Laser eye treatment - who's done it?

[ivrytwr3]

Had mine lasted in 2011 when I was 29 with Optical Express (Forces discount…)

12 years later and it’s still absolutely perfect. I do get halos around lights at night, especially LED’s, but that’s a small price to pay for perfect vision.

I usually forget I ever had it done in the first place, and that perfect vision isn’t normal…

I was a specky 4 eyes/contacts wearer for many years, but it was during Telic wearing body armour, helmet etc in that heat. Heat, sweat - my helmet would make wearing glasses difficult, glasses would steam up and they also got knocked about a lot - it was just one more thing to look after. I swore i would sort laser surgery when i got home!

Optimax had an offer that no matter your prescription, it was a set price - none of this "from £xx per eye" and when you get there due to your prescription, the price doubles.

So, took advantage of the offer and used my Op Bonus to pay for it Didn't know they did Forces discount though.

 

[HACO]

Has anyone had it done from a hoghstreet type place, or is it always best to go for a dedicated clinic?

Definitely best to go to a dedicated clinic. Also pick a surgeon that does laser eye surgery all the time (rather than all forms of eye surgeries). Get consultation at several places to make sure they all agree you're suitable.

 

[theone8181]

Definitely best to go to a dedicated clinic. Also pick a surgeon that does laser eye surgery all the time (rather than all forms of eye surgeries). Get consultation at several places to make sure they all agree you're suitable.

That sounds like solid advice. Just need to plan in when to get a consultation .

 

[Tephnos]

My distance has been poor since I hit my 20s so I lived with glasses, hit my late 40s then noticed I needed to remove my glasses for reading. Now in my fifties I need two pairs of specs, one for distance, one for computer work but reading is fine, it’s the only time I don’t need glasses

So, when you start to hit the reading glasses age your lens begins to tighten up and isn't as flexible. Myopia is an increase of reading power, so this lack of flexibility actually improves your ability to read.

If you have the right amount of low myopia, some doctors recommend never correcting it as you can avoid reading glasses well into your 60s! You may also find your distance vision gets better as well.

 

[ristac]

So, when you start to hit the reading glasses age your lens begins to tighten up and isn't as flexible. Myopia is an increase of reading power, so this lack of flexibility actually improves your ability to read.

If you have the right amount of low myopia, some doctors recommend never correcting it as you can avoid reading glasses well into your 60s! You may also find your distance vision gets better as well.

I’m pretty sure I’ll never need reading and if the distance improves that will be a bonus

 

[Vexr]

So, when you start to hit the reading glasses age your lens begins to tighten up and isn't as flexible. Myopia is an increase of reading power, so this lack of flexibility actually improves your ability to read.

If you have the right amount of low myopia, some doctors recommend never correcting it as you can avoid reading glasses well into your 60s! You may also find your distance vision gets better as well.

Pretty much what's happened to my Mum. She had something like -1.25 myopia, but is now needing glasses less and less with age. Meanwhile my Dad, who has had excellent 20/20 vision all his life, is donning specs for close-up reading frequently.

As for me with -4.25 myopia, I can't hope for age to sort that. I absolutely hate specs; it's a struggle to go even a few hours with them, but I've been wearing contacts since I was about 15. They've been fantastic (and still are) though regretting over-wearing them a few years back as have since had symptoms of giant papillary conjunctivitis. Now I work from home a lot so wear specs until about lunch time, and make sure I don't over-wear my monthly contacts now, which keeps that in check.

Seen a few things about those who have had laser eye surgery really regretting it, including those who are pumping thousands into treatment for their laser eye surgery side effects, and wearing moisture goggles and all sorts. There was a weather woman in the US who became a completely different person apparently and then killed herself citing the pain from her laser eye surgery. I remember back when I worked for NHS 111 a guy called us up having had laser eye surgery, and on removing his packing the vision in one of his eyes was distorted. The swearing under his breath gave away his panic as he reported this to us.

I recall claims about 'satisfaction surveys' being done very shortly after laser eye surgery, with like 97% satisfaction rates . The problem is the nerves in the cornea take a few months to grow back into the new lens, and that's when people can really have problems.

