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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Laser Eye Surgery for my -7.50 contact lens prescription

44 replies

boble1 · 27/12/2021 12:08

I've been wearing contacts forever and currently have a corneal ulcer so Im back in glasses for the time being and I hate them.

I have dry eyes and have been told that as I wear my contacts for too long each day, one day I will not be able to wear them at all.

I'm in agony with the corneal ulcer and think now is the time to look into laser eye surgery.

I think I'd prefer to go to Moorfield as I have such a high prescription.

The thought of a corneal flap rather makes my stomach turn and I understand that the flap never completely heals.

I see there is another type of surgery (PRK) where they don't make a flap but the recovery time is longer.

Has anyone had such a high prescription as mine and had laser eye surgery? Not quite sure what my prescription is in glasses but my contacts are a -7.50.

Thank you

OP posts:

MatildaTheCat · 27/12/2021 12:10

I had mine done at Moorfields. My prescription was much lower but several friends went after me, the highest prescription was -10. All were very pleased with the results.

I had/ have dry eyes and post op they were very dry but it slowly improved and drops helped.

Book a consultation and see what they advise.

MatildaTheCat · 27/12/2021 12:12

I should add that mine was almost 20 years ago. I now need glasses to drive, especially at night and also reading glasses ver occasionally- at 56 that’s pretty good. They gave me a long eye and a short eye and it’s very subtle but has been great.

MsAgnesDiPesto · 27/12/2021 12:13

I’m not sure of the details but my friend with -7 and -8 had surgery where they have even given her one eye with her distance prescription and another for her reading, as she’s in her 50s and was needing reading specs over her lenses. It’s been about four years and hers is completely successful still.

Mine are a bit worse (-9 and -8.5) and I am tempted by it but also nervous of what a poor outcome would mean for me - I rely on driving and very close detailed work for a living, so I don’t want to take any risks. However, I have no issues at all with my lenses and just wear reading glasses over now that I am in my fifties too, and that seems to work for me. If I had your problems I would certainly be looking into surgery too.

MsRedhook · 27/12/2021 12:14

My prescription was only - 4.75. I had mine done at a clinic in Solihull recommended by an optometrist. Best money ever spent. The freedom from contacts was amazing. I drove home the next day with no issues. I would just have a consultation and take it from there.

Myusername2015 · 27/12/2021 12:17

-10 here; literally couldn’t see a thing without glasses or contact lenses. One of the best things I ever did I also went through moorfields for the same reasons as you

Shortpoet · 27/12/2021 12:19

My left was -8.5 with a stigmatism and my right was -6.5.

I had the older style lasik and had perfect vision for 25 years. I’m now at -1 so need glasses for driving but not for day to day. I’ll take -1 over -8.5 any day. It’s life changing!

Emilizz34 · 27/12/2021 12:26

My prescription is -7.5. I had PRK done about 25 years ago . I decided to get one eye done as I was concerned about possible side effects . Anyway I didn’t get the other eye done as I ended up with severe glare from oncoming traffic at night .
The sight in the corrected eye was fantastic for 20 years but eventually returned to its original optical error . I’m sure technology has improved a lot since then however

Shortpoet · 27/12/2021 12:30

Yes my night vision was terrible for about a year after. I still get a little bit of glare. Also had very dry eyes and had to use drops daily.
Not sure if that would be case for newer methods as they are much more precise.

GreatOak · 27/12/2021 13:02

I had -8.50 in one eye, -7.50 in the other. Got mine done (LASIK) about 7 years ago. Left eye is near-perfect but right eye has never been since the surgery; the left eye does compensate though, so I don’t wear glasses. Night vision is noticeably worse: I can’t see as well in the dark as before, and my eyes are extremely sensitive to the glare from other drivers’ headlights. It makes it stressful to drive anywhere at night.

I was fully aware of the risks and there have been benefits (eg not needing prescription goggles to go swimming); however, on balance, I’m not sure it was worth it. A shame, because I know of three other people who have had their eyes lasered and say it’s the best thing they have ever done (but their prescriptions were not as bad to start with).

Good luck with whatever you decide to do OP.

Aprilx · 27/12/2021 13:15

I had laser surgery in 2008, one of my eyes was -7.5 the other was slightly better, maybe -6.75 or something. Obviously I am well aware of how difficult life can be with such a prescription, but I really don’t think it is so abnormally high that you need to go to the best eye hospital in the country. 🙂

I have no idea what a corneal flap is or even what PKR is, I had LASIK, I went to Accuvision in Fulham. I was generally ok within 24 hours, would say it was about a week before I felt it would be appropriate and safe to drive, longer at night as there is glare around lights. I was a regular user of eye drops for a few years afterwards, I used to always carry the type that you spray over closed eyes. I haven’t used eye drops for years now though.

