Laser Eye Treatment

Sonic74205 · **Mon Jan 08, 2007 6:16 pm Laser Eye Treatment**

Has anybody had laser eye treatment? If so could you talk me through the actual operation and basically tell me your experiences please?

I'm currently considering getting the treatment as it works out alot cheaper in the long run, its just what i have been told about the operation that puts me off. Any information would be greatly appreciated

Birdy · Socialist Joined: 20 Sep 2004 Posts: 13502 Location: Here.

Well, I have considered myself of getting the treatment too, but I think I'll wait a few years.
I know they've been performing the chirurgy for about 20 years now (in the States), right? That's already quite a while, but we won't know what the long term results are.

I've heard of cases in which they people had the (I believe) Lasik-treatment (where they cut a flap in your cornea and they laser your eye, and put the flap back, and after 4 years, the flap was still loose.

Well, no thank you.
I myself have pretty bad eyes, I don't know if it's the same in America but I can see good upclose, but not in at a distance. I have -6 and almost -4. I'm wearing contacts now.

My nefhew did have the treatment, he had like -10, and couldn't wear contacts. It worked out good with him (for now), but his doctor did tell him he probably will need reading glasses sooner than if he didn't have the treatment. And he said the wrinkles under your eyes can get worse than when you don't have the treatment.

Well, if that's the case, I'd rather stick to my contacts. Maybe in 10, 20 years, when they've done more research on this topic and it's proven to be safe also on the longterm, I'll consider it.
But now I won't. And it's pretty expensive over here; at a good clinic you pay like 3000 euros per eye.... Hellooooooo.

Otter · **Tue Jan 09, 2007 1:46 pm**

one of my carer's had treatment but havent seen her since then.

IntrepidIsMe · **Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:13 pm**

I know quite a few people that have had this and are happy with the results. I'll probably have it done in under a year.

TrekkieMage · **Thu Jan 11, 2007 12:57 pm**

Both my parents have had it. They both had bifocals before, so they have reading glasses now. They're also both over 50, so they aren't as concerned about the long term.

Overall my impression is that it is safe, well known surgery that works. But until the modern techniques have been poven in the long terms, I'm not going to go out and get it done when I'm in my 20s.

Ziona · **Thu Jan 18, 2007 1:43 am**

I'm thinking about getting it done. I'm -5.75 in my left eye and -5.50 in my right eye.

My neighbor down the street got it done but that was a few years ago. She now can't drive at night.

madlilnerd · **Sat Jan 20, 2007 8:38 am**

I saw live footage of it being done on television, and it's put me off for life.

They prise your eyes wide open with steel clamps for over an hour. *shudder*

Blancie · **Sun Jan 21, 2007 1:01 pm**

My Uncle had Laser eye treatment, and it worked out perfectly. I definately want to get it done, as soon as I can afford it!

Sonic74205 · **Tue Jan 23, 2007 2:40 pm**

syd2002 · **Sun Jan 28, 2007 4:51 pm**

Wow, this topic is so Ironic (for me of course) as I've recently become a semi-expert on this topic

I've notice one thing throughout this topic. You CAN NOT be a sleep through the operation. You have to be fully aware through the surgery which takes aprox 30 seconds per eye. The entire procedure only takes about 15 minuites (tops).

They do apply local freezing on both eyes, so you don't feel a thing, other than a slight discomfort which any human being would have (knowing someone is touching your eyes and you can't close them).

The recovery rate for this surgical operation is extremely fast as the cornea heals very fast. Sometimes even they day after the operation you have 20/20 vision.