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Original poster

LASIK laser eye surgery

119 replies

GreenAE · 16/09/2024 11:53

Hi all!

Looking into lasik laser eye surgery, all the people I know are all raving about it but they’ve all had it done quite recently.

would like some feedback from those that have had it 5+ or 10+ or 20+ years ago to see how’s it’s been.
Would you recommend it, how old were you when you had it and what was your original prescription.

Thank you!

OP posts:
CreativeOriginalUsername · 16/09/2024 11:57

I only had mine done 12 months ago but it’s been life changing. 20/20 within 24 hours. It did go a bit skewed for a while after about 3 months but then eventually my eyes stopped over focussing so my vision is perfect now.

Took about 3-4 months for the dry eye to stop, and the halos/starbursts were gone within 2-3 months.

I was -8.5 with bad astigmatism in both eyes.

Friend of mine had hers done 15 years ago, she was a -5, her eyes are just starting to go a bit now and she needs glasses for driving.

OnlyMurdersInTheBuilding · 16/09/2024 11:58

I had mine done over 5 years ago and vision is still perfect. Well worth the money and few hours of discomfort afterwards. Would 100% do it again if I needed it.

Original poster
GreenAE · 16/09/2024 12:09

Ahh amazing! Are you enjoying it now?

OP posts:

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General health
Original poster
GreenAE · 16/09/2024 13:22

Bump…..any more experiences guys?

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 16/09/2024 13:27

Had mine done 20 years ago when I was 41. Now need reading glasses but otherwise perfect vision (can't remember my pre-op prescription but I wore glasses all day every day from age 11.

Yeppeuda · 16/09/2024 13:27

I got it done 11 years ago. I have a slight prescription now (not enough for glasses yet) but until then it was amazing and I can still see very well

MilitantFawcett · 16/09/2024 13:47

I had blended laser surgery in 2019. Best thing I ever did. No discomfort at all afterwards and I still have great vision, although I can have trouble with very tiny print, say on prescription bottles. Worth noting that the surgery has developed in last 10 years as well so recovery times and success rates have improved.

Rory17384949 · 16/09/2024 14:20

Me! Had it done at 23, now 43 and all good! One of the best things I've done.
My brother had his done too and has had no issues.
I was very short sighted when I had it done. Still don't need to wear glasses- was told at the time that it would slightly increase my risk of needing reading glasses at some point but I am fine so far.
The only side effect I had was seeing "halos" around things in the dark which improved after a couple of months - I didn't have a car at the time but I think night driving might have been difficult to begin with.
I healed really quickly after it and had perfect vision as quickly as 24h after having it done! A bit of soreness but only for a few days.

Original poster
GreenAE · 16/09/2024 15:21

Amazing!

OP posts:
massistar · 16/09/2024 15:34

I had it done more than 20 years ago just before I got married. My prescription was around minus 5 I think? Very short sighted! Was absolutely life changing before me. I still don't need to wear glasses all the time but recently found out I need them for driving. I'm one of the very few of my 50 something associates who don't need glasses to read a menu though!

Christmashope19 · 16/09/2024 15:38

I had mine done 21 years ago
I’m now 45 years old
my eyesight is near perfect
I do wear anti glare glasses for night driving as I find that I get a headache if not
best thing I ever did

AlexTheBird · 16/09/2024 15:53

Much the same as previous posters, it was life changing for me and I would happily recommend it. I had mine done with Boots, but they don't offer it any more. I'm 47 now and I had mine done about 24 years ago and was very short sighted (-6 in both eyes).

I've had to start wear glasses for driving (mostly at night - I can still drive confidently in the daytime without glasses) in the last two years but other than that no issues. And its worth noting that my prescription hasn't changed in two years. The halo thing with bright lights is more annoying than a hindrance - I have got used to that.

One thing that I always say to people having it done - my vision went completely grey during the op - like, no sight at all, just grey in front of my eyes. And they didn't warn me that was going to happen so for about 10 seconds I had a proper internal panic that I was about to go blind! I never said anything to the team at the time and I can laugh about it now but looking back now, it was terrifying. It's a quick process but it can be a little uncomfortable with a gritty feeling in your eyes afterwards. But within a few hours of my operation, I could see the number plates really clearly on the cars in front us as my mum drove us home - its a lovely memory. Best of luck with it.

Rory17384949 · 16/09/2024 16:02

AlexTheBird · 16/09/2024 15:53

Much the same as previous posters, it was life changing for me and I would happily recommend it. I had mine done with Boots, but they don't offer it any more. I'm 47 now and I had mine done about 24 years ago and was very short sighted (-6 in both eyes).

