Some Feedback please, if you can,

[Igor82]

Heya all,

So, I've opted into an elective epi-LASEK (PRK) eye surgery few weeks back. Thought it would be a nice thing to do for myself and my better half for this Xmas. I've read up on the net about it and got my fair share of scares and horror stories and as much info on side-effects and recovery time as i could.

I haven't had much exposure in terms of friends or acquaintances who did it, so i had to depend on the net and doctors (salesmen, really). I've been told 5 days and back to work as usual by the hospital - while the internet screamed with stories lasting from as "little" as a month right up to a year of troubles.

It's been little over 2 weeks now, i removed my "bandage" contacts and the blurriness got a little better but i'm still seeing double and the screen is an absolute nightmare to work off. Typing this is exhausting!

I thought with such a wide audience, i might ask a few virtual friends on here Have any of you done this procedure? Did it take you long to recover? Doctors are saying all OK, give it time but with it running into 3 weeks now, i'm starting to get a bit concerned and if i hear one more "everyone heals different" or "you are ready when you are ready" i think i'm going to punch the closest doctor in the face!

Any info would help. Thanks!

 

[dunover]

I worked in the eyeware industry for over 10 years in the 90's/noughties.
Firstly, your age is relevant. Over 40-ish your lens hardens and is less flexible thus squinting occurs when trying to focus. Usually the result is long-sightedness, and you need reading glasses within the range +025-+200. Now as far as I'm aware in the UK the laser-type treatments are NOT allowed to be given for this problem, but only for standard issues which people inherently have from a young age, and usually treatment is done at a younger age.
The older you are the longer the cornea takes to graft properly - the treatment if allowed on hardened corneas (if allowed in your location) will take longer to heal and the correction become apparent.

 

[BETAT]

Firstly, your age is relevant. Over 40-ish y.

maybe we'll get you some binoculars for the monitor then there's Igor's Xmas present taken care of

 

[aceking123]

hi a few years ago i had a slightly small bit of metal gone in my right eye didnt notice it until a few weeks later whilst working below a guy who was using a disc cutter cutting metal , anyway went to the eye clinic to get it sorted as my vision was blurred waking up one morning , this took about 4 weeks to settle down , so that was something minor hopefully you should start getting results soon wish you all the best , have you tried sun shades ? whilst working on pc if so does it help ?

 

[Jasminebed]

We have quite a large and long term lasik clinic in the city where I live. I've known perhaps 8 people that have had it done, and all have been deliriously happy with the results.

The period of using drops, always wearing sunglasses will probably last longer and cost more than you can be led to believe.

The sheer number of operations a surgeon has performed is actually a big factor in the success rate. Like most things, you get better with practice. If it only forms a small part of a clinic or practice, I would do my research very carefully on the doctors involved.

A friend's son works at a clinic in London. The price is quite a bit lower than what one would typically pay here. His mom flew over and had hers there... it helped subsidize the cost of her flight. She's pretty darn happy to.

If you are a contact lens user, it can save you thousands a year.

One friend that had his early, more than 8 years ago, the first person I knew, now uses drugstore cheaters for reading, just like a lot of 40 somethings do that have perfect vision. If you require bifocals now, I think they do one eye each way, just like for contacts, but I'm not certain, it's a matter to discuss regarding your surgical options.

It is an option to do one eye at a time, but you pretty much double your cost. Results are generally good, and it's something I've looked into in the past.

 

[Igor82]

thanks a lot all. no mrjones i haven't - its actually a pretty swell idea because i think its the screen light that's bothering me. Jasmine, stories of deliriously happy people always help Im trying not to be negative at this point, just aching to get back to normality of working. Outside is fine, pretty awesome actually, but a screen... bleh. really not good.

it does seem like i just have to ride it out for a few weeks

 

[dunover]

Igor - don't worry my friend you'll be fine!

 

[BETAT]

Igor - don't worry my friend you'll be fine!

I can always hope with a little blurriness there's a couple accidental 0s on the end of my cheque. Then again if I poke too much fun, I may be getting a pink slip for Xmas

You're a braver soul than me. I'm apprehensive about laser beams shooting into my eyes (out of them might be fun though)

 

[Igor82]

Igor - don't worry my friend you'll be fine!

HAHAHAHAHAHA! Amazing! I opened it from an email link and the sheer size of it on an HD screen made me snort loudly. Thank you, i surely hope so!

I'm off - gotten tired. cheers!

 

[Igor82]

I can always hope with a little blurriness there's a couple accidental 0s on the end of my cheque. Then again if I poke too much fun, I may be getting a pink slip for Xmas

You're a braver soul than me. I'm apprehensive about laser beams shooting into my eyes (out of them might be fun though)

Lol, just keep poking. there may be a lump of coal in there for you this xmas.

 

[MillyOfLeValley]

Igor - don't worry my friend you'll be fine!

LOL LOL!!!

 

[maxd]

Back in my WinnerOnline days one of the guys I worked with had it done. He was in his late 30s if I recall correctly. I think he had blurred vision for a little longer than the doctor predicted, needed eyedrops and I think shades for a while too. I asked him a little while later what he thought of the process and in spite of the minor post-surgery worries he was unequivocal in his enthusiasm for having had it done. For some time he tried to convince me to do the same. As it happens I've been wearing glasses since I was five years old and am perfectly happy with them. I'd never do the laser surgery thing but he was VERY glad he did.

 

[baldidiot]

I had it done in my mid-20's, but I can't for the life of me remember recovery times. I do remember barely being able to open my eyes for the first day and being super sensitive to light for a bit. I guess it can't have been that bad though or I'd remember more about it!

One thing that sucks is that I'm now back to wearing contacts/glasses - lasted about 5 years with perfect vision (18/20 I think - which was awesome) before it started to deteriorate. I'm an idiot though so didn't go to get it checked out for the first 6 months to a year - apparently my prescription (now) might have been better had I gone straight away. So just keep an eye on it is the take home from this!

 

[chayton]

Have you tried just adjusting the brightness and contrast of your monitor temporarily? My mom had some eye surgery done recently and bright lights really bothered her, she kept the lights dim and although she doesn't have a computer, she wore super dark sunglasses while watching tv and it helped a lot.

 

[suzecat]

Igor here is my new perspective for you. Firstly and hopefully, you are over your recovery process and your vision makes you feel like a super hero I once had great corrected vision until I learned first hand about optic neuritis. It is a condition where the optic nerve deteriorates - in my case - from MS . it cannot be corrected. You are blessed to have your vision.