Thirteen years on, my distance vision remains excellent. I started wearing eating glasses a few years ago, when in my late 40s which I think is a natural enough thing to do.

Best decision I have ever made, it is a life changer that only someone who has had -7.5 vision would really understand.

Aprilx · 27/12/2021 13:17

*reading glasses not eating glasses. 😁

Idontlikeworms · 27/12/2021 13:21

I was -11 in both eyes, went to optical express in 2005. My eyes have regressed back to -1 and -0.75. The very best thing o have ever done.

Herecomesthesun70 · 27/12/2021 15:58

I had Lazik done in Birmingham about 20 odd years ago Optimax I Think it was.
My eyes were -9.75 & -9.25 so I was extremely short sighted.
Best thing I ever did, my eyes aren't perfect now and I wear glasses to drive. But the difference over the last 20 years has made a huge difference to my life.

WoodpeckerInTheTree · 27/12/2021 16:14

It changed my life! I was -6.75 and -6.5.
LASIK, Moorfields, David Gartry.
I was very nervous but they talk you through everything and you have to stick to the eye drops schedule rigidly to avoid discomfort.
I'm six years on and still over the moon with my 20/20 vision.

latetothefisting · 27/12/2021 16:23

I had mine done 18 months ago. Think my prescription was -8 and -9. The only thing with higher prescriptions is that I think its harder to get them to absolutely perfect vision - I think mine are still -0.5 or something tiny, but still driving standard. I just went to ultralase as it was the cheapest, but my eyes were fine other than the bad eyesight, so fair enough if you already have issues might want to try somewhere more specialist. Particularly if you have dry eyes already as that can be one of the side effects of laser eye surgery. Although the surgeons working for the big high street companies do 1000s of ops a year so are very experienced.

I didn't have any bad side effects at all and it's been an absolute game changer for me. I would go and have a free consultation/s at a few places - if you aren't suitable or would be more likely to suffer side effects they will let you know. I also went to optical express for an appointment but they did the 'hard sell' whereas ultralase gave me all the info and then let me decide and come back to them whenever.

mrwalkensir · 27/12/2021 16:34

Had mine done at Moorfields about 10 years ago. Very short-sighted, which is why I went there rather than some chain. Very calm, excellent result. Corneal flap done by Bruce Allen.

Ilikeviognier · 27/12/2021 16:36

Wow this thread is amazing! My prescription is -8 and -9 and I took it there was no way laser surgery could help me. Am I wrong?

Ilikeviognier · 27/12/2021 16:38

How much does it cost?

steelseries · 27/12/2021 16:38

If you don't want the "flap" then you could have the newer SMILE technology. They only make a tiny incision, no large wound to heal. I had it in March in the Midlands. I was -6.

Ilikeviognier · 27/12/2021 17:04

Also anyone know what sort of risk we’re talking? How likely is it that you’ll go blind or something?!!

Elodie9 · 27/12/2021 17:07

I am -14 in both eyes and have cataracts starting to happen. I dream of good eyesight ! My eyes are healthy though , so I'll take that. Good luck everyone.

MinnieJackson · 27/12/2021 19:42

You'd be a great candidate! Do it if you can (former optical assistant)

SilverHairedCat · 27/12/2021 19:50

Can anyone talk about their experience of the actual surgery? Like the OP, I'm worried about that part! The idea of being awake, having to stare at a laser that's essentially cooking your eyeball makes me feel a bit sick.

TheHoptimist · 27/12/2021 19:54

I went to David Gartry at Moorfields
Decided to have lens replacement in the end but he would have done laser

I was about -8. Waking up each morning and being able too see after 40 year is amazing

minipie · 27/12/2021 19:55

@MatildaTheCat and @Myusername2015

Please could I have details of who you saw at Moorfields - I am around -10 and am looking for someone experienced with this sort of prescription.

I am also weighing up between the more long established LASIK and the newer SMILE.

SMILE looks like it may be better in some respects (especially easier healing) but cannot be re done if your eyes regress. Also it doesn’t appear Moorfields offer it and the people who do get more mixed reviews. (Although so do some of the Moorfields people).

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