Having Lasik Friday...question

[ImMarcik]

Okay, I am finally going to have Lasik. I'm a little nervous, but very excited. My question is, how many people have to get a touch-up? They offer a lifetime touch-up free if you buy a $500 warranty the day of surgery. Ist this a good deal? Oh my surgery price $3900 is for a year of anything I need done. I'm having the custom blade free.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Can't answer your question, but I just wanted to wish you luck and to let us know how things turned out. I'm considering it myself.

 

[corndog]

If your eyesight is 20/15, would having LASIK improve them even more?

 

[YachtClubWoman]

I had Lasik and have the warranty. I needed a touch up after my surgery since they did not correct my vision enough. I would buy the warranty - you may need it in the future.

 

[Cindyluwho]

If your eyesight is 20/15, would having LASIK improve them even more?

Why the heck would you need better than perfect vision? That is a weird question unless I misunderstood it
I had my Wavefront Lasik done 5 1/2 years ago. I waited until the Wavefront was introduced because with glasses my eyes corrected to 20/15 and I wanted to be sure that my eyesight would be as good after the surgery. From the first day after the surgery it was and still is 20/15 and I love it!! I now spend all of my $$ that I used to spend on perscription eyewear, on designer sunglasses. So I'm not saving any money on glasses but I'm sure enjoying it!!

 

[cristit14]

Good Luck Marci! It might be a good idea to get the warranty I am not sure. When I had mine done my place was offering free touchups for life as long as I do all of my follow up appointments and then do my yearly checkup after that. It seems like I had someone I worked with that had to get a touch up, but that was because her eyesight was really bad to begin with.

 

[LindaR]

I had mine done over 4 years ago and love it! Had my daughter's eyes done as part of her 18th birthday present. She DID have a touchup done six months later. Why? She wanted her vision to be sharper. It was perfect (according to the charts) right after the procedure but HER particular preference was to have sharper vision. It was included in the price that I paid. She is totally happy too.

One of the reasons that I was never able to wear contacts sucessfully was because they did not get my vision sharp enough! So some touchups may be due to personal preference.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I've talked with my eye doc several times about Lasik, but just haven't gotten the gumption to get it done yet.

She suggested waiting for a 'quiet period', meaning a period where there are no significant vision changes. She said our vision changes throughout our life, so getting it done at a more stable period may mean no changes needed for awhile.

I asked, "So... if it changes throughout our life, why get it done at all? Does it mean I'll just have to get glasses again later???" I've had glasses/contact lenses since I was 7yo, and I've always hated it!

She said:

A. Any later vision changes will be minor in comparison to this dramatic change from the surgery. (My vision is pretty poor.)

B. Minor changes do not mean I will need glasses, and if it's bad enough that correction is needed, I can get a "touch up". For some reason I was thinking once you had the surgery, that was it, you couldn't do it again.

I'm old enough to be on the verge of needing bifocals within the next several years, so that's another reason I've put it off. What's worse, wearing glasses all the time, or being unable to find reading glasses when I need them? I still haven't decided.

ETA: Would you mind reporting your experience when you get back? I'm just curious how you like it. Everyone I've heard of really likes it, though I've heard of bad experiences, too.

 

[bumbershoot]

If your eyesight is 20/15, would having LASIK improve them even more?

If you found a surgeon who would risk your eyesight just to make them even more perfect, please report them to their regulating agencies.


With the warranty, be sure to check the fine print (BEFORE you pay for it). There was no warranty to buy when I had my eyes operated on, but they do "guarantee" it, meaning that they will touch up for free later. BUT you have to have NO sun damage on your eyes in order for them to do it for free. I'm thinkin' that even with the best sunglasses worn ALL the time, you're still going to get sun damage, so I doubt that they have to do that many touch up surgeries for free.


Alex2kMommy, in case you haven't heard of my experience, I'll give you mine. I do have 20/20 still. Had it done in '01 because I "refuse to wear glasses on my wedding day!" Seemed reasonable to me then (having an outdoor wedding where allergies were likely for me, so couldn't have worn contacts either) but seems incredibly childish to me now, ugh. And I had this whole Lisa Loeb adorable cutesy thing going on with my frames that I didn't even KNOW was going on at the time, gah.

I should never have been approved. I had light sensitivity then, and it's over the top now. It takes about 5 minutes for me to get my sight back when going from a light place to a dark place, and I have to close my eyes when I know a light is going to go on while I'm in the dark or it HURTS. So I walk around blind while waiting for my eyes to adjust, which is something I never had to do before.