Like the weather woman who offed herself due to the neuropathic pain, I can sort of relate just through the experience with contact lenses. If they're over-worn / dried out / manked up and in need of a clean, it affects you completely. I've gone from thinking I'm knackered at 9pm, then given my contact lenses a rinse and refresh, and suddenly I'm okay to be wide awake until the early hours of the morning.

Personally I'm not seriously considering laser eye surgery at this time. Only if society collapses and contact lenses become unavailable will I really be regretting not sorting my eyes

 

[Tephnos]

Pretty much what's happened to my Mum. She had something like -1.25 myopia, but is now needing glasses less and less with age. Meanwhile my Dad, who has had excellent 20/20 vision all his life, is donning specs for close-up reading frequently.

As for me with -4.25 myopia, I can't hope for age to sort that. I absolutely hate specs; it's a struggle to go even a few hours with them, but I've been wearing contacts since I was about 15. They've been fantastic (and still are) though regretting over-wearing them a few years back as have since had symptoms of giant papillary conjunctivitis. Now I work from home a lot so wear specs until about lunch time, and make sure I don't over-wear my monthly contacts now, which keeps that in check.

Seen a few things about those who have had laser eye surgery really regretting it, including those who are pumping thousands into treatment for their laser eye surgery side effects, and wearing moisture goggles and all sorts. There was a weather woman in the US who became a completely different person apparently and then killed herself citing the pain from her laser eye surgery. I remember back when I worked for NHS 111 a guy called us up having had laser eye surgery, and on removing his packing the vision in one of his eyes was distorted. The swearing under his breath gave away his panic as he reported this to us.

I recall claims about 'satisfaction surveys' being done very shortly after laser eye surgery, with like 97% satisfaction rates . The problem is the nerves in the cornea take a few months to grow back into the new lens, and that's when people can really have problems.

Like the weather woman who offed herself due to the neuropathic pain, I can sort of relate just through the experience with contact lenses. If they're over-worn / dried out / manked up and in need of a clean, it affects you completely. I've gone from thinking I'm knackered at 9pm, then given my contact lenses a rinse and refresh, and suddenly I'm okay to be wide awake until the early hours of the morning.

Personally I'm not seriously considering laser eye surgery at this time. Only if society collapses and contact lenses become unavailable will I really be regretting not sorting my eyes

My eyes are -0.5 and -0.75. If I were to correct them, it'd be for the bloody astigmatism more than anything else.

As for laser eye surgery, the tech is always advancing and with more recent LASEK treatments you can create flaps so thin that they do actually heal.

 

[Mr Jack]

So, when you start to hit the reading glasses age your lens begins to tighten up and isn't as flexible. Myopia is an increase of reading power, so this lack of flexibility actually improves your ability to read.

This is the complete opposite of what I've experienced. It sounds like a myth to me, tbh.

 

[Tephnos]

This is the complete opposite of what I've experienced. It sounds like a myth to me, tbh.

What is your prescription? This only really applies to very low amounts of myopia.

 

[Klunt Bumskrint]

Anyone here had it done? I'd love some real life opinions on people who have actually done it.

Been wearing glasses for well over 30 years and I really want to have it done as I'm just so sick of wearing glasses and I've never got on with contacts.

The cost doesn't bother me it's the videos I've seen of it.....the idea shaving off the cornea and folding it back makes me want to vomit.

Also if you have had it were you happy? any side effects?

Spoiler: The procedure

 

[Pipe & Slippers]

Anyone here had it done? I'd love some real life opinions on people who have actually done it.

Been wearing glasses for well over 30 years and I really want to have it done as I'm just so sick of wearing glasses and I've never got on with contacts.

The cost doesn't bother me it's the videos I've seen of it.....the idea shaving off the cornea and folding it back makes me want to vomit.

Also if you have had it were you happy? any side effects?

Spoiler: The procedure

There's a massive thread here: https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/laser-eye-treatment-whos-done-it.18271406/

 

[Bassmansam]

I was thinking about it but when i was researching i saw a lot of horror stories. I know the chance of it going wrong is small but I just don’t think its worth the risk when my vision in glasses is good.

