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Original poster

Laser Eye Surgery

51 replies

Toooldtoworry · 06/03/2023 10:57

I just wondered if someone who has had laser eye surgery can give me an idea of how long it was before you were able to drive/use a VDU again.

I want to get it done maybe next year as need to save but recovery is going to have an impact and I can't really find a good answer online.

OP posts:
Looksonthebrightside · 06/03/2023 11:01

I could do both the next day

Bobshhh · 06/03/2023 11:04

What type do you need?

I had the one where they shave off your cornea rather than creating a flap which has a longer recovery time but is better for those prone to dryness. I was incapacitated for 2 days, out walking on the third and could look at a computer on day 5.

WinterMusings · 06/03/2023 11:05

Friends who have had it done have each been advised different things, so maybe it depends on the exact treatment.

your best bet is to phone & ask the place you want to get it done.

You're brave, I'm far too risk adverse to get it done.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
ShippingNews · 06/03/2023 11:08

My son had both eyes done at once. Took the dressings off next morning, went back to work/ driving the next day. Vision was perfect.

noimaginationforausername · 06/03/2023 11:14

The next day! Had surgery about 10am, went home and slept/laid with the lights off then that evening I could get up but eyes felt a bit gritty. The next day I woke up feeling fine and drove to my 24hr check up.

another1bitestheduck · 06/03/2023 11:54

lasik is usually 1 day, as it was for me. Think that's what most people have. Lasek is for those for whom lasik isn't suitable for whatever reason and think has a longer recovery period, about a week?

Original poster
Toooldtoworry · 06/03/2023 16:33

WinterMusings · 06/03/2023 11:05

Friends who have had it done have each been advised different things, so maybe it depends on the exact treatment.

your best bet is to phone & ask the place you want to get it done.

You're brave, I'm far too risk adverse to get it done.

Ha, believe me anything to do with my eyes freaks me out usually but I am sick of wearing glasses. I have worn contacts historically but the risk of infection is too great so I'd rather get them laser treated now.

Good to hear from everyone around 1 or 2 days. I'll book a few days leave when I get them done to be safe, but obviously will be led by the treatment centre.

OP posts:
Mumsafan · 06/03/2023 16:36

The next day. I could see perfectly as I walked out the operation, DH picked me up, spent the day lying in the dark, woke up next day and carried on as usual.

Best thing I ever did .

Well apart from a breast reduction 😂

Manybeards · 06/03/2023 16:37

You’ll need someone to drive you home. My eyes were sore and sensitive for a couple of days

Original poster
Toooldtoworry · 06/03/2023 18:03

Manybeards · 06/03/2023 16:37

You’ll need someone to drive you home. My eyes were sore and sensitive for a couple of days

Thank you.

OP posts:
SunshineGeorgie · 06/03/2023 19:15

Sounds like treatment has been progressive! How much does it cost these days?

Seasider2017 · 06/03/2023 19:27

Had both eyes done, could see virtually straight after, but had eye protectors on after just for 1 night. Perfect next day.
best gift I’ve given myself

Youreeavinalaff · 06/03/2023 19:33

Is it painful? I am interested in getting it done but I hate the idea of my eye being kept open with an implement with a laser pointing at it, sounds terrifying?! Surely your instinct would be to move your head away from the beam or implement?

pebbles3004 · 06/03/2023 19:46

I would be so tempted. I presume it's best to wait to get it done til your eyes stop deteriorating? I can barely see a thing without glasses or contacts but they are still getting gradually worse.

How much is it these days?

viques · 06/03/2023 19:50

Toooldtoworry · 06/03/2023 10:57

I just wondered if someone who has had laser eye surgery can give me an idea of how long it was before you were able to drive/use a VDU again.

I want to get it done maybe next year as need to save but recovery is going to have an impact and I can't really find a good answer online.

I had mine done in the pm. They advised me to go home, put in some more drops, put on my lovely insect-eye eye covers and go to sleep. Which is what I did.

Woke up the next morning able to see for the first time since a child without glasses or lenses! Went for a follow up the same day, gave them my old glasses for their recycling collection and have never looked back.

