Lasik Eye Surgery Risks

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   lasik eye surgery risks?
   i really hope to not wear specs as well as contact lens. should i go for lasik eye surgery? and what are the risks?

   • ANSWER:
     LASIK, like any other surgery, has certain risks. However, LASIK risks are minimal
     when LASIK surgery is performed by an experienced LASIK surgeon after a thorough consultation and a complete discussion of patient goals, LASIK Eye Surgery is one of the safest, most effective and predictable types of surgery one can have today. However, LASIK is surgery, and as with any type of surgery, there are risks and complications that patients should be aware of and fully understand before consenting to have LASIK, Custom LASIK or any Laser Eye Surgery procedure for the correction of nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. The following information is provided for your information and education and should not be regarded as a substitute for either a frank discussion about your individual situation or proper informed consent at the LASIK practice of your choice.

2. QUESTION:
   the risks of lasik eye surgery?
   Hii, I would like to know the risks of lasik eye surgery and what it would cost me.
   Thank you.

   • ANSWER:
     Here are a few risks :
     1) drier eyes
     2) Hallows
     3) lost of vision
     4) damage to the cornea
     5) blindness

     the list goes on....
     Heres a quote from the LA Times :

     “Patients unhappy with the results of Lasik surgery are increasingly suing
     doctors and clinics for compensation, complaining that the procedure actually
     worsened their vision and, in the most extreme cases, left them legally blind.” ~ Los
     Angeles Times,

     Washington Times : “Trust no one…not even your eye doctor”

     There are natural ways that are much safer to get you back to 20/20 back again so there's no need to risk your eyes with a surgery.

3. QUESTION:
   What are the risks of Lasik eye surgery?

   do u think it's worth it?

   • ANSWER:
     My son in law had it done about 5 years ago -- now, he can't see at night and he is back in his contacts and glasses again.

     It was great for about 3 years, and then his sight slowly went right back to the way it was before the surgery, with the addition of night blindness.

4. QUESTION:
   What are the risks and complications of LASIK, also Does LASIK eye surgery safe, and ?
   Does it really that you don't need eye glasses anymore and What is the advice from people doing LASIK eye surgery do it or not PLEASE i'M SO CONFUSED ABOUT THAT and i really need your help. Thanks in advance. Also why there is lots of people don't do it while prefer wear eye glasses ?

   • ANSWER:
     oh really Mr Carson D no complication??????

     FDA it self is greed driven they cover optical industry up.

     man if i can find reports that FDA and optical industry are working together also over government department reports, i will sue them, i will not even care if i have to bring public unrest toward the optical industry.

     http://www.lasikdisaster.com/

     http://www.myopia.org/
     http://www.eyecollege.com/
     http://www.central-fixation.com/
     http://www.preventmyopia.org/
     http://www.cleareyesight.info/
     http://web.singnet.com.sg/~hanwen/nvifaq.htm

     government knows eyesight can be improved because they use it in the air force,

     so i don't know who else is playing the game, but once someone find more evidence, we will not give mercy to this fraud industry

5. QUESTION:
   Risks of Lasik eye surgery?
   Did you know that although Lasik has helped a lot of people improve their eyesight, the risks don't come up until years later. Some of them are dry eyes, poor night vision, and even vision loss. Yet when you go to get Lasik the surgeon wont tell you. Some people have gotten Lasik with the surgeon who knows they are not a good candidate in the first place. Below is a link to a website where you can sign in order to stop this from happening. Your can also read short stories of the people who had a bad lasik outcome and some of who commited suicide due to this. The petition is for the FDA and it is simply to enforce doctors to let the patients know of the risks. A lot of people regret having lasik years later and I witnessed a guy who had to go into disability and suffers depression because his surgery went wrong. Before you ignore this take 2 minutes to think about what you would do if you were a victim. There are alternatives to Lasik like PRK or just sticking to glasses and lasik involves cutting and will mess you up. Click on the link below to stop Lasik disasters from happening.

   http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/support-petition-to-withdraw-lasik-approval/

   • ANSWER:
     its all pretty great until the 40 years later and you get cancer or go blind. Butoh well. I would do it anyway
     btw this is not a question!!!!
     how can people who committed suicide write short stories of their bad lasik outcome?? lmao

6. QUESTION:
   What are the extra risks encountered with LASIK eye surgery when the patient has rounded corneas?

   • ANSWER:
     Well i belive that they have to open the flap then go in. My mom got it done and it went totaly wrong . Because her conea was disenergerating and she works in lasik....so its harder to treat your inner eye with an abnormal cornea.

7. QUESTION:
   Lasik surgery? Risks? Benefits?
   I've been looking into Lasik eye surgery to correct my vision. I'd like to know the average cost for this procedure. I'd also like to know risks, benefits, etc. The more info, the better. Thanks.

   • ANSWER:
     LASIK will almost certainly reduce your dependence on glasses and contact lenses, however, there is no certainty and there can be no guarantee that you will be able to achieve perfect vision without glasses. You have 90 to 95% chance of passing the vision test to get a drivers license without glasses (i.e 20/40 vision) and therefore 90 to 95% chance that you will be able to legally drive without glasses after LASIK (source: http://www.agingeye.net/lasik/lasik.php)

     Serious complications from refractive surgery are rare, as evidenced by the low rate of loss of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. However, before undergoing any refractive procedure, you should carefully weigh the risks and benefits based on your own personal value system, and try to avoid being influenced by friends that have had the procedure or doctors encouraging you to do so. Remember that, even though rare, complications do occur.

