If you have it done for short sight you will STILL need reading glasses when you get a bit older.
Yes I was told by the time I'm around 45 I will need reading glasses. But for me, having 20+ years of no glasses is worth it if it means I will need reading glasses. Also, a high percentage of people need reading glasses when they are older regardless if they have had laser surgery or not.
I would like to add a note of caution to those considering lasIK. In addition to the v small risk of the lasik flap being dislodged there is the drawback that a significant number of the nerve fibres cut during the procedure will NOT regrow - in a v small number of cases this can lead to serious dry eye problems (dry eye typically worsens with age) - remember that lasIK has only been an approved procedure for 10years so no long term studies are available. Contrary to claims made by many clinics, the advanced Intralase procedure shows the same degree of nerve damage in clinical trials. In contrast to lasIK, surface based treatments such as lasEK & PRK result in NO significant loss of nerve fibres after 6months recovery. They also show equally good refractive outcomes to lasIK (not starry eyes!). The only drawbacks are post-op pain (typically mild to moderate lasting a few hours up to 2days) and that you need to take a week off work. If your prescription is myopic up to -6D then you should seriously consider opting for a surface based procedure. Why incorporate the extras risks associated with the lasik flap when you don't need to?
I had wavefront optimised Transepithelial PRK (tPRK) at Accuvision in Fulham 4weeks ago and am now seeing 20/15. tPRK is the surface treatment that Accuvision are currently specialising in as an alternative to lasEK. Clinical studies show that it has similar accuracy in refractive outcome to other surface based treatments.
My brother works for an eye hospital and they advise not to have it done.
1) You weaken your eyes
2) If you previously needed glasses for reading and others for distance then you'll still need glasses for one of these instances.
3) As you grow old your eyesight will still alter, so won't last that long.
4) High possibility of cornea problems and needing them replaced.
5) There are other issues I forget now.
You lose all sight at all for a couple of seconds
jeesus. this is making me panic!! I want to get mine done after spending so much recently on glasses.
I will say, though that it's great if all i will need is a pair of reading glasses when I get old. That's better than paying for glasses and lenses (it would amount to a fortune) and even having to wear glasses.
I'm only scared of no.4 really. I need to really research this!
jeesus. this is making me panic!! I want to get mine done after spending so much recently on glasses.
I will say, though that it's great if all i will need is a pair of reading glasses when I get old. That's better than paying for glasses and lenses (it would amount to a fortune) and even having to wear glasses.
I'm only scared of no.4 really. I need to really research this!
I don't believe #4 to be honest - if this was true we would have heard about it - there are risks but not very high ones.
This is very interesting. Thanks to all who have contributed.
I am considering having this done but I must admit I was concerned about the bit about clamping the eyes which I also so on tv.
I don't actually mind wearing glasses but I am really struggling with the vari focals I have and can't help feeling that even if I need glasses for either reading or distance, at least I will only need one pair. As it is I think I am going to have to go and get two pairs of glasses or consider the laser treatment. I just know though that I am going to end driving with the wrong glasses if I switch from vari focals so I think I am seriously going to have to consider the alternative.
This is very interesting. Thanks to all who have contributed.
I am considering having this done but I must admit I was concerned about the bit about clamping the eyes which I also so on tv.
I don't actually mind wearing glasses but I am really struggling with the vari focals I have and can't help feeling that even if I need glasses for either reading or distance, at least I will only need one pair. As it is I think I am going to have to go and get two pairs of glasses or consider the laser treatment. I just know though that I am going to end driving with the wrong glasses if I switch from vari focals so I think I am seriously going to have to consider the alternative.
Honestly, they clamp your eyes for about 2 mins, its not painful at all. I am the biggest woose in the world and I managed.
The bit where you loose sight is scary, nobody had explained to me that would happen and I nearly had a heart attack! But 2 mins later I could see!! Perfectly!
I was told by an insurance underwriter a couple of years ago that if someone applies for critical illness cover after having eyesight correction procedures (not sure which one) then they do look at it very carefully to whether they will cover you for blindness. not sure if this is the case now.
I was told by an insurance underwriter a couple of years ago that if someone applies for critical illness cover after having eyesight correction procedures (not sure which one) then they do look at it very carefully to whether they will cover you for blindness. not sure if this is the case now.
Well I've just applied for life and critical illness insurance, I mentioned it to them and they said it didn't matter, didnt even go on the form.
Luxxy... did you ever think it's clear plastic in the frames.... Not everyone who works in an optician can possibly wear glasses! And at mine half have had the surgery (or so they say,lol)
You all need to stop being wooses and just go get it!
