Laser/Lasik/Whatever Eye Surgery Experiences/Recommendations?

I'm waiting to hear from others too.

My question is if age, as in 50+, will have any negative ramifications or need extra precautions.

 

If I were considering Lasik, I'd talk with with my optometrist (who I've known for years and trust) and get their recommendation. They're in the field. They know whether Berkley is really the best option or if they're simply the best at hyping their own service.

 

I went to Berkeley Eye Center over on Weslayan a couple of years ago. Haven't had any problems, other than some dryness at times. In order to save some money, I used my flex spending account at work, so I didn't have to pay tax on $4k of it. Overall, I think the cost was about $7-8k.

Usually I go to a cheaper place in order to save money for most things, but my eyes are one thing I'm willing to pay for the best for. That's how I ended up at Berkeley. I have no complaints, or regrets.

The one negative they stressed was the fact that you WILL need reading glasses once you get into your 50's.

 

I had LASIK about six months ago. It was one of the best investments I ever made.

I used Joffee. If anybody would like a referral, you can get $50 off the procedure.

The only drawback was that I had irritation for a few days afterwards but you get medication and can take OTC eye drops.

 

Thanks, pugs. No problems with reading glasses. I'm just interested in correcting one aspect of my stigmatism...preferring being able to see distance when on the trike.

 

LASIK is a fairly routine procedure nowadays, and it's highly computer-assisted now that there's bladeless technology. Most of those bigger places like Berkeley Eye Center, Mann Eye Center, LASIK Plus, etc. would do a fine job of performing your LASIK. Berkeley and Mann used to be partnered as Berkeley-Mann but they split up around 2005. LASIK Plus is a national chain and I watched the previous doctor there (Dr. Mattioli) perform a LASIK procedure that happened without any complications. Eye Center of Texas is another big one and they partner with the optometry school in Houston, same with Houston Eye Associates. Dr. Goosey from Houston Eye Associates is one of the best corneal surgeons in Houston, but he has a long waitlist and has terrible bed-side manners.

I personally don't have any experience working with any LASIK providers in Houston, but I've never heard of any horror stories from the ones I listed. I would've heard some, too, because word spreads among colleagues.

General rule of thumb, if you're worried about cost and value, is to not get the cheapest and not get the most expensive. LASIK runs about $2000 per eye. You'll often see Groupons and deals that offer discounts on LASIK. Most LASIK providers already have a discount such as $200 off per eye, and you can't double dip those discounts, so just make sure you call the office before you purchase one of those Groupons.

 

I'll say this: price is HIGHLY negotiable.

 

My grandma got it done when she was 60+. She can see but still puts on her reading glasses here and there.

I got it done. Other than the dry eyes part of it. Best investment ever.

 

I got the surgery done by the Berkley Eye Center in Houston about a year ago. MY vision has been perfect since. I was charged $1300 an eye iirc.

The process started when I called and said i was interested. They gave me a free appointment where they took some pictures of my eye and said I was a perfect candidate for the surgery (mostly it was just a sales pitch) and answered any questions I had. At the end of this appointment I scheduled a pre-op appointment where they took more detailed pictures of my eye and I also scheduled the surgery.

The surgery is very quick and you are awake the whole time. They give you a Valium and numb your eye with drops. The first machine they take you to adds a layer on your eye telling the laser where to cut (takes about 5-10 minutes an eye). The second machine is the laser (takes about 10-15 minutes an eye). Though you are awake, the first machine pretty much completely blinds you. After this you are done and can go home but you must come back the next day for your post op. You will not be able to drive for the surgery or the post op so you will need someone to drive you both of these days (you will probably be able to see well enough to drive to the next day post op, but they don't recommend it). There is no pain during the surgery; slight discomfort. Though your vision will be set by the end of the day of surgery, you eyes will be sore for about a week. Also they make you come in for a post op a week, month, and 2 months after the surgery.

 

I had Lasik done at Mann-Berkley in 1999 when I was 20 years old. I still have 20/20 vision to this day, the only side effects I've ever noticed is an increased sensitivity to bright lights at night but other than that it has been well worth it.

 

Dr Berkly himself did my wife's procedure. She has no complaints besides lights at night. She also has reading glasses.

 

About ten years ago I worked with a number of big name ophthalmologists here in town. At that time Dr. Jeff Whitsett had the reputation as the best. In the interest of full disclosure I worked with Dr. Whitsett as well but have no formal or informal connection to him now but can vouch for the fact that he is a nice guy. Never had the procedure but have considered it. YMMV.

 

http://www.visiontexas.com

 

had my lasik done by Dr. Slade, considered the best surgeon in the US. i have not had ANY complications. going on 5 years so far.

 

This team ****ing sucks

 

lol, i knew that **** would bite us in the ass. stupid lin.

 

If it works, it's great. The numbers on complications are still way higher than you want them to be for something as important as your eyes. It's great if all your friends and all their friends and all their friends all love it. That's still likely less than 1000. If someone told you that 1 in 1000...hell even 1 in 10k have complications, would it be worth it?

It's something to consider. Is this optional procedure worth that? Is having glasses that much of a pain? Is your power bad enough that the improvement is worth the risk?


Clearly, I have reasons for saying this. I got LASIK from one of the top surgeons in the nation. I ended up with problems that are still unsolved and undiagnosable. My eyes burn for ~80% of the day. It's not dry eyes, and every drug under the sun hasn't worked to solve the issue. They don't see any problems internally. It's just a post-LASIK issue that they can't figure out.

If you're set on getting it done, I'd strongly recommend going to a familiy ophthalmologist that is certified (obviously). The procedure is straightforward. However, some of the LASIK specialists look for the "a ha!" moment with their patients. But it's a transactional relationship...you have LASIK, and then you never see your surgeon again. They have been known to overcorrect at times in order for you to feel incredibly satisfied in the near term, but then realize down the line that your vision up close actually isn't as perfect anymore. On the contrary, ophthalmologists realize they will be your doctor for a long time. They'll be your kids' doctor, etc. It's an ongoing relationship. Not to say that all specialists have the wrong incentives by any means, but from what I've heard from people in the field, it's more likely at leats.

Just wanted to pass along what I've learned. Take it for what it's worth...one person's view.

 

over at Slade and Baker? I was going to have mine done by him and then backed out since I can do with glasses or contacts. Best surgeon in the U.S..really though?

 

I've never had Lasik, etc., although I know Dr. Berkeley. He was my late father's eye surgeon, doing cataract surgery on him when it was still experimental here, and you stitched the incision closed. He was also my ophthalmologist when I still lived in Houston. I have had cataract surgery done here by Dr. Todd Smith, who I can't recommend highly enough. My vision, uncorrected, is 20-20. If anyone in Austin ever needs eye surgery, he's the cat to see.