To consider laser eye surgery

[afrikat]

Been thinking about this for years but never quite got round to it. Eyes aren't too bad, -2.00 but I can't cope without lenses or glasses. Anyone had it and become 20/20? How much did it cost? Any horror stories??

Had it done 16 years ago with the same prescription as you. It was fine, I had to use drops frequently for a few weeks afterwards as your eyes will be dry but was life changing for me. I still don’t need glasses or contacts!

I developed a macular hole in my right eye 3 months after laser surgery (at a reputable harley street eye surgery). I've had to have a horrendous operation to fix it and I now have blurred vision (20:80) in the right eye that is not correctable with lenses. The left eye has a small hole that does not yet need surgery but we watch and wait. If it goes like the right eye I will not be able to drive and reading will be difficult. Its rare but it does happen - the trauma of surgery causes the vitreous to detach suddenly and this can pull on the macula (centre of the retina). I would never advise anyone to have laser surgery when they can see perfectly well with glasses/lenses.

I'd love this, but there are so many other self-improvements that I'd prioritise financially over this!

Had mine done 20 years ago - best thing I ever did (hysterectomy was the second best!).

I had it 23 years ago - the type where they cut a flap in the cornea. It was £1200 per eye - much more expensive than the other method used at the time, (about 350 per eye) but oh so worth it. I was short sighted. Perfect vision afterwards. Now at 55, I still don't need distance glasses, but I have, in the past year, started wearing reading glasses. Though I really only need those for dim lighting or teenie print on back of vitamin tubs for eg. It changed my life, and though I imagine techniques and prices have changed dramatically, I would assume, other than cost, for the better.

I considered it but I'm too much of a wuss. St the time it was about £1000/eye. I have friends that it has been successfull, some that it made a difference only for a short time and one that it caused damage.

mucky123 - thats awful - I really hope your left eye stays well. It's really important people hear these stories too. Sight is so precious.

Best thing I ever did. I would urge you not to cut corners or go to the cheapest place.

Oh my goodness I'm so sorry that's awful

It's the damage potential that worries me!

Had it done 20 years ago at a cost of £2k. My vision is still 20/20. Best money I have ever spent.

How old are you OP? (The reason I ask is that if you have it done and are older than say 40, you’ll swap distance glasses for computer and reading glasses!)

I was warned about this - they said if you are naturally short sighted (ie need distance glasses only) , you generally need reading glasses much later than average. However, if you correct the short sight, you are likely to need reading glasses at the average time.

43. And yes I have started to notice a bit of blurriness with reading recently so might be too late for me!

That's great

Definitely not a good idea then (and I’m an optometrist who did laser surgery consults for years).
Your myopia will get slightly better over the next few years too.
i’m 49 and wish I was -2.00!

Thanks that's helpful. Yeah I'm lucky that my eyes aren't too bad to begin with. Guess I've lived with it this long 🤷‍♂️

I had my lenses replaced last year best thing i ever did

I had it done at Moorfield 20 years ago. Apart from the dryness initially I had no issues at all and have good lens thickness still.

I was deliberately given a ‘long’ eye and a ‘short’ eye which extended the time before needing reading glasses considerably. I now wear reading glasses for reading/ playing the piano and a different set for TV and driving. For 80% of the time I don’t need anything.

My advice is to seek an opinion and get well informed before deciding.

Thanks