Eye Laser

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Eye LASER?
   has anyone tried eye laser?
   im 14 and i want to have an eye laser operation?
   i dont know, any recomandation?
   does it hurt?

   • ANSWER:
     LASIK is fantastic but you need to be at least 21 to have it to ensure your eyesight is no longer changing.

2. QUESTION:
   What are the chances of eye laser surgery going bad?
   My brother is 24 years old, and he really wants to get laser surgery. It costs about 0 CAN per eye. However, I've been hearing that it doesn't make sense since your eye sight at that age is still yet to worsen. Are there any links or experienced ppl that can give me advice to deter him from considering it? Thanks.

   • ANSWER:
     I had it done after going to a lot of different places and reading a lot about the procedure. There is different versions of the same procedure as well different procedures and different technology out there.

     I choose TLC in Toronto. They were much, much more expensive than 0 CND per eye but their technology was more advanced and was the best fit for my needs. Strong prescription (-7 per eye), astigmatism, large pupils, one pupil that is slightly large than the other due to a sports injury, I had a lot going on with my eyes that made it far from routine.

     Anyhow, for me the end result was amazing, life changing. I'm so glad I did it. I'd strongly recommend it for anybody who's eyes are bad enough to warrant the slight risk and expense. But you really do need to research who does it.

     Specifically about risk - In the lobby of TLC offices they had a book with all the stats. Chances of this, chances of that and the numbers were all really good. Everyone possible bad occurrence had really insignificant risk. It was always numbers like 1 in 100,000, 1 in 55,000 etc. and I also recall that each possible pitfall had TLC rate of complications beside it and in every case it was 0.

3. QUESTION:
   What age should I get eye laser surgery?
   I'm 17 and want eye laser surgery some day when I get the cash. What age do you suggest I have it done, apparently 17 is still young.

   • ANSWER:
     After your eyes have had a stable Rx for at least two years, which for most people puts them in the 22-25 age group.

     There's very little point in having surgery if your eyes are immediately going to start drifting off their re-set value near zero.

     There are other factors beyond age:
     FDA information pages below.

4. QUESTION:
   What are the odds of getting 20/15 vision after eye laser surgery for a person with low myopia?
   My contact lense prescription is -1.50 in both eys and I'm getting wavefront/lasik/intralase eye laser surgery with Optical Express soon and I'm just wondering what are the chances of getting 20/15 vision? I would be very happy with 20/20 vision but if I got better than that it would be great. Thanks for any answers

   • ANSWER:
     That is a question best answered by the lasik surgeon. Ninety-five percent of people who get the Lasik procedure are happy with the results and the remaining five usually had unrealistically high expectations of the outcome. I hope you have a good surgeon at Optical Express. You should make sure he or she has at least three years of experience with the procedure.

5. QUESTION:
   What is the youngest age Eye Laser Surgery can be performed.?
   My Daughter is 12 and wears glasses which she hates. We got her contact lenses but due to how bad her eyesight is she can only get yearly ones because of the strength of them. She has seen adverts on the television about Eye Laser Surgery but I am sure there is an age limit to when it can be performed does anyone know.

   • ANSWER:
     You have to be 18 for regular lasik and 21 for CustomVue. Sometimes, they can do it earlier at around 16 in special cases. For lasik you need to have a stable prescription for at least a year to be a candidate and most peoples eyes are done growing around 18. Give the lasik place a call to make sure. But, I doubt they will do it on a 12 yr old. There is some kind of lens that can be put in the eye like a permanent contact too....but I'm not really sure about the age for that, or what it's called. Good Luck!

6. QUESTION:
   How much does it cost eye laser or simple surgery for my eyes in UK?
   I have -3:-3,5 description for my eyes. I wanted to know the approximate price for the surgery of my eyes.I know that to have an exact price I need to first have a consulation with the surgeon and all that. But what i want to know is the approximate price if anyone here knows or done the surgery before. And do you think laser surgery is safe? Your answers will be appreciated.
   I
   @Robert Thanks for your information. I definately check it out.

   • ANSWER:
     I had laser eye surgery in Niagara Falls Canada, and I paid 00(canadian) per eye. The thing with laser eye surgery you will find clinics that offer quotes as low as 9 per eye. Sometimes you have to watch that price because it is the bait and switch to get you into the office. I'm not saying that you may not be but that price is usually for low prescriptions,thick corneas and small pupils. You want to go where the technology is current and the surgeon is very experienced and the medical staff to support both. I know the London Vision Clinic is outstanding and they go over and above for their patients. Dr. Dan Reinstein is outstanding and I believe he charges about ,200 pounds. If you ever come to Canada please come to Lasik Provision. Dr. Andrew Taylor is amazing and he truly cares about his patients. He goes the extra mile.

7. QUESTION:
   I was just wanting to know if anyone has had an eye laser treatment and if it hurts or anything?
   I went to the eye doctor and he said that he wants me to have a laser treatment on one of my eyes. He said that I could be getting acute glaucoma and he wants to prevent it. What should I expect? Seems kinda scary. Does it hurt? What will they do?

   • ANSWER:
     they will numb your eye...you won't feel a thing....don't loose your sight over something so simple....go for it.....worked for three opthalmologists......................i have two daughters that had corrective laser surg....only uncomfortable for about a day.......

8. QUESTION:
   When do you pay for eye laser surgery?
   I'm suitable for eye laser surgery after going to a free consultation with Optical Express and I've booked the surgery with a €500 deposit. The operation is coming up soon, but when should you pay the full amount of money for your eye laser surgery? Before the operation or after? My parents are convinced that I shouldn't have to pay anything until after the operation in case something happens. So to anyone out there that had eye laser surgery done, when did you pay the full amount? Thanks for any answers

   • ANSWER:
     In the USA you would normally put down a deposit and pay the balance after the surgery, unless you have arranged payments. Certain Lasik Clinics demand up-front payment, usually because they push through as many surgeries as possible leading to patient dissatisfaction and possible surgical errors. Your parents are right, do not pay until after the surgery, if you can avoid it. By the way, have tried googling Optical Express for patient reviews? Try to find a website that does not belong to Optical Express. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with them, but since you haven't had the surgery yet, you should do all the research you can both about your Lasik surgeon/clinic and the procedure. Good Luck and hope your post surgical result are excellent.

