Vision Correction Surgery: I want it but I'm scared.

[Anonymous]

I had it done 3 years ago by Dr. Jay Lustbader in Rockville...my only issue is that I cannot believe I waited so long to do it. I'm a fomer med mal atty. and a total worrier, so it took me YEARS to cave in and finally do it. I cannot express how lovely it is to wake up in the a.m., open your eyes, and SEE. Wow. It's hard to even imagine how long I went in horribly uncomfortable contacts and glasses and squinting and eye drops...ugh.
I have had ZERO side effects. I am beyond thrilled.
I did ask the Dr. to write me a Rx for valium for surgery day, though...I was beside myself with nerves and it helped me to relax. Just had a valium about 45 minutes before hand and it calmed me down.

I can't tell you what to do, but I can tell you that I am THRILLED that i did it. Good luck whatever you decide.

[Anonymous]

I got it done about 6 years ago. Was very nervous and agonized a lot about the decision, but would being one of the best decisions ever and worth every penny. I went to Dr. Thomas Clinch, who is on Washingtonian's list.

[Anonymous]

NPR did a piece on this. I aired this morning for those who are interested. I'm sure it's probably on their website. IT focused mainly on the FDA study and people's complaints.

[Anonymous]

This may not be encouraging for people who are thinking about LASIK but I got it done in August and had major complications. Basically, after the surgery, I got inflammation under the flap where my corneas were sliced and it led me to have extremely clouded vision. I was legally blind for 8 weeks. Needless to say, it was a very scary time. I couldn't drive, watch TV, go on the computer, read the paper or do anything that I used to enjoy. I don't blame the doctor though. The surgery was very routine. My understanding is, no one can predict how your body is going to react to any type of surgery. I went to a very reputable doctor who ironically treats the most serious problem cases in the area so thankfully, I felt as if I was in good hands. He promised that my vision would improve and the fuzziness would eventually go away but it could take months. He said the worst part of the ordeal was more psychological and he was right. I have a 2 year old and I consider myself the "CEO" of our family so it was a major set-back for us. I had to move in with my sister every time my DH had to travel for work because I had a hard time cooking or cleaning up after my son. True to the doctor's word, my vision ever so slowly improved and now (almost 5 months later), my vision is almost 20-20! I don't wear contacts or glasses and my life is better than ever. Believe it or not, I don't regret the surgery because I did get the results I wanted, albeit months later. In case your wondering, my vision was VERY poor before (-7.0 in both eyes for contacts).

As terrible as everything was, this experience also enhanced my life. I spent more time talking to people, playing with my son, and taking a break from my usual hectic life. My DH and I became closer than ever and for that, I'll always be grateful. For what it's worth, my doctor also said the type of complication I suffered only affects ONE PERCENT of the people who get the surgery. It's that rare so I don't think most people have to worry about it. I'll never know why I was the one percent but it is what it is. It was the risk I took and thankfully, I made a complete recovery. Good luck with your decision!

[Anonymous]

I had it done a year and a half ago and it was life changing. My eyesight was VERY bad and now I'm 20/20. For me, I did it for safety reasons. I wanted to be able to function in emergencies without scrambling around for glasses/contacts, especially with kids in the house. Yes, I most likely will need to wear glasses as I age but that has nothing to do with the surgery. As we age, most of us will need glasses and there is nothing a doctor can do about it. And, I may need a tune up here and there but I don't care. My eyesight was so bad that returning to low prescription contacts, light glasses, and/or a tune-up is not a big deal to me.

I was lucky and had no complications and little discomfort associated with the surgery. I had halos at night for about 6 months and minimal dryness. I do know, however, two people who had some complications and it was frightening. It worked out in the end, though.

[Anonymous]

I'm very nearsighted (-9.50) and can no longer wear contacts due to dry eye (I do have the tear duct plugs- they don't help). My uncle is an eye dr and he recommended against it, due to the nearsightedness and the fact that I'm Asian and have different curvature of the eye, or something like that. I HATE wearing glasses, but I figure they only hand out one pair of eyes and if something goes wrong with the surgery, you're SOL.

[Anonymous]

10:47, I have done lots of research on Lasik (and I had it done). I would listen to the doctor. Form my observations, most of the "bad" stories I read were from people who were told (or probably should have been told) that they were not good candidates. When I had it done, I promised myself I wouldn't do it if any doubt was raised in the exam. Luckily, I didn't have to make that decision.

[Anonymous]

was scared to do it.
Best thing I did for myself EVER.
I went to Mark Whitten at TLC in Rockville. He did Tiger Woods and a TON of other professional athletes. I figured if all of these pro athletes (who need their vision as much as the rest of us, if not more!!) used him, then maybe I should consider. Pro Basketball, soccer, golf, you name it.
They also do a ton of procedures there, and I would assume have the money to buy the newest best equipment. I was terrified, and couldn't be happier with the results. They'll even give you a "touch up" if you need it if you keep seeing your reg doc for yearly checkups. It's been 4 years and my eyes are still PERFECT!!! I was 20/400 before....REALLY BAD.

[Anonymous]

The best reason against LASIK I've heard is this:

In an eye that is not properly functioning, why would you go and permanently, physically, alter the one part of the eye that is actually healthy (the lens)?

While I've really wanted to get this done for all the reasons PP's have listed, this one reason that has resonated. That, and the lack of true long term outcomes studies.,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I figured if all of these pro athletes (who need their vision as much as the rest of us, if not more!!) used him, then maybe I should consider. Pro Basketball, soccer, golf, you name it.
They also do a ton of procedures there, and I would assume have the money to buy the newest best equipment. I was terrified, and couldn't be happier with the results. They'll even give you a "touch up" if you need it if you keep seeing your reg doc for yearly checkups. It's been 4 years and my eyes are still PERFECT!!! I was 20/400 before....REALLY BAD.

That might be true, but I'd like to see a survey of Eye Care Providers (ophthalmologists/optometrists) and see how many have had the procedure. There's probably an inherent bias there because they can get the procedure done for free/low cost, but even despite that, I know of quite a few who haven't had it done, and continue in their glasses/contacts.

[Anonymous]

"That might be true, but I'd like to see a survey of Eye Care Providers (ophthalmologists/optometrists) and see how many have had the procedure. There's probably an inherent bias there because they can get the procedure done for free/low cost, but even despite that, I know of quite a few who haven't had it done, and continue in their glasses/contacts."

I haven't made up my mind about LASIK, but I wouldn't give much merit to this. I think it is pretty common for surgeons to be extremely protective of their livelihoods (which would include their eyes) after spending so much time and money to start their profession.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"That might be true, but I'd like to see a survey of Eye Care Providers (ophthalmologists/optometrists) and see how many have had the procedure. There's probably an inherent bias there because they can get the procedure done for free/low cost, but even despite that, I know of quite a few who haven't had it done, and continue in their glasses/contacts."

I haven't made up my mind about LASIK, but I wouldn't give much merit to this. I think it is pretty common for surgeons to be extremely protective of their livelihoods (which would include their eyes) after spending so much time and money to start their profession.

In my experience, most people are extremely protective of their livelihoods, not just surgeons!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I haven't made up my mind about LASIK, but I wouldn't give much merit to this. I think it is pretty common for surgeons to be extremely protective of their livelihoods (which would include their eyes) after spending so much time and money to start their profession.

But, who doesn't use their vision for their livelihood? To some extent, we all do - surgeons or otherwise. If the surgeons are so confident about the procedure that they're willing to tout it as the best thing ever, shouldn't they all be free of glasses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm very nearsighted (-9.50) and can no longer wear contacts due to dry eye (I do have the tear duct plugs- they don't help). My uncle is an eye dr and he recommended against it, due to the nearsightedness and the fact that I'm Asian and have different curvature of the eye, or something like that. I HATE wearing glasses, but I figure they only hand out one pair of eyes and if something goes wrong with the surgery, you're SOL.

Exactly! And it's not like the surgery has been around that long, so they don't know the long term effects.