Anybody had Lasik eye surgery done?

[Andy Perreault]

I'm about to have this done, it will be my birthday gift to myself. I'm not going to do it for vanity's sake, I'm a bald-headed bachelor anyway. But wearing glasses out in the Seattle rain while performing blue collar work sucks! The slightest sweat, and they slide down my nose. Climb into the warm cab of the truck, and they fog up. Smack something while carrying a box on my shoulder, and the full impact is transmitted right to the bridge of my nose. Contacts are a pain to deal with; been there, done that.
A gal at work did the Lasik for $1500 right here in Seattle (Tukwila), instead of having to go to Canada. She now has 20/20 in one eye and 20/15 in the other. She absolutely loves it.
Comments?
Andy

Whoops, my mistake here, $1595, not $1500, I just found the brochure she gave me. But she said that was it, there were no hidden fees of any kind.


[This message has been edited by Andy Perreault (edited 05-17-2001). ]

 

[Fireman Dave]

Sonds like a good price, Andy. I think it's still about $2K per eye around here. I might get it someday, but I'm doing the contact thing for now. I've heard that you may have to get it done again down the road - maybe it only lasts so long for some? Good luck, and let us know how it goes. #ad


------------------
2001 2500; SLT; 4x4; QC; LWB; Auto; 3. 54 LS; 265s; Camper; Tow; Sliding Rear Window; Travel Convenience Group; Cab Clearance Lamps; Forest Green

 

[Andy Perreault]

Dave, I have heard of some places offering to do it again for free if your eyes go bad again. This place, Restore Vision Centers doesn't mention anything about that on their website, though. From their FAQ's page: "Is the treatment permanent? Over the ten plus years of it's use, these treatments have proven themselves to be stable long-term. "
I just noticed another mistake I made above, they're in Renton, not Tukwila.
Andy

 

[illflem]

Andy,I've known five people in Chelan who have had it done. For two of them it didn't help,the other three are happy as can be,one of them had the operation three years ago,it's still hard for me to get used to him not wearing glasses. All were done on the westside,I know not where.

 

[RPhCummins]

Absolutely the best thing that I have ever done for myself. I would say, "go for it"!

Feel free to ask me any questions ya might have. I give medical advise all day long. So it's no big deal.

Chet



------------------
1996 Long Box Club-cab, K&N filter, misplaced silencer ring, kitty and muffler are history, totally stock otherwise, 255/85 R16's, just waitin' to get bombed, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Member, Pioneer stereo system.

 

[RPhCummins]

ADD ON!

The next greatest thing is buying a Dodge
Cummins.

RPh

 

[Davison]

Andy... . Go to www.clarkhoward.com - he is a consumer radio guy... . heard him talk about it several times. He said you're better off going to a Dr. that does a high volume, even if you have to travel, the cost will usually be less and most importantly, you want someone who has operated on lots and lots of eyeballs!

Research it well before you leap. Heard good things about it, but a few horror stories too. Internet is a great tool for this type of sleuthing.

Good luck

 

[Banshe]

Andy,
Had mine done a couple years ago. Was a little pricey at $1,600 per eye. There are several places in town (Colorado Springs) that are charging between $600 and $800 an eye. Even at the price I paid, it was well worth it! Go for it!!!

Bill

 

[boatpuller]

Andy,
I had my eyes done in May, didn't want to go to Canada (had already been to Canada for dyno days, didn't seem worth it to drive there just for me, just a good B. O. M. Bing trip).
Got a special price of $2500 at a local place in Poulsbo, my answer to people that ask me about it is to explain to them that 6 months earlier they had quoted me a price of $4000 and that if I would have known how great it was I would have paid the extra $1500 just to have done it 6 months earlier, and every one that knows me knows how cheap I am. They say hindsight is 20/20 but now I can see forward 20/20 and don't need glasses to do it.
My $. 02 is GO FOR IT!!!!
HAPPY RAMMIN and SEEIN
Caleb

------------------
1993 LE W250 4x4 CC,Auto,3. 5's,LS. . Diamondplate,PowerWagon injectors,K&N,Egt,Boost,trans temp VDO Vision series, BD 3 1/2" Exhaust, 16cm housing,Mag Hytec Diff+ Trans pans,Transgo TFOD shift kit,Roadmaster Active Suspension.

Caleb Reese (per forum guidelines)

 

[Archive]

Andy... check out the lexington vision center in Vancouver, BC. They have done many of the air traffic controllers from work. Last I heard, it was 1,000 dollars. They definitely do volume, too.

 

[Chad Sheets]

Good luck. I had a retinal detachment in 94 that could have been fixed with a laser, but since I was in the military, they wouldnt recognise laser eye surgery. 9 extremely painful eye surgerys later, all I have is light perseption out of that eye, and the strain on the other one has reduced me from perfect to need glasses or everything is blurry.

Moral of the story... whatever you do, make sure the Doc is squared away. Your eyesight is something that can not be reproduced in a laboratory like a mechanical heart, at least not yet. Research, research, research. Go in "blindly" and you could end up that way. Best of luck.

------------------
Always ready to help!
2000 2500 Red Sport quad cab, 4x4, K&N, DDI's, straight piped, boost, pyro and fuel pressure gages, Hot Power Edge, mean looking set of 33. 5" tires, Snap On diamond tool box, Marine Corps window sticker, Semper Fi!

