Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To even consider laser eye surgery?...

117 replies

MissGruffalo · 26/04/2019 21:50

A few years back I only needed my specs for watching tv. Cut to today and I need them for most tasks. Not as short sighted as some but I definitely wouldn’t leave the house without wearing my glasses.
And I hate it.

I’m very squeamish when it comes to putting things in my eyes so I’ve never tried contacts (even though my optician says I have the perfect prescription for it!)

Has anyone had laser eye surgery? Would you recommend it?

I remember reading a few stories a couple of years ago about it going wrong and it’s always stuck with me so I’ve never considered it before. But now I’m so fed up of having to wear glasses.

Any advice?

Excuse any typos, I’ve had a couple of Wine and it’s got me pondering!

OP posts:
bliminy · 26/04/2019 22:40

A few years back I only needed my specs for watching tv. Cut to today and I need them for most tasks

It sounds like your prescription might be changing too much for laser eye surgery to be a good idea.

GiantKitten · 26/04/2019 22:41

My lens replacement, done privately at Manchester Eye Hospital, cost £2,250 per eye iirc.

Consultant said I couldn't have it done on the NHS because it would improve my vision & the NHS won't pay for that, but considering that I could barely function as it was I thought that was harsh. Luckily we'd had a recent windfall or I'd have been stuck unable to drive or recognise my own children in the street, among other things.

I'm still bitter, can you tell? Grin

sweetkitty · 26/04/2019 22:42

I had mine done in 2003, best money I have ever ever spent.

Shoppingwithmother · 26/04/2019 22:45

Giantkitten - could you not see with glasses or contact lenses?

WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 26/04/2019 22:48

Thanks tapestry. Forgot I also have astigmatism in both eyes to add into the mix - pretty expensive!!

chesterfuckingdraws · 26/04/2019 22:48

I had it done 6 years ago and I'm back wearing glasses already.. this is despite having a stable prescription for years prior to having it done. I know of another 5 people who are all back wearing glasses 5-8years after having it done.

With regards to the procedure it's self I didn't have any complications or pain from it and my eyes healed very quickly.

A colleague had it done around a month after me and still suffers from dry eyes and took around 6months stop using drops 4/5 times daily.

I was offered the procedure again....I refused. Whilst I didn't suffer any issues I think I was possibly lucky and at the moment the results are not guaranteed so it's a big pay out to potentially not last very long.

tanpestryfirescreen · 26/04/2019 22:49

My lens replacement, done privately at Manchester Eye Hospital, cost £2,250 per eye iirc.

About £9k for refractive lens at Moorfields.

tanpestryfirescreen · 26/04/2019 22:50

I had it done 6 years ago and I'm back wearing glasses already.

How old were/are you. I was told not to have it early 40s as this would probably happen.

KOKOtiltomorrow · 26/04/2019 22:52

I went for a consultation and was told it wouldn't work for me as problem was aging long sightedness. Ex boss had it done for shirt sighted and never looked back (No pun intended,!) So I would check.out if it's a possibility before giving it serious thought

N0tfinished · 26/04/2019 22:58

I had lasek 12 years ago. I was very short sighted with astigmatism. Now, I still have 20/20 vision, don't need reading glasses either. Brilliant outcome. Only caveat I think is to get a proper consultant to do it, I wouldn't go to a high street clinic.

GiantKitten · 26/04/2019 23:01

Shoppingwithmother
Giantkitten - could you not see with glasses or contact lenses?

I had always had contact lenses, but they stopped being effective as the astigmatism got worse (this started c 2000, lenses are probably better now) & the glasses I had didn't provide enough correction for more than stopping me bumping into/falling over things.

I was eventually referred to the Eye Hosp 2-3 years later & the consultant said the only treatment was lens replacement. If I'd had actual cataracts it could have been done on the NHS, but I didn't, although I was probably more disabled at that point than if I had had them Confused

It was very weird when I came home after having the first eye done - everything seemed pink through that eye, in contrast to the other still-yellow one, & my house turned out to be absolutely filthy Shock

My older brother, who was quite short-sighted too, & has also had detached retinas (which I never have, strangely), has since had free NHS lens replacement due to cataracts!