Well, I had the surgery last Thursday (LASIK with Intralase at Ultralase Nottingham) - little discomfort on a few bits but OK overall. MUCH pain about an hour after (felt like someone had stuffed raw onions under my eyelids :eek: ), I just wanted to put my head through the wall!
Took 2 doses of painkillers and the eye drops and tried to sleep - glad i did as when I was woken for my next drops 2 hours later I felt fine
Everything was a bit blurred that evening, but not sore.
Friday morning and vision was great, no pain or soreness. Eyes occasionally feel like I have a contact lens present, and they do get tired quickly, but otherwise fab!
At the review all was well, and my vision is now 6 lines better than driving standard, and 2 lines better than 20/20
I do look like the 3 Stooges spent the night poking me in the eyes though - very bloodshot!
Would I recommend it - YES
Would I do it again if anything needed "tweaking" - YES
I would however strongly recommend taking some painkillers beforehand to lessen the immediate post-op effects, although everyone is different when it comes to pain & healing.
I watched them do this to somebody on TV. Rather expensive considering it was a 10minute "operation". The surgeon cut a bit off the top of their eye them blasted it with a laser that shot in bursts. Then replaced the flap of "eye". Repeated on other eye.
I think i'll stick to glasses - Much cheaper than £700.
That is VERY cheap, for most people cost is £2000 upwards
I had it done June month, my mrs had it done back in march.
I really suggest you have a good look here to see how the procedures works, As will all things there are risks attached but when you look at the stats, not enough to put me off. A lot of them seem to be connected with people not looking themselves after surgery, getting infections, etc. Out of the others, most are the surgery did not work that well, very few that people ended up worse. Of course not much help if you are in one of the minority that it went wrong for.
You can't have it done if your perscription has not been stable for at least a year. Also as you get older you will still most likely need reading glasses though not for long vision.
The basically cut through your cornier and peel it back. Then a laser vapourises the liquid in your lens which alters its shape. They then put the cornier back and job done.
Actual procedure is realativily quick. About 15 minutes or so, though it feels a LOT longer due to the discomfort. Its not painful as such due to anesthic drops you can't feel it laser though your eyelids are taped open and a ring placed in your eye to stop it blinking. As I said more discomfort then pain.
Straight after it feels like having sand in your eye but you absolutly cannot rub as it could move the flap in the cornier. You can see clear straight away but things are blury, like looking through water I guess. TBH, I could barely open my eyelids afterwards. They will keep you there for around an hour after the procedure then basic advice it go home and sleep. By evening I could open my eyelids. They give you drops to take for a week to control imflamation and anti-bacterial as the biggest risk it aftercare infections.
I actually drove back from the clinic the next day and could have gone back to work the day after at a stretch though I recommend leavng it longer depending on what you do. Night time vision has a lot halo for a up to a week making night time driving difficult. Took a couple of months for night time vision to be 100% but is it now better then before, virtually no glaring at all.
Dryness pretty much cleared up for me within a week, but my mrs took a few months and still in some situations still gets dry after a long day though a couple of drops sorts that out. She had the scalpel cut (its actually done by a machine) and I had laser cut, maybe that was the difference.
BTW, you can exercise after a week but no contact sports (martial arts, football, rugby, etc) or swimming for a month. So if you plan on doing a grading or something then be aware.
Cost can vary depending on what you have done. Basic starts from £400 an eye upwards though realistically you are looking at £2k for both eyes and upwards. Two variables are if you want to have wavefront done or not in which they bitmap your eye and apply 'better' correction, not everyone needs this but it adds around a grand to the price. Second variable is how they cut the flap, either mechanically with a blade or with a laser. Laser adds around £500 to the price but recovery is supposed to be quicker and also for some people, they don't recommend mechanical if your cornier is thin. My mrs had mechnical cut and her recovery was closer to a week. So with wavefront and laser cut, cost is around £3.5k though you can bargin with them and if you are willing to be flexiable with dates, again you can save cost.
Optical express offer free consultation to see what is possible (you won't be able to drive for a couple of hours after this due to drops they use) and have lots of locations in conviant places. There are other places offering same procedure for less (no fancy high street shop overhead, etc) so look around.
Overall, it is a couple of days of discomfort but results are definately worth it for me. Swimming and martial arts were a real pain for me and I would say I wish I had it done years ago but the technology didn't exist back then, lol. Cost wise, depending on your age you can offset the cost vs years / decades of eye tests and specticles so its not as bad as it first appears.
if you are serious then I have some optical express recommendation vouchers that could get you some money off but you might be better of bargining.