I've had to start wear glasses for driving (mostly at night - I can still drive confidently in the daytime without glasses) in the last two years but other than that no issues. And its worth noting that my prescription hasn't changed in two years. The halo thing with bright lights is more annoying than a hindrance - I have got used to that.

One thing that I always say to people having it done - my vision went completely grey during the op - like, no sight at all, just grey in front of my eyes. And they didn't warn me that was going to happen so for about 10 seconds I had a proper internal panic that I was about to go blind! I never said anything to the team at the time and I can laugh about it now but looking back now, it was terrifying. It's a quick process but it can be a little uncomfortable with a gritty feeling in your eyes afterwards. But within a few hours of my operation, I could see the number plates really clearly on the cars in front us as my mum drove us home - its a lovely memory. Best of luck with it.

God yes having it done was actually terrifying even though it was quick and painless! Also terrified that I'd wake up blind the morning after having it so I was scared to open my eyes - but when I did it was amazing!!! I remember reading all the number plates on the way for my next day checkup 😂

Gooseysgirl · 16/09/2024 16:09

I had it done at 25, did not notice any deterioration until I was around 46 ish. I have glasses again but just for driving and tv. All in all it was the best money I ever spent and I have zero regrets. I was -4 in both eyes at the time of my surgery.

Cwassonk · 16/09/2024 16:09

14 years ago. Worst pain of my life. Now long sighted AND short sighted. Can't believe I need varifocals after all that shit. Wish I could go back in time and never have it done. Prescription was -2.75 and -2.50 so not even that bad.

LetsTalk12 · 16/09/2024 16:11

CreativeOriginalUsername · 16/09/2024 11:57

I only had mine done 12 months ago but it’s been life changing. 20/20 within 24 hours. It did go a bit skewed for a while after about 3 months but then eventually my eyes stopped over focussing so my vision is perfect now.

Took about 3-4 months for the dry eye to stop, and the halos/starbursts were gone within 2-3 months.

I was -8.5 with bad astigmatism in both eyes.

Friend of mine had hers done 15 years ago, she was a -5, her eyes are just starting to go a bit now and she needs glasses for driving.

May I ask where did you have it gone ?!
I also have astigmatism on both eyes and -5.... I've been thinking about it but was worried it won't fix my vision completely, only in part but to achieve 20/20 vision ?! Blows my mind !!

Summerhillsquare · 16/09/2024 16:13

I looked at it about 15 years ago, it was about £1400 I think, too much at the time. How much is it these days?

Parky04 · 16/09/2024 16:17

I had it done 21 years ago, and my long vision is still perfect. I now use reading glasses, but I was warned that may be the case (I'm 53). Best £2k I have ever spent!

EBearhug · 16/09/2024 16:27

I has mine done about 25 years ago. I'm now 52. I was -2 in one eye, with an astigmatism, -5 in the other. I'm just starting to need reading glasses, but as above, I was warmed about that. I don't mind for reading , but there are things I've done like whitewater rafting and a skydive I wouldn't have done without having them zapped (never got on with contacts.)

Original poster
GreenAE · 16/09/2024 16:28

Christmashope19 · Today 15:38

I had mine done 21 years ago
I’m now 45 years old
my eyesight is near perfect
I do wear anti glare glasses for night driving as I find that I get a headache if not
best thing I ever did

How was recovery? Any dry eyes?

OP posts:
EffinMagicFairy · 16/09/2024 16:37

Mine were done 15 years ago, I need glasses for reading now, but that’s expected due to my age. I wore contacts, glasses 50/50. I quite like my reading glasses, as I don’t need them all the time. Life changing for me, no regrets.

Original poster
GreenAE · 16/09/2024 16:53

I can see a lot of people have had it in their 20’s!!
Nice to hear
has screen time been okay? In terms of work and just watching tv?

OP posts:
EBearhug · 16/09/2024 17:17

has screen time been okay? In terms of work and just watching tv?

Yes. Work in IT (which is why I could afford it,) so spend far too long in front of screens every day. I also do sewing and other things requiring a close eye.

Rory17384949 · 16/09/2024 17:19

GreenAE · 16/09/2024 16:53

I can see a lot of people have had it in their 20’s!!
Nice to hear
has screen time been okay? In terms of work and just watching tv?

There was generally less screen time when I had mine done but was doing a PhD at the time so quite a lot of computer use during the day and was fine. Probably would need to limit it at least for the first week.
I know a few people in work who have done it and have tried to have it done on a Thursday so taken thurs/fri off then back in on Monday

WandaFishy99 · 16/09/2024 17:25

Not me, my friend had hers done 5 years ago, she is pleased with it. She had a slight problem where one small segment of her eye had wavy vision (nothing to stop her doing anything) but they put that right at her follow up visit.