Laser eye surgery

[Lola UK]

Has anyone had laser eye surgery? Did you think it was worth it?

I’m fed up of wearing glasses/contacts and thought the monthly payments of contacts would be similar to monthly payments of laser eye surgery!

I’m not sure what the difference between laser and lasik is? Aside from the price tag!!

Any advice would be great!

 

[PavlovsDog]

Hey! I’ve had laser eye surgery a good few years ago now, I’d really recommend it and don’t miss glasses/contact lenses! I picked to have have lasik, I’d describe it as scratchy afterwards for a few hours but otherwise was fine. Unfortunately I needed a second round as my prescription wasn’t 100% corrected and they did lasek, this was much more uncomfortable - they put a contact lens ‘bandage’ on for a few days and I was very ready for this to come off! Hope this helps

 

[Hinchhater1442]

I really want this done too!!!! I google it almost every week but have no idea in the difference of all the types or even where is best to go!!?

 

[PavlovsDog]

I just looked online for the closest place and at the time they offered a free consultation, which was helpful in making a decision and deciding on the best type of surgery. I was really nervous but it’s so quick!

 

[Chocolatelover123]

Hey I went for a free consultation after my friends had it done and really recommended it! However my quote came back at just over £4000 or £2000 if I wanted one eye done which they did offer! When I queried why mine was double my friends and this was with discount they said it all depends on your prescription how true this is I’m not sure! I was -3.5 my friend was -2.5
In conclusion it’s definitely worth it if you can justify the price

 

[beverlybby]

my aunt had it done 10 years ago so this advice may not apply to today’s lasik technology, but i can tell you how it settles long term.

apparently first few years was all right but 3 years into it she started to feel sensitive in the eye are (like if she is too rough when applying eye makeup it felt uncomfortable).

also she never sleeps without an eye mask on. she has become sensitive to lights or anything flashing in front of her (she tends to blink when a photo is being taken but she is getting better at that) apart from this two downsides (only ones i feel like worth mentioning) she says she would do it again.

 

[Anything you like]

Had mine last year, for the lasik or lasek it depends what your eyes need they tell you when you have the eye consultation, absolutely love it I can wake up and see straight away, hated wearing glasses, Wore lenses everyday for 15 years, best thing ever worth every penny

 

[Sw4]

So I've had lasik in one eye and lasek in the other. The reason I had to have Lasek in one eye is because I'd had a really scary experience with a corneal ulcer the previous year and it had left my cornea in that eye with some scarring. So because the procedures are different (can't remeber exactly how scientifically) it meant Lasik wasn't suitable for that eye.

It was a few years ago now but the recovery times for both are different. Lasik recovery was a breeze, barely felt much discomfort at all. Lasek on the other hand.... So basically the first night after the treatment I felt all smug as it felt sore but not unbearable. However the next day and following night, I won't lie it was pretty agonising. I think it took a few days to fully recover.

However the pain is worth it. I definitely overwore contact lenses and being without them is amazing, just waking up in the morning and being able to see the time on the clock or whatever, just feels so good! Less red eyes and scratchiness at the end of the day too.

Cons are that my eyes were really, really dry for almost 2 years post surgery. Granted they had already been dry before the surgery and also I'm in a job that involves looking at screens the whole day so that doesn't help, but it was worse after the surgery. Randomly during the day my eyes used to start watering! All seems OK now. Other thing is that night driving is slightly more difficult... I'm a bit more sensitive to light especially the glare from car headlights and even sometimes the reflection off the road... Its hard to explain but it doesn't impair my driving, I just have to concentrate slightly harder. All in all though, definitely worth it.

 

[LittleMy]

I had Lasik done in 2009 when I was 19. Before then I had to wear glasses permanently as was very short-sighted. My vision has been great, haven’t looked back and haven’t needed glasses since. Money well spent imo.

 

[sk_dd]

I had LASIK done last year and it has been worth every penny! Highly recommend, especially if there's an option for a payment plan.

@Sw4 - I'm in a similar position and I got a pair of Quay blue light glasses (I know, I know - seems counterproductive when I paid so much for laser, but I only wear them sporadically throughout the day) and they have helped quite a bit with my dry eyes during the day.

