To have elective surgery DH disagrees with?

Ps my prescription pre treatment was around -2 …. Lower the prescription better the result

Absolutely do not do this! The risks far outweigh any benefit! If you don’t mind me asking how old you are? Unless you are in your late 60s and are suffering from loss
of vision due to cataract then you should not go ahead! I have a lot of experience in the area and honesty you will end up in a worse position. Look up how many cases there are against these companies they are not regulated any of them.

I had it done 30 years ago and still have 20/20 vision for distance - now need glasses for reading though

I’m a glasses/contact lens wearer but opted not to get this as it’s a lot of money and at best, buys you a few years of normality before your eyes start to deteriorate again. I know quite a few people young and old who have had it over the years and one who still needed glasses afterwards as it didn’t work. Everyone ends up wearing glasses eventually anyway but it’s personal choice at the end of the day.

I was -4 and -4.25, so not all that different. Unlike some here I had zero pain after, maybe what I needed was less invasive because it wasn't a strong correction.

According to the consultations I did have big pupils (news to me) and asked the doctor if that was good or bad, he replied "it just makes my job easier." My eyes are a pale colour so I always wore sunglasses anyways.

I was seriously myopic (-7 and -6.5) with varifocal glasses and had cataracts 3 years ago at 54. I also had some double vision (diplopia I think is what it’s called) and was told it “could” be the cataracts causing it. With DH’s full support (emotional, physical and financial) I spent around £8k getting a full lens replacement. Surgery was no big deal, I was given some diazepam beforehand and the whole procedure took around 15-20 minutes on a Thursday afternoon and was back at work looking at a screen the very next Monday. For a couple of months I think I saw some halo-ing around car lights at night but I had it done in the height of summer so didn’t have much occasion to be out in the dark before that effect was gone.

It didn’t take long though before the double vision came back and I went to an orthoptic ophthalmologist who gave me plain glasses with a prism on one lens so I can drive. My vision really isn’t quite right - you want vanity, I can’t apply a winged liner anymore because I can’t close my left eye and see it from my right. I can’t sew, I can’t read small print without masses and masses of light (and even then it’s a crapshoot). It’s great being able to “see” enough as soon as I open my eyes in the morning but there’s a lot I feel I’m missing now. And I can’t just pick up a pair of high street reading glasses and make it ok - I think my left eye is basically fine but my right is definitely not. I just started a new job with private health insurance and am going to look into a private ophthalmologist and have resigned myself to the fact I may need glasses again forever.

I can’t tell you OP whether or not you should go ahead with your surgery but be prepared for it not to be the slam-dunk you may have built it up (totally reasonably! Glasses suck!) to be. Good luck.

I had it done over 22 years ago, best thing I did, I struggle a bit with night vision, but don't really drive much at night, I do have to wear sun glasses every day in summer, I find the sun really bright, never regretted it, one thing I will say , my pain relief wore off to soon in the night, I was in lots of pain, but by morning it was fine.

Like you, I've always hated wearing glasses, and used contact lenses for years. Problem is, my prescription has changed for near vision, & normal contact lenses don't work. There are bi-focal contact lenses, but my prescription is too strong. Lasik isn't suitable for the same reason. The strength of your prescription will indicate if it's a viable option. I wouldn't bother if you need glasses just for night-driving/watching TV etc.

And that's put me off. What was your vision before and what glasses do you need now?

Do you know the costs these days? I'm interested but also terrified!

