Not so much AIBU, more of a WWYD or Have you done this .... Lazer Eye Surgery

[RandomEmbarrassments]

Ok so now I am getting right proper peeed off with my poor and ever failing eyesight.

I am 40 something.

Currently wear varifocuals but increasingly find they are on - off - on - off - on -off -on - off - on -off -on - off - on -off -on - off - on -off -on - off - on -off - far too many times each day.

I am seriously thinking about at least investigating the possibility of whether eye surgery is feasible for me.

Would you do it?
Have you done it?

What are the pros and cons.

Hellllp

[McNewPants2013]

I did enquire about it but I can't have it due to the amount of operation on my eyes

[marjproops]

Had mine done-best thing I ever did, altho Im still off-on-off-on with reading glasses now.

But now I can wear sunglasses in the summer and see where Im going, fall asleep watching tv without breaking frames by squashing them into the cushion, hated glasses with a passion, but strangely dont mind the reading glasses.

Id recommend it. wish Id done it years ago. Im in mid-40's.

[deleted203]

Had mine done at Ultralase in Leeds about 12 years ago and it was the best money I've ever spent. Wore glasses/contacts from age 11. Prescription of -7.5 in one eye and -7 in the other + astigmatism and now I have fabulous, perfect eyesight.

(I'm just going to be really peed off when I start needing reading glasses in a few years time, I can see )

[aquashiv]

I had it done in 2000 - yep brilliant easy not scarey and its lasted.

[Arithmeticulous]

It was a horrible 6 minutes but fantastic after- really really amazing to be able to see

[JumpingJackSprat]

i had mine done 2 years ago and havent regretted it for a second but it took me a long time to reach a decision. i paid £3300 for both eyes with.optical express for the procedure with the shortest recovery time (the one where they use a laser to cut the surface of your eye rather than scraping the cells away.) i heard about long recovery times and a lot of discomfort from those that had the scraping one whereas i felt no pain just minor discomfort and could have gone back to work next day. honestly i dont regret anything but just do research research then more research.

[JumpingJackSprat]

arith i agree 5 horrible minutes for the procedure (and that is literally all the time it took on the operating chair) but sitting up and realising i could actually see without glasses was an indescribable feeling.

[mermaid101]

My friend had it done about 5 years ago. She was 30. She said was the best thing she ever did and it totally changed her life.

[SofaKing]

My DH briefly worked for a firm that did laser eye surgery and he said they did over promote it as it very profitable, so as other posters say shop around.

If you are not suitable for laser eye you can get implantable contact lenses. These cost more, but the advantage is that they can be removed or replaced if your prescription changes, whereas you can only get laser eye surgery once (although hopefully once will do the trick!)

He was recommended to go to an independent practitioner rather than a chain, as the reputation will be built on the track record of the surgeon alone, and you want the best possible surgeon to do the procedure as it gives you the highest chance of getting the best results.

[StinkyWicket]

I haven't but two of my friends have and they love it. Both said it hurts at the time and you have to be careful for a while, but that is far outweighed by the benefits of no glasses/contacts.

[Frustratedartist]

I had it done and the experience was truly horrible. But I hate anyone touching my eyes- so possibly other people tolerate it better.
I am pleased I've had it done because I don't need glasses so much now. I do need them for driving especially at night as after the op your visual acuity can go down in low light conditions. I also get a starburst effect round car headlights - but it doesn't bother me especially if I'm wearing glasses so my vision is perfect otherwise

Laser is definitely not going to improve the deterioration in eyesight associated with ageing- presbyopia. You may well still need reading glasses
I would definitely recommend shopping around. I wouldn't necessarily go with an independent business as they rely on customers to make their money- whereas a chain may have more throughput and give you more objective advice
My independent business only told me at the very last minute that I might not get a full correction of my prescription- because I was naturally so myopic
Overall I am pleased to have had it done. But I think people need to think carefully and research pros and cons - it's not a wonder procedure no matter what they tell you.

[Essexgirlupnorth]

My eyes aren't bad enough to need it done but know people that have had it done say it is amazing.
Not sure where in the country you are but the eye hospital in Manchester does it on a private basis.

[MsVestibule]

I had mine done (LASEK, I think) in Optical Express, Newcastle-upon-Tyne about 10 years ago, cost £1200 but I think the price has come down since. It wasn't the most pleasant of procedures, but certainly not horrendous. I was driving within 18 hours.

I can honestly say it was the best money I have ever spent! My prescription was roughly -6.5, so I couldn't even get out of bed without putting them on.

Do it!

[MoonlightandRoses]

I had mine done back in 2004 - went from -5/-5.25 to just below 20/20 and, having had to do an eye test for something recently, it's still well into 'does not need glasses' level.

At the time they warned me that my eyes would age normally, so become more long sighted, but, depending on a further review, it is possible to adjust the long-sighted-ness should it become a problem.

I did a lot of research on the clinic (even though it was recommended by a consultant ophthalmologist) before booking an initial consultation. They also wouldn't let me confirm on the test/initial discussion day but told me to take at least five days to consider and then call if I wanted to go ahead.
Their literature also included a full list of
a) What can go wrong (and how many 'issues' the particular clinic had had)
b) Risk levels
c) A DVD of an operation (have to admit to not watching it...)
d) What success would look like

In terms of recovery time, it took me an overnight for the soreness to go and vision to be 'perfect', however, this is exceptional and normal recovery at the time was around five-seven days (could have changed by now).

Anyway, all of the above is a long-winded way of saying it can positively improve life, as long as you go to a reputable clinic.

[TheCatIsEatingIt]

I had implantable contact lenses a year ago, and it's the best thing I ever did. I was about -13 in both eyes, so they couldn't laser me, but 24 hours after surgery my vision was better than 20/20 and I've had no problems since.

I went to Optical Express in London (initial consultation at my local branch, but operation in London.) It was expensive at £5,500, but worth every penny.

[specialsubject]

if your problem is middle-aged-arms-too-short, (caused by loss of lens elasticity with ageing) I don't think it helps that. It can improve extreme short sight.

[HollyBerryBush]

I know 3 people who have had it done. All still wear glasses.