9. QUESTION:
   What do you think about laser/lasik eye surgery?
   I'm interested in getting corrective eye laser surgery (LASIK) and I want to know where the number one place for that is. I'll pay top dollar for guaranteed results ..

   • ANSWER:
     I am sure there are plenty of top doctors and surgeons that wear glasses or contacts, and dont glasses make you look smarter anyway?! Get some trendy specs at least theres no risk of going blind (unless you poke yer eye out with the arm).

10. QUESTION:
    Is laser eye surgery is good for whose having sight problem? Or is there any exercise to reduce the sight?
    Is laser eye surgery is good for whose having sight problem? Or is there any exercise to reduce the sight? Can any one give me a suggestion?

    • ANSWER:
      Laser eye surgery restores vision.

11. QUESTION:
    Is laser eye surgery worth the risk if it means I can fly?
    I want to be a pilot in the air force more than anything. I heard that they allow laser eye surgery in some situations. My vision is 20/60 correctable to 20/10. If I should be so lucky as to get the opportunity..is laser eye surgery worth it? I don't want to ruin my life with a mistake..but I don't want live my life with regret either...

    • ANSWER:
      I'm no doctor, but as a retired WSO in the USAF, I CAN tell you that eye surgery was actually encouraged among aircrews. There's two types: LASIK, and "PRK". Of the two PRK is more expensive, generally, but provides better results, and was the approved technique. I understand, now though, that LASIK is also acceptable.
      Before you spend the money on an initial exam, and possibly surgery though, I would ensure you can pass the other requirements for an Initial Class I Phyiscal:
      No astigmatism, and good/excellent depth perception
      No significant loss of hearing
      No history of asthma, heart conditions or high/low blood pressure
      Haven't been unconscious for more than 5-6 minutes since the age of 12. (Being under for surgery is OK.)
      Have a sitting height of =< 48". Don't want to leave your knees behind if you have to eject some day.
      Not diabetic. History of diabetes in your family's OK, as long as you aren't tested positive.
      Not tested positive for HIV.
      Not excessively over/underweight for your height, AND at least 5'4" for males, 5' for females (though this can be waivered.
      If you're pretty much otherwise good to go, and this is what you really want to do, then maybe you should consider an initial exam. Not everyone has vision that can be laser-corrected.

12. QUESTION:
    Does laser eye surgery disqualify you from being a military pilot?
    I have done some reading about some pilot programs in a few of the military branches. I came across something interesting that stated: If you have had laser eye surgery in the past, you are disqualified from becoming a pilot. Is this true?

    My next question is, if it is in fact true, why would that disqualify you? Laser eye surgery can correct your vision back to 20/20 and that's what pilots are suppose to have correct? So wheres the logic in that?

    • ANSWER:
      Army (Rotary Wing)
      The Army has very few fixed-wing aircraft. The vast majority of Army pilots are helicopter pilots. Army Aviators must pass a Flight Class I Flying Physical. To enter Army Helicopter Flight Training, as either a commissioned officer or warrant officer, the applicant can have vision no worse than 20/50 (correctable to 20/20) in each eye. After flight training, pilots can remain on flight status as long as their vision does not deteriorate beyond 20/400 (correctable to 20/20).

      Normal depth perception and normal color vision is required.

      Like the other branches, it is possible to apply for Army Flight Training and/or remain on flying status with laser eye surgery, if one is accepted into the Army's Aviator Laser Eye Surgery Study Program.

      Air Force
      To enter flight training, a candidate must pass a Flight Class I Flying Physical. To become a pilot, that means the candidates vision can be no worse than 20/70 (correctable with glasses to 20/20) in each eye. To enter Navigator Training, the candidate can have vision no worse than 20/200 in each eye (also must be correctable to 20/20).

      After flight school, the standards relax a little. Pilots and Navigators who have already graduated flight training, can remain fliers as long as their vision doesn't deteriorate beyond 20/400 in each eye (correctable to 20/20).

      Normal depth perception and color vision is required.

      Effective May 21, 2007, applicants who have had LASIK eye surgery are no longer automatically disqualified from flight training. See related article.

      Navy and Marine Corps
      The Navy and the Marine Corps use the same standards (The Marines do not have their own medical department. They use the Navy for all medical procedures and standards). Navy Pilots must pass a Class I Flying Physical. To become a pilot in the Navy or Marine Corps, an applicant's uncorrected vision can be no worse than 20/40 (correctable to 20/20) in each eye. Once flight training begins, vision can deteriorate to no worse than 20/100 (correctable to 20/20) in each eye. After flight training graduation, if the eyesite deteriorates worse than 20/200 (must be correctable to 20/20), the pilot will require a waiver for carrier operations. If the vision deteriorates past 20/400 (correctable to 20/20), the pilot is restricted to aircraft with dual controls (ie, aircraft with co-pilots).

      For Navigators (called "NFOs" or "Navy Flight Officers"), there is no vision requirement to enter flight training. However, the Navigator's vision must be correctable to 20/20 and there are limits on refraction. Refraction must be less than or equal to plus or minus 8.00 sphere in any meridian and less than or equal to minus 3.00 cylinder. No more than 3.50 anisometropia. After flight training, to continue on flight status there is no limit on refraction for NFOs. No waivers are authorized for NFO applicants who exceed these refraction limits.

      Normal color vision is required for both NFOs and pilots. Normal depth perception is required for pilots and pilot applicants.

      The Navy allows laser eye survery, both for current pilots and NFOs, and for pilot/NFO applicants, if they apply for, and are accepted to participate in the Navy's on-going study about laser eye surgery for aviators.

      Hope this helps

13. QUESTION:
    How bad do your eyes have to be to not be able to get laser eye surgery?
    I really want laser eye surgery and I have a few questions.

