Andy, I had PRK done in Jan. 97 in Toronto. The U. S. wasn't authorized yet to do my degree of correction (very near-sighted, i. e. 20/800!) Just renewed my driver's license. Still 20/15 and 20/20! Go for it and don't let price decide. Go to a reputable outfit that has done a number of them. Even though a computer does the actual procedure, someone still has to program it for your correction. Don't want some website junkie doing it!
-
TDR Magazine subscribers receive more than the magazine! You also gain additional forum privileges!
Details here: TDR Privileges
Subscribe to TDR Magazine here: https://www.tdr-online.com/
Anybody had Lasik eye surgery done?
- Thread starter Andy Perreault
- Start Date
Attention: TDR Forum Junkies To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.
Thanks, TDR Staff
Andy Perreault
TDR MEMBER
Thanks for the offer, MikeR!
I thought I'd share what my niece sent me. She lives in Seattle, and she's also thinking of having this done:
"I thought I would share with you what my optometrist said about LASIK surgery. He said the most important part of the surgery, and the part where you want to make sure that you have a good doctor, is the cut they make on your eye. The cut has to be only so deep and when they replace the flap after the surgery, it has to line up just perfectly. "
Andy
(Hopefully I won't end up looking like this:
#ad
)
I thought I'd share what my niece sent me. She lives in Seattle, and she's also thinking of having this done:
"I thought I would share with you what my optometrist said about LASIK surgery. He said the most important part of the surgery, and the part where you want to make sure that you have a good doctor, is the cut they make on your eye. The cut has to be only so deep and when they replace the flap after the surgery, it has to line up just perfectly. "
Andy
(Hopefully I won't end up looking like this:
#ad)
FWIW
Haven't done a lot of research but in Albq there are a couple of places that do it. The one that has been doing it longer, and more people, and cheaper has a new machine that in addition to laser correcting also has radar/computer eye tracking that compensates and corrects the laser trajectory for minute eye movements during the laser proceedure for more precise vision correction. you might want to inquire about the 2nd gen vision laser equipment.
[This message has been edited by JNutter (edited 01-18-2001). ]
Haven't done a lot of research but in Albq there are a couple of places that do it. The one that has been doing it longer, and more people, and cheaper has a new machine that in addition to laser correcting also has radar/computer eye tracking that compensates and corrects the laser trajectory for minute eye movements during the laser proceedure for more precise vision correction. you might want to inquire about the 2nd gen vision laser equipment.
[This message has been edited by JNutter (edited 01-18-2001). ]
Andy Perreault
TDR MEMBER
Well, I DID IT! Had it done yesterday, up in Surrey, Canada at Lexington Eye Institute . The cost was $1,075, plus one night in the hotel at $69, and a few hours worth of diesel fuel. They say you shouldn't drive for a few days, so I was planning on staying in the hotel another night, but I felt good enough to head on home after the post op exam this morning. After wearing glasses since my first year of high school (24 years ago 
#ad
!), I now have 20/20 vision in both eyes! Things are a little hazy right now, it kind of comes and goes. It kind of reminds me of how my eyes would feel after wearing contacts for way too long. The doctor said that is normal, and it will go away eventually.
I have been wanting to do this for months (I originally posted this topic in January). My treat for myself was to go out and buy a really nice high quality pair of sunglasses. Anyway, I'm happy I did it. Even with the slight haze I'm dealing with right now, I feel great.
Here's a bit of info about the procedure:
The first thing I did was have a pre-exam in Bellevue, Washington, last week. Then I drove up to Surrey, B. C. (just a hop skip and a jump from BD Performance in Abbotsford) yesterday morning. My hotel was within walking distance, and there's a big shopping mall right across the street. I had some time to kill, so I browsed around the mall for a while. I got tired of that, so I walked over to the Lexington facility. My appointment wasn't until 1:30, but I walked in there at 12:30 and told them I was tired of wandering around the mall like a lost puppy dog, so I decided to show up early. To my surprise, they took me in after I had only been sitting in the waiting room about five minutes! After a quick pre-exam, and a counseling session with a nice (and cute) lady who went over the post-op eye drop routine I must follow, I was in the operating room. The only painful part was when they pulled my eyelid wide open and stuck a device in there to hold it open. A few eyedrops (to numb my eye), the hum of a machine that cuts the outer layer of the eye, they flip that outer layer "flap" out of the way, the laser hums (in my case 40 seconds in my right eye, 20 seconds in my left), a few more eyedrops, they flip the "flap" back in place and smooth it out, and then they pull out the eyelid holding device. Oh, what a relief it is when that thing is off! Then they do the other eye. I would estimate that I was on the table for no more than 5 minutes. Then they had me rest in an easy chair in a dark room for fifteen minutes, did an exam to make sure the outer layer seated okay, and they sent me on my way. A shuttle driver took me back to the hotel. I was out of there before 2:00. This morning, I went back for a post-op exam, and they said everything looks perfect. A brief test showed that my vision is now 20/20 in both eyes.
