Once was blind but now i see

Freefaller · 11 Aug 2011 at 22:00

Milkybk said:
How much did it cost you (if you don't mind me asking)?

I really, really want this doing. I'm not sure exactly what my prescription is but I'm long sighted.

I can go all day without wearing glasses and not feel uncomfrotable, which is fine for e.g. the weekend. However at work I need them as I have to focus on computer screens etc all day.

Of course not - set me back just under £3000.

My eyes were stable for 5-6 years and all the tests were 100% ok.

Over the last 15 years I have spent considerably more than £3000 on my vision - so it felt like a sensible trade off cost wise.

Just that freedom I now have, although I wasn't hugely short sighted, but enough to need glasses to make life liveable. Just walking around the house and getting up in the morning and just doing sport, going for a swim or just going out and about without needing to worry which glasses to put on or what contact lenses etc...

For me it's been an investment, and over the last 2 years has been wonderful - I've almost forgotten what it was like to wear glasses!

Lewist · 11 Aug 2011 at 22:00

Had mine done 3 weeks ago - also by optical express but at milton keynes. The op's description of the procedure is accurate but it really isnt that daunting or nasty - mine was over in less than 10 mins! Its not really painful at the time although it is a tad uncomfortable. I'd definitely recommend trying to get it done on a friday if poss so you get a full weeekend to recvoer before going back to work.

Well pleased with it so far, from -6 in both eyes to 20-20 in my left and a notch or 2 better than 20-20 in the right. Back at the gym now and swimming etc and its great. Not really had to do any night driving yet but in bright sunlight my eyes are still a little more sensitve than they were before. They did say this could take as long as 6 weeks to get back though.

whitecrook · 11 Aug 2011 at 22:03

Begbie said:
I so want this done, but even reading your post it makes me feel physically sick.

this

Ewaf · 11 Aug 2011 at 22:14

Thanks for the insight (lolol), I have perfect vision at the moment, Optician says my eyesight hasn't changed at all since I was 11 (I'm 22 now). But if my eyesight ever deteriorated I wouldn't hesitate to splash out on getting them lasered, in my opinion your sight is priceless!

Rameses · 11 Aug 2011 at 22:20

CliffyG said:
At present, unless my eyes fall out i would definitely recommend it.

LOL!

Glad it went ok, but whenever I see a thread like this about laser eye treatment I think of when Homer Simpson had it and his eyes kept scabbing over as he was driving home, so so funny.

Brumboy · 11 Aug 2011 at 22:35

Awesome, although the way you've described it seems a bit scary!

I went to Optical Express & Accuvision this week for consultations. I'm -7.00 in my left eye and -6.50 in my right so quite bad. Been wearing glasses since I was 13 (I'm 22).

Optical Express quoted me £3800 and Accuvision quoted me £3500. I decided to go with Accuvision as it seemed a lot more professional and they use newer & better technology than all the other laser eye companies (except for the London Eye Surgery place).

Procedure is due to take place next Tuesday at 2.20PM. I'm quite nervous now after reading your description!.

I have a few questions though if you don't mind answering them:

1. So it only took you about a day for your eyes to stop watering so much and for that "grit" feeling to stop?

2. You said you're not allowed to wet your eyes, what happens if you accidentially get some in your eyes and how long do you have to do this for?

3. When can you start watching TV/using a computer ect?

Thanks!

area51_for_psx · 11 Aug 2011 at 22:39

I have Lasek with wavefront booked in for the 25th in optical express. My eyes arent that bad -1.25 and -1.75. Getting it done for £1480

Street · 11 Aug 2011 at 23:02

I keep reading these threads and it keeps tempting me to get it done! I've been meaning to look into it properly for a while though. I'm about -6.5 in both eyes and I'd really like to not have to wear glasses, just to be able to get up in the mornings and see things first thing would be nice!

I need to get an eye check up soon anyway as I haven't had one for two years and new lenses will probably set me back a few hundred anyway!

Jambo · 11 Aug 2011 at 23:33

Once I was blind then I could see.

Then I was blind again.

I got it done too young at 21.

FoxEye · 11 Aug 2011 at 23:39

MooMoo444 said:
Laser, cutting, eye..

DO NOT WANT

This, basically. Even tho I'm -3.75/-4 (ie, my eyes are pretty ******), I still wouldn't want to be blind, or have my sight get worse. And that would be my fear about this procedure.

FoxEye · 11 Aug 2011 at 23:41

Jambo said:
Once I was blind then I could see.

Then I was blind again.

I got it done too young at 21.

Wow, I can't believe they'd let you have it done so young. That's bordering on negligence!

All the professionals I have spoken to said you should wait until much later in your life when your eyes are fairly stable.

I guess in your case they were just seeing $$$ signs.

NathP · 12 Aug 2011 at 01:47

I had my eyes done at Opitcal Express 18 months ago. My sight has been fine ever since!

The worst thing is the pressure the intralase laser puts on your eye when cutting the flap and the metal eye clamps

I think I was -2.50. Used to have to wear glasses for driving and cinema

Big Chris · 12 Aug 2011 at 08:20

Big Chris said:
Booked consultations with Ultralase and Optimax in Brum next month.

Is there another clinic I should consider too?

Anyone?

platypus · 12 Aug 2011 at 08:23

Freefaller said:
Of course not - set me back just under £3000.

My eyes were stable for 5-6 years and all the tests were 100% ok.

Over the last 15 years I have spent considerably more than £3000 on my vision - so it felt like a sensible trade off cost wise.

Just that freedom I now have, although I wasn't hugely short sighted, but enough to need glasses to make life liveable. Just walking around the house and getting up in the morning and just doing sport, going for a swim or just going out and about without needing to worry which glasses to put on or what contact lenses etc...

For me it's been an investment, and over the last 2 years has been wonderful - I've almost forgotten what it was like to wear glasses!

But you'll have to wear them again.

Tefal · 12 Aug 2011 at 08:33

I want eye surgery, but i would also want about 50mg of diazepam before hand

Tefal · 12 Aug 2011 at 08:35

Freefaller said:
Of course not - set me back just under £3000.

see 3k is a respectable figure but

"From £350 per eye! and 0% interest free credit" sounds like a market stall back ally style affair

Cosimo · 12 Aug 2011 at 08:42

Tefal said:
I want eye surgery, but i would also want about 50mg of diazepam before hand

I'm sure you could get it and the eye surgery.

masonkian · 12 Aug 2011 at 08:45

expensive but worth it

Street · 12 Aug 2011 at 09:28

Ive always wondered what happens if you move your eye whilst its cutting? Is this even possible.. Probably just one of my irrational fears putting me off doing it!

platypus · 12 Aug 2011 at 09:30

Street said:
Ive always wondered what happens if you move your eye whilst its cutting? Is this even possible.. Probably just one of my irrational fears putting me off doing it!

The computer adjusts for it. Another thing to be worried about I guess, the fact that the person pressing a button to burn through part of your eye is nothing more than someone trained how to set up a rather simple computer program. Would you want that if something does go wrong?

Nowadays, there is very little to be worried about with the surgical procedure of laser eye surgery (in the developed world anyway). Common problems afterwards are dry eyes, and what is not known is the long term effects, nor does laser eye surgery stop you needing glasses later on in life.