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Original poster

Just had my eyes lasered, wow - I can see!!

27 replies

shagirl · 13/04/2007 19:47

Just had to share my positive experience with you others! Have been humming and harring about having laser surgery for ages but only plucked up the courage to have it done yesterday - it has to be one of the best things I've ever done (just behind giving birth & getting married!)
The procedure didn't hurt at all, just slight discomfort, it's now just over 24 hrs since I had it done & at my after check they confimred my vision was greater than 20:20!
Don't just think about it - go for it!!

OP posts:

tribpot · 13/04/2007 19:49

Wow - sounds somewhat less painful than giving birth, which is a plus point. But no presents, so maybe not as good as getting married

I've been debating whether to get mine done at some point, which 'version' did you have? I think dry eyes can be an issue longer term?

brimfull · 13/04/2007 19:50

that's great ,my db had this done after wearing specs since aged 2...it's amazing!

Original poster

shagirl · 13/04/2007 19:51

I had Lasik wave front at Optical Express, they do say dry eyes may be a problem long term in 2% of people but they test you very thoroughly beforehand to try & see if you may be affected.It is common to have dry eyes for the 1st week or so & they give you lots of eye drops to help this.

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Flumpytina · 13/04/2007 19:52

Could I be everso cheeky and ask how much it cost you. I'd love to have my eyes done but have heard it's quite expensive.

beansprout · 13/04/2007 19:52

Can I ask how much it cost?

harrisey · 13/04/2007 20:01

I've been humming and wondering about this for a while - might pluck up the courage to go and see about it as my oprician says I'm a perfect candidate for it.

tinkerbellhadpiles · 13/04/2007 20:08

I had it done about seven years ago. I didn't like the suction cup on the eyes but I too would highly recommend it! I had Lasik too. No problems after the first week (when I felt like I'd got sand in my eyes).

Colours look so much better when you have them fixed don't they!?

Original poster

shagirl · 13/04/2007 21:01

The total cost for both eyes was £1970 - I know it's shed loads of money but they do finance packages including an interest free one & I think it is so worth it not to have to fork out for new contacts & specs in the long run!

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ChasingRabbits · 13/04/2007 21:03

and another cheeky one - how old are you, the longer I leave it the more I think it won't be worth it as will then be getting old age (well not OLD but ykwim) deterioation.

Original poster

shagirl · 13/04/2007 21:06

You're not cheeky at all! I'm 34 but was probably one of the youngest in the waiting room, the oldest lady was 65 bless her!

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nallydoolally · 13/04/2007 21:08

shagirl - where did you go? am interested in this payment plan part of it....

ChasingRabbits · 13/04/2007 21:11

hah, I'm (only ) 34 aswell, hum I know I SHOULD get it done. I guess its a 5y payback period (I'm an accountant), which if it was straight economics I would go for, it's just the "but what if it goes wrong". Did you have them both done at the same time? a friend had hers done 10 years ago and had to have them done a few months apart 'just in case' which is what has always put me off, but I guess its improved since then.

VoluptuaGoodshag · 13/04/2007 21:13

Fab isn't it. I got mine done 5 years ago and only wished I'd had it done sooner. I went for the PRK at Optimax and it was £500 per eye. Slight discomfort and I believe the healing time is longer than with Lasik but I too was left with better than 20:20 vision.

Original poster

shagirl · 13/04/2007 21:14

Nallydoolally Optical express - think there are lots of branches in UK good luck! P.s just clicked on your link & saw your 3 lovely girls! How old are they? I have 3 girls aged 7,4 & 16mths!

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Original poster

shagirl · 13/04/2007 21:15

Hi Chasingrabbits yes both eyes were done at the same time , just 90 secs each per eye!!