Oh, and by the way, I didn't end up looking like this#ad
or this:
#ad
! I look like this:
#ad
, but I feel like this
#ad
!
Andy
[This message has been edited by Andy Perreault (edited 05-17-2001). ]
#ad!), I now have 20/20 vision in both eyes! Things are a little hazy right now, it kind of comes and goes. It kind of reminds me of how my eyes would feel after wearing contacts for way too long. The doctor said that is normal, and it will go away eventually.
I have been wanting to do this for months (I originally posted this topic in January). My treat for myself was to go out and buy a really nice high quality pair of sunglasses. Anyway, I'm happy I did it. Even with the slight haze I'm dealing with right now, I feel great.
Here's a bit of info about the procedure:
The first thing I did was have a pre-exam in Bellevue, Washington, last week. Then I drove up to Surrey, B. C. (just a hop skip and a jump from BD Performance in Abbotsford) yesterday morning. My hotel was within walking distance, and there's a big shopping mall right across the street. I had some time to kill, so I browsed around the mall for a while. I got tired of that, so I walked over to the Lexington facility. My appointment wasn't until 1:30, but I walked in there at 12:30 and told them I was tired of wandering around the mall like a lost puppy dog, so I decided to show up early. To my surprise, they took me in after I had only been sitting in the waiting room about five minutes! After a quick pre-exam, and a counseling session with a nice (and cute) lady who went over the post-op eye drop routine I must follow, I was in the operating room. The only painful part was when they pulled my eyelid wide open and stuck a device in there to hold it open. A few eyedrops (to numb my eye), the hum of a machine that cuts the outer layer of the eye, they flip that outer layer "flap" out of the way, the laser hums (in my case 40 seconds in my right eye, 20 seconds in my left), a few more eyedrops, they flip the "flap" back in place and smooth it out, and then they pull out the eyelid holding device. Oh, what a relief it is when that thing is off! Then they do the other eye. I would estimate that I was on the table for no more than 5 minutes. Then they had me rest in an easy chair in a dark room for fifteen minutes, did an exam to make sure the outer layer seated okay, and they sent me on my way. A shuttle driver took me back to the hotel. I was out of there before 2:00. This morning, I went back for a post-op exam, and they said everything looks perfect. A brief test showed that my vision is now 20/20 in both eyes.
Oh, and by the way, I didn't end up looking like this
#ador this:
#ad! I look like this:
#ad, but I feel like this
#ad!
Andy
[This message has been edited by Andy Perreault (edited 05-17-2001). ]
I have been debating this for some time and I know 3 people who've had this done in the last year. All were over 20/100 and now see 20/20 or better.
My case may be different and I'm praying that they'll be able to help me. I don't care if it costs $5000, it'll be worth it.
The only concern that i have is that I'm neither farsighted nor nearsighted. My vision is 20/200 because of Astygmatism. I wish that it was only nearsightedness, because my vision is bad because I see 9 images of everything including the real image in a straight up and down pattern in my left eye. What makes it rel bad is the 9 images in the right eye are in a diagonal pattern. These images seem like a big blur in the daytime but looking at a digital clock in the dark, I can close each eye and count the images.
Does anyone know if the surgery is successful on people like myself with Astygmatism?
<font size=-2>
[This message has been edited by WOWZY (edited 05-17-2001). ]
My case may be different and I'm praying that they'll be able to help me. I don't care if it costs $5000, it'll be worth it.
The only concern that i have is that I'm neither farsighted nor nearsighted. My vision is 20/200 because of Astygmatism. I wish that it was only nearsightedness, because my vision is bad because I see 9 images of everything including the real image in a straight up and down pattern in my left eye. What makes it rel bad is the 9 images in the right eye are in a diagonal pattern. These images seem like a big blur in the daytime but looking at a digital clock in the dark, I can close each eye and count the images.
Does anyone know if the surgery is successful on people like myself with Astygmatism?
<font size=-2>
[This message has been edited by WOWZY (edited 05-17-2001). ]
That all sounds great Andy. I've been thinking about it for some time. Please keep us updated on how things progress. One question. Why Canada/ Do they have a different procedure there?
------------------
RobMitch, Temple Texas, 2001Quad Cab,SLT 6 speed 3. 54 Dark Garnet recieved in Oct. 2000
NRA Life Member, TSRA Member, Viet Nam Vet
------------------
RobMitch, Temple Texas, 2001Quad Cab,SLT 6 speed 3. 54 Dark Garnet recieved in Oct. 2000
NRA Life Member, TSRA Member, Viet Nam Vet
Andy Perreault
TDR MEMBER
Wowzy, I had an astigmatism in my right eye. The laser can take care of that, but only to a certain degree. When I called for my original appointment, they needed to have my prescription for my glasses so they could see if I "qualify" for the surgery. I went to an eye doctor and had an exam, and I read the numbers of my prescription to the gal on the phone at Lexington. She said I qualified, so she set me up with a pre-op exam. You might want to call them at 1-877-2020-123, or you can e-mail them from their website.
