Anyone had laser eye treatment?

[WaxOnFeckOff]

DS1 (19) currently considering it and had an assessment and been deemed suitable. Because of his prescription etc he's been quoted £5.5k. It's a lot of money but potentially life changing.

What's your view/experience if you've had it done?

I had LASIK in 2004 to correct shortsightedness. Surreal procedure (not painful, just weird). Being able to see without glasses was truly amazing, my confidence went through the roof. For me the effects only lasted a couple of years. I wear glasses again and my corrected vision isn't as good as it was pre LASIK. Unlikely ever to have the money to look into having it repeated but if I did I would in a heartbeat.

I had it 9 years ago and it has been amazing, at 19 it'll make a huge difference to his life. I did pay a lot less than 5.5k though.

I’ve had it and it was great. I worked out that I had to be glasses-free for 7 years to break even and in 3 weeks I will have been.
The effects are unlikely to last forever but it has been such an amazing experience to open my eyes in the morning and just see.

@WaxOnFeckOff I’ve never had laser surgery but I used to work as a laser counsellor where I’d carry out preliminary assessments, discuss treatment options and assist post op patients.

Which type of surgery has been recommended? LASIK or LASEK? The former is much more straightforward and recovery time much less. Main complications are infection and/or regression. Infection is normally dealt with at the first post op check via drops and/or antibiotics. By the second post op check most infections had cleared and vision significantly improved. The clinic I used to work in would offer a ‘top up’ treatment to those that regressed within the first 12 months which was free of charge. Regression is more likely in those with a more complex prescription although it is extremely unlikely to regress back to what it would have been pre surgery.

The best results for patients were usually those who selected a more advanced treatment plan. It used to be called Wavefront in my clinic. This significantly reduces glare which is very helpful if night driving or using computers is important to DS.

The majority of patients that I came into contact with were delighted with the results and wished that they had had the surgery years ago.

Of course there were a small number of patients that had more severe complications but these were few and far between and the clinic worked together with the patient to rectify any issues.

If you have any direct questions then happy to help.

I did. I ended up having to have a second treatment as it didn't work. That went a bit wrong and I ended up with very thin corneas and dry eyes. It did work and I have good eyesight but it's not without it's sacrifices

I had mine done in March 2016
My eye were -4 in one eye, -3.75 in the other.

I had them done at Sheffield Vision Centre, based in the hospital.

I had ReLEx SMILE, which at the time was one of the newest methods:

It cost just under £2000 per eye - I had both done. You could pay up front or therewasis a payment plan. There is no discount available - was fun listening to a man trying to negotiate one though - and any profits go into the NHS system at the hospital. This was an all-in price, including all checks before and afterwards, the procedure, the after care including the various drops, safety 'google' things for first week sleeping, and sunglasses.

There were cheaper alternatives with some high street branches, etc. but I didn't want to risk going anywhere cheaper tbh - I had good recommendations, both in "real life" and there were good reviews online too. If I was having my eyes sorted I wanted to pay for it - guess I was happy to go with 'you get what you pay for' type of thought.

Its been over 3 years now and I have been really happy so far.

I could see without any issues the following day, I could drive the following afternoon, after my first post-op appointment. My eye sight at that point was already very good. At my appointment a month later my eye sight was described as 20/20 and healing was excellent.

On the day my appointment was at 8:30am and I was walking out of the surgery by 9:15am.

The procedure didn't hurt at all. It felt a little strange - but definitely no pain. It was so quick. Afterwards I was given a range of drops, some dark goggles (to wear that day and in bed for first few days) and sunglasses - I needed these the first day and whenever it was bright for a short while. About 2 hours later my eyes began to sting and water. Again, not painful but uncomfortable. However, this only lasted about an hour or so and gradually lessened. My eyes were watery for a while that day and my eye sight was blurry and hazy but gradually cleared as the day went on - I could use my laptop and phone later that day, zoomed in. Buy the evening I could see - close up was still hazy but not long distance.

The next morning I could see really well. I had a follow up that morning and my eye sight was pretty much 20:20 vision already, and much better than my contact lens correction had been. The follow up a week later was even better results and healing was quick and pain free. I did wear dark glasses for a little while if it was bright, but the sun sensitivity reduced with time. And initially I had some glare/halo effect when driving at night, I used to have this with glasses and lenses anyway but again it reduced - this has gone entirely now.