    My eyes are really bad, one is -7 and the other is -9 and those are the numbers for my contact lenses. What's the worst prescription you can have and still get laser eye surgery?

    Also, I have floaters on my eyes, is it still possible to get the surgery with floaters on your eyes? (Floaters are little dots that you see in your normal vision for those who don't know)

    For those who live in Canada and have gotten it done, how much did you pay for your surgery?

    • ANSWER:
      You would have to have a consultation. It is not just as simple as just measuring your prescription. During laser surgery the surgeon slices a layer off the front of your cornea (in very simple terms) so, the thickness of your cornea is a huge factor.

      ie. you could have a very thin cornea but only have a small prescription and be unsuitable for surgery or you could have a higher prescription and be suitable because your cornea is thick.

      I feel the answer will be no because your true prescription will be stronger than your contact lens prescription and over a -9 is really pushing it but you'll never know unless you see some surgeons. It is cosmetic surgery so treat it like that, See several surgeons and get several opinions, don't opt for the cheapest, opt for the one with best results and recommendations. There are other types of refractive surgery for example cataract surgery (without actually having a cataract!) so there may be an option for you

14. QUESTION:
    Laser Eye Surgery - How long do you have to stop wearing contacts before a consultation?ontact lenses?
    I have hard contact lenses which I wear everyday, and have been doing so for the last 5/6 years, and I am considering gettting laser eye surgery. I know I would have to stop wearing my contacts for a few weeks before even going for a consultation but I can't remember the exact time can anyone tell me how many weeks it is?

    Also is it possible to wear soft contact lenses for a certain amount of weeks and then my glasses and then get the consultation done?

    • ANSWER:
      I had Laser eye surgery done after wearing glasses for 16 years. It has been perfect for me. I have had no changes. Of course, as I age, I expect changes. I also co-manage refractive surgery and have seen hundreds of successful patients. It doesn't hurt, generally. There is a bit of pressure, but no real pain if you have Laser eye surgery. The PRK version (where no flap is cut) is a little more uncomfortable for the first few days following the procedure. I've seen several people who said they were in some pain, but healed just fine. I used to wear both glasses and contact lenses. I had Laser eye surgery done and it's the best decision I've ever made. I can see clearly, no squinting, no driving with glasses anymore. I can read road signs, see the individual leaves in the trees (they're not just a blurry mess anymore). It's also nice to be able to see what time it is when I wake up. The procedure is painless (although a bit uncomfortable) but takes less than 15 minutes. Highly recommended.

      If you need help finding a reputed surgeon in India u can check out the ink below:
      http://www.indianhealthguru.com
      You can schedule a free appointment there and they'll answer all your questions and see if you qualify as a good candidate or not

15. QUESTION:
    Does having laser eye surgery give any long term or short term side effects?
    I want to have laser eye surgery, but i found out from a friend that you could have a layer of your eye tear away and you'll be left with nothing but excruciatingly blurry vision. Is this true? I was planning on joining the Marine Corps without glasses or contacts. If there are any other side effects please don't forget to mention them, thank you!

    • ANSWER:
      First go to your regular eye specialist for advice. I had my first left eye laser 12 years ago, I felt good without even the right eye off contact lens. 6 years ago, had my right eye done with the laser surgery, as I have the experience already with my left eye with regular checks by my eye doctor. I am very happy with the laser surgery, now that I can go without glasses, and my eyesight has been corrected without difficulty in reading small article prints. Before you go for the laser eye surgery, please put off your contact lens for a couple of months to stabilise your eye. My experience that I went off contact lens only 1 day before my right surgery, my nerves were not stabilised yet, there was a little bleeding.
      Anyway, the surgery was good. I am happy that I have done the laser eye surgery, as I am free without glasses with no difficulty in reading and driving at night In my family, my elder sister, 2 nieces have also done with laser eye surgery. Nowadays, cataracts and a minute-dot hole, are all done by laser surgery, I had one such surgery with a tiny hole on my right eye. After surgery, always have regular check-up. Anyway, get advice and check whether you are eligible for the surgery as some are not.

16. QUESTION:
    Where is the best place for LASIK eye laser surgery in South Korea?
    I'm interested in getting corrective eye laser surgery (LASIK) and I want to know where the number one place for that is. I'll pay top dollar for guaranteed results (or as close to it as possible).

    • ANSWER:
      Lasik eye surgery is rather safe if only you are a suitable candidate. As with any surgery, there is a definite risk incurred. You must be screened for suitability and examined by the doctor personally. (Not the sales team to mislead you to get expensive package deal).

      If you are a suitable candidate, the risk maybe :-
      1.)Dry eyes (temporary)
      2.)Regression/ enhancement
      3.)Infection (3-5/20,000 for the next 3 weeks)
      4.)Flap/ complication of treatment (rare)
      5.)Miscellaneous

      A suitable candidate for Lasik surgery, it depends on:-
      1.)Your corneal thickness
      2.)Your power
      3.)Your age
      4.)A centre with a doctor who is examining your eyes personally
      5.)Torough explanation to suit your lifestyle

      Always insist on seeing the doctor performing the surgery for you. It is the due deligent of him or her to present the risk and benefit to you in detail personally.

      Dr. Yeoh Phee Liang
      Consultant Ophthalmologist
      www.advancevision.net.my

17. QUESTION:
    Can laser eye surgery correct myopia aka near sightedness?
    Can laser eye surgery correct myopia aka near sightedness?
    Does laser eye surgery last forever?
    What if you have big holes in your retina from myopia?
    Can laser eye surgery improve my myopia?
    Can myopic people have this laser surgery?
    Is there a risk for going blind from laser eye surgery?
    If you do go blind for laser eye surgery is it true that it can be corrected?

    • ANSWER:
      Since others have already answered your question I just want to point out that there are some eye exercises as alternative that can help myopia. I have a friend who used to suffer from myopia and he managed to improve his eyesight completely with eye exercises.

18. QUESTION:
    does laser eye correction hurt? What is the best method and where would be the best place to go?
    I am looking into laser eye surgery to correct my vision.. Does it hurt much? How long will this take and is it worth the trouble?

