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Laser eye surgery
- Thread starter Stinky Pete
- Start date
Went as far as having my eyeballs mapped for it about ten years ago but chickened out once I realised contact lens technology had moved on to allow people with astigmatism to wear dailies. My reasons after a lot of research were: - I knew several people who'd had it done. All said it was great but, on further delving, admitted they'd needed further treatment on one eye or that their sight was more passable than perfect.
- The long term effect of thinning the cornea is not known and there could be consequences in old age.
- Eyesight continues to change so you could well end up wearing specs again a few years down the line.
- Any surgical procedure carries risk, albeit very small in this case. Have a nose around on the net and you'll find enough horror stories to make you question whether its worth taking a laser to the only set of eyes you'll ever have. I'm quite happy with daily disposables - takes about 30 seconds a day to pop them in, no cleaning required & next to no risk of eyesight damage with annual checks.
- The long term effect of thinning the cornea is not known and there could be consequences in old age.
- Eyesight continues to change so you could well end up wearing specs again a few years down the line.
- Any surgical procedure carries risk, albeit very small in this case. Have a nose around on the net and you'll find enough horror stories to make you question whether its worth taking a laser to the only set of eyes you'll ever have. I'm quite happy with daily disposables - takes about 30 seconds a day to pop them in, no cleaning required & next to no risk of eyesight damage with annual checks.
Arthur
Well-known member
The cost depends on how bad/good your site is. But to be fair the cost isn't anywhere near as bad as it was simply because the world and his dog is doing it these days. Friend of mine was quoted well in excess of 5 figures about 10 years ago.
And of course your eyes are going to deteriorate again the human body does as you get older unfortunately.
I had it done 4 years ago, cost about £3k but the best thing I ever did. I'd pay the extra and go for LASIK (I think or is it EK...the one where the laser makes the cut) as the recovery is allot quicker.
The surgery takes no time at all. For me it was 20 seconds to make the cut and 30 seconds to do the magic on each eye. Surgery doesn't hurt in the slightest just slightly uncomfortable (making the cut feels like someone has stuck a hoover over your eyeball). It is very odd as you can obviously see what it going on, well you can until they flap your cornea over then it's just light.
When the local wears off it wasn't very pleasant but I managed to get across central London and back on a train home before that happened. I just went and had a kip for a couple of hours and woke up absolutely fine. Went back for a follow up consultation the next day and had better than 20/20 vision.
Like I said probably the best thing I've ever done and I reckon I'm getting close to paying for it given the money I was spending on contacts and glasses.
Brian Parsons
New member
I enquired some months ago but because I have bi-focal lens they could only correct one of my problems, so I would still need glasses to read.
thony
Active member
I had mine done in 2005 (wavefront technology at a total cost of £4,400) at the Centre for Sight (East Grinstead) with good results (better than 20/20 in one eye, nearly 20/20 in the other).
I originally had astygmatisms that took my prescription to about -6.5 in each eye.
Following the surgery, I was more than happy with my distance vision, although I was getting slight issues with my right eye that I was advised was down to dry patches on the cornea which could be treated with eye drops. (Makes sense, as I had been used to my eyes being constantly shielded from the elements by my glasses since I was 6 years old.)
As I was just over 40 at the time, I had been warned that there was a risk I might still need reading glasses: as my glasses "flattened" my vision, the eye muscles didn't need to work so hard to alter focus between near and far, so we couldn't find out whether they'd be up to it until after surgery. After surgery, I was told that they were OK at the time, but I would probably need reading glasses within a few years. I actually got away without reading glasses up till recently, and am only now having to use reading glasses occasionally (eg, for really fine text, