So, i am currently deciding on whether or not to gets lasik. I took a 10 grand loan for college, so i could get a reliable, fuel effecient car. I used my first 5k on a 2005 dodge neon. so now i am set to recieve another 5k. At first i was thinking sell my neon(and my old truck) and take all the 10k or so and buy a newer even better vehicle. Than i got to thinking(remember im 26) i sure would love having 5k. Thats what lead me to this topic. I have heard of lasik and see all the commercials and could def use the surgery. My problem is i dont know how effective it is and if it truely works or how much it would cost. i have googled all questions above with broad responses from the interwebs. so i have reached out to my fellow ClutchFans. I have a few questions and if anyone out there could answer or even share thier experience it would be greatly appreciated. Reps on deserving replys. Side Note: i have astigmatism in my left eye. 1. How long is the procedure? 2. How much does it typically cost? 3. How long does it last? is it forever or would i have to do upkeep and maintenence. 4. What are the side effects? 5. Who are the best at it and who do you recommend? 6. Will i be able to see afterwards or will i have to take downtime from work? 7. Is there anything i should be worried about or consider beforehand? 8. (for those who have done it) Is it worth it or is it a minimal increase? 9. Is it painful? 10. is thier a chance i go blind?(i know 9-10 could go under 4, but i wanted to double check these). Your input and replys are appreciate...
I was in the same boat a few years ago, until I realized most of the optometrists were still wearing glasses. just saying...
I wouldn't do it until your vision settles like from 24 upward. I'd check out the related links at the bottom of this page. 1. How long is the procedure? less than 2 hours 2. How much does it typically cost?up to 2.5-4 k for both eyes and followups. Flex/FSA accounts applicable 3. How long does it last? is it forever or would i have to do upkeep and maintenence. some clinics allow one free corrective touchup within a year. Results may vary such as age and natural vision correction 4. What are the side effects? chronic dry eye, halo effects, impaired night vision improper healing...some temporary, but others can be permanent. The doctor would know more about this 5. Who are the best at it and who do you recommend? 6. Will i be able to see afterwards or will i have to take downtime from work?if you get lasik, then your recovery will be within a few days. If your eyes are so bad that PRK is the only available procedure, results vary from 6 weeks to 3 months with downtime for 3 weeks 7. Is there anything i should be worried about or consider beforehand? if you've ever scratched your eye before and it's slow healing, then tell that to your doctor 8. (for those who have done it) Is it worth it or is it a minimal increase? I went down from ~500/550 to 20/25. It was a pain for a year because of the dry eye and I took PRK instead of lasik. I think it's awesome to be free of classes. Other members will know better 9. Is it painful? uncomfortable, but not painful to the point where you scream. You're totally conscious through the whole procedure 10. is thier a chance i go blind?(i know 9-10 could go under 4, but i wanted to double check these).there's always a chance. With computer guided lasers, the risk is minimal. Ask the doctor. Also follow the post-op directions to a T. Antibiotic drops all the time and rewetting drops to the prescribed hours
I got mine done 2 years ago this Feb. It was a birthday present from my parents. Best decision I've made. I'll attempt to answer your questions, but my overall comment is: DO IT! 1. How long is the procedure? The actual laser procedure is about 5 minutes max, but they have to do a lot of pictures, dilations, waiting, etc. I was in the center for about 2 hours. 2. How much does it typically cost? Prices range a lot, theres many good ways to finance it. I paid about $1,800 per eye, no interest if paid off within 2 years. Shop around a little bit, expect to pay between 3k-4k total. see what's around your area. But remember, it's your eyes. Don't be a cheapskate. 3. How long does it last? is it forever or would i have to do upkeep and maintenence. No upkeep, just eyedrops for the first few days. No doctor can tell you how long it will last, hopefully it's permanent. I've read people saying it lasted anywhere from 5 years to forever. I've had it for a few years, and I have perfect vision. 