I have dryness in my eyes that I never had before. And they slice you before they laser you, and in my left eye the area where they started the slice has never been the same. I have a HUGE "bloodshot" vein coming from the spot on that eye where they started the slice, and it's awful. If I ever got into acting and had some great character actor career, I could never have a closeup on that side b/c it's so horrible looking. And it HURTS sometimes, when it's bigger than usual.


And the biggest irony for me is that I went from "I won't wear glasses on my wedding day, and wouldn't it be great to not wear glasses anymore" to "I have to wear sunglasses ALL the time"! HOW is that an improvement? I'll tell you, it's NOT. Insurance doesn't pay for sunglasses, so it's all out of pocket. I have a scratch on my sunglasses and can't replace them right now b/c money is going towards other things. Can't use my Flex Plan for them, can't use insurance. Bleah.


When I went in, I only considered:

1. It will go perfectly
and
2. I will end up blind.

I never considered the middle ground, where I would end up with perfect vision (by the way, I had it done after 5 years of no change in my rather-bad eyesight) but with extra things from the surgery that would drive me batty and to regret ever considering the stupid experience.

 

[rainy~daze]

I had Lasik March of 2003. Still 20/15.
If I had any problem I think they would have done additional surgery free the 1st year.

When I had it done the dr. said some people will need things redone as they get older because everyone's eyes change.
Does their lifetime warranty cover any kind of change? Say you need reading lasses in 10-20 yrs, does it cover it to correct that?

It was the best thing I have ever done!
I hadn't seen that good in over 20 years. Talk about a miracle, to go from seeing less than 5 inches in front of your face to seeing things 500 ft (may be exxagerating that, but you get the point I hope) away perfectly?


If the warranty covers everything for the rest of your life, I might get it. Are they a reputable business you expect to still be there in 10-15 yrs?



Either way---good luck! Your life will literally change before your eyes this week! I was seeing the second they were done, just a bit blurry--for the 1st little bit while medicine wore off.


Be sure to follow their directions with eye drops and antibiotics, etc. to the T! You do not want your eyes getting infected.

 

[Evil Genius]

Good Luck Marci! I have the lifetime warranty on my Lasik. It's been 4 years and so far I haven't needed any further work.

 

[Hercules10]

A "warranty" on a health care item just sounds wrong to me.

Does their touch-up apply to both near and far-sighted? What about stigmatisms? How long has the clinic been in business? Will it be in business when/if you need a touch-up? WHO determines if you need a touch-up? Them? Or will you spend more money from another eye-doctor to get them to honor their warranty?

I wouldn't....

 

[JessicaR]

My husband has a consultation tomorrow. I will be keeping an eye on this thread.

ImMarcik, Hoping all goes perfect on Friday! Let us know how you make out.

Hercules10, the whole warranty thing rubs me wrong too. This is the first I have heard of this as something offered.

 

[phorsenuf]

If you found a surgeon who would risk your eyesight just to make them even more perfect, please report them to their regulating agencies.


With the warranty, be sure to check the fine print (BEFORE you pay for it). There was no warranty to buy when I had my eyes operated on, but they do "guarantee" it, meaning that they will touch up for free later. BUT you have to have NO sun damage on your eyes in order for them to do it for free. I'm thinkin' that even with the best sunglasses worn ALL the time, you're still going to get sun damage, so I doubt that they have to do that many touch up surgeries for free.


Alex2kMommy, in case you haven't heard of my experience, I'll give you mine. I do have 20/20 still. Had it done in '01 because I "refuse to wear glasses on my wedding day!" Seemed reasonable to me then (having an outdoor wedding where allergies were likely for me, so couldn't have worn contacts either) but seems incredibly childish to me now, ugh. And I had this whole Lisa Loeb adorable cutesy thing going on with my frames that I didn't even KNOW was going on at the time, gah.

I should never have been approved. I had light sensitivity then, and it's over the top now. It takes about 5 minutes for me to get my sight back when going from a light place to a dark place, and I have to close my eyes when I know a light is going to go on while I'm in the dark or it HURTS. So I walk around blind while waiting for my eyes to adjust, which is something I never had to do before.

I have dryness in my eyes that I never had before. And they slice you before they laser you, and in my left eye the area where they started the slice has never been the same. I have a HUGE "bloodshot" vein coming from the spot on that eye where they started the slice, and it's awful. If I ever got into acting and had some great character actor career, I could never have a closeup on that side b/c it's so horrible looking. And it HURTS sometimes, when it's bigger than usual.


