Lasik Prep/Collagen Cross Linking
I've found forums like this very helpful in doing my research and thought I would contribute my own experience (and seek an opinion from Hesla on collagen cross linking, if possible).
My prescription is -2.50 left, -2.25 right, with slight (but, as I understand it) symmetrical astigmatism in each eye, smaller than average pupils (which is good) and larger than average cornea thickness (also good). I'm early 30s and my prescription essentially hasn't changed in the last ten years.
I contacted Mitchell, Gimbel and Lasik MD about a month ago for consultations, have already been in to Gimbel and Lasik MD, but still haven't been contacted to schedule an appointment by Mitchell even though their website says you will be contacted within 24 to 48 hours and I have followed up on the phone. I know people who have been treated at all three locations and are happy with their results.
Both shops I visited indicated that I would be a very good candidate for either lasik or PRK. That said, Lasik MD originally told me I would be a candidate for lasik and only confirmed that I could also get PRK when I specifically asked. They seemed shocked that I would want information about PRK and claimed lasik was better without explaining why. I've done my research about the two procedures and feel like I have a decent understanding of the pros and cons of each, but wanted to hear their viewpoint. I never saw a doctor as part of their consultation process, and the person I saw couldn't answer a number of my questions that I thought should have been softballs. I was told that I should opt for the more expensive wavefront procedure over their standard offering despite the fact that the treatment zones of both of their lasers would cover my dialated pupil size. When I asked what differences I could expect with wavefront, I was told it actually wouldn't make a difference for me and I could probably get either (it wouldn't have been tough to sell me on the more expensive procedure if they could have explained the advantages to me). When I saw their counsellor at the end, they were quite aggressive about trying to get me to book an appointment that day even though I told them I was still going through the information gathering process. The counsellor (who didn't perform any eye examinations) also told me that wavefront was better and I should get that procedure if I could afford it, but again couldn't tell me why based on my eyes. When I declined to make an appointment, I was told that my consultation was only good until the end of February (three months) and I would have to redo it if I didn't get the procedure before then.
My visit to Gimbel struck me as more professional at every level. The initial eye testing was similar, but there seemed to be an additional step or two meant to double check earlier results. I spoke to a doctor/optometrist for about 20-25 minutes who answered all of my questions and explained the differences in the procedures to me in great detail. I was also told I could speak to the optometrist or a surgeon if I had any qustions after I left. At the end of the day, I was told that I would be a very good candidate for either procedure and I didn't feel rushed to make a decision or end the questioning. Going in, I think I wanted to want PRK (no flap, less corneal tissue removal, etc.), but my job requires me to read a lot of small print and I have a little one roaming around at home, so the shorter healing period is what pushed me towards lasik. Their counsellor didn't pressure me to make an appointment, provided me with pricing and a calendar of their surgeons' schedules, and said that the consultation was good for one year. I've decided to go with Dr. van Westenbrugge at Gimbel for lasik at the end of January.
While I would have been interested to hear Mitchell's viewpoint on why he prefers the surface abalation/AST procedure to lasik, since I understand that he actually is part of the consultation process, I think I got enough of an unbiased point of view at Gimbel to be comfortable with my choice. Plus, I'm a little miffed that I haven't heard back from his office yet and the person I spoke to on the phone while following up was incredibly unhelpful and seemingly disinterested.
The only question left is whether I add the collagen cross linking treatment to the surgery. It's $400 an eye, which I'm not concerned about, but I've been told that I'm not a high-risk lasik case for which they would normally recommend it. Basically, they said it is up to me whether I want get it done. They haven't seen any downside yet (other than it could make re-entry into the flap for corrections more difficult) and there could possibly be some benefit (strengthening the cornea). On the flip side, it's a relatively new procedure, it hasn't been approved by the FDA in the U.S. yet and there isn't enough history for them to really know for sure (from what I've read). Hesla, I'd be grateful for any thoughts you might have. Thanks in advance, and I'd be happy to answer any questions people have.
Last edited by Cowtown Counsel; 11-15-2013 at 03:20 PM.
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