4. What are the side effects? Nope. If you shake a lot during the procedure, they may have to do it again or something. Nothing serious. But again, shop around... Have at least 3 consultations, ask this question to all of them. 5. Who are the best at it and who do you recommend? If you live in the Bay Area, I'll let you know. 6. Will i be able to see afterwards or will i have to take downtime from work? Most people try to schedule it on a Thurs. or Fri... You'll be back to work by Monday. The day of the surgery, you'll have to keep your eyes closed for about 24 hours. It's not as bad as it sounds, you can open them to use to restroom and stuff but generally just lay in bed and listen to music and sleep all day. Oh, I also wear goggles when I go swimming and play basketball too, I don't really need to but I'd rather be safe than sorry. 7. Is there anything i should be worried about or consider beforehand? Major thing is, have many consultations. Talk to a lot of Dr's... It's a very safe procedure, but you want to feel absolutely comfortable. 8. (for those who have done it) Is it worth it or is it a minimal increase? As a college student, if I wasn't in the first row I couldn't see anything. I now have perfect vision. 9. Is it painful? Nope. It's a little uncomfortable because your eyes are clamped open and it tickles a little. But, your eyes are very numb during the procedure. 10. is thier a chance i go blind?(i know 9-10 could go under 4, but i wanted to double check these). I believe it's less than .01% chance you'll go blind. Hope I helped, let me know if you have any more questions.
I forgot to add, don't ever rub your eyes. Whether you get the procedure or not... Stop rubbing your eyes today!
Thanks invisable fan and atomicanderz... Very good insight... Im 26 I.F. so i think my vision has settled... Its very interesting because my vision isnt horrible but i would still want an improvement... Its around 5k and i could blow it one things, or i can improve my health... im trying to do the responsible thing...
5. Who are the best at it and who do you recommend? http://www.manneye.com/locations/houston-tx-location/ http://www.manneye.com/testimonials/ My cousin had his lasik surgery at Mann Eye Institute and i don't think he had any problems. Second link are testimonials from some athletes and musicans
Hold on wait, let's talk about the facts of this situation for a second. You took out a 10k loan out of which you've spent 5k on a payment for a car and now you are planning on spending 5k on Lasik Eye Surgery... <br> Holy **** brah, this is why so many people in this country are in such a financial mess. My mind is full of **** right now edit: I don't even mean to be rude by saying any of that, but just wow.
got lasik eye surgery little over a year ago..and my eye sight is great..with a lifetime warranty...never wearing glasses again..procedure took about 3 mins per eye..cost $2800..no pain..side effects..ur eyes will be dry the first week or so..down time is about 2 days..got mine done at lasik vision institute..check them out online..i dont regret doing it at all..dont be a b****..
So im pretty poor... recieved my first year of education thru the full pell grant... 2nd year(i now moved to texas from las vegas) i took a 10g loan because texas doesnt have the public transportation nevada does... i still got the full 5500 pell grant(which paid for my classes and books)...i took the loan for a reliable car(i thought id get it all at once, but alas when i didnt i still bougt a reliable vehicle and realized i have 5 more grand... i dont see why you feel this is the problem of america... i have bought a vehicle not made a payment... and im 'thinkin' of payin for lasik not makin a payment...i may have 10g in debt but im perfectly.fine qith that as long as i have a reliable vehicle, perfect visiom, and a college education out of it...
First of all how bad is your vision and do you do a lot of physical sports? Your eyes are very important so I wouldn't risk it. I had the chance to do the procedure but it was too risky because they remove/burn a layer of you eye(s) that is not replaceable. It's the risk that you take. It could turn out fantastic for you or it could turn into a nightmare. Another thing that I have read is that after laser eye surgery it might not fully correct your eye to 20/20 vision and some people still need to wear they eye glasses but probably that depend on the degree of your eye prescription. As you age you might start to need glasses again.