RobMitch, they've been doing this procedure for many years in Canada before it was approved in the U. S, so they have much more experience. Lexington has the newest "4th generation flying spot beam laser" which tracks your eye, and if your eye moves the laser will follow it. Another difference is the price. My insurance at work wouldn't cover this because they consider it to be "cosmetic" surgery. I saved about $500 compared to the place in the Seattle area. This is not only due to the exchange rate, but in Canada, they don't have to pay a "royalty fee" to the maker of the laser for each use (I read that in their brochure). I only live about 80 miles from the Canadian border, so that was an advantage for me.
Andy
RobMitch, they've been doing this procedure for many years in Canada before it was approved in the U. S, so they have much more experience. Lexington has the newest "4th generation flying spot beam laser" which tracks your eye, and if your eye moves the laser will follow it. Another difference is the price. My insurance at work wouldn't cover this because they consider it to be "cosmetic" surgery. I saved about $500 compared to the place in the Seattle area. This is not only due to the exchange rate, but in Canada, they don't have to pay a "royalty fee" to the maker of the laser for each use (I read that in their brochure). I only live about 80 miles from the Canadian border, so that was an advantage for me.
Andy
I had PRK done last October 30th. Went from somewhere between 20/200-400 to 20/12 or 15, depending on the day. It's absolutely awesome. And the best part was my surgery was free! I got mine through the Navy - they're doing a study to see if it's OK for aviators to have this done and keep flying. Actually, I think the study is a way to open the doors to those of us who fly that wear glasses.
Anyway, they don't and never will approve Lasik for us since it involves a cut to the eye and that ultimately weakens the eye. They've also found that that little flap isn't totally reattached as much as a year later. Very bad when pulling Gs and such. Personally, I liked the fact that they wouldn't be making any cuts in my eye. They just lase off the ephithelial layer, then make the exact same correction you got, Andy, and you're done. They put on a no power contact lens as a bandage, give you a bunch of drops and send you on your way. 3 days later, you come back in and they remove the bandage (the epthileum heals over in about 24-48 hours). There is definately more discomfort with the PRK, but like I said, after listening to the docs pre-op brief, I think PRK is the way to go.
You'll love it and be literally gushing to your friends and family about it for a while... even if you're not the gushing type. I tell everyone who asks me to just do it, as the saying goes. Go get an evaluation from your doc and if you're a candidate and can save up the pennies, do it!
Anyway, they don't and never will approve Lasik for us since it involves a cut to the eye and that ultimately weakens the eye. They've also found that that little flap isn't totally reattached as much as a year later. Very bad when pulling Gs and such. Personally, I liked the fact that they wouldn't be making any cuts in my eye. They just lase off the ephithelial layer, then make the exact same correction you got, Andy, and you're done. They put on a no power contact lens as a bandage, give you a bunch of drops and send you on your way. 3 days later, you come back in and they remove the bandage (the epthileum heals over in about 24-48 hours). There is definately more discomfort with the PRK, but like I said, after listening to the docs pre-op brief, I think PRK is the way to go.
You'll love it and be literally gushing to your friends and family about it for a while... even if you're not the gushing type. I tell everyone who asks me to just do it, as the saying goes. Go get an evaluation from your doc and if you're a candidate and can save up the pennies, do it!
Been studying this for years.
Anyone who is lurking, please post and let us know!
Murphy's law follows me everywhere, so I am VERY cautious about rushing into this.
Gene
------------------
CPFF's Dowell Pin Jig Available in GLTDR Region! 1997 Cummins Dodge 4x4 "One Piece At A Time" Bombed & Amsoiled. Amsoil Executive Direct Jobber, Member of: NRA Business Alliance, GLTDR, WANTED: Wrecked Dodges.
www.awdist.com
Anyone who is lurking, please post and let us know!
Murphy's law follows me everywhere, so I am VERY cautious about rushing into this.
Gene
------------------
CPFF's Dowell Pin Jig Available in GLTDR Region! 1997 Cummins Dodge 4x4 "One Piece At A Time" Bombed & Amsoiled. Amsoil Executive Direct Jobber, Member of: NRA Business Alliance, GLTDR, WANTED: Wrecked Dodges.
www.awdist.com
Andy Perreault
TDR MEMBER
Actually, I've been enjoying looking at all the trees and mountains!
I keep thinking of the song by The Who: "I Can See For Miles. "
Feeling good today, a little less haze than yesterday.
