a good candidate).

Regardless of where you go, there is still chance of complications... albeit most of the time minor ones. Make sure you think this through before you go through with it.

http://www.asklasikdocs.com/ this site goes through all kinds of things that need to be weighed in a decision about Lasik.

[Engine09]

Neeper, I was about to ask how much you paid. A coworker's wife went to Lasik MD and paid $1400, then I see you paid $1800. Quite a way off the $390 per eye they advertise.

I always hear about laser eye surgery ruining your night vision. Is there truth to this?

This is what the Lasik site has to say;

<H1>Laser Eye Surgery from LASIK MD – Night Vision Results


</H1>Night vision difficulties are experienced by 30-40% of the population with myopia who have never undergone laser eye surgery. You can easily check if you suffer from night vision disturbances, even before undergoing LASIK eye surgery, by looking at headlights or traffic lights at night.
Night vision disturbances are often described as ghosting, haloes or glare. Night vision disturbances resulting from laser eye surgery can occur from laser treatment areas that are smaller than the pupil size. This is because the pupil dilates (gets larger) in dim lighting conditions, such as nighttime.
This was often the case with older lasers (pre-1997). They had the potential of causing night vision disturbances because they were only able to treat a small area of the corneal surface; an area smaller than the dilated pupil.
Today, new and improved laser technology has greatly diminished this problem. In fact, according to FDA clinical studies, the laser used in all LASIK MD clinics – the Bausch & Lomb 217 – gives the best night vision outcomes of all approved excimer lasers. Also according to FDA data, following LASIK surgery, most patients (over 90%) treated with the Bausch & Lomb 217 do not experience any night vision disturbances.
In LASIK MD’s experience with the Total Cornea LASIK™ technique, not only are significant night vision problems rare, but many patients actually note improved night vision quality following LASIK surgery.

[ricosuave]

my eyes are so ****ed up that gimbel was considering taking me on as a special test subject because (at the time, 2000) he would have had to do all of procedures thas his office offered over a few year period in order to correct all the things that are wrong...

looks like it'll be contacts/glasses for me for life...

anyway, i always recommend doing your homework, and not to cheap out on your health.

rico

[Deelow]

I too used Lasik and have had 0 problems. Like Neeper it was the best thing I've ever done. I think it cost me $1800 or so in Sept of 04. The price fluxuations are dependent on each individual's eyes. In my case it was a little more because of something or other with my eyes. I also purchased, for lack of a better term, the 1 year warranty. In some cases the eyes digress a little, ususally within the first year. That covers it. I didn't have to use it though.

[Engine09]

Bump, for some additional info on the other thread.