     Some patients lose lines of vision on the vision chart that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery as a result of treatment. Loss of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity of more than two lines is noted in just under 1·0% of patients (FDA data)

     Results are generally not as good in patients with very large refractive errors of any type. You should discuss your expectations with your doctor and realize that you may still require glasses or contacts after the surgery.

     For some farsighted patients, results may diminish with age. If you are farsighted, the level of improved vision you experience after surgery may decrease with age. This can occur if your manifest refraction (a vision exam with lenses before dilating drops) is very different from your cycloplegic refraction (a vision exam with lenses after dilating drops).

     Some patients develop debilitating visual symptoms. Some patients develop glare, halos, and/or double vision that can seriously affect nighttime vision. Even with good vision on the vision chart, some patients do not see as well in situations of low contrast, such as at night or in fog, after treatment as compared to before treatment.

8. QUESTION:
   wat r the risks to lasik eye surgery?

   • ANSWER:
     Lasik surgery can do good things, but it is far from being perfected like ads seem to say.

     My friend (for real folks) had this surgery and it did not go well - instead of fixing his vision he ended up with a 'halo' effect and extreme light sensitvitiy. They never really know when this will happen.

     If you decide to get this done be sure to ask the doctor about his success rate - be hard nosed about getting the answers - you deserve them.

9. QUESTION:
   What are all the bad side effects or risks of having Lasik or PRK eye surgery?
   Most eye surgery sites don't give the full extent of the consequences nor do they give honest answers.

   • ANSWER:
     Most common complication is Dry Eyes Syndrome, 21% report
     Second common complication is Undercorrection & Overcorrection
     Third common complication is Night vision problem, Glare, Halos, Night-driving problem, 19.3% report

     Starbursts after Lasik, 19.7% report
     Haze after Lasik, less than 1% report
     Induced Astigmatism after Lasik
     Regression & Not Permanent after Lasik, less than 5% report
     Epithelial Ingrowth after Lasik, as low as 0.2% and as high as 15%

     Corneal Abrasion after Lasik
     Flap Never Heals after Lasik, 2% report
     Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis (DLK) after Lasik, 0.7% - 32% report
     Infection after Lasik, 1:20 for Lasik versus contact lens use
     keratoconus after Lasik, 0.04% - 0.6% report

     i think the site will give u a help, u can check it
     Complication, risk of Lasik eye surgery
     http://www.lasikreviews.co.uk/lasik-eye-surgery-complications-risks.htm

10. QUESTION:
    I was thinking of getting lasik eye surgery. what are the risks and how do i find a good doctor?

    • ANSWER:
      Never go anywhere without refs. and accredidation. As for risks.... I couldn't tell you.SORRY!

11. QUESTION:
    will i be forced to have LASIK eye surgery if i join the US army?
    i have bad vision but it is easily corrected with contacts/glasses. i really dont want lasik eye surgery because of the potential risks. if i join the army is there a chance id be forced to have the lasik?

    • ANSWER:
      No.

12. QUESTION:
    Is lasik eye surgery more of a risk for someone that has very small asian eyes or does it make a difference?
    I read this some where in an article , can anyone elaborate why, pls.

    • ANSWER:
      ... I've never heard that before. I tried looking it up and I found this:

      http://www.docshop.com/2006/07/20/hastings

      From reading this I don't really think it matters. Since everyone does have different shaped and size of eyes, I don't think it matters if you're asian.

13. QUESTION:
    What is the risk of getting color blind after lasik eye surgery?
    My dad have color blindness and I' am really worried what will happen if I get the surgery.

    If you could please answer what percentage of people are color blind after lasik eye surgery

    • ANSWER:
      Color blindness is a genetic condition. Your children might get it, but if you don't already have it you won't get it from lasik.

14. QUESTION:
    are there risks associated - possibly blindness - with Lasik eye surgery?

    • ANSWER:
      As the other responder answered there are risks to any surgery . I had Lasik surgery over 5 years ago , and had wonderful results . I can honestly say it's the best money I ever spent . No more messing with contacts , solution , glasses , etc . I have better than perfect vision even today . If you decide to do it find a reputable dr. and do your research on him or her . You don't want to go to a surgeon how transports his equipment to different locations as it can disturb the mechanics of the machine . Make sure he keeps his equipment in one location . Talk to other people who have had it , read up on as much as you can , and make a decision from there . Still today I am amazed at how sharp and clear my vision is . I'm SO glad I did it !

15. QUESTION:
    Please explain the risks and what are the reasons to get Lasik or laser eye surgery?

    You can start with a list and add as you feel appropriate.... I'm curious about the reasons why and why not to "risk" getting Lasik or a similar laser vision correction.