Interesting thread.. I've always wondered after having laser eye treatment done and having perfect vision after treatment, is it possible for your vision to deteriorate? By this I mean short term e.g. a couple of years after treatment and not over the longer term.
I watched them do this to somebody on TV. Rather expensive considering it was a 10minute "operation". The surgeon cut a bit off the top of their eye them blasted it with a laser that shot in bursts. Then replaced the flap of "eye". Repeated on other eye.
I think i'll stick to glasses - Much cheaper than £700.
Lol, big sissy eh
Had mine done about 10 yrs ago (LASIK).
Never looked back (pun).
Can really recommend to anyone thinking of having it done.
Thinkng of getting this done, but worried about side-effects.
Anyone had it done and can recommend good organisations that do it? Have there been any side effects?
A couple of points. Firstly, have a look at this site here http://www.lasik-eyes.co.uk/ which compares clinics based on patients' experiences.
Secondly, would it be an idea to go for a consultation at a clinic attached to an NHS hospital, e.g. Moorfields as they seem to have good reputations, or a private clinic with a good reptation such as Accuvision http://www.accuvision.co.uk/reviews/laser-eye-surgery-reviews/.
As with any operation there is a risk that things may not go right 100% of the time. There are some cases where they are left with a life time of dry eyes [not pleasant and more risk of eye infections] even when done by the top clinics.
Research the article in last weeks Daily Mail health pages [tues Nov 30th].
Of course you also have the chance of being the 95+% of people where all is well. You pays your money and takes your choice.
I wouldn't personally.
...which illustrates the advice above, do research about the clinics in advance, and go for a clinics attached to NHS hospitals or private clinics that have a very high reputation.
Comments
That doesn't mean that is the case for all people, for some it doesn't last long, for others it can last them till they are in their mid 40s.
Yes I was told by the time I'm around 45 I will need reading glasses. But for me, having 20+ years of no glasses is worth it if it means I will need reading glasses. Also, a high percentage of people need reading glasses when they are older regardless if they have had laser surgery or not.
Again for a small percentage of people it may only be a short term solution, but for other it's not.
I had wavefront optimised Transepithelial PRK (tPRK) at Accuvision in Fulham 4weeks ago and am now seeing 20/15. tPRK is the surface treatment that Accuvision are currently specialising in as an alternative to lasEK. Clinical studies show that it has similar accuracy in refractive outcome to other surface based treatments.
jeesus. this is making me panic!! I want to get mine done after spending so much recently on glasses.
I will say, though that it's great if all i will need is a pair of reading glasses when I get old. That's better than paying for glasses and lenses (it would amount to a fortune) and even having to wear glasses.
I'm only scared of no.4 really. I need to really research this!
I don't believe #4 to be honest - if this was true we would have heard about it - there are risks but not very high ones.
I am considering having this done but I must admit I was concerned about the bit about clamping the eyes which I also so on tv.
I don't actually mind wearing glasses but I am really struggling with the vari focals I have and can't help feeling that even if I need glasses for either reading or distance, at least I will only need one pair. As it is I think I am going to have to go and get two pairs of glasses or consider the laser treatment. I just know though that I am going to end driving with the wrong glasses if I switch from vari focals so I think I am seriously going to have to consider the alternative.
Honestly, they clamp your eyes for about 2 mins, its not painful at all. I am the biggest woose in the world and I managed.
The bit where you loose sight is scary, nobody had explained to me that would happen and I nearly had a heart attack! But 2 mins later I could see!! Perfectly!
Well I've just applied for life and critical illness insurance, I mentioned it to them and they said it didn't matter, didnt even go on the form.
Luxxy... did you ever think it's clear plastic in the frames.... Not everyone who works in an optician can possibly wear glasses! And at mine half have had the surgery (or so they say,lol)
You all need to stop being wooses and just go get it!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keratectomy#PRK_versus_LASIK
To flog you their services!!
It's fair to say that pretty much everyone who works at my local branch of Dolland + Aitcheson-even the cleaners for all I know- wear glasses
Took 2 doses of painkillers and the eye drops and tried to sleep - glad i did as when I was woken for my next drops 2 hours later I felt fine
Everything was a bit blurred that evening, but not sore.
Friday morning and vision was great, no pain or soreness. Eyes occasionally feel like I have a contact lens present, and they do get tired quickly, but otherwise fab!
At the review all was well, and my vision is now 6 lines better than driving standard, and 2 lines better than 20/20
I do look like the 3 Stooges spent the night poking me in the eyes though - very bloodshot!
