Vision correction surgery (LASIK or other) with high prescription

[Anonymous]

I’m over spending $$$$ on glasses and contacts. I needed both this year (tried to cheap out with Warby Parker glasses about 2 years ago and they are not holding up well at all compared to name brand glasses) and it was $1300! However I have a high prescription - -10.5/-8 - and a small degree of astigmatism in the -8 eye but still enough to need astigmatism contacts.

Has anyone had successful vision correction surgery with this type of prescription? If so what did you get, I know there are other types other than LASIK, and where did you go in the DMV for it? I’m in NoVa but would go to DC or MD for the right doctor. I also have a family history of eye problems. My mother’s prescription is not nearly as high as mine (she can go without glasses if she’s just working at the computer or around the house or what have you), but she has had 2 retinal detachments. So honestly not sure if it’s right for me but I wanted to get some real life opinions and doctors recs.

[Anonymous]

I had LASIK 20 years ago and it fixed my 2600 or 2800 eye.

Best money spent.

[Anonymous]

Sorry- also have an astigmatism and I saw Dr Andrew Holzman in Tyson’s.

[Anonymous]

Would you have LASIK if you knew?
1. The LASIK flap never heals. Weak scar tissue around the flap edge holds it in place -- like a small Tupperware lid. But the flap itself is not attached and can be accidentally dislodged for life.
Moreover, the LASIK flap creates a permanent portal in the cornea, which exposes patients to
increased risk of corneal infection.
2. The cornea is permanently thinner and weaker after LASIK. Corneal biomechanical failure (ectasia) may occur shortly after LASIK or many years -- even decades -- later.
3. Researchers have found that LASIK patients may need cataract surgery up to 15 years
sooner than people who avoid LASIK. To add insult to injury, the LASIK-altered cornea causes problems with cataract surgery.
4. Osman et al. (2017) found that LASIK using the latest blade-free technology leads to posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) (floaters) in 85% of eyes that did not have pre-existing PVD.
5. LASIK leads to falsely low intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, exposing patients to permanent vision loss from undiagnosed glaucoma.
6. Corneal nerves responsible for tear production are severed and destroyed during LASIK. No study at any time point has found that corneal nerves fully recover to normal densities and
patterns after LASIK. Damaged nerves may lead to chronic dry eyes.
7. Injury to corneal nerves during LASIK may lead to incapacitating neuropathic eye pain.
8. Since LASIK does not eliminate the need for reading glasses after the age of 40 and studies
show that visual outcomes of LASIK decline over time, virtually all LASIK patients will end up back in glasses – sometimes sooner rather than later.
9. The FDA's latest LASIK study found that up to 46% of subjects who reported seeing no visual distortions (halos, starbursts, glare, and ghosting) before LASIK reported visual distortions after LASIK, and up to 28% of subjects with no symptoms of dry eyes before LASIK developed dry
eye symptoms after LASIK.
10. LASIK complications have led to corneal transplants, blindness, loss of eye, disability, suicidal
ideation, and suicide.

Proceed with caution and get a second opinion from an opthalmologist who does not perform LASIK procedure on healthy eyes.

[Anonymous]

PP- This is helpful in decision making.

Any idea if all outcomes hold if done in conjunction with cataract surgery?

Are they assuming cataract patients are old enough they won’t have to deal with future corneal repercussions ?

[Anonymous]

I had lasik about 18 years ago with a very bad prescription. It was life changing. I would not have been able to get out of my house in case of a fire without my glasses. It became a safety issue.

I also didn’t realize that I had no depth perception. After the surgery, the world was suddenly in 3-D.

I hope I don’t encounter the side effects that a PP indicated above. I’m 51 now. We’ll see. I check in with an ophthalmologist every two years or so to watch my eye health.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m over spending $$$$ on glasses and contacts. I needed both this year (tried to cheap out with Warby Parker glasses about 2 years ago and they are not holding up well at all compared to name brand glasses) and it was $1300! However I have a high prescription - -10.5/-8 - and a small degree of astigmatism in the -8 eye but still enough to need astigmatism contacts.

Has anyone had successful vision correction surgery with this type of prescription? If so what did you get, I know there are other types other than LASIK, and where did you go in the DMV for it? I’m in NoVa but would go to DC or MD for the right doctor. I also have a family history of eye problems. My mother’s prescription is not nearly as high as mine (she can go without glasses if she’s just working at the computer or around the house or what have you), but she has had 2 retinal detachments. So honestly not sure if it’s right for me but I wanted to get some real life opinions and doctors recs.

Isn't myopia a risk factor for retinal detachments (such as in your mother's case)?

[Anonymous]

I was -6.5 and -8 and had Lasik about 12 years ago. No issues.

[Anonymous]

I had LASEK (not Lasik) in another state in 2010 with a preacription somewhere around there plus small astigmatism. I've been glasses free ever since which has been wonderful. My only complaint is my night vision is terrible. I avoid driving if at all possible.

[Anonymous]

Who ate the best LASIK surgeons?

[Anonymous]

I had cataract surgery a couple of years ago in my early-mid 50s. This is much before the typical onset of cataracts, but I know others who had surgery before age 60.

Prior to the surgery, one of the questions repeatedly asked was if i had had LASIK. I am sure there was a reason they were asking.

With your family history of "other eye problems" and mother with detached retina twice (is that the same eye), then I'd be hesitant to do LASIK.

My vision before cataract surgery was -15 and -10 with considerable astigmatism. I am now seeing 20/25 to 20/30 in both eyes. it's pretty awesome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had cataract surgery a couple of years ago in my early-mid 50s. This is much before the typical onset of cataracts, but I know others who had surgery before age 60.

Prior to the surgery, one of the questions repeatedly asked was if i had had LASIK. I am sure there was a reason they were asking.

“With your family history of "other eye problems" and mother with detached retina twice (is that the same eye), then I'd be hesitant to do LASIK.

My vision before cataract surgery was -15 and -10 with considerable astigmatism. I am now seeing 20/25 to 20/30 in both eyes. it's pretty awesome.

+1

[Anonymous]

You should consult with your ophthalmologist about your specific case.
In addition your eye sight should be stabilized before you are a candidate.

[Anonymous]

I also had Lasik 20 years or so ago. I can't recall my prescription, but I remember I was pretty close to a legally blind level. Lasik was the best decision I've ever made. I'm still 20/20 and I'm 46.

[Anonymous]

I'm 55 and my eye doctor recently said its a good thing I never did Lasik as my eyes would be really messed up now. I'm about an -8.0 on each side, and now need multi-focal lenses. I'm not sure exactly how it would be messed up but that's what he mentioned.