    • ANSWER:
      This is basically a procedure for young adults who haven't developed presbyopia yet. They can have years of not having to wear glasses while those of us who are older would still need glasses no matter what. That is one of the reasons I have decided not to get it. The risks I know of from getting this procedure are dry eyes, blurriness, bad night vision, and the possibility of rupturing the cornea since it is permanently weakened. Then there is the chance of overcorrection in some people. They end up with the opposite problem from what they had before. Some people end up having to wear glasses again within a few years. If I were younger, I might have considered it.

16. QUESTION:
    Is Lasik eye surgery is adoptable? May be we may become Blind after some years? .?
    Is Lasik eye surgery adoptable. may be we might lose our eyesight fully. Is it ok in a long run. i have heard that after lasik there are many risks for our eyes. and it is dangerous to go for it. what should i do.

    • ANSWER:
      You just need to do more research. If you google "laser eye surgery" you will come back with a ton of results to look through and see what people have to say about it in the long run. One thing I can tell you is that I've seen it said in many places that people who get it while young are guaranteed to require reading glasses in their middle ages. Also, there have been a certain number of complaints about itchiness and discomfort that doesn't go away after the surgery. For statistics and more details, hit up google.

17. QUESTION:
    I have astigmatism, can I get lasik eye surgery?
    How old do you have to be? What other alternatives are there, besides glasses, contacts, and lasik eye surgery? I'd like something permanant. How long does it take for it to heal? Are there serious risks during the procedure? If I can't get lasik eye surgery done, what's the problem? Sorry about all the questions, feel free to give me as much information as you can because I'm pretty sure I'm missing something that I'll want to know later . .

    • ANSWER:
      Sure.
      Lasik works for most healthy people with healthy eyes who need total corrections less than about 3 or 4 diopters. It has to do with the shape of the eye and the thickness of the cornea.

      You really should wait to have the proceedure until you have stopped growing and until your corrective prescriptive lenses have been the same for a year. When you are older, you will probably go 3 or 6 years without changing your prescription. You will not want to risk complications by having a lasik revision frequently while you are young.

      The cornea is sliced with a micro thin blade (micro karatome) and flipped up. The lazer contours the freshly exposed inside tissue of the cornea and corrects the vision. The flap is then closed.

      The corneal flap makes a bandage and the whole thing heals pretty quickly.

      There are risks. Infection, halos in the night vision are the ones that come to mind.

      You need to see two or three doctors, in my opinion. The consultations take about an hour. The consultations are free or about 50 dollars.

      Lasik will not work if the astigmatism is very severe. My correction was more than 4.75 diopters and would have required PRK.

      PRK requires the lazering off the front of the cornea and takes 2-3 weeks of rest and no work to heal.

      My brother had PRK and needed 16 days. My sister had lasik and was back to work in three day. Both are happy and generally do not need any glasses.

      See the doctors. Google LASIK and read about twenty sites.

      God Bless you.

18. QUESTION:
    lasik eye surgery good or no?
    Im thinking of having eye lasik surgery. I personally have astigmatism and know the risks etc.. but mainly want to ask people what complications they had or none and do they think it was worthwhile and worth the money or not.. Dry irritated eyes post op seem to be a bg lasting side effect.. Many people have this?

    • ANSWER:
      It works great at least for me find a qualitfied surgeon and yes the eyes in the beginning need to be lubrificated regularly but now its only from time to time but wow now I can see and dam that is so much fun!

19. QUESTION:
    Are there any risk for Lasik Eye Surgery?

    • ANSWER:
      Yes VERY DRY EYES i had dry eyes for the rest of my life ever since i had lasik 6 years ago

20. QUESTION:
    What are the side effects of lasik eye surgery?
    I've read that some people experience temporary moments of blindness for up to 6 months after the surgery.

    Is it worth the risk?

    • ANSWER:
      it is true that the side effects are quite rare, but this does not mean that they do not exist.

      I have had PRK surgery, which is similar. It is less invasive, because they do not do a flap on your retina, but they only scratch it. I had an infection after surgery, which is rare but it was a painful experience and the vision on that eye has not become perfect ( I still ave 1 degree of myopia and some astigmatism). I have been told by the doctors, that if I had the same complication after a LASIK surgery things would be much more difficult and I would need another surgery (keratoplasty). I still have problems with often keratitis episodes. On the other hand, I don;t need glasses or contacts, which is awesome.

      Of course, all that is extremely rare, but anything can happen. So, whether it is worth the risk depends on how much you want to get rid of your glasses.

      Additionally a degree of photophobia after surgery for a long period, which means that you will need sunglasses more than before, is not vary rare. Plus the long outcome is not well established, but I believe ophthalmology will progress enough to fix any long term problems.

21. QUESTION:
    i want to have lasik or laser eye surgery..what are the risks because i'm really scared?
    i have dry eyes and i wear contacts

    • ANSWER:
      And my nephew had it and is practically blind. You should be leary of Lasik. There are many risks and side effects after surgery, the least of which is dry eye, halos, starbursts and lens contrast sensitivity which effects night vision.

      LASIK or Refractive Vision Correction surgery can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. No one should have this surgery until they are absolutely sure their vision has stabilized, usually in your early to mid twenties, give or take several years. If you have the surgery prior to total vision stabilization, you will have to have the surgery repeated.