Would I recommend it - YES
Would I do it again if anything needed "tweaking" - YES
I would however strongly recommend taking some painkillers beforehand to lessen the immediate post-op effects, although everyone is different when it comes to pain & healing.
That is VERY cheap, for most people cost is £2000 upwards
I really suggest you have a good look here to see how the procedures works, As will all things there are risks attached but when you look at the stats, not enough to put me off. A lot of them seem to be connected with people not looking themselves after surgery, getting infections, etc. Out of the others, most are the surgery did not work that well, very few that people ended up worse. Of course not much help if you are in one of the minority that it went wrong for.
http://uk.opticalexpress.com/
You can't have it done if your perscription has not been stable for at least a year. Also as you get older you will still most likely need reading glasses though not for long vision.
The basically cut through your cornier and peel it back. Then a laser vapourises the liquid in your lens which alters its shape. They then put the cornier back and job done.
Actual procedure is realativily quick. About 15 minutes or so, though it feels a LOT longer due to the discomfort. Its not painful as such due to anesthic drops you can't feel it laser though your eyelids are taped open and a ring placed in your eye to stop it blinking. As I said more discomfort then pain.
Straight after it feels like having sand in your eye but you absolutly cannot rub as it could move the flap in the cornier. You can see clear straight away but things are blury, like looking through water I guess. TBH, I could barely open my eyelids afterwards. They will keep you there for around an hour after the procedure then basic advice it go home and sleep. By evening I could open my eyelids. They give you drops to take for a week to control imflamation and anti-bacterial as the biggest risk it aftercare infections.
I actually drove back from the clinic the next day and could have gone back to work the day after at a stretch though I recommend leavng it longer depending on what you do. Night time vision has a lot halo for a up to a week making night time driving difficult. Took a couple of months for night time vision to be 100% but is it now better then before, virtually no glaring at all.
Dryness pretty much cleared up for me within a week, but my mrs took a few months and still in some situations still gets dry after a long day though a couple of drops sorts that out. She had the scalpel cut (its actually done by a machine) and I had laser cut, maybe that was the difference.
BTW, you can exercise after a week but no contact sports (martial arts, football, rugby, etc) or swimming for a month. So if you plan on doing a grading or something then be aware.
Cost can vary depending on what you have done. Basic starts from £400 an eye upwards though realistically you are looking at £2k for both eyes and upwards. Two variables are if you want to have wavefront done or not in which they bitmap your eye and apply 'better' correction, not everyone needs this but it adds around a grand to the price. Second variable is how they cut the flap, either mechanically with a blade or with a laser. Laser adds around £500 to the price but recovery is supposed to be quicker and also for some people, they don't recommend mechanical if your cornier is thin. My mrs had mechnical cut and her recovery was closer to a week. So with wavefront and laser cut, cost is around £3.5k though you can bargin with them and if you are willing to be flexiable with dates, again you can save cost.
Optical express offer free consultation to see what is possible (you won't be able to drive for a couple of hours after this due to drops they use) and have lots of locations in conviant places. There are other places offering same procedure for less (no fancy high street shop overhead, etc) so look around.
Overall, it is a couple of days of discomfort but results are definately worth it for me. Swimming and martial arts were a real pain for me and I would say I wish I had it done years ago but the technology didn't exist back then, lol. Cost wise, depending on your age you can offset the cost vs years / decades of eye tests and specticles so its not as bad as it first appears.
if you are serious then I have some optical express recommendation vouchers that could get you some money off but you might be better of bargining.
Lol, big sissy eh
Had mine done about 10 yrs ago (LASIK).
Never looked back (pun).
Can really recommend to anyone thinking of having it done.
A couple of points. Firstly, have a look at this site here http://www.lasik-eyes.co.uk/ which compares clinics based on patients' experiences.
Secondly, would it be an idea to go for a consultation at a clinic attached to an NHS hospital, e.g. Moorfields as they seem to have good reputations, or a private clinic with a good reptation such as Accuvision http://www.accuvision.co.uk/reviews/laser-eye-surgery-reviews/.
Had it done to one of my eyes approx 10 years ago at BUPA. Worked ok for very short period of time.
Visit any eye laser clinic and observe how many of the "consultants" there themselves wear glasses......quite a few...
Research the article in last weeks Daily Mail health pages [tues Nov 30th].
Of course you also have the chance of being the 95+% of people where all is well. You pays your money and takes your choice.
I wouldn't personally.
...which illustrates the advice above, do research about the clinics in advance, and go for a clinics attached to NHS hospitals or private clinics that have a very high reputation.