And the biggest irony for me is that I went from "I won't wear glasses on my wedding day, and wouldn't it be great to not wear glasses anymore" to "I have to wear sunglasses ALL the time"! HOW is that an improvement? I'll tell you, it's NOT. Insurance doesn't pay for sunglasses, so it's all out of pocket. I have a scratch on my sunglasses and can't replace them right now b/c money is going towards other things. Can't use my Flex Plan for them, can't use insurance. Bleah.


When I went in, I only considered:

1. It will go perfectly
and
2. I will end up blind.

I never considered the middle ground, where I would end up with perfect vision (by the way, I had it done after 5 years of no change in my rather-bad eyesight) but with extra things from the surgery that would drive me batty and to regret ever considering the stupid experience.

I'm sorry, but I have to ask. Do you have horror stories for every medical procedure out there? Every time I see you post on some medical thread you have always had bad experiences. Have you ever had a medical procedure work out good for you?

And as a general observation I never quite understood why people share their (general their) horror stories with somebody who is just about to have the same procedure. Don't you think (again, general you) they are nervous enough?

Anyway, good luck on the procedure. I've never had it done myself but I have heard very good things about it.

 

[ImMarcik]

Can't answer your question, but I just wanted to wish you luck and to let us know how things turned out. I'm considering it myself.

Thank you! I will update probably Saturday. I was told I am not allowed to read on Friday.

 

[ImMarcik]

I've talked with my eye doc several times about Lasik, but just haven't gotten the gumption to get it done yet.

She suggested waiting for a 'quiet period', meaning a period where there are no significant vision changes. She said our vision changes throughout our life, so getting it done at a more stable period may mean no changes needed for awhile.

I asked, "So... if it changes throughout our life, why get it done at all? Does it mean I'll just have to get glasses again later???" I've had glasses/contact lenses since I was 7yo, and I've always hated it!

She said:

A. Any later vision changes will be minor in comparison to this dramatic change from the surgery. (My vision is pretty poor.)

B. Minor changes do not mean I will need glasses, and if it's bad enough that correction is needed, I can get a "touch up". For some reason I was thinking once you had the surgery, that was it, you couldn't do it again.

I'm old enough to be on the verge of needing bifocals within the next several years, so that's another reason I've put it off. What's worse, wearing glasses all the time, or being unable to find reading glasses when I need them? I still haven't decided.

ETA: Would you mind reporting your experience when you get back? I'm just curious how you like it. Everyone I've heard of really likes it, though I've heard of bad experiences, too.

I'm 37 and know that reading glasses are coming. So, maybe i will get the warranty, yes I will post an update Saturday.

 

[ImMarcik]

BTW I don't think they called it a warranty. That's just what I am calling it. I need to go home and look at the paper and read everything.

 

[DawnM]

I wasn't offered a touch up as far as I know. I got mine done in 2000, 8 years ago. I still have had no problems.

The going rate was $3,500 back then and I got a discount at $2,700 I think it was. Right after that they got a new machine and started charging $5,000.

The biggest thing I recommend is getting a good referral from your eye doctor. My eye doctor recommended the guy everyone went to to correct the botch jobs. I went to Dr. Robert Maloney in LA, if anyone is in that area. http://www.maloneyvision.com/ He was awesome.

Dawn

 

[KAMLEM]

It's the best thing I ever did. I can't even remember how long ago it was now, but I would guess at least 7 or 8 years. They didn't even offer a "warranty" when I had it done but I have never had any trouble. I would recommend it in a heartbeat.

 

[Deb in IA]

I'm sorry, but I have to ask. Do you have horror stories for every medical procedure out there? Every time I see you post on some medical thread you have always had bad experiences. Have you ever had a medical procedure work out good for you?

And as a general observation I never quite understood why people share their (general their) horror stories with somebody who is just about to have the same procedure. Don't you think (again, general you) they are nervous enough?

Anyway, good luck on the procedure. I've never had it done myself but I have heard very good things about it.

Now, back to the OP:
My DH had Lasik about 7 years ago and is very pleased with his results, as are most of the people I've talked to. However, one of his colleagues was the one-in-XXXX that got all the complications, and has permanent damage.

My personal advice is NOT to go by the 'best deal', but rather, check out the surgeon's record - how long have they been doing this, where did they get trained, the number of times he or she has done the procedure, their complication rate, etc.


Good luck!