Will I be able to get public transport after laser eye surgery?

[EyeEyeElCapitan]

Slightly random question - but for those who have had it, could you have got public transport after treatment? Would I even be allowed to do this? Would it be bonkers to contemplate it?

I know if I end up having LASEK, I probably won't be able to see well enough, but if I have LASIK my understanding is that my vision should be improved immediately?

If it makes any difference the public transport would be London, tube on the outskirts and then train back to my home town.

No and I don’t think they will allow it. The light makes your eyes sting a lot for the first day. I left guided out with a coat over my head and dark glasses on and didn’t open my eyes most of the journey home.

Ah. OK - I shall be organising a lift then!!

I haven't been for my initial consultation yet, so I guess they'll let me know all of this at that point. I just like to plan and know what I need to be prepared for.

Thank you, I appreciate the reply!

Should add .. I had lasik

Just wanted to say there was discomfort for a day .. but it is sooo worth it! And the procedure itself was pain free and very quick :-)

In my infinite wisdom, I decided I'd get the train home from Marylebone on my own after having both lasered to save my husband driving up with the kids. Honestly I had to near crawl down the platform, I could barely see a thing.

This is what I'm trying to avoid (well my husband having to take the day off to take me!). But it sounds like that would be unwise and I might be best to give public transport a miss... so I'm glad I asked!!

(Mine was at Moorfields and they didn't stop it, so it’s ultimately your call).

What's the procedure actually like? I'm not squeamish about eyes so I'm not worried about it... but how do they make sure your eye doesn't move at a crucial moment? I don't really understand! 😂

You could definitely go on public transport if you had a helper though. It's just doing it solo.

They tell you not to look away from the target thing. This is easier said than done when your other eye is covered but they tell you it has to be kept open.

I got quite a few irritated "you only have to look at it for 10 seconds Mrs X" comments as they abort it if you move your eyes.

Thanks! I'm not going to Moorfields as it was going to be a pain (and expensive!) going to London multiple times for the consultation, diagnostic tests, actual procedure, then aftercare... so I'm seeing a surgeon who has previously worked and trained at Moorfields, but then set up his own practice with three other surgeons. Which means I only need to go to London for the procedure, and the rest of the appointments are much closer to home.

Interesting to know Moorfields didn't stop you, but I still think I might be best to plan that I'll need to be collected! I suppose worst-case I could maybe get a taxi direct to the main line train station I'll need and then it will be less faffing/changing trains, etc...

Right I'm going to be practicing looking at a single point with one eye covered for the next few weeks then... 😂

I got in a taxi home about an hour after keyhole surgery on my eye that included lens replacement, laser and 3 stitches in my eyeball. It was fine.

Yes, I had a taxi to Marylebone, it was the next part! I underestimated how blurry everything was.

That said, I did get home safely and you could ask for help onto the train I guess (they have buggies at Marylebone so I'm sure they have the same elsewhere).

@blue345 did you have LASIK or LASEK?

Right I'm going to be practicing looking at a single point with one eye covered for the next few weeks then... 😂

Don't forget to keep the covered eye fully open

I can't just remember, it was about 15 years ago so not sure whether they were both available then or not.

No don't do it. I've had laser and uou can't see properly it's blurry still. The after an hour the numbing stuff wears off and your eyes go really really sensitive. Even dark glasses didn't stop it. I had to close my eyes while my husband drove me home.