      LASIK is surgery and has many of the inherent risks of any surgery. It has been a dream to some and a nightmare that you will never wake from for others. LASIK is irreversible. Prior to committing to this surgery, you must do your homework and be willing incur the risks and side effects associated with this surgery. LASIK is considered cosmetic surgery and is seldom covered by health insurance and can be quite expensive.

      Anyone contemplating LASIK surgery must research the procedure thoroughly and ask lots of questions of your surgeon. You must check out your ophthalmic surgeon thoroughly, ensure that you are a good candidate and check out all the possible side effects. Although LASIK has helped many people, it has also been very detrimental to others even causing permanent blindness.

      If you pick a good LASIK surgeon who has lots of experience and are a good candidate, your will probably have a good result, but long term results and risks are still not known. You can check out the websites below to learn more about LASIK and the risks you might encounter.

      http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/lasik-la…
      http://blog.taragana.com/health/eye/2010… -
      http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/06/0…
      http://www.lasikcomplications.com/
      http://www.lasiknewswire.com / 2009 / 10 / fda-warning-letters-targ...

22. QUESTION:
    Is LASIK eye surgery really safe?
    Hello, Just a couple questions. I was reading about the difference between LASIK and PRK and it seems like PRK may be a safer procedure. I am concerned about the risks of Laser eye surgery (such as complications later in life, the cornea flap from the LASIK never healing, dry eyes, loss in visual quality. etc)
    and I was wondering which procedure is better to undergo, LASIK or PRK? Also potential blindness is mentioned, risks etc.. Are these likely? PRK seems safer to me (from what I've read..) Can you clear this up? Thank you!
    p.s. I know a consultation would help me get info, but I wanted to ask here first!

    • ANSWER:

23. QUESTION:
    Can you please share your experience with Lasik eye surgery?
    I am thinking about getting done but I am wary of the risks? Was it worth it? Would you do it again?

    • ANSWER:
      I was about 20/250 before Lasik surgery last year. The procedure was painless, probably due to the Valium they gave me. The ride home (as a passenger, of course) was fairly uncomfortable, mainly due to light sensitivity. The doctor gave me dark goggles, but the light was still too bright. I was in some pain once I got home (maybe 3 hours post procedure), but I had some left over Vicodin, and took two doses of that. The Vicodin took the edge off. Slept fine that night. Woke up the next morning, and I COULD SEE FINE! Hallelujah! I was jazzed up about that. I drove myself to my one day check up (an 2 hour round trip) with no problems. For that check up, I was seeing at 20/25, less than 24 hours after the surgery. I went to work that afternoon (doing ultrasound which really requires you to use your eyes). For my one week check up, I was seeing between 20/20 and 20/15. Other than the touch of pain I had post procedure, before I went to bed for the night, I had no other problems. I would do it again in a heartbeat! No more glasses, no more contacts, no more cleaning solutions and saline!

      Just one other thing....I went to a doctor who used computerized, laser equipment. No knives were involved. But, it cost me a pretty penny. I paid 00 for both eyes, but I was not comfortable going to a doctor that advertised in the newspaper for 0 per eye. Sometimes you get what you pay for! Good luck to you!

24. QUESTION:
    lasik eye surgery 3 times?
    Im 52 years old and i have had caterac replaced on both eyes and 2 lasik eye surgery on both yes and i stil cant see good i might go into another surgery whats the risk if i go into another lasik surgery

    • ANSWER:
      Two things could happen:

      A) You could damage your eyes and undo what's been done by the first surgeries.

      B) You could postpone the loss of your sight. It's entirely up to you.

25. QUESTION:
    Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of lasik eye surgery...Is there any one whose had it and your experience.
    I've been wearing contacts for about 12 years now and i've noticed my eyesight is deteroriating every year..My doctor said after 25 it will start to slow down. Now i'm wearing glasses more because i believe my contacts have alot to do with my poor vision and the decline in my vision. Is there anyone who has researched lasik surgery and/or has had it that can tell me the risk involved, advantages and difference it's made with their vision. I've spoken to my optomitirist and he states it's realtivly safe with very few side effects except for blurred vision at night. I'm very very farsighted and i basicly need glasses/contacts to see not just read. Any advice or info will be appreciated.

    • ANSWER:
      pros:
      the vision -- being able to see first thing in the morning is something I'm grateful for even after 7 years

      cons:
      not cheap

      after-surgery discomfort can far range from mild irritation (a feeling like grit in the eye) to outright pain (like having dilation drops put in your eye in a steady stream) with the mild to moderate discomfort being most common

      glare or star bursts, especially at night. Everybody can expect some at the beginning, but the larger your pupils the greater the chance of them being severe & permanent

      even after healing, the cornea will not be as strong as it was before, so your risk of eye injury is greater (especially if your into contact sports)

      you have to do without your contacts for a couple weeks before and without makeup a couple weeks after (even though this is superficial, it can bother some people)

      in rare cases, worsening of the vision or blindness can occur

      Overall:
      I would recommend it. The inconvenience and discomfort of the surgery is well worth the vision you receive (this coming from someone who got the worst of the discomfort and star bursts).

26. QUESTION:
    What is the best place for lasik eye surgery in northern california?
    Please explain where, and why. I am in the market to get this done this or next month and my eyes are NOT something I am willing to risk on any random doctors office!