I had mine done 25 years ago. It cost me £1600. Don't think LASEK was widely available then.
My DS was only 2 and I remember worrying about it all going wrong. I'd worn gas permeable contacts for years but found it a faff with a baby/toddler and was messing about with daily disposables. My DH was concerned but he didn't much like my Dierdre Barlow glasses either and I couldn't be arsed getting new ones because I hated them so much.
Surgeon put the fear of god in me about rubbing my eyes afterwards with the tale of someone who did and ripped their flap to shreds and it had to be reconstructed like a jigsaw (not very successfully). I wore clear glasses all day and goggles at night for two weeks.
I've had no problems except for dry eyes and still use artificial tears regularly. About 5 years ago I needed to get some 1.0 reading glasses for close work in poor light and some driving glasses but I'm 64 now so it's likely age related.
A friend's husband had his done at the same time as me. He paid £300 per eye and his night vision was very poor afterwards.
My main issue is massive sensitivity to sunlight but as a ginger with light green eyes that was always the case. I never go out without sunglasses even in winter and have spares everywhere. I can only wear brown tinted though, grey makes me feel queasy but I think that's just me☺️
Changed my life. So glad I had it done.

I did it, life changing! Went from being blind as a bat from teens to being able to se 20/20.
Inout it off for about 20 years because I was worried - my only regret is not doing it sooner

I always wanted to get it done until a friend pointed out that most of the opticians in our local branch wear glasses, so clearly don’t wish to risk it themselves!

If you have bad distance vision, driving at night isn’t great anyway.

I have seen too many stories of complications from laser eye surgery where people are left in constant pain and with serious vision problems to even consider eye surgery. These complications may be rare statistically but personally I don't think it's worth the risk. However annoying glasses and contact lenses are.

I had my LASIK nearly 25 years ago and it's been WONDERFUL. Absolutely life changing. Even now in my late 40's I don't need glasses. Like you I did a lot of swimming and was fed up of swimming into things/people/the end of the pool!

I researched my surgeon and spoke to her several times before the surgery.

You will be pretty blind for several hours afterwards so you will need someone to bring you home and you must follow the after care.

I absolutely refute that it's vanity surgery. It is cosmetic, but it is a life enhancing procedure.

Good luck OP!

I've had it done, and fixed my astigmatism which astounded me when I realised just how much flare I'd been used to from lights and suddenly driving in the dark on busy motorways was so much easier without all the additional lines of light!

Recovery was a pain just with all the drops and wearing the weird plastic glasses to bed. But I love not wearing glasses. I can buy cute sunglasses, my makeup isn't hidden behind frames, no faffing with contact lenses...

The actual procedure was weird cos you have to look at a bright light and my brain just wanted to make my eye screw up tight so I had to really concentrate during it.

I had LASEK a few years ago and I regret it because it didn't work and left me with dry, sore eyes and reduced night vision.

BUT I went to a crappy high street one and the aftercare was rubbish.

I wish I had been able to have LASIK because I think the recovery might have been better.

So if you have researched the surgeon then go for it. If it had worked for me it would have been life changing.

Beware though that you won't be able to do anything for yourself afterwards so your husband will need to be supportive.

Just keep saying "don't be ridiculous" and do as you wish . Do not engage in any other conversation.

had a -1.75 prescription and astigmatism and had it done age 32 12 years ago

It is the best decision I ever made. Had it done in the high street- optical express

The technology is different now but had an lasik and an add in called wave front to reduce the risk of night driving problems think it's idesign now

I've had no problem other than dry eyes for a few years

Your DH is being an idiot and unhelpful. He sounds like a condescending prick with his I told you so.

Glasses are expensive and annoying
They fog up, get dirty, glare, break, date, get wet, can be unflattering

He’s using fear to control you. That sounds extreme, but it’s what he’s doing and it’s working as you’re now faltering.

These are your eyes and your body and your money. You’re a capable woman and you’ve done appropriate preparation. It’s your decision, not his.

Vanity?

I was REALLY short sighted and I lost my glasses in Prague on a weekend. Not fun being unable to read street signs, train station screens, etc.

It’s not vanity. I had it done because my prescription was massive and glasses/contacts cost me a fortune. It had paid for itself within 2 years for me. The weight of glasses gave me migraines, the blind spots and inability to get on with varifocals was irritating.
one time my glasses broke and I was stuck in a carpark almost an hour from home and soneobe had to come and get me and drive my car home.