    • ANSWER:
      It is definitely worth the trouble, and there is not really any pain involved. That being said, you have to be very aware of the adds for laser correction for 0 type adds. These people either get you in and then convince you to get a more expensive surgery on a newer machine (which is what the good doctors are using anyway) or they use an old machine. I have known two different people who got "bargain price surgery" that had to go to a reputable eye doctor to have it corrected. Look for a reputable Doctor or facility, like Discover Vision Centers or ask your own doctor who they would recommend. That is how my mom found her surgeon, and he had actually been one of the first doctors in our area to do the laser surgery and he had actually performed surgeries at the Mayo Clinic.
      On the down side, most insurance companies don't pay for it and it is expensive, 00 to 2000 per eye

19. QUESTION:
    What are the long terms side effects of laser eye surgery?
    I am interested in having laser eye surgery to correct short sight but I am concerned about the longer term side effects as I get older. I can't find much information about this subject on the web so I would be really interested to find out.

    • ANSWER:
      The risks outlined below apply to both PRK and LASIK procedures. The chances of having a serious vision-threatening complication are minimal, and there have been no reported cases of blindness following either PRK or LASIK, says James Salz, M.D., clinical professor of ophthalmology. However, FDA is aware of a few instances of severe eye injury requiring corneal transplant.
      Infection and delayed healing: There is about a 0.1 percent chance of the cornea becoming infected after PRK, and a somewhat smaller chance after LASIK. Generally, this means added discomfort and a delay in healing, with no long-term effects within a period of four years.

      Undercorrection/Overcorrection: It is not possible to predict perfectly how your eye will respond to laser surgery. As a result, you may still need corrective lenses after the procedure to obtain good vision. In some cases, a second procedure can be done to improve the result.

      Decrease in Best-Corrected Vision: After refractive surgery, some patients find that their best obtainable vision with corrective lenses is worse than it was before the surgery. This can occur as a result of irregular tissue removal or the development of corneal haze.

      Excessive Corneal Haze: Corneal haze occurs as part of the normal healing process after PRK. In most cases, it has little or no effect on the final vision and can only be seen by an eye doctor with a microscope. However, there are some cases of excessive haze that interferes with vision. As with undercorrections, this can often be dealt with by means of an additional laser treatment. The risk of significant haze is much less with LASIK than with PRK.

      Regression: In some patients the effect of refractive surgery is gradually lost over several months. This is like an undercorrection, and a re-treatment is often feasible.

      Halo Effect: The halo effect is an optical effect that is noticed in dim light. As the pupil enlarges, a second faded image is produced by the untreated peripheral cornea. For some patients who have undergone PRK or LASIK, this effect can interfere with night driving.

      Flap Damage or Loss (LASIK only): Instead of creating a hinged flap of tissue on the central cornea, the entire flap could come off. If this were to occur it could be replaced after the laser treatment. However, there is a risk that the flap could be damaged or lost.

      Distorted Flap (LASIK only): Irregular healing of the corneal flap could create a distorted corneal shape, resulting in a decrease of best-corrected vision.

      Incomplete Procedure: Equipment malfunction may require the procedure to be stopped before completion. This is a more significant factor in LASIK, with its higher degree of complexity, than in PRK.

      Problems with a Perfect Procedure: Even when everything goes perfectly, there are effects that might cause some dissatisfaction. Older patients should be aware that they can't have both good distance vision and good near vision in the same eye without corrective lenses. Some myopic patients rely on their myopia (by taking off their glasses, or by wearing a weaker prescription) to allow them to read. Such a patient may need reading glasses after the myopia is surgically corrected. Another consideration is the delay between eye treatments. If one eye is being done at a time, then the eyes may not work well together during the time between treatments. If a contact lens is not tolerated on the unoperated eye, work and driving may be awkward or impossible until the second eye has been treated.

20. QUESTION:
    How accurate LASIK or Laser Eye Surgery is?, and what is the difference between LASIK and Laser Eye Surgery?
    I am planning to do a LASIK or Laser Eye Surgery, does it has any disadvantages doing it? and what is the difference between Laser and LASIK, which is better and why, I am hesitating whether to do it or not, also I don't know which one should I choose LASIK or Laser.

    P.S. My vision is not so bad, it is something like 1.7 - 2 degrees deviation, am just sick wearing glasses.

    Thanks in advance.

    • ANSWER:
      LASIK stands for LASER assisited In-Situ Keratomileusis, so there is a Laser being used on your eye during the procedure. The doctors will make a "flap" of your cornea using a microkeratome and then apply the Laser to your cornea shaping it and correcting your vision. They carefully replace the flap and you're done. It is important after LASIK that you do not rub your eyes for a couple of weeks to let the flaps heal back to normal. Your doctor will provide shields for you to wear at night so you don't rub your eyes while you're sleeping.

      The only really negatives that occur regularly are:
      A) Dry eyes, if you have dry eyes prior to the procedure they will be more dry after the procedure.
      B) Your correction isn't totally corrected - you may need an enhancement to get your vision perfect.
      C) If you have Presbyopia (the need for reading glasses) and you have both eyes corrected for distance, you will still need reading glasses, you can talk to your doctor about possible Monovision or Mini-Monovision if you're just about 40 or over 40.

      Laser Eye Surgery is for people with complications in their retinas, or Glaucoma. A Laser is applied either cauterizing blood vessels in a wide range of spots and sizes for retina. It can be used to open angles in narrow angle Glaucoma. It can also be applied to patients that have cloudiness after cataract surgery to remove cloudiness.

21. QUESTION:
    What is the price range for laser eye correction surgery in general? Also how does it work?
    Im looking to get lasik surgery (a.k.a laser eye correction) but i was wondering if anyone has had it done, how much it costs on average? Also, if you have had it done, could you explain what you went through before and after and if you would recomend it to someone?

    • ANSWER:
      I got the bladeless LASIK and it cost me 00 total for both eyes. Prices are different depending on which procedure you get and where you live. You can always get a free consultation and quote.

22. QUESTION:
    How Old For Laser Eye Surgery In Ireland?
    How old do you have to be in Ireland to have laser eye surgery? Any success stories?