    • ANSWER:
      I got Lasik last winter and haven't had any problems. It took me ages to get up the nerves to get the surgery done though, now I am glad I did. I spent hours at the clinic simply asking quetions about how the surgery work (Lasik vs PRK) and what my expectations were. My Arizona eye doctor was very comforting. Try visiting your local California laser vision clinic and make an appointment for a free consultation. http://www.locallaservisioncenters.com/California-Laser-Vision-Correction.html

      Good Luck

27. QUESTION:
    Is lasik eye surgery is safe ? which one is the best place in India to do so ?
    No risk can be taken in the case of eye ? So I want to know that is lasik eye correction is safe or not and what is the cost of it in India ?

    • ANSWER:
      Since you obviously have pc access, I suggest you research .You can search many different ways.
      I know it is safe in the USA, I am not certain what method they use in India.
      Get educated about different types of procedures.
      Good Luck!
      Vera

28. QUESTION:
    lasik eye surgery what si the risk?
    i am 12 i am having the surgary soon what si the risk

    • ANSWER:
      Soon ?

      You won't be having it for at least another 10 years with any reputable Dr.

      The risks are minimal, but your vision has to be stable ( no more changes) for at least 18 months , but that can't happen at your age, you are still growing.

29. QUESTION:
    developed eye power after lasik surgery...pls help?
    Hi , I had a lasik eye surgery done 5 years ago , and my eyes were perfect , recently I had a computer project for which I had to stare at the computer for long periods of time continously and I stared at the computer continously morning to night for 5 days and now all of a sudden I feel I have developed power because when I close my right eye and see through the left eye ...I cannot read things in the distance as I used to before and I definetly feel I have developed power because of staring at the computer continously .......but before lasik I was using soft lenses ........but now I dont know if i can go for soft lenses or hard gas permeable lenses lenses ......or do you think gas permeable lenses are going to be more bad ( like risk of an eye infection is more ) and should go for the glasses instead

    • ANSWER:
      this is quite common wit people who have had laser surgery some people do develop a prescription again so its not 100%. you should be able to wear contacts again and soft contacts would probably be the best because gas permeable are much pricier and also not a lot of opticians use them anymore i would go to your eye doctor just to get your eyes checked out.

30. QUESTION:
    how safe is lasik eye surgery for people over 50yrs old?
    is the risk factor higher that something would go wrong in people over 50,then it would be for someone younger?

    • ANSWER:
      Unfortunatly the risk factor for oder people is higher..just becuse younger people are still young and healthy and cells can quickly divide and provide new cells and etc....on the bright side....now that the technology is so advanced the risk factors themselves are low..very low

31. QUESTION:
    Lasik Eye Surgery, should I get it?
    I've been hearing a lot about this, positive and negative. I've read the risks and I'm not so sure if I want to go through with getting it now... Anyways I've been reading and I can't find a answer to this question I've been wondering.
    If the flap of the eye is ripped 'After' you get lasik surgery, will it heal back 'Completely'? I read some articles and it says that the flap doesn't heal even close to fully if it gets ripped by lets say someone poking you in the eye after you get lasik surgery, even a year or two after you get it.

    • ANSWER:
      Lasik surgery doesn't produce the flap...that's PRK , a different form of laser surgery that is the best choice in some cases.

      Regular run of the mill lasik isn't done by creating that flap. It just reshapes the front of the cornea.

32. QUESTION:
    I'm 16. When I turn 18, would it be bad/dangerous to get LASIK eye surgery?
    I don't want to wear glasses and I'm so scared to touch my eyes that it's nearly a phobia which is why I can't wear contacts. I think that LASIK is great because it lasts for a long time. Are the risks worth the nearly-perfect vision without the need of glasses?

    • ANSWER:
      First check to see if your a candidate for the surgery....then research your doctor....not all patients have the results they want after the procedure.....also you may want to wait unless you are really nearsighted you are still young and your RX may change....also check the policy to see if they do touch ups after the procedure if you don't get the original desired results

33. QUESTION:
    Can someone give me information on eye surgery?
    I am considering laser/lasik eye surgery. I would like information on the average costs, potential risks and rate of such risks, age for it to be done. Duration for recovery. and any other information you may feel is pertinent in making such a decision.

    • ANSWER:
      Wow, I hope you read up on people's successful LASIK procedures before making a decision. Yes, things can go horribly wrong.. but it's a surgery. There are risks with every surgery.

      Dry eye may be one of the more common side effects, but every patient does not experience it. That is entirely false! I've had the surgery done on both of my eyes and have no problems whatsoever.

      Remember, people who are not happy with their outcome are always going to speak louder than those who are.

      My surgery was 00 per eye. The best thing to do would be to schedule a consultation, they are free! There you will be able to speak with a doctor and have your eyes examined.
      The surgery itself is completely painless. Afterwards my eyes burned really badly(as soon as the anesthetic began to wear off). I sure was thankful for the painkillers they gave me. The pain in my eyes lasted for about 6 hours and then I felt ok enough to open them and was not in too much discomfort except for the world being really bright! Full recovery, to where I didn't have to wear eye shields to sleep and be so cautious, was about a week. They do say to wait a month for things like swimming, rubbing your eyes, etc. It's kinda up to your own judgement.. I didn't dare rub my eyes at all for about 2 months.
      The risks have already been mentioned. I would say that you should treat this as something that you feel is important enough to have done, no matter what the outcome. I was ready to accept any and all side effects.. Too many people are probably doing this as a convenience; They already live perfectly happy lives with glasses or contacts.. and are not fully understanding the risks.