Looksonthebrightside · 06/03/2023 19:50

It was completely painless for me. My eyes were a bit itchy and sore that night but not so bad that I had to use any pain relief drops. No pain whatsoever after that.

badg3r · 06/03/2023 19:54

I had mine done ten years ago. As I was going home I could see my eyesight getting better at every train station, it was so exciting! I am so glad I did it. Things I wish I had known though:
I felt really sick when I tried to read for three or four days afterwards because my eye muscles suddenly had to work harder to focus close up.
I had halos at night for over a year, they are gone now though.
Even though I had 20/20 vision after a day, things looks kind of odd shapes and with odd reflections for a month or two.
I also got something called DLK and had to have a second time in the chair where they basically just really rinse your eye out. Sounds gross but it was fine.
I have dry eyes but no more than before the op and it was 100% worth it.

My point is, things can take a while to settle after, but these were relatively minor issues and the ability to see properly is worth its weight in gold!

viques · 06/03/2023 19:55

Youreeavinalaff · 06/03/2023 19:33

Is it painful? I am interested in getting it done but I hate the idea of my eye being kept open with an implement with a laser pointing at it, sounds terrifying?! Surely your instinct would be to move your head away from the beam or implement?

Procedure doesn’t hurt, nor do the things that keep your eyes open. They give you pain relieving drops at the time, together with antibiotic drops, and some to take home. For a couple of days you do need the drops as your eyes adjust, uncomfortable rather than painful. If it is summer and very sunny I would wear sunglasses ( real sunglasses, not prescription ones!!!! ) Make sure you use the drops exactly as directed and it will be fine.

pebbles3004 · 06/03/2023 20:05

@badg3r 10 years wow - and do you still have 2020 vision after all this time? I'd do it if it lasted, but I've read that your eyes will continue to deteriorate so may end up back in glasses anyway? I'm short sighted so it's not to do with my age - I'm 34 and needed glasses since I was a child.

badg3r · 06/03/2023 20:10

I haven't noticed any deterioration although it's a few years since I was tested. As I understand if your short sightedness is stable then what tends to happen is you still need glasses for reading when older, and this might happen sooner if you have laser eye surgery. But without the op I would have needed varifocals and it's more likely I'll just need reading glasses (to begin with). I can't think of any older people I know though who don't need reading glasses so I have kind of accepted this inevitability and will make the most of being able to swim without hitting the side now instead 😉

foleys · 06/03/2023 20:15

I know of too many people who had some improvement to their prescription but not enough to be able to dispense with glasses completely. They weren't able to wear contacts afterwards, obviously after the procedure, and some never again because of the dry eye. So still wearing glasses.

viques · 06/03/2023 20:38

badg3r · 06/03/2023 20:10

I haven't noticed any deterioration although it's a few years since I was tested. As I understand if your short sightedness is stable then what tends to happen is you still need glasses for reading when older, and this might happen sooner if you have laser eye surgery. But without the op I would have needed varifocals and it's more likely I'll just need reading glasses (to begin with). I can't think of any older people I know though who don't need reading glasses so I have kind of accepted this inevitability and will make the most of being able to swim without hitting the side now instead 😉

I had mine lasered so that one was for long and one was for short sight so no need for reading glasses. Not everyone can have this done apparently, but my brain was able to cope! It was nearly 20 years ago, and I am now very ancient, the only thing I notice is that I need to read instructions on packets using a good light, but that is usually because they are written in such small print and on dark backgrounds.

evilharpy · 06/03/2023 20:44

So interested in this thread! I've wanted them done for years but have never had the bravery and the money at the same time. My vision is pretty stable (shortsighted, prescription only something like -2.50 in each eye but enough to need glasses or contacts all the time) but I've had astigmatism in one eye for many years and recently developed it in the other eye too, I'm not sure whether that's a factor.

Manybeards · 06/03/2023 20:49

I was -7 with stigmatism in both eyes. I was also + 1 for reading so was coming up to needing varifocals. My distance is now 20/20 But still need reading glasses.

elvislives2012 · 06/03/2023 21:11

OMG do it!! Best thing ever. I had mine done 12 years ago. It was sore for a day or so but sounds like it's moved on since then. My vision is still fantastic and I am glasses free. Used to have astigmatism

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