    • ANSWER:
      Most surgery centers want you to be old enough that your eyes are no longer changing (prescription adjustments). This can be anywhere between 20 and 30 years of age. The reason is that if they do the surgery now and your eyes are still changing, then they'd need to do the surgery again after the eyes stabilize.

23. QUESTION:
    What are the after effects of Laser eye opration?
    Could anyone help me who had already gone thru Laser eye opration or seen someone that what are the after efects of that.
    2 can we start working within a week after having laser opration?
    3 can we do hard workalso?
    4 what is the % of success for laser opration?

    • ANSWER:
      my sis had -4 ,when she was 15. & did a laser at 15 itself. she didnt care after the operation. doctor told her not to watch t.v for long. but she dint care.she watched tv, computer.........& now she is about 22 ,she has a very small power ( .5 ) now .

24. QUESTION:
    How Does Getting Laser Eye Surgery Feel?
    I'm 15 and my eye sight is -6.00 on both eyes, and I'm planning on getting Laser Eye Surgery when I'm old enough. I asked my aunts boyfriend about it and he said it didn't hurt. What I'm worried about is what does it feel like having that clamp holding your eyes opened. And are you able to see anything during the process? I don't want to see what the doctor is doing because I'm sure it'll scare me.

    Can anyone also tell me the after effects you felt after the surgery?

    • ANSWER:
      Step 1 : Before Lasik, you will be asked to lie down on an exam chair. The nurse applied a series of numbing drops to my eyeball, each stronger than the previous, and then clean your eyes. This part of the process is pain free and not too uncomfortable.

      Step 2 : The doctor clamped your lids back with a metal tool to hold your eyelids open. This is one of the aspects of LASIK that tends to frighten people, but rest assured, the numbing drops ensure that your eyes will not dry out while the speculum is in place. You will not feel the overwhelming need to blink that you normally feel.

      Step 3 : Beginning really Lasik. Create a corneal flap. A whirring sound commenced and your eyeball felt like it was being sucked up and out of your skull. Your vision will likely be blurry for the rest of the procedure. It is no pain, however, it may make you slightly nervous and frightened.

      Step 4 : Laser treatment. After the flap is created and lifted, the surgeon will position the laser over your eye and ask you to keep your eyes focused on the light. The light is not actually the laser itself, it just helps keep your eyes fixed. You will feel an arcing slice in the surface of your cornea, and you may start to smell burning tissue. It is no pain and not uncomfortable.

      Step 5 : After Lasik, most patients experience little or no discomfort. However, everyone's experience is different, and some patients will experience mild to moderate discomfort for a few hours. Some watering of the eyes and a mild burning sensation are common occurrences up to 12 hours after LASIK. You may also experience a mild to moderate foreign body sensation, a gritty feeling or a feeling that something is "in" your eye for a few hours after Lasik.

      toooooooo much words need to write, u can check my site
      Complication, risk of Lasik eye surgery
      http://www.lasikreviews.co.uk/lasik-eye-surgery-complications-risks.htm

25. QUESTION:
    Where in the Philippines can I get laser eye surgery and how much does it cost?
    I want to get laser eye surgery here in the Philippines, but I don't know where I can go to get it performed and how much it cost. Anyone know?

    • ANSWER:
      http://www.revahealth.com/laser-eye/philippines
      Had mine done at Optimax in London.
      Well worth it, best thing i ever did
      Hope this helps

26. QUESTION:
    What will it cost for laser eye surgery?
    I'm looking to get laser eye surgery because my eyes are bad and I'm sick of glasses. When I lose them I need I need them to find them. Also I think it will be for the best and plus many people say i look better without them anyway. My benefits will only cover 5 of it. So I was wondering how much is it so I know what I'm looking to spend.

    • ANSWER:
      Well it will really depend where you go, how bad your eyes are, and that clinic's rates.

      For me, I had the surgery almost 3 years ago and from start to finish, it was about 00 with all the pre- and post- examinations, as well as the surgery of course.

      Now you do need to keep in mind that there are many things that need to be checked to make sure you are a candidate for LASIK eye surgery in the first place. Your vision needs to have been stable for a few years (no prescription changes), you cannot have any eye diseases (like keratoconus), your cornea must be thick enough, and other things like this that they will check in an eye evaulation for surgery.

      Also, LASIK does NOT fix the need for reading glasses. If you already are old enough where you must have reading glasses to see at near (age 40 or older), LASIK is not for you. And when you get to be that age, you will need reading glasses to read regardless if you had LASIK in the past.

      Just another idea to throw out there: Have you considered contact lenses? This is another option you can try without going to permanent surgery route. In fact, they make many contact lenses that can actually be worn continuously for 30 days. That means, you put a new pair of contact lenses in on the 1st of the month and then don't touch them until you put a new pair in at the 1st of the next month! (Yes, that means you sleep in them and wear them 24/7) So continuous wear contact lenses like that are actually just about the same as surgery ... but without! It is certainly something you can ask your eye doctor about.

27. QUESTION:
    How long after laser eye surgery can I resume wearing eye makeup?
    I am in the process of the examinations/preparation for laser eye surgery. Does anyone know how long you typically have to wait before wearing eye makeup again?

    • ANSWER:
      At our office we tell people 1 week as a general rule of thumb.

28. QUESTION:
    How much does corrective laser eye surgery cost?
    I'm seeking to get that since I wear glasses. I hate glasses so I use to wear contacts for about a year or so but then they got lost or dried up. I don't quite remember so now I'm seeking to get corrective laser eye surgery.

    I'm gonna see if I can get it with my insurance but I'd also like to know how much it costs. Does anyone know ? Of an estimate or exact cost ? Thanks !

    • ANSWER:
      With LASIK surgery you will generally get what you pay for: the more experienced surgeons with the more advanced technology will charge more for LASIK. Here in Southern California you could probably find someone good who would charge in the range of ,500-3,800 per eye.