      Good luck with your decision.

34. QUESTION:
    Question for someone who has had lasik eye surgery!?
    I am getting lasik eye surgery 11:00 am on august 15th. I have a wedding fuction at 7:00 pm on saturday august 16th. Will i be able to go? or will i have to rest my eyes?? ps: my vision is quite good i just want to improve it! so they say i have less risks? anyways help! thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      Um, ask whoever's doing it? I'm assuming you have had/are having a consultation with them.

      But from what I've heard, you have to rest them for several days in dim light.

35. QUESTION:
    Help? Lasik Eye Surgery?
    I am 17 turning 18 years old in July.
    I have been contemplating getting Lasik for a while now BUT I would only get the bladeless version of the surgery.
    I have astigmatism and different vision in both eyes.
    I am willing to pay the price & I've had surgery before so I can handle it.
    I'm just wondering are there any risks in the bladeless version of the surgery? Does lasik only last until you're 40 years old or is that a rumor? Would I receive perfect vision in both eyes?

    Please try and inform me as much as possible but only about the bladeless version of the surgery.
    Thank you.

    • ANSWER:
      please don't get it. i went to get Lasik and in one of my eye got blind. i sued them .

36. QUESTION:
    Can extacy affect Lasik eye surgery?
    I'm getting lasik and was wondering if extacy will dialate my eye so much that the flap will be affected. how long should i wait before i should take the risk of extacy?

    • ANSWER:
      You mean...is there a good time to take an illicit and dangerous drug ?

37. QUESTION:
    lasik eye surgery with astigmatism?
    I finally got a check up yesterday with my optometrist, and she told me that my vision is up to 5.0, which is kind of high for someone who's 19.
    she suggested that I should do lasik. i dont know if i can put all of my trust on her except the fact that she is also an eye surgeon. my question is that will lasik be effective for someone like myself, who has astigmatism? my right eye is about 5.0, but my left is of ~4.8.

    Its either.......my vision getting REALLY bad over the years WEARING glasses, or getting lasik which i risk of going blind.

    so is there anyone out there who can give me some sort of their advice through experience or has any knowledge about it?

    • ANSWER:
      Eeek! I have astigmatism and I refuse to get lasik surgery. No way Jose! There are contacts made especially for persons with astigmastism and there are really cute glasses out there. They even cut your lense so they do not look thick. Think of it this way, no procedure is 100% accurate/precise. There is always room for mistake. Doctors are human so they are not perfect. The thought of have a laser cutting away a top portion of my eye is just outrageous to me. Do your research!!!!!! If you really want this procedure make sure you check your doctors credentials, review any complaints against them, ask lots of questions, and if possible find someone who treated them for laser surgery. You do not want to risk anything when it comes to your eyes.

38. QUESTION:
    thinking of getting lasik eye surgery?
    Please look on this website www.lasikcomplications.com. I know there have been some tremendous results, but please consider the risks very carefully. I just lost the most wonderful brother, who took his life due to these unbearable complications. Please, no sarcasm. My heart's hurting too much. I'm just trying to help... Thanks.

    There may be other websites available. My research has only just begun.

    • ANSWER:
      LASIK eye surgery does carry some risks, such as loss of vision. In some extremely rare cases, the patient may lose vision due to equipment malfunction, scarring or healing related complications.

      One common risk of LASIK eye surgery is that any dry eye condition that is experienced right after surgery may hamper the healing process.

39. QUESTION:
    Lasik Eye Surgery Anyone?
    Has anyone ever had lasik eye surgery? I want to know the pros and cons of getting this type of surgery, how risky is it, is it costly, and is the outcome worth the risk? Thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      pros are no more spect int he future....cons are dryness of eyes and reduce nite vision...

40. QUESTION:
    Should I get LASIK/LASEK laser eye surgery?
    I am joining the military, should I get laser eye surgery or not risk it? Since I would be issued goggles, ballistic goggles, sunglasses etc, is this defeating the object and regretably so? Thanks

    • ANSWER:
      I had lasik while on active duty and the army paid for it. But i am currently trying to get back on active status and because of the surgery the meps is giving me a hard time even thought the army did it, and it was at a military hospital. So i would not recommend doing it before you go in.

41. QUESTION:
    Had lasik eye surgery?
    I need the eye surgery. My mom had it but now she can't wear contacts. have you had it? any risks?

    • ANSWER:
      Some problems include double or triple vision, light distortion so severe that patients can't drive at night, or eyes so dry that they have to wear goggles when going outside.

      Some patients experience infections, inflammation of the eye, redness, blurriness or eye irritation. It's best to think of LASIK as reducing your dependency upon corrective lenses - not necessarily as eliminating your need for them.

      One of the most common complications of LASIK eye surgery is a slipped flap. The flap that was created during the LASIK procedure may become detached from the rest of the cornea. Most doctors recommend that you go home and sleep for several hours after completing the LASIK procedure in order to allow the cornea to start its healing process. That's good advice and can substantially reduce your chances of experiencing a slipped flap.

