Laser eye surgery

[sk_dd]

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?

Agree with @Sw4 - it's not pleasant but isn't painful, just an uncomfortable experience because you can't really prepare for what is going to happen. Took 15mins all up for mine.

They actually recorded my surgery and gave it to me on a USB... it makes for a squeamish watch.

I felt quite uncomfortable on the drive home but took the sleeping pill they gave me and was knocked out for the night, woke up and could see perfectly.

 

[Greencatfysh]

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.

Absolutely zero chance. I had a stress ball to squeeze and honestly getting my ears pierced took longer and was painful I had a Valium before and after too which was rather enjoyable

 

[Dancing Dave]

Thanks both of ye! I really, really want to bite the bullet but I’m honestly petrified of all things medical. I suppose like another said maybe worth going for a consultation at the very least.

 

[salmaaax]

I've had glasses/lenses for what feels like my whole life and my prescription is pretty bad (-7.25) so I was wondering if anyone with relatively bad eyesight like mine has ever had the surgery and how it went for them??

 

[Greencatfysh]

I've had glasses/lenses for what feels like my whole life and my prescription is pretty bad (-7.25) so I was wondering if anyone with relatively bad eyesight like mine has ever had the surgery and how it went for them??

Me! I was -8.5 in left eye. See my posts above all smooth!

 

[Chelseaw]

I had laser eye surgery 10 years ago, was great at first but I’ve been back to wearing glasses for 2 years as my eyes got bad again. I’d love to have it done again but unfortunately can’t afford to pay out that much again!

 

[Gembo]

How do you stop your eye from moving though during the procedure? I understand you can’t blink (kind of gives me anxiety thinking about it) but I feel like my eyeball would move?

 

[Greencatfysh]

How do you stop your eye from moving though during the procedure? I understand you can’t blink (kind of gives me anxiety thinking about it) but I feel like my eyeball would move?

The clamp that they use keeps your eye still and your eyelids open. It sounds gross I know but you can’t feel it as the eye drops have numbed your eyeball. You can’t see or feel what’s going on, you just have to lie there and think about something else and then it’s over don’t worry as they wouldn’t do it if there was a risk of you looking the wrong way! My surgeon did c. 7-8 surgeries a day so you have to think how procedural it is for them.

 

[creme.egg92]

I had laser eye surgery 10 years ago, was great at first but I’ve been back to wearing glasses for 2 years as my eyes got bad again. I’d love to have it done again but unfortunately can’t afford to pay out that much again!

Is it true you can’t wear lenses again if you have the surgery and your eyes deteriorate?

 

[Gembo]

The clamp that they use keeps your eye still and your eyelids open. It sounds gross I know but you can’t feel it as the eye drops have numbed your eyeball. You can’t see or feel what’s going on, you just have to lie there and think about something else and then it’s over don’t worry as they wouldn’t do it if there was a risk of you looking the wrong way! My surgeon did c. 7-8 surgeries a day so you have to think how procedural it is for them.

Oh wow, thanks for that. Ive toyed with the idea as I wear contacts which is generally ok but can be annoying at times. I do like that I’m blurry in the mirror first thing in the morning though, wouldn’t be keen on losing that

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

Best decision I ever made! I had it done back in 2012 and did loads of research. There is only two places I would recommend you having it done. The London Vision Clinic in Harley Street (I chose them) or Moorfields Eye Hospital. It cost me just over £5,000 at the time but was the best money I ever spent. I was near sighted and couldn’t wear contacts anymore due to eye issues.
I still have 20/20 vision. They do warn that over 40’s might see their eye’s starting to deteriorate again as this is natural at that age. But I have some friends who had it done after 40 and their eyes are still good.
I wish I had it done years earlier. I did suffer with dry eye before the surgery which got slightly worse after but would still have it done a 1000 times over.
The specialists were really nice and answered all my questions.
Best of all was I could literally see straight afterwards. Felt like a miracle
If you have any specific questions feel free to ask

 

[creme.egg92]

The London Vision Clinic in Harley Street (I chose them) or Moorfields Eye Hospital.

Hi! What made you go for London Vision instead of Moorfields in the end?

 

[toodles88]

I had LASEK done exactly a year ago as I get bad hay fever and can be prone to rubbing my eyes unconsciously so LASIK would not have been appropriate! It had a longer recovery time but overall the irritating part was from about hour 4 - 48 after surgery. My eyes were very sensitive to light and it felt like I had an eyelash in my eye the whole time unless I was using the anaesthetic. After hour 48 though I had no more discomfort and in the year after I’ve occasionally woken up with dry eyes. It was so worth getting it done though, I was fed up with glasses and it is so much better not having them.

I got mine done at Ultralase and thought they were really good, they cost £1795 per eye.

 

[Naataaliiee]

I had lasek (I think!) surgery on both eyes around 8 years ago. It’s been the best thing i’ve done. I’m such a wimp and was petrified for weeks leading up to the procedure, but it really wasn’t too bad and VERY quick. Just in the last few months my eyes have started to deteriorate, but I hold my phone stupidly close to my face so I think it’s my fault. I think I can get it done again free of charge but I need to dig out my paperwork to check.

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

Hi! What made you go for London Vision instead of Moorfields in the end?

I can't remember what the exact reason was for my decision in the end. Probably a combination of when they could fit me in and Prof Reinstein who has an excellent reputation.
I just felt it was worth paying more for peace of mind and the after care was superb. They honestly talk you through everything and are extremely patient. I was scared of going blind and they were good at explaining why that could not happen and what the worst case scenarios were etc.

 

[Tessiebear]

I’d love to have this done. I had a consultation at optical express a couple of years ago but the price put me off. It was double what I’d been expecting as my prescription is quite high (-5.75 and -5.25)

I’m in a better position financially now so may well look into it again and get some more quotes but it’s on The List along with several other ‘someday’ purchases