      Probably the most important decision someone who is considering LASIK must make is what surgeon to choose. Although I do not perform LASIK, I have created a document for my cataract patients to help them in choosing a surgeon. The article can be viewed by clicking this link:

      http://sgveye.com/en/resources/35-about-your-eyes/233-10-things-you-must-know-before-choosing-your-cataract-surgeon

      The advice in this document can be applied to choosing any surgeon in any specialty, not just cataract surgeons.

      Sincerely,

      David D. Richardson, M.D.
      Medical Director

      San Gabriel Valley Eye Associates, Inc.
      207 S. Santa Anita Street, Suite P-25
      San Gabriel, CA 91776
      626.289.7856

29. QUESTION:
    How does it feel to get laser eye surgery?
    When Your in surgery and they cut the layer of your eye does it hurt and do you feel anything. Does it burn. I want to do laser eye surgery and I wanna know what I am in for. Tell me all the details.

    • ANSWER:
      I had the surgery more than five years ago, and my vision is still great. The procedure itself only takes seconds per eye and is painless. You are given Valium and are awake to participate. It is done before you know it. It usually is takes 24 hours to recouperate at which time you have a follow-up visist with your eye doctor. Then you should let him/her know of your discomforts. For me, there was itchy sensation that I was assured was normal. I also had halos around bright lights for about six weeks.

      Almost all laser eye surgeries are unique to each patient and it is important to have a good relationship with your ophthalmologist. They can help ease your fears and answer your questions both pre and post operative. I too was terrified. The staff was wonderful. Your recovery will dictate what is necessary for a successful experience and what you will need. In my case, eye drops to eleviate dry eye symptoms.

      For information on laser eye surgery, you can check out http://laser-eye-surgery-advice.com a web site dedicated to a comprehensive look at laser eye surgery procedures.

30. QUESTION:
    Can eye ball grow after laser eye surgery and why?
    I had a check up today at laser eye clinic to check if i can have lasik again after 5 yrs as the shortsightness has returned slightly over the years on my right eye and doctor said can't have surgery anymore as my retina is thin and the reason that the shortsightness has returned is becuase the eye ball has grown and made my vision worse slightly! my qeustion is how does that happen and why my eye ball has grown?

    • ANSWER:
      Yes, your eye ball can grow longer, and it has nothing to do with the laser surgery. The LASIK affects your eye's cornea. It's kind of like the window at the front of the eye.
      The eye can get longer if you are still in a growth spurt, and still a teenager. But myopic eyes may experience lengthening eyes anyway throughout adulthood, but the rate of change may be much slower.
      If you did this LASIK thing as a kid, then that was a mistake, because you should get it done when your myopia (eye prescription) is stable for a few years as an adult.

31. QUESTION:
    What is the downside of a laser eye surgery?
    Getting a laser eye surgery, is it a good idea? what are the possible side effects/downside of this?

    • ANSWER:
      I'm getting it done too.

      I've done tons of research, and would urge you to make sure you go to a really reliable clinic and make sure you follow all the aftercare instructions, and go to all the aftercare appointments.

      If you don't use the eye drops, rub your eyes or get water in your eyes you will be risking your sight.

      Your sight will not be 100% perfect after, but it should be improved. I've got myopia (no probs reading, but can't even focus on my PC screen without specs) and astigmatism (oval rather vthan round eyeballs) so I'm a fairly good bet as neither thing is too big (Myopia -4 and -3-ish; astigmatism mild).

      I'm getting lasik intralase with Bosch and Laum equipment, possibly wavefront mapping too. It is expensive but I am taking NO chances. I'll add you as a friend if you want. I'm getting the op on the 14th of next month. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

      And all the best with your research into this.

32. QUESTION:
    What is the recommended age for laser eye surgery?
    I really want to get laser eye surgery, but i think im too young. I am 16 and half a year away from being 17. Am i too young? if so what age is recommended?

    • ANSWER:

33. QUESTION:
    Can laser eye surgery cause a detached retina a few weeks later?
    A work colleague of mine had laser eye correction done recently, to correct very short sightedness. It seemed to work well. About 3 weeks later she was rushed to hospital for a detached retina. That was a month ago and her vision in that eye is terrible and getting worse. She is in some discomfort. She is very depressed. Her surgeon is being cagey about what caused it - is it just a coincidence?

    • ANSWER:
      With retinal detachments it is so hard to tell. Which is why the doctor was probably that way. I had bilateral retinal detachment and as a result I am now legally blind..7 surgeries later. I think that I have heard LASIK puts you more at risk for detachments because it's a laser and a laser is trauma to the eye. I'm pretty sure the laser that was used in my surgeries has something to do with my retina damage. My doctors have no idea why my retina's detached or why they weren't repaired. I feel like it was an error somewhere in the operating room but I will probably never know. Good luck with your friend I hope everything turns out okay.

34. QUESTION:
    Can you get laser eye surgery if you have astigmatism AND nastagmuss?
    My daughter has both astigmatism and nastagmuss, although knowing laser eye treatment won't help her nastagmuss it would her vision. I have read that you can have laser treatment for astigmatism but don't know if having the other eye condition will hamper this or not.
    Thank you in advance for your help.

    • ANSWER:
      Yes, there are methods that can do it. An excimer laser with an active tracking system can be used, or the eyes can be fixated with a fixation ring during the laser ablation. An evaluation by a competent refractive surgeon can determine if a person with nystagmus is a viable candidate for any type of refractive surgery.

35. QUESTION:
    What is The Difference Between Lasik and Laser Eye Surgery?
    I have pretty bad vision, I use some pretty thick glasses, my question is... What is the differences between Lasik Surgery and Laser Eye surgery? and which would be the best for me?

    • ANSWER:
      There are several different types of laser eye surgery. And there are different types of lasers that can be used in eye surgery depending upon what the surgeon is wanting to accomplish. For instance, the surgeon could use a yag laser to treat secondary cataracts. Or the surgeon could use an argon laser to perform iridotomies or possibly to treat leaking blood vessels in the retina. Or the surgeon could use an excimer laser to correct vision disorders such as near sightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. This is the laser you are probably referring to. Now, excimer laser surgery is a broad term that can include PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) or LASIK (laser insitu keratomeleusis). PRK is used on the surface of the cornea to correct prescription errors whereas LASIK is used, after creating a flap, on the internal structures of the cornea. Both are capable of precisely correcting prescription errors. To decide which is best for you, you need to see an eye doctor who is experienced in this field. He or she will be able to recommend which procedure would be best.