Theres people on constant pain from this procedure. It’s a no from me.

At -5 and -7 i’m not sure if i’d be eligible anyway.

 

[Personality+]

I was thinking about it but when i was researching i saw a lot of horror stories. I know the chance of it going wrong is small but I just don’t think its worth the risk when my vision in glasses is good.

Theres people on constant pain from this procedure. It’s a no from me.

At -5 and -7 i’m not sure if i’d be eligible anyway.

I was going to come in and mention this as well, even if it occurs to less than 0.01% that's a no from me.

I had awful migraines from a cracked tooth, that had me going crazy, I can't imagine dealing with something as severe or worse (with no solution)

 

[bainbridge]

I had it done in 2010 to correct short sightedness. The procedure was an uncomfortable 5 mins but went well and gave me better than 20/20 vision for about 12 years.

I was told before the surgery that I'll need reading glasses in my 40s regardless. Sure enough about 2-3 years ago at 45 I was prescribed reading glasses with a light prescription for vdu work.

My long distance vision is still excellent. For example, when out on walks I'm often the first one to spot wildlife and have to point it out to others.

For me it was life changing (in a good way lol), but tbh had I looked into the actual procedure beforehand, I might not have gone ahead!

It's one of those things that I'd rather be ignorant of and put my faith in the surgeon doing a good job.

 

[Klunt Bumskrint]

I had it done in 2010 to correct short sightedness. The procedure was an uncomfortable 5 mins but went well and gave me better than 20/20 vision for about 12 years.

I was told before the surgery that I'll need reading glasses in my 40s regardless. Sure enough about 2-3 years ago at 45 I was prescribed reading glasses with a light prescription for vdu work.

My long distance vision is still excellent. For example, when out on walks I'm often the first one to spot wildlife and have to point it out to others.

For me it was life changing (in a good way lol), but tbh had I looked into the actual procedure beforehand, I might not have gone ahead!

It's one of those things that I'd rather be ignorant of and put my faith in the surgeon doing a good job.

This is my issue. it's the cornea shave tht gets me, apparently something called RPK is an alternative. What's the going rate as I'm seeing prices from 600 per eye to over 5 grand for the pair

 

[Tephnos]

Anyone here had it done? I'd love some real life opinions on people who have actually done it.

Been wearing glasses for well over 30 years and I really want to have it done as I'm just so sick of wearing glasses and I've never got on with contacts.

The cost doesn't bother me it's the videos I've seen of it.....the idea shaving off the cornea and folding it back makes me want to vomit.

Also if you have had it were you happy? any side effects?

Spoiler: The procedure

If you are willing to wait out 6 weeks for it to heal, TransPRK is probably the best overall method, since no flap is created. Nothing actually touches your eye - the laser just blasts away the cornea to reach the correctable eye surface.

 

[Tephnos]

I was thinking about it but when i was researching i saw a lot of horror stories. I know the chance of it going wrong is small but I just don’t think its worth the risk when my vision in glasses is good.

Theres people on constant pain from this procedure. It’s a no from me.

At -5 and -7 i’m not sure if i’d be eligible anyway.

Those horror stories tend to be with high street clinics that do it for cheap.

Get it done at a proper clinic where they do a full assessment of your eye, and they will directly tell your risk of complications. For example, if you have larger pupils they will measure them and determine if they will be beyond the correctable area - if they are, you will have night vision issues.

 

[ChrisD.]

I had it in 2013 I think. I’d have again. Changed my life. I probably need reading glasses now as I’m in my 40s but zero regrets.

 

[kindai]

Anyone here had it done? I'd love some real life opinions on people who have actually done it.

My results are somewhere in this thread, from basically blind without glasses to perfect vision.

Had it done at London Vision Clinic. Pricey yes but the best place in the UK to have it done.

Had I realised how easy it was in hindsight id of done it 10 years earlier. And when the time comes ill have another correction happily done.

 

[Smokes]

Lasered 10 years back, best thing I ever did!