1972 340 Cuda'. Original tripple Black, 340 car w/air. Good clean car, super stock springs, Weld Prostars, shaker hood, strong 340 with a 727/4000 stahl, 4. 56... . Bombs away!
NRA Life Member. http://www.geocities.com/chadsheets

 

[HC]

IMPORTANT:
One thing folks don't talk about with these surgeries, is the limitations. As you age, your eyes lose the ability to accomodate, or focus. Those who see well at distances, need reading glasses. Those who can read without glasses will need glasses to see anything at a distance. You can't have both - you're either going to wear glasses for the close stuff, or for the distant stuff.
This is why you see folks going from "just glasses" to bifocals, and then later in life maybe even trifocals. It's just a fact of life. This comes on especially after 40; so there are probably some 25 to 35 year olds out there who have had the surgery and have zero complaints.

Most folks would rather wear glasses for reading, and be able to see well without glasses for driving, golfing, hunting, etc. , but just be aware that this is one of the choices you will be making.
All that said, those I know who have done this are pretty excited about the results.

 

[Scollins]

One thing to consider about these surgeries (either Lasik or PRK) is do you REALLY, REALLY want to decide based on cost? Your eyesight is one of most important senses, and I for one would not risk losing it because the procedure was cheaper somewhere else.

Advice? Do the research: find the doctor who has done the most successful procedures with at least a few complications. Be sure to find out what those complications were, if they were overcome and how. Avoid a doctor who claims "zero" complications, as you are surely going to be the first! Lastly, I recommend that you don't shop based on price.

Just my opinion, take it for what it is worth.

------------------
Scott Collins
'98 Ram 2500 4x4 12 Valve Cummins. Slightly BOMBed! #ad

Renton, WA

[This message has been edited by Scollins (edited 01-15-2001). ]

 

[Archive]

Scott... I agree with your thoughts on pricing, but I know numerous (probably at least 20-25) people that have had this procedure done at the lexington center in vancouver... all of them are extremely happy and would do it again! It is the cheapest place, also. At least it was about last november when I was researching it.
I equate this to a previous thread on products pricing... buy your spa gauges from two different places... one place is 100 dollars cheaper, on the same gauges. Shortly after posting that, the "other guy" reduced his price by 100 dollars!! Did that make his gauge any less of a quality product cause he dropped his price? Nope.

An example of this is Diesel Dynamics. Not so long ago, they quickly stopped a group purchase deal on their injectors. No way, no how! Now, the bullydog injectors hit the market, and a week or so later, Diesel Dynamics has a 20 percent off sale on all parts! I love competition, it is good for us, the consumer.
An important note is about the reading glasses. I don't know about the other places, but I know at lexington, they make sure you are aware of all of the benefits/pitfalls. You have your pre-exam in bellevue, surgery in canada, and all follow-up exams in bellevue. Saves some extra trips to canada!

 

[Andy Perreault]

Thanks for all the input, guys! A little info I got from the gal at work: The doctor really doesn't do the actual laser work, the computer does it all. This is a good thing, because computers don't get in arguments with spouses over breakfast, get stressed out in traffic, etc. For her, it was 5 seconds in one eye, 7 seconds in the other, and she was done. The only thing the doctor does is make an incision in the top layer of the eye and fold it back. After the laser is done, he flips that part back down, and she said, "He has a little squegee, and he smooths it out. " (I wondered if you'd hear a little squeaking sound with every stroke) She did it on a Friday afternoon and was back to work on Monday. She said she had a bit of the halo effect for a few days. Her eyes also felt dry, but they gave her some eyedrops for that, and also to prevent infections. The price also includes a follow-up visit with the doctor to make sure everything's okay.
Rob, thanks for the info on the Lexington place in Vancouver. The beauty of this place in Renton is that it's only a 15 minute ride for me, I could call a taxi. If I was to go to Vancouver, I'd have stay in a hotel & ride a taxi back and forth to the place, or get a friend or relative to give up a day to drive me, because you're not supposed to drive for a day or so after it's done. However, 600 bucks is 600 bucks! I'll have to think about it. Does Lexington have a website?
Thanks again, everyone, I'll "see" you soon! #ad

Andy

 

[Archive]

Andy... they have two hotels within walking distance of the surgery center. It will cost you about 69. 00 dollars for the night, special rate. No driving, nothing. most people I have talked to drive home the next day, after the post-op checkup.

 

[Briar Hopper]

Andy, I was looking into it myself, and I've seen it advertised in the Las Vegas newspaper for $950 total... At two separate centers they have there. Find a copy of the paper at a bookstore, preferably the Sunday paper. Good excuse for a trip to Vegas anyway, all the cards will be in better focus, and so will the dancers... #ad

 

[Archive]

Briar... I like your way of thinking!

 

[ZEEEW]

Hello Andy

Had my left eye done in December, was 20/300, now 20/15. Still doing great, it was a present to myself too.
Amazing! There is some halo effect from point light sources at night, and some ghost images from reflective signs, but the images are fainter than they use to be and are in focus, plus at least I can actually read the signs now. Way happy with mine. My right eye has 20/20 already so just needed the one eye.
Ran 999 for one.
Nothing like waking up in the middle of the nite, looking at the alarm clock and reading it!! and thinking ohoh I left my contact in again, oh wait no I didnt! then going back to sleep!
I went to Standard Optical and they were great at telling you about needing reading glasses after 40 or so, but do you want to wear glasses to read, or to do everything else? A quality surgery place wll tell you all the pros and cons before you commit to anything. I was told it was possible to lose sight completely, felt they were honest and straightforward, answered any questions I had. They told me to make sure and research, wasnt like they were trying to "make the sale".

Let us know how it turns out.

Eric

------------------
Eric and Peggy 1996 white 2500 4*4 RC/LB 5spd 4. 10lsd boost guage,pyro guage awaiting install, Prozap,running boards, 285/75 Bigfoot X/T

[This message has been edited by ZEEEW (edited 01-15-2001). ]

 

[MikeR]

Hey Andy,
Since you're just down the hill from me,if you need a ride to the doctors office,just let me know. I'm off on Fridays.

-Mike