      Even without LASIK eye surgery, it's expected that everyone's eyes will change slightly with the passage of time - it's just a natural part of life. After LASIK, your eyes will still follow their natural course of changing with time, so LASIK shouldn't necessarily be considered a permanent solution. For many who have chosen LASIK, it has meant that they are no longer dependent on corrective lenses in order to have good vision. It's highly recommended that you talk with your doctor about LASIK and how any possible risks or side effects relate to your own personal circumstances.

42. QUESTION:
    LASIK eye surgery, has anyone had it done before?
    hey guys,
    so i've had contacts for about a year now, and i'm kind of getting sick of them and now i am considering lasik. has anybody ever done it before? what's the risk of something going wrong? how much is it? how old do you have to be to get it done?
    my greatest fear losing my vision, so i want to know that this is safe.

    thanks!
    -girl

    • ANSWER:

43. QUESTION:
    Has anyone had the Lasik laser eye surgery?
    My husband really wants to get it, I'm against it for myself. The thought of someone messing around with my eyes gives me the creeps and I wouldn't want to risk it. How did your surgery turn out, was it worth the cost?

    • ANSWER:
      Well, I just had it on Tuesday. I'm the same way you are - I don't want anyone messing with my eyes. I'd rather have something like a procedure to remove my third nipple than have someone messing with my eyes. Okay, maybe not that extreme, but I was pretty much dragged into my appointment.

      My girlfriend insisted I do it, my eyes were constantly bothering me (dryness from contacts and winter) and she got sick of hearing me whine. I was extremely apprehensive leading up to, and the day of. They gave me Motrin and Valium to help with the procedure.

      I won't go into details, but it was uncomfortable. They really do mess with your eyes quite a bit (obviously), and I did more or less hate it. But afterwards, I realized that the whole thing took MAYBE 10 minutes, if that. Even with the pills, I felt discomfort... but you have to figure, 10 minutes of that for your vision back - no more glasses, contacts, rubbing your eyes, goop, dryness... and waking up being able to see without reaching for anything. The payoff is huge.

      It's been 5 days, and I'm putting eyedrops in my eyes every 4 hours or so. That's not nearly the nuisance I thought it would be. I feel no pain and my vision is getting clearer every day.

      I'm telling you, thus far, it's been worth it and I definitely was against it. I paid 00 for my surgery for Custom LASIK with no blades whatsoever in Omaha. A little pricey, I'm told, but right now I don't care about the cost.

      p.s. I don't have a third nipple.

      p.p.s. If they give you a choice between the 5mg or the 10mg dose of Valium. TAKE 10! I didn't!

44. QUESTION:
    Lasik Eye surgery?
    I am 22 and need glasses all the time but I never wear them. I can get away without them I just can read things far away, like 10 feet Im guessing.
    Have you had lasik? what is it like what are the risks? Im scared of it for some reason. I havent done much research yet because Im scared of it! lasers!
    Any info on it would be great or experiences!!

    • ANSWER:
      my daughters both have had lasik...it is very simple...but go to a surgeon who is very well known...do not go to the cheapest and don't go out of the country for it.....the first day is the worst....they controlled it with tylenol etc.....go check it out ...you won't regret it

45. QUESTION:
    did you have Lasik eye surgery? what was your experience like? i'm afraid if i should or not. help?
    looking to get it done w/in the next month or 2. just started researching it and i wasn't aware of a lot of things about it, like the risks! so... did you do it and are you glad? what was the worst part of it? do you have any suggestions/recomendations?

    • ANSWER:
      this surg. is very easy dosent hurt at all feels like a small shock i would definatly tell u to get it will change how u see.. lol

46. QUESTION:
    Thinking about getting Lasik eye surgery?
    My eyes are not even that bad. I'm -2.00 in my right eye and -1.50 in the left.

    Still I use contacts and own glasses, but I hate glasses with a passion. I avoid them as much as possible. But every once in a while I need a break from contacts because my eyes get irritated so I'm forced to wear glasses. Hate it.

    After another weekend of contact lens discomfort I just got really annoyed and started thinking about lasik.

    Anyone with experience? Any advice from Doctors?

    I need to know the average cost without insurance and the risks. I live in the Washington D.C. area.

    I plan to do some more research but I figured I'd start here.
    Also.. whats the recovery time?

    • ANSWER:
      i got it done becuz i also hated my glasses. recovery time is around 15 days during which no water should be allowed to go into the eyes. also you cant touch them except with sterlized cotton. it feels great now. my eyes are perfect. no problems at all. full independence from glasses. its as if i never had them in the first place. risk in negligible,that is if you get it done from the best eye surgeon in town, like i did. cost depends on how weak your eyes are. good luck! go ahead and do it. its great! trust me.

47. QUESTION:
    Lasik Eye Surgery do you recommend it ?
    What do you guys know about this procedure ?
    and How much does it cost ?
    is there high risk?
    Well I have astigmatism
    And thank you for your answers !

    • ANSWER:
      I am 10 years post-LASIK, I am pleased with my results. I am also an optician and I see mixed results, most people are happier after it is done but some people have continuing problems.