 

[toffeejelly]

Does anyone know if theres a risk of going blind with the procedures, or is it just a case of the procedure doesn't work etc?

 

[Lola UK]

Thank you everyone for all your replies!

It seems so pricey, but worth it if you don’t have to shell out for contacts/glasses all the time! I have to have the very thin contacts so they are pricey.

I’m worried that I will make my eyes worse after treatment, or something terrible will happen like I’ll go blind!! Just hope I don’t regret it!!

I’ve got to the point where I have to wear either contacts or glasses all day and it’s so annoying!

I think I’ll go for a consultation after all the covid nightmare dies down and see what they suggest

 

[Greencatfysh]

Best thing I ever did! Spend as much as you can on a good surgeon as it’s not worth risking getting something cheap. I was -8.50 and -8 and didn’t think it was possible for me. It was over in one afternoon and 24 hours later I was seeing normally and crystal clear. I had such dry eyes from wearing contacts so much which are totally fine now. I cannot recommend it enough!

 

[Happyvalley]

I had it almost four years ago, best thing I ever did! Not too painful, quick procedure, worst part was no makeup or moisturisers for two weeks! I kept getting infections in my eyes from contacts and just generally hated wearing glasses so it was the best £2,000 I’ve every spent. Occasionally get dry irritated eyes but nothing bad at all and totally worth it.

 

[kadykal95]

Oh god I would love perfect vision, no glasses or contacts but i would never have this done. I'm an absolute wimp and would have major anxiety. I'll stick with the contact lenses

 

[JoeBloggs]

I toyed with it for a while, I’m -3.75 and wear contact lenses all the time I’m awake. I actually find my eyes are dry without them. My prescription hasn’t been steady enough for me to even consider it but I do worry about it going wrong. I know someone who has had it done, but now needs reading glasses as their eyes have deteriorated.

My mum works for an optician, heard some horror stories!

 

[Greencatfysh]

For dry eyes by the way (caused by lenses which is what I had) try a daily linseed oil capsule. I had to take these to get ready for surgery and it made a massive difference.

 

[Dancing Dave]

What is the procedure like? My parents offer to treat me too it every year but I am PETRIFIED my eyes will move and they'll blind me or something? I am strange with my eyes, hate people doing my eye make up. How long do the procedures last etc?

 

[Sw4]

I toyed with it for a while, I’m -3.75 and wear contact lenses all the time I’m awake. I actually find my eyes are dry without them. My prescription hasn’t been steady enough for me to even consider it but I do worry about it going wrong. I know someone who has had it done, but now needs reading glasses as their eyes have deteriorated.

My mum works for an optician, heard some horror stories!

That’s because laser surgery is to correct your existing prescription, it doesn’t prevent the need for glasses in the future eg reading glasses as you get older.

What is the procedure like? My parents offer to treat me too it every year but I am PETRIFIED my eyes will move and they'll blind me or something? I am strange with my eyes, hate people doing my eye make up. How long do the procedures last etc?

It’s not the most pleasant but it is very quick- local anaesthetic eye drops are put in your eye, then they clamp your eyes open (sounds worse then it is, it just feels like pressure) then they move the laser machine over and I think it was just a bit more pressure again. Worst thing is actually the smell, it smells like burning so for a few seconds I panicked thinking my eyes had been burned out but it’s normal. The whole procedure takes less than 5 mins.

 

[Dancing Dave]

That’s because laser surgery is to correct your existing prescription, it doesn’t prevent the need for glasses in the future eg reading glasses as you get older.



It’s not the most pleasant but it is very quick- local anaesthetic eye drops are put in your eye, then they clamp your eyes open (sounds worse then it is, it just feels like pressure) then they move the laser machine over and I think it was just a bit more pressure again. Worst thing is actually the smell, it smells like burning so for a few seconds I panicked thinking my eyes had been burned out but it’s normal. The whole procedure takes less than 5 mins.

So ZERO chance of blinking? Could I not be given some sort of tranquilliser to knock me out? I don’t trust any of my mates to come to hold my hand cause if one person made a joke I might pop an aneurysm.