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Hulababy · 13/04/2007 21:16

I would love to have this done, but DH is really not sure about the whole thing. His eye surgeon clients keep telling him that they wouldn't do it - but never give me good enough reasons as to why. I would love to wake up and be able to see properly! And my eye sight isn't even that bad.

nallydoolally · 13/04/2007 21:51

thanks shagirl, although only 2 are girls... dd1 is 5, ds is nearly 4 and dd2 is 7 months.. ds is very pretty though. lots of people have thought he is a girl. he once put on one of dd1's princess dresses and you wouldn't have known..

nallydoolally · 13/04/2007 21:54

my bro was told his eyesight wasn't bad enough to have the op. instead he wears some contact lenses through the night which correct his eyesight temporarily. he has to wear them once or twice a month. a pretty good alternative.

Beauregard · 13/04/2007 21:55

I would love to have this done but is too pricey for me.
Does it work for Astigmatism?

expatinscotland · 13/04/2007 21:55

Congrats, sha!

I accompanied my best pal when she had the procedure, and she's done brilliantly!

Was really worth it for her.

Gingerbear · 13/04/2007 21:56

Well done you! Watch out for dry eyes, and keep up with the lotions and potions they give you for aftercare.
I had mine done at Ultralase, almost 2 years ago (not quite 20/20 now, but I was very shortsighted before.)
Best thing I ever did.

Gingerbear · 13/04/2007 21:58

Pelvicfloor - here is something I posted for another MN'er a while back :

I had my eyes done almost 2 years ago at Ultralase in Leeds. My prescription was -7 & -6.5 with - 1.25 astigmatism - so quite shortsighted. I had Ultralasik plus done (they cut a flap and a wave guided laser zaps the precise amount from your cornea). It was nervewracking, but not painful. For half a day afterwards I had light sensitive red, bloodshot watery eyes, but the drops and sunglasses helped. I had brilliant vision from the minute the surgery was finished. I had a follow-up appointmennt the next day - my corneas were still swollen but the irritation had gone. I was slightly long sighted (normal I am lead to believe for high prescriptions). For one week I had to use antibiotic drops as a preventative and steroid drops to reduce redness and swelling. The main problem was dry eyes. Surgery disrupts the production of tears, and in the morning it felt like my eyes were glued shut (you use artificial tears as needed - I had to stumble to the bathroom with eyes shut to put drops in before I dared open them). My next check up was a week later. The opthalmologist puts flurocene in your eyes (yellow stuff) and checks staining on the cornea - an indication of tear flow. My eyes were very dry and my vision was burring with each blink - due to lack of tears. As your cornea heals, the tears return. After a month, I used the artificial tears only once or twice a day instead of every hour. Not everyone suffers to the same extent with dry eyes. You have to be extremely cautious for the first 2 weeks not to rub your eyes, use make-up or get water in them. I wore eye shields at night for 2 weeks. My vision slowly improved, it was 3 months before it finally stabilised. If a further correction is needed, Ultralase will do it free of charge. All the aftercare and lotions and potions are included in the price too. In spite of the initial problems post treatment, it is the best thing I have ever done. To wake in the morning and see my alarm clock is the best feeling in the world.

I was aware of the risks - my optician is good friends with a surgeon at Moorfields. I waited for years for the technique to advance to the stage where my prescription could be treated successfully. I wanted the procedure done at Moorfields, but couldn't afford £4000 and it is too far from where I live to attend all the aftercare check-ups. One of the reasons I chose Ultralase is that they were very upfront with the risks, and publish results/complications freely. I also advise ANYONE contemplating LASIK to look into it in depth before deciding to go ahead. It was not a decision I took lightly.

Beauregard · 13/04/2007 22:01

Thanks Gingerbear
Not sure i like the sound of having a flap cutbut would love to be able to see my alarm clock too.

Gingerbear · 13/04/2007 22:02

The flap cutting bit was the worst, but it is over in seconds, and you have anaesthetic drops in your eyes and they are wedged open to stop you blinking. All you feel is pressure.

whomovedmychocolate · 13/04/2007 22:09

I had it done and spent at least the first month hunting for my specs every morning before realising I could see!

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