Andy
It has been almost 6 months since Lasik, eye is still fantastic! About alarm clocks, nothing like waking up in the middle of the nite and being able to read what it says, so you know if you can go back to sleep, or if the cat hit one of the buttons for you and you're late.
I had some astigmatism but great vision now, and yes you do tell everyone you know how great it is!
Vision is good enough now that I catch myself using my left eye when I am shooting right-handed.
Eric
I had some astigmatism but great vision now, and yes you do tell everyone you know how great it is!
Vision is good enough now that I catch myself using my left eye when I am shooting right-handed.
Eric
Andy Perreault
TDR MEMBER
Reviving a very old topic here with some helpful new information for the benefit of anyone considering Lasik eye surgery. In my e-mail at work, I get "AvFlash", an aviation-oriented newsletter with short news items about the aviation world (mostly news of interest to general aviation pilots). I'll just copy/paste the article here. There is a link at the bottom, which will lead you to other "clickable" information links. I had never heard of "wavefront-guided Lasik" before reading this article. Sounds like it's the way to go.
Andy
NAVY STUDY: NEW LASIK PROCEDURE WORKS BETTER
A Navy researcher who has been studying the effects of eye surgery on vision for 10 years reported this week that new wavefront-guided procedures used with Lasik eye surgery are producing improved results. "While conventional Lasik is good, we're finding that wavefront-guided Lasik yields sharper and higher-quality vision, and higher patient satisfaction compared to conventional Lasik," said U. S. Navy Capt. Steve Schallhorn, M. D. , the director of Cornea and Refractive Surgery at the Navy Medical Center in San Diego. "By reducing dependence on glasses and contact lenses in active duty personnel, [Lasik] enhances combat readiness and improves performance," Schallhorn said.
... AS 20/20 RESULTS RISE TO 97 PERCENT
Most significant with the new procedure, Schallhorn said, is the improved quality of vision, fewer problems with halos and glare, better night vision and higher patient satisfaction. With conventional Lasik, 88 percent of 908 patients tested at 20/20 vision or better six months after the procedure. By comparison, 97 percent of 34 patients using the wavefront-guided Lasik achieved 20/20 vision or better. Schallhorn reported his findings at this week's annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, in San Diego. Schallhorn is part of a Navy program that provides Lasik services to Navy and Marine Corps personnel. The Federal Trade Commission has published an online guide, "Basik Lasik," offering tips to those who might be considering the surgery.
http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/233-full.html#187236
Andy
NAVY STUDY: NEW LASIK PROCEDURE WORKS BETTER
A Navy researcher who has been studying the effects of eye surgery on vision for 10 years reported this week that new wavefront-guided procedures used with Lasik eye surgery are producing improved results. "While conventional Lasik is good, we're finding that wavefront-guided Lasik yields sharper and higher-quality vision, and higher patient satisfaction compared to conventional Lasik," said U. S. Navy Capt. Steve Schallhorn, M. D. , the director of Cornea and Refractive Surgery at the Navy Medical Center in San Diego. "By reducing dependence on glasses and contact lenses in active duty personnel, [Lasik] enhances combat readiness and improves performance," Schallhorn said.
... AS 20/20 RESULTS RISE TO 97 PERCENT
Most significant with the new procedure, Schallhorn said, is the improved quality of vision, fewer problems with halos and glare, better night vision and higher patient satisfaction. With conventional Lasik, 88 percent of 908 patients tested at 20/20 vision or better six months after the procedure. By comparison, 97 percent of 34 patients using the wavefront-guided Lasik achieved 20/20 vision or better. Schallhorn reported his findings at this week's annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, in San Diego. Schallhorn is part of a Navy program that provides Lasik services to Navy and Marine Corps personnel. The Federal Trade Commission has published an online guide, "Basik Lasik," offering tips to those who might be considering the surgery.
http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/233-full.html#187236
Last edited:
Andy Perreault
TDR MEMBER
By the way, if anyone just read this topic from the beginning, the place I had my eyes done at back in 2001 has gone out of business because their insurance costs were too high. So, don't bother calling the 800 number I posted for Lexington Eye Insititute.
Andy
Andy
My Girlfriend got free lasik from the military under that same study in San Diego. She's extremely happy with it.
As a side note, some occupational fields in the military (such as the ones haveing to jump out of aircraft) have to have PRK because of the risk of opening the flap up in high winds.
As a side note, some occupational fields in the military (such as the ones haveing to jump out of aircraft) have to have PRK because of the risk of opening the flap up in high winds.
Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
TDR Test Drive - Digital Edition
Renew
Subscribe
Gift Subscriptions
Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
TSB Updates
Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
Advertising
Turbo Diesel Register
Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
TDR Test Drive - Digital Edition
Renew
Subscribe
Gift Subscriptions
Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
TSB Updates
Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
Advertising