      The procedure has improved greatly since I had mine done but there are some drawbacks. There is a high correlation between LASIK patients and greatly-reduced low-contrast vision---a type of vision problem not really addressed in a standard eye exam. I do not have 20/20 vision now (I never did, quite) but my low-contrast vision is poor. This means I see ok in an eye exam under very good dark/light conditions, but that my vision is considerably reduced when a room is dark or for night driving. Also, I needed reading glasses a few years before most other people my age--but use them only at work with tiny eyeglass screws, etc.

      Knowing what I know now, I would still have had the procedure done.

      If my son (high RX) wished to have it done, I would encourage him to do so--but I would help him carefully research the best place to have it done. This is very important.

48. QUESTION:
    Do you personally know anyone that has had Lasik and should I get LASIK eye surgery?
    I've been wanting Lasik for years now. I have been completely dependent on contacts and glasses to see for almost 15 years now (I'm almost 27). I also have an astigmatism in one eye, which I know can be fixed with the surgery. But because of the astigmatism in that eye, I will never been able to see perfectly with contacts and glasses.

    However, I have been reading a ton of horror stories online the past few days since I started seriously researching the procedure. There are tons of websites dedicated to trying to convince people not to have the surgery. They tout negative effects such as blurry vision, starbursts, loss of contrast, ghosting, double vision, permanent dry eye, etc. So I'm wondering if it is going to be worth the risk? I couldn't bear having a permanent problem with my vision because of something I did to myself, but on the other hand this could be the best thing for my vision. I just don't know!

    Please only answer if you personally know someone such as a close friend or family member that has had the surgery and tell me what the results have been, good or bad. Bonus points if they went to a doctor in Atlanta.

    Thanks.

    • ANSWER:
      While I have no experience personally or with anyone in Atlanta, I used to work at an office that did Lasik procedures weekly.
      You would have to be screened and tested before they even could determine if you're a candidate. There are pretty strict guidelines and not everyone who wears glasses or contacts is eligible for it.
      That being said, yes there are horror stories, as with everything else in life. Different people react differently. The best advice I can give you is- do your research. Listen to word of mouth (which seems to be what you're looking for, so already you are on the right path).
      Meet with numerous doctors and don't be shy about asking questions. If they are a reputable physician, they should be ok to answer any and all questions you will have.
      Remember, your vision is nothing to play around with.
      And remember, you get what you pay for. Don't go for someone just because they are cheap!

49. QUESTION:
    Lasik Eye Surgery?!?!?
    I am thinking about having Lasiks done. Are there any risks and is it a good thing to do? Has anyone ever done it? I have been wearing glasses/contacts since I was about 7. I found a place near my hometown that does Lasiks and I'm just concerned about the pros and cons.
    does anyone know if most insurance pays for it? or any part of it?

    • ANSWER:
      I considered Laser eye surgery myself when i grow up...

      pros.

      better vision.. duh..
      20 20 vision
      no more glasses or contact lenses
      life changing experience
      Hundreds of thousands of people have had Lasik, most very successfully.
      LASIK is by far the most prevalent and safest refractive surgery procedure

      Cons.

      really..REALLY..expensive.
      Some people[ SOME...] vision's didin't improve.. it got worse.
      risk of permanent damage to vision
      one in six people end up with worse eyesight.
      after surgery.. you could be seeing double's andf triples...
      some people have colour contrast.. they can't drive.
      If you have Lasik to correct your distance vision, you'll still need reading glasses around age 45.

      *Most insurance does not cover the surgery.

      Also...

      The Lasik procedure is not recommmended for anyone who is:

      • is under 18

      • is pregnant

      • has a history of eye disease

      • has extremely large pupils (bigger than 7mm can cause problems with Lasik)

      • has very thin corneas

      • has very... strong prescriptions

      I hope you make the right decision..

      i would love to get eye surgery..

      GOOD LUCK

      = )

50. QUESTION:
    LASIK Eye Surgery questions?
    I have a few questions:
    1) What is the minimum age you can have the procedure?
    2) Are the risks the same for all ages?
    3) What is the average cost of the procedure?
    4) Can you have it done more than once to correct any problems that could arise (over correcting/under correcting)? I'm assuming the answer is no to this one :/

    I'm currently 16 and I am almost positive that is too young. Mainly because I know my eyes are still changing. I was curious as to whether or not I could get it done by college. I don't where my glasses that often and my vision isn't terrible. I drive with my glasses off unless it's dark or I'm with someone that would feel more comfortable with me wearing them.
    Ok cool I've gotten most of my answers. Just one more that I thought of: will insurance pay for it or at least help a little? I know it depends on the insurance company but CAN they?

    • ANSWER:
      The law in the US says you have to be 18. The risks depend on so many factors that you really need to be assessed to know what your individual risks might be. Costs are different all over the US, and depending on the surgeon and his equipment and his education. Do not go by price alone, but know that the ,000 per eye surgeons fix the problems that the 9 per eye surgeons cause. Rarely vice versa. You usually are screaned for tear layer and thickness of cornea as well as stability of your vision. Age is not really a factor per se. Enhancement surgeries are common and expected as the proceedure does not keep your eyes from changing like they normally would anyway. Next eye exam you have, you should ask your eye doctor what they think about lasik for you specifically. There are no cookie cutter answers here.