Just sharing my experience as I just had LASIK 5 months ago. -2.5 left -1.5 right. 1. How long is the procedure? The procedure itself is around 5-10 mins per eye. Its the waiting, eye testing and videos that take long 2. How much does it typically cost? 4k 3. How long does it last? is it forever or would i have to do upkeep and maintenence. It does not last forever thats for sure. Eyesight deriorates at around 35. Im 36 btw. My take is that if it lasts me 10 years then I'm fine with it. 4. What are the side effects? Starburst/halos at night and minor difficulty in focusing/reading during the first 3 months. After that my vision stablized and its back to normal 20/20. 5. Who are the best at it and who do you recommend? Sorry but im Singapore based and had it there 6. Will i be able to see afterwards or will i have to take downtime from work? I did mine Saturday, stayed home Sunday and went back to work Monday. 7. Is there anything i should be worried about or consider beforehand? Do your research as the Internet has alot of information. Ask personal opinions from your friends/relative who has done it. 8. (for those who have done it) Is it worth it or is it a minimal increase? Worth it! No need to wear glasses/contact lens. Can play badminton/basketball etc. 9. Is it painful? Not from my experience. They'll give you Valium to calm your nerves and eye anesthesia. Once the anesthesia wears off, you'll experience light sensitivity and thats the queue to sleep it off. When I woke up, that was it for me, back to normal vision. And very minimal use of the eyedrops as i didnt experience eye dryness that much to think I bought 10 boxes of those 10. is thier a chance i go blind?(i know 9-10 could go under 4, but i wanted to double check these). You should consult your optometriciant for this q. Hope this helps!
<br> Man, I understand. I'm not even trying to say anything of that sort. I think it's great that you're going to school and doing whatever you have to do to get through it. Taking out loans is definitely a viable option and I fully understand your need for proper transportation. In the end, you do what you have to do. But, that being said... Even considering using 5k on Lasik when it is loan money is just crazy talk. Lasik is a luxury operation because you do not need it. Stick with glasses/contacts and finish school. There is no way in hell you can convince me (or yourself if you stay honest) that you need Lasik to get through school. You simply do not. Just wear glasses... When you get a career and can properly support yourself, then think about an operation like Lasik. Riddle me this, what if you get Lasik and for some reason it doesn't work out for you. Let's say the chance of this is minimal and in all likelihood everything turns out fine. There is still a chance that it doesn't. What would you do then? Getting through school with impaired vision from a botched operation (even if the chance is a 5% one) is not smart. Especially when you don't have the solid financial backing to be able to get through that time until the problem is fixed. <br> The problem with America is people frivolously spending money they do not have through credit, loans, etc.. with the notion that everything will be fine and dandy and it will be taken care of later without problem.
Be careful with student loans. Can't wipe it away with bankruptcy. One way to get around that is to max out Credit Cards to pay off the loans, but that usually means you need some decent credit beforehand.
I have prk and it's great, minus the dry eyes. To be fair, I live in Colorado....so I think the weather here affects it.
How bad are you eyes to begin with? My gf went through lasik surgery, but her eye sight was really bad before. She said her eye sight is super awesome now, but they're also very sensitive. The deal breaker however is that you have to be 100% awake and aware throughout the surgery. I'm never going to get lasik. Besides I can still play basketball without my glasses.
I had it done 6 or so years ago, my vision is still 20/15, it's kind of creepy going blind during the procedure, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. **** contacts. Most of your questions have been answered pretty well already, just throwing out my 2 cents.
Are you still in school? If yes, then just wait until you get a job w/ insurance, then get it at a big discount, maybe free.
I've posted in a lot of Lasik threads on this forum, so I'll quote myself from one of them (anecdotal, obviously...but to me, 1 anecdote like this in 100 or even 1000 is too many): i had lasik 3 [now 4] years ago from the doctor that did Tiger's eyes back in the day worst decision i've ever made in my life, and one of the only things i can say i regret. my eyes burn all the time, and no doctor can figure out why (tried every drug in the book) edit: to be clear, my vision is perfect
