AIBU to ask you about laser eye surgery.....

[dontlikebeards]

A close relative has offered to pay for laser eye surgery for me. Where do I start? How do I find surgery recommendations? How scary is it??

I don’t have recommendations because it’s been 10 years since I had it done, but I am the biggest wimp and it wasn’t at all scary. They numb your eye and because it’s close up, you can’t see anything. 10 mins and it’s done. Best thing I ever did!

I had mine done but I think my sight has deteriorated a bit and would consider redoing it, depending on what the optician says. Mind you I got 20 years of brilliant vision. Who to go to rather depends on where you are - in a city you will have more choice.

I was short sighted and had Lasek around 15 years ago. It was the best thing I ever did! I couldn’t believe the difference. It was a bit sore for a few hours afterward but the next day was incredible. I’d totally recommend it although now my eyesight is deteriorating and I have been told you can’t redo laser and also can’t wear contacts after laser surgery so that’s a bit of a shame.

Had I known how the procedure was actually done I wouldn’t have done it but on the day I asked if they were ready to start after she was fiddling around for a bit and the first eye had already been done. Go for it

Whether it can be redone or not depends on something to do with your eyes and the thickness of cornea (?) I have been googling this!

My mum has glaucoma and her surgeon advised me against it as apparently it makes it impossible to measure the pressures in your eyes accurately. It is essential to measure them if there is a family history of glaucoma so I can't have the surgery although I would love to. My friend has had it done and says it is the best thing she had ever done.

I have a family history of glaucoma
Though in one case it occurred after my procedure

Thanks all, you have made my mind up, I'm going to do it (although I'll be terrified on the day I'm sure).

How old are you?

I had mine done last year. Best thing ever. I used Optical express and it was very smooth. If you watch videos of the surgery, it does look scary but actually when you are in there, you have no idea what is going on as you cant see or feel anything apart from slight pressure and the whole surgery only takes about 15 mins.

I had it done - best thing ever for the 5 years it lasted. I'm back in glasses full time now. Apparently at 24 my eyes weren't fully developed. If you're young I would reconsider or at least talk to an optician or someone who isnt trying to sell you laser eye surgery

Certainly talk to a reputable optician first.

DH used optical express. But he didn’t take up the first quote. He sat on it a while and the price kept coming down.

I’m considering it and after a lot of research I think I’m going to go with Moorfields Eye Hospital. Their private service does it and they seem more reputable then some of the big chains (if a little more pricey).

Can you actually have the surgery and will it help.

It wont help my eyesight as its the muscles at the back of my eye which need tightening, I am a bit young apparently for this at the moment (49).

Best thing I ever did, life changing. Highly recommend Daniel Gore at Moorfields, yes it’s more expensive than the high street ones but it’s Moorfields and they are amazing there. They aren’t trying to just flog you a procedure.

Moorfields is a name I have heard before so I will definitely investigate them.

I am 41 and have a stable prescription.

Can anyone share how much it costs??

It scared the crap out of me having it done, but it's absolutely brilliant.

It cost me £3000 in London six years ago.

OP, personal recommendations are great - can you share your location on here for ask friends on Facebook?

I had mine done through optical express. They were brilliant and the follow up care was really good too. Had mine done when I was 26, now 38 and my sight hasnt deteriorated at all. I went from badly short sighted to near perfect sight. Glasses and contacts got binned that day!

@Indecisivelurcher

Some places let you pay monthly installments so you dont have to pay all at once. That's how mine was paid.

I'm also thinking about this and also scared as I hate the thought of what they are doing. I'm 49 and have -7 prescription. Would probably go to Moorfields. Been recommended Julian Stevens and David Gartry.

Dh had his done 20 years ago. No change in prescription since then, still got 20/20 vision. He was 20 and would recommend it.

I enquires about it but discovered my corneas were too thin. That, coupled with the fact that the surgeon was wearing glasses, was the end the laser eye surgery road for me.

It's ruined my vision. I can no longer drive at night, go to the cinema and I'm back in glasses, I'm now at high risk of retina retatchment and I also have issues with dry eyes and need drops. I bitterly regret it.

What's your current short sightedness, OP? Mine was particularly bad, -8.5 and -7.5 so I think I shouldn't have been offered it in the first place. Those with less short sightedness seem to do better.

Please don't decide based on a few replies here, do lots and lots and lots of research, they don't make you aware of how common complications and side effects actually are.

Moorefields are world leaders but considerably more expensive. Personally I would only trust them though.
Eye prescription may change around menopause, quite common.