So far everything has been fantastic and I am so glad I did it. I had mine done at 43y and wish I'd had it done years ago! I love not dealing with lenses anymore.

They cannot prevent eye sight deterioration from nature ageing. You may still require reading glasses when you are older - that just can't be prevented. However, at least if that does happen in the future, at least I can just have standard reading glasses to pop on when needed, and not have to mess with two pairs or varifocals. They also took the ageing into account when doing them, so I assume they over correct perhaps to do so, though that may be age dependent.

I had it done to correct (fairly mild) astigmatism and short sightedness aged 32. It cost £1900 and I had lasik wavefront. It was the best money I have ever spent. It has paid for itself in contacts and glasses. It was more painful afterwards for about 24 hours than I expected. I had steroid and antibiotic drops afterward as standard. I suffered from very dry eyes, and lots of trips to optician and trialing eyedrops, for a few years as result but this is now seemed to have resolved itself. I think might night vision and haloes is slightly better then before.

As long as people go into it aware that it isn't a magic wand - the eyes will change with age and it may be necessary to use glasses in the future.

I had it about 3 years ago and it's the best money I have ever spent, it cost me £5k, I had -2.75 and -3.50 with a stigmatism in each eye. Took about 10 mins in the surgery room in total, completely painless and I could see perfectly in 24he's. I did have extremely red eyes for a week afterwards though and was unable to wear eye makeup for nearly a month.

The freedom of not needing glasses or contacts is incredible, I only regret not doing it sooner!

I should add how life changing it has been. I can wear normal sunglasses, I can do sports, swimming and fun things like theme parks. I went scuba diving and snorkelling. No glasses to get wet into he rain, and mist up in the warm. No worrying when glasses break or don't fit. No buying glasses or trying to find best contact deal. No uncomfortable contact lenses. Improved self confidence too. The list is endless!

Thanks all. It's Lasik he's been recommended but will need the enhanced treatment due to his poor prescription (-9) and his large pupils (also has astigmatism). For some the enhancement is an option, for him they've said it is the only option but expect he will get better than 20/20 vision. They also include a free top up if he doesn't get the expected results.

I think they expect that the results will last until he gets to his 40s and needs reading glasses, so effectively 20 plus years.

He is just so reliant on his glasses, can't really see at all without them and it's obviously really awkward for swimming and being on holidays even with prescription goggles which never give really give decent vision.

It's just sooooo expensive and he's currently a student (and so is his brother) so it's a lot of money to commit. I guess I was expecting about £3k and hoping for less. He's tried contacts but gets a lot of dryness and irritation despite trying many different brands and types.

Does sound like most have had positive results.

@motorcyclenumptiness what was the issue that made yours not last? was it age?

Thanks for the comprehensive description @Aragog. Your experience sounds exactly what they've described so that's reassuring also.
I'm trying to balance the costs with the potential future costs of glasses/contacts etc and I've come up with about 17/18 years too, but that doesn't include inflation I suppose and doesn't also credit the quality of life.

Thanks for the offer of support as well @bubblybrit, much appreciated.

@feelinglost02, sorry that you've no had the best experience, given the choice would go back in time and not do it?

I should add that he suffers very badly with lack of confidence and anxiety and has also had very bad acne resulting in two lots of roaccutane which didn't help with the dry eyes.

Yes despite being a bit unlucky ( most people seem to have less complications) I would still have it done. I never wore glasses so contact lenses cost a lot and they were always falling out. I've been 8 years without lenses and eyesight is pretty good so far

I was -9 in both eyes and had LASIK done. For me it lasted 7 years before I needed glasses again and I unfortunately had one of the rare side effects which has resulted in needing corneal cross-linking performed. I loved being glasses and contact lense free though for those 7 years.

There will possibly be cheaper options but tbh I am not sure Id recommend them, esp as your ds has a stronger than average prescription.

I can't really put a price on the increased benefits of just being able to see. It took ages for me to get used to being able to wake up and see. Even now, nearly 4 years on, when I go on holiday I get a 'forgot something' feeling - its contact lenses. I was so used to having to take them, and spares, that even now its ingrained. Whilst mentioning holidays - flying long haul and not having lenses has been such an eye opener. No dried tired eyes, being able to nod on and off and not have the lenses issue - fab!