Tangofandango · 26/04/2019 23:05

My lens replacement cost £5,000 10 years ago at Optegra Solent. Its probably more now. Best money I've ever spent

stillworkingitout · 26/04/2019 23:07

MissGruffalo - I think really just because it’s such a new technology, we don’t really know how it will hold up many years later. It might be fine but it might not. Who knows?!

LittleCandle · 26/04/2019 23:09

I had it done 4 years ago and it was life changing. I do have to wear reading glasses, but that isn't a big deal. What made me do it was being stranded after a roller coaster ride in Florida, when my cousin had put my specs into his shorts pocket and forgot to wait for me. I couldn't see the exit sign, couldn't see any member of the family and if his daughter had not spotted me, I would probably still be standing on that ride platform! I had to be led outside with her holding my hand! I was mortified (as was my forgetful cousin).

I had a bit of pain a couple of days after that surgery, and it was tough, but it didn't last long. LASEK is more painful than LASIK, but it depends on your eyes which one you might be offered. If you are thinking about it, it is worth going along to see. You don't have to commit to anything if you decide it is not for you.

GiantKitten · 26/04/2019 23:11

Tangofandango

My lens replacement cost £5,000 10 years ago at Optegra Solent. Its probably more now. Best money I've ever spent

That's probably pretty comparable to my £4,500 about 15 years ago?

And I agree Grin

WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 26/04/2019 23:16

Hmm, I’m 47 and it sounds like it’s too late for me.

Bugger and blast.

tanpestryfirescreen · 26/04/2019 23:21

Hmm, I’m 47 and it sounds like it’s too late for me.

No, that is the best time. Your eyes have stopped deteriorating by then. It is early 40s when they change.

WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 26/04/2019 23:23

D’you reckon? The optician seems to suggest they were going to keep getting worse!

babysharkah · 26/04/2019 23:33

A friend has just had it done, he's in the unlucky 1% that has had severe issues with his corneas. His vision is worse than before and has to wait six months to see what happens.ill stick to my contacts and glasses.

OKBobble · 26/04/2019 23:43

Had mine done in 2003. Best money I ever spent. If I woke up tomorrow and my eyes were back to what they were I would do or again!!

I did loads of research, went to one that turned a high percentage away as unsuitable and also had the bestsuccess rates for my very high prescription

Ginseng1 · 27/04/2019 00:17

I had mine done 2003. In London a cheapish (relatively speaking) place £500 an eye or something. No issues whatsoever ever I was -4.5 in both eyes &20/20 after but 12 years later I needed glasses. am now -1.1 /-1.25 so just for driving /TV /long distance. Still fine for reading (am 46). 2 friends had it done same place & their sight was worse n still don't need glasses 15 years later! No regrets.

AJTommo · 27/04/2019 00:30

I had mine done about 6 years ago & the only problem is the night vision whilst driving. The glare from headlights is awful & I don't drive at night unless I know where I'm going. My opthalmologist said it was a recognised complication & was why he wouldnt have it done.

howmanyusernames · 27/04/2019 00:37

Had mine done privately about 15 years ago and never regretted it! Cost about £4K then.
I was -4.25 and -4.5.
I did have to have a second surgery on one eye as it ended up being -1, and had to wait 3 months for it to heal before it could be done, and there were more ‘risks’ but all fine.
Don’t need glasses now, and no problems.

Shoppingwithmother · 27/04/2019 09:47

That’s interesting, GiantKitten - thanks.

Oliversmumsarmy · 27/04/2019 09:54

Never had it done. Very late 50s. Worn glasses since I was 10years old.

My prescriptions are getting better.

Was 5.5 now 3.75.

One eye is long sighted anyway.

I prefer to wear glasses as most of the time I don’t wear them and when I do I can take them off if I need to read something.

Swipe left for the next trending thread