36. QUESTION:
    what is the best laser eye surgery around?
    Ive just had an offer of £1880 to have the best laser eye surgery from optimax. Being uneducated on this subject im slightly confused on weather this is a good deal or not. Could anyone help me out please?

    • ANSWER:
      I think thats a pretty good deal to say that i paid more than double that ! However i would look at other clinics to see if you could do even better.

37. QUESTION:
    What age do you need to be for laser eye surgery in Canada?
    Hi I want to get laser eye surgery (I don't know any special medical terms but it's the kind when you just want to go from glasses to no glasses) what age do you need to be? and if you could add a price that'd be great.
    Thanks.

    • ANSWER:
      LASIK in Australia costs between 00-6000 for 2 eyes.
      Usually it won't be done until you're prescription has stabilised - young people who are short sighted generally continue becoming more short sighted until about their mid-late twenties. Once this stops laser surgery will work wonders until you need reading glasses in your late forties. Really it depends on the individual though.

38. QUESTION:
    Can your vision become worse after you have laser eye surgery?
    After you have laser eye surgery, can your vision still become worse?

    • ANSWER:
      In a one word answer 'Yes '

      Laser eye surgery reshapes the front of your cornea to correct vision.

      However as you age your eye structure changes,this alters how the light entering your eye is bent and hence alters the sharpness of your vision.

      If you have laser eye surgery it will (hopefully) correct your vision at that time,but it cannot correct future changes in your eyes which will occur.

      Also if you have laser eye surgery to correct your distance vision now, then in the future (age mid 40s plus ) you will definitely need reading glasses (or a further procedure such as CK)

39. QUESTION:
    If I get laser eye surgery can I still wear my glasses?
    I love my glasses,or I love the frames. They are who I am, I don't like the way I look without them, but I am considering laser eye surgery since I had my son. I would love to have the choice to take the glasses off, especially when swimming as he loves the water but I hate not being able to see him.

    So does anyone know if I could keep my frames but get plain glass fitted to them, so I'd have the eye surgery and still wear glasses with no prescription.

    • ANSWER:

40. QUESTION:
    How long is the waiting list for Laser Eye Surgery in the Marine Corps?
    I know it depends on where you are stationed but i'm just asking. I have (not really sure can't really remember what the eye doctor told me) 20/220 or 20/250. Something like that haha. I would like to get Laser Eye Surgery so I can perform better when I enlist in 2015 .

    • ANSWER:
      Surprisingly its not long at all. You will get an exam and then put your name on a list. It will take 3-9 months to get it. I opted out because you are limited to what MOSs you can do after the surgery.

41. QUESTION:
    Why am i starting to see starbursts and glare 2 years after laser eye surgery?
    I had laser eye surgery approx 2 years ago with perfect results and my vision has been great until a few months ago i started seeing starbursts/halos and glare around lights and bright things like road signs. Worse at night but noticeable during the day also. Could this be due to my surgery still?? Im a 20 year old male with good health.

    • ANSWER:
      I doubt this is being caused by the surgery. If it were, as you said, you would have expected it to occur immediately after surgery. More likely is the possibility that you are having a regression in your correction. This means that your eyes have started to return somewhat toward your original prescription. Having a relatively small amount of prescription could cause these symptoms and would indeed be more noticeable at night when your pupils are dilated mored. You need to go back in to your doc and let him look.

42. QUESTION:
    I'm thinkiing about having laser eye surgery has anyone had any experiences good or bad?
    I'm, thinking about havimj laser eye syrgery at some time in the future, I've had an assessmrnt and have been told that I cam have the procedure, does anuone have any experience that they can share with me-is it safe or not does it hurt or not? I've been told its safe by certain people but they're usually the ones selling the surgery. Some one from the medical profession's advice would be great, but all contributions welcome.

    • ANSWER:
      I haven't had laser surgery but I know many people that have.

      The surgeons put special eye drops in your eye that make you unable to feel any pain so the procedure is painless.

      Some of my friends that got lasik done say that they actually ended up with better vision than they ever had with glasses or contacts. However the downside is that when you reach around age 40 you will most likely need reading glasses.

      You must have a stable prescription of at least 2years before you do lasik otherwise your vision could get worse again.

43. QUESTION:
    What is the age to get laser eye surgery?
    I'm wonder what age you can get laser eye surgery, i am hoping to do it right away.

    • ANSWER:
      LASIK is a laser based vision correction procedure where your vision can be corrected to such a degree that you no longer need corrective lenses. And the amazing part is that it all happens in just a few minutes!

      But LASIK eye surgery isn't right for everyone. You need to meet certain requirements before submitting to LASIK eye surgery.

      Here are a few of the guidelines used in determining if LASIK is a good choice for you -

      * You should be over 18 years of age.
      * Your corneas must be healthy.
      * You should not have had a significant change in your lens prescription in the last 12 months.
      * Women should not be pregnant or breastfeeding.
      * You should be in good general health.

      LASIK eye surgery can perform miracles - it can give you relief from wearing corrective lenses. It can cure nearsightedness, astigmatism and farsightedness. The procedure is quick and painless, offering almost immediate results. And due to advances in technology and the wide demand for this type of service, LASIK is quite economical.

      LASIK eye surgery is now so common that millions of people have decided that it was time to abandon their corrective lenses, once and for all. There are so many LASIK clinics that you're likely to find one close by, no matter where you live.

      All The Best For Your LASIK Eye Surgery...

44. QUESTION:
    what is the best age of laser eye surgery?
    Howdy
    my age is 23 now and my eye-side is still -2.25 for last 8 years. please guide me what is laser surgery and how it works, is it reliable?

    • ANSWER:
      Oh hi khurram!

      Ive been wanting to tell people about this statistic for ages

      Xingwu Zhong, Jian Ge, Haohui Nie, Xiaolian Chen, Juan Huang, and Nian Liu (2004) Effects of Photorefractive Keratectomy-Induced Defocus on Emmetropization of Infant Rhesus Monkeys. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 2004;45:3806-3811 (FULL TEXT)
      http://www.iovs.org/cgi/content/full/45/10/3806
      PRK (a refractive surgery related to LASIK) on Rhesus monkeys created peripheral defocus that slowed or sped up myopia progression depending on the direction of defocus, as predicted.

      This proves that monkeys who had laser eye surgery developed problems with their eyeballs changing shape later. The change in cornea shape triggered changes inside the eye and they could then develop further hyperopia/myopia in the years after surgery

      Also watch live laser eye surgery!
      

45. QUESTION:
    If i get laser eye surgery will i ever be able to wear glasses again?
    Im pretty young, 16, but my vision is HORRIBLE and i mean horrible ( -4.5) Without my glasses or contacts i can't see anything. I'm waiting to turn 21 so i can be eligible for laser eye surgery but I heard once you get surgery and years later when your vision gets blurry again you cant wear glasses or contacts! Is this true?

    • ANSWER:
      First off, don't worry, -4.50 is well within the range of what they can do with a laser. (I was a -6.50, and the surgeon sorta scoffed and said "you're not that bad").
      Secondly, absolutely not true: you can wear glasses after surgery, or contacts (although sometimes the contacts don't fit as well because of the shape of the cornea afterwards). Glasses won't necessarily fix all the resultant problems, for instance glare or haloes at night, but there's absolutely no reason you can't wear them afterwards.

46. QUESTION:
    Can anyone recommend a good laser eye surgeon in San Diego?
    I am trying to choose a laser eye surgeon in San Diego and have discovered that everyone and their brother is doing laser eye surgery! Can anyone recommend a good laser eye surgeon? How about one to avoid?? Thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      How about this. Go to maloneyvision.com Dr. maloney is in the top 10 surgeons that do refractive surgery in the US. He conducts trials for the FDA. He is the Dr. On the makeover shows. Plus, he is a NICE MAN! (I do NOT work for him, BTW) His best selling book is available to read online FREE and it tells you how to find a good doctor in your area, what questions to ask, how to check out their credentials and all that stuff! Oh, yeah, and plus if you contact them they will refer you to a good one there where you are as well. OR, you can drive a little ways up north and see him in Los Angeles. He is the top in So. CA. I have met him twice and toured his facility once. His people and his business are very very nice and he will not do surgery on you if you do not meet the basic requirements that your eyes should to continue on to have surgery. He does tell people, "NO! You should not do this!" when other doctors will cut! He also fixes the problems that other places cause. We have many of his patients in our office for before and after care, and also to do contacts and glasses for the ones he can not see. We are almost an hour and a half away, and people in our area go down to him all the time, so we are exposed to him quite often. Go check them out! You will be amazed what you can learn from his web site. Good luck!

47. QUESTION:
    what precautions should one take after a laser eye operation?
    my sister had a laser eye operation today. what precautions shold i ask her to take?

    • ANSWER:
      make sure she doesn't rub her eyes (this could potentially move the flap, and cause healing issues)

      other than that, make sure she uses eye drops as necessary, and rests her eyes when they're tired.

      she should have information about aftercare from whoever performed the operation?

48. QUESTION:
    Can your vision still get worse after laser eye surgery?
    After you receive laser eye surgery, can your vision still get worse? I've been wearing glasses for years and im only 18, andit seems like i keep having to get stronger prescrption, so i was wondering if it would be sort of A CURE-ALL?

    • ANSWER:
      Laser eye surgery is not a cure-all. Your eyes can change after surgery, just like they can change after getting an eyeglasses prescription. They could change in a year, or in ten years, or they might never change.

      This is one reason that laser surgery is only performed on adults -- because your eyes are more likely to change when you are younger.

      If you have surgery, and then your eyes change, you can get a laser "enhancement" -- that is, they'll do another surgery to correct your eyes to your new needs.

      Remember, though, that laser eye surgery involves removing corneal tissue. So you can't just keep doing the procedure again and again.

49. QUESTION:
    What is the best laser eye surgery to go to in Madison, WI?
    I live around Madison, Wisconsin and am looking for the best Dr. who does laser eye surgery. Do any have military discounts? Thanks.

    • ANSWER:
      My mom got laser eye surgery and she regrets it every day of her life. It did not fix her eyes all the way so she still needs glasses. Also now she can't see upclose at all and she used to be able to. She also went to the best doctor. You should not get that done.

50. QUESTION:
    Does anyone what the minimum age is for laser eye surgery?
    Im 17, gonna turn 18 in a few months. I live in belgium at the moment and was wondering if anyone knew if i could get laser eye surgery. I've been wearin glasses ffor a few years, and they have only slightly changed the intensity. I really dont like wearin them so if you have any other options besides contacts that would be good.

    • ANSWER:
      I had Laser eye surgery done after wearing glasses for 16 years. It has been perfect for me. I have had no changes. Of course, as I age, I expect changes. I also co-manage refractive surgery and have seen hundreds of successful patients. It doesn't hurt, generally. There is a bit of pressure, but no real pain if you have Laser eye surgery. The PRK version (where no flap is cut) is a little more uncomfortable for the first few days following the procedure. I've seen several people who said they were in some pain, but healed just fine. I used to wear both glasses and contact lenses. I had Laser eye surgery done and it's the best decision I've ever made. I can see clearly, no squinting, no driving with glasses anymore. I can read road signs, see the individual leaves in the trees (they're not just a blurry mess anymore). It's also nice to be able to see what time it is when I wake up. The procedure is painless (although a bit uncomfortable) but takes less than 15 minutes. Highly recommended.

      If you need help finding a reputed surgeon in India u can check out the ink below:
      http://www.indianhealthguru.com
      You can schedule a free appointment there and they'll answer all your questions and see if you qualify as a good candidate or not