I had mine done about 3 weeks ago and am really pleased with the outcome. I’m still using drops 4 times a day but only because the clinic told me I needed to do this until my second check up which is next week.

I’ve had no side effects and only minimal discomfort on the day. They gave me painkilling drops and painkillers to take if I needed them on the day but it wasn’t bad enough for that.

I had it 11 years ago, was absolutely life changing. I went to a smallish private clinic run by 2 Moorfields Eye hospital consultants. It was around 1k more expensive than ultralase etc. I wanted to have it done by an eye surgeon who would he able to spot and correct/properly refer any issues in follow up. I had lasik wavefront. Vision has been 20/20 since about 2 weeks post surgery. I was -4.75 with astigmatism before. It's really worth it but definitely worth doing your research and choosing your surgeon wisely. Also worth considering how long his prescription has been stable for - mine changed a lot in my 20s and lasik doesn't stop this. My surgeon said that late 20s is the best time as prescription is more stable so you get the most time before middle aged long sightedness starts to develop. If his prescription is changing regularly then probs a good idea to wait.

I looked into it and didn't go ahead - yet - I think about it often, just need more money!
I wanted to mention that it now possible to do a 'variofocal' type adjustment. Also I would urge caution to anyone who had any type of auto immune condition, during my research it seemed that this could precipitate complications in some people

I had LASEK 16 yrs ago. My eyes were quite dry for the first 3 yrs or so but that has disappeared completely now. My night vision is impacted, car headlights coming towards me tend to dazzle. Over the last 6 months I've noticed that one eye has deteriorated and I will probably need glasses. This may be more to do with a genetic condition I have though.

I don't regret it one bit, definitely saved money on specs and eye tests over the years. It has also improved my confidence, I used to not wear glasses when I was going out. Then couldn't see people or drinks behind the bar etc. I'd do it again, didn't actually know I could have revision surgery so will look in to that.

what was the issue that made yours not last? was it age?
Nope, not age, just one of those things. My prescription was stable for several years before LASIK but a prescription can change at any time and my shortsightedness returned.

His prescription has been stable for about 3 years. When he was a young child it deteriorated rapidly resulting in him having a 3 month call back and us sometimes having to go back sooner as he just couldn't see :(

They did say that they might not recommend for that reason but I had his last 2 prescriptions and they tested again.

I'm an Optometrist who worked in laser eye clinics for years. It can be life-changing and I'd have it myself if I was under -6DS.

But I'd have a couple of concerns.

1. Is his prescription stable? LASIK will not stop it from changing. If it's not you need to wait a couple of years.

1. Roaccutane is contraindicated for LASIK surgery, you can't take it for 6 months afterwards or have LASIK surgery for 6 months after taking roaccutane.

1. Lasik always makes your eyes more dry afterwards, if they're dry now, they'll get worse (although it's usually temporary).

1. With large pupils and a high prescription, he's at a high risk of getting night vision problems afterwards - have they warned you of that risk?

I'd be tempted to get a second opinion - where did you get the consultation done? If it was one of the high street providers - Optimax/Optical Express I'd be tempted to get a second opinion.

I had mine done in 2008 and now have 20/20 vision. I think my eyes are starting to deteriorate with older age but I'm pleased I had it done.

It was painful tho and I wouldn't have it done again.

I had LASIK 6.5 years ago in my mid-twenties and haven’t worn glasses since. It’s been quite life changing as glasses were always awkward To fit because I have a small nose/head. I think pregnancy and breastfeeding affected my vision but it’s pretty ok now. I started off at about -2.5 to -3 in each eye with slight astigmatism and I think one eye still has a bit of astigmatism as it was a bit of a pain to heal. Immediately after surgery one of the flaps failed so I had to go back in to have it repositioned but recovery was quick and painless

Weirdly I've been looking tonight as it's one of the things I've promised myself I'd get round to this year, given I turn 36 soon and can finally afford it 🙈 optimax suggest more like £3500 for LASIK (both eyes) and say fixed fee regardless of prescription - same for optegra, though they also offer the enhanced SMILE one which is more like £5000. Optical express says "from £1200) so goodness knows what it would come out as. Where was it said £5,500? (If you've mentioned it I've missed it sorry)

I'd be interested to hear from others where they went and their thoughts - not the sort of thing you'd be able to get a clear comparison on i suppose but I need to do some research on aftercare etc. Apparently there's a "which" list so need to get DH to log into his account later!