Has anyone had laser treatment on their eyes?

[belgo]

Due to recurrent eye infections and dry eyes I can barely tolerate wearing my contact lenses any more. The problem is is that I hate my glasses! I'm considering laser treatment, but I'm a bit of a pain wimp and squimish about anything to do with my eyes, and I'd like to hears some of your experiences please!

Hi Belgo, I had both my eyes lasered about four years ago. It was the one where they cut a flap and then laser the centre. It is amazing!! I was truly short sighted, about -6.5 and had astigmatism, and as blind as a bat without my contacts!! Now I have 20/20 vision.

However, I was sat next to an eye surgeon at a dinner a while ago, and he said that they get lots of problems with botched jobs, so be very careful who you go to!! I have no side effects, and could see within a day, It took about 10 mins and was unpleasant but bearable.

Thanks little madam. I have two small children - would I need help coping with them afterwards?

I had mine done around 5 yrs ago, and was best thing i could have done! Didn't hurt, but was uncomfortable for day or two. The procedure takes seconds!

I'd recommend having someone available to help you with kids for a day or so, but you should be fine then. I went to Ultralse in Bristol- everything was clearly exlplained, inc risks.

Go for it

Yes, agree with detentiongrrrl the first day is hard, as light hurts your eyes. I think a couple of days help would be ideal!

I've had laser treatment on my eyes but not the sort you mean.

I wouldn't have it done and neither would the practioners! I think you should bear that in mind.

Sometimes it goes wrong and you can be left with permanent damage, is it worth the risk?

This is what I want to find out Joolstoo - is it worth the risk. So far my limited research has only come up with positive stories, but I will be doing far more research into it before making any definate decision.

Very wise belgo.

I don't know for sure but the success rate is probably higher than the failure rate but if you're one of the latter the successes would mean nothing.

For me, personally I don't think it's worth it and specs are so fashionable these days and maybe after a long break from lenses you might be able to go back to wearing them again?

I was quite interested a while ago, and I went as far as getting an initial appointment, but Iwas put off when I realised that everyone who worked in the clinic (including the practitioners, as JoolesToo said) were wearing glasses!

Thanks for your stories. If I ever get as far as an appointment with an eye surgeon, I will note very carefully who is wearing glasses. I know glasses are fashionable, the problem is that I'm vain . Not that I have much to be vain about!

Re: the glasses issue. Not all prescriptions are suitable for the treatments, and their success decreases with age aswell. Isn't always an indictation that the treatment is unsafe to see people wearing glasses. Any decent clinic will give you all the facts and figures for success and complications.

Not many opticians would have laser surgery. Mine wouldn't.

My eldest (adult) DS had it done about 4 years ago and had no problems whatsover. He was very happy with it-but he did pay top rates and had it done at Moorfields Eye Hospital. He would not have had it done at an ordinary clinic.

my dad has just had an horrific experience belgo. He has been left with chronic dry eye and has to constantly put drops in (athough getting w little bit better). there was a period of a few weeks where he could not drive, watch TV and there was no certainty that things would get better. Dry eye is one of the possible side effects and it is really NOT recommended for people that already have a history of that. please look into this more, i really was a nightmare for my dad

Thanks vitomum. I do have very dry eyes so that's certainly something I'll take into consideration.

I had laser treatment done a few years ago - the operation went very well and I am really pleased I had it done. It was an odd, slightly unpleasant experience but not painful. Depending on what kind of treatment you have done, you would probably need help with the kids for a day or two afterwards and I think it will be a few days before you can drive iirc.

A word of caution though - I did have a few side effects afterwards (nothing serious and it cleared up very quickly) and wasn't overly impressed by the aftercare - they just didn't seem interested. This was at a Boots clinic but I don't think they are run by Boots anymore. I would try and get an idea of the reputation of the clinic you are considering.

I have since heard that laser eye surgeons and opticians don't tend to have laser eye surgery themselves - this is apparently not because it isn't generally safe but because they just can't risk compromising their vision at all for their work (risk of damage is very small but I guess the consequences for them are big!). I think if I'd known this before it prob would have put me off a bit if I'm honest - but I'm still so so pleased to be able to see without my glasses.

the risk of irreperably damaging your sight is 'big' for anyone!

obviously it is Joolstoo - wasn't saying it isn't! But there are some small side effects (like seeing a "halo" effect" around bright lights) which most people could live with, and it would still be worth having the treatment - but for surgeons it would not be worth it.

My DH was going to have this done, but the opthamologist was strongly against it because DH is 40 and she said that his eyes will change dramatically over the next few years and there is a strong likelyhood that any later deterioration due to age etc would then be untreatable - he has since switched to contacts and is very happy with them. We also had a friend whose daytime vision improved, but his night vision is as bad as ever, and so still wears glasses for driving etc.
It does all depend on what your prescription is, but I would research it all very carefully. For me, it's not an option as there is no evidence of any long-term issues at this point and so I would like to wait a bit. HTH

So is there any reputable source which would give a clear idea of the risks including probability?

If you have dry eyes, laser treatment may make it worse. I think it may even be a contraindication for treatment.
I had mine done just over a year ago At ultralase in Leeds. They were very good and explained all the risks and possible long term effects. They do the consultation first to see if you are suitable, then you go away and think about it and come back a week or so later for the op. There are 6 months worth of follow-up appointments too.

riab, here's a link to Moorfields eye hospital's take on laser surgery . They believe it is safe, but obviously no procedure is without risk. It does cost more to have it done there than eg in the high street, but any money they "make" is reinvested into research on eye conditions at the hospital and it's an all-inclusive price, iirc.

also I made a radio programme there and we interviewed one of their surgeons (there's a transcript or you can listen again).

I've got a consultation booked wiht optimax in leeds next saturday!