Why did you not get LASIK?

[Anonymous]

Because I did the research into the real incidence of complications that lasik surgeons don’t share and I know that some of the FDA officials who approved lasik are now working actively to educate the public on the dangers of the procedure and to force surgeons to do so, also.

Thousands suffer long term complications which are destructive to quality of life and mental health. There have been a number of suicides tied to lasik surgery complications.

My sight is my most precious sense. I think I would likely commit suicide if I got an elective surgery that destroyed my vision permanently. Glasses and contacts are burdensome at times but healthy vision is precious.

[Anonymous]

Couldn’t afford it and now I think I’m probably too old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got Lasik in my early 20s. Fortunately I could afford it. Recovery was easy and I could see immediately. Worth every penny so I don't have to spend thousands over the years on doctors, glasses and contacts. Probably was cheaper in the end. Why don't people who can afford it do it? Do people like depending on glasses to see their hands? They're not comfortable, they break and they are expensive.

I did it in my late 20s and now in my late 40s I deeply regret it.

[Anonymous]

The procedure sounds horrifying so it's a no for me.

[Anonymous]

Didn't read all six pages but just to say my mom got it in her 50's and has had HORRIBLE complications in her 70's when she needed to start getting what should have been basic cataract surgeries. She has now had six procedures on one eye and four on the other. Will never ever ever get it!

[Anonymous]

Have always been afraid to get it, but finally caved and made a consultation appointment with one of the major practices in the DC area. I freakin got bacterial conjunctivitis from the doctor's office!! So I decided I would rather keep my contacts and glasses than risk a shoddy practice butchering my eyes.

[Anonymous]

My friend's father is a top eye surgeon in the country and won't let anyone in his family get LASIK - that's enough info for me.

[Anonymous]

Friend got it. 10 years later she needs glasses again. Contacts don’t fit her eyes properly anymore thanks to the surgery and dry eye. If it’s not permanent great vision what is the point. 10 years? That sucks.

[Anonymous]

Because my two friends who have done LASIK surgery on patients for years still wear glasses.

[Anonymous]

I can't find the link, but one of the commissioners on the FDA when LASIK was first approved said that they were always under the impression that the flap the surgery created would heal. Then it became clear that the flap never really heals all the way, the nerves and blood vessels don't reconnect, and this is the source of a lot of the complications when they happen. He said that if he knew then what he knows now about the rates of complications he wouldn't have voted to approve the procedure.

I wanted laser surgery at one point, but reading about the possibility of complications from LASIK terrified me. I ended up getting laser PRK. The recovery time is longer and more uncomfortable, but the outcomes are just as good or better, and your eye will completely heal afterwards. I was pretty uncomfortable for about four days afterwards, and didn't get a lot done at work that first week, but I'm also a big baby. Years later I'm super happy with the outcome.

[Anonymous]

My mom works at an eye care center and says she sees a ton of patients who regret their lasik surgery. The dry eye is no joke and hard to treat. I am not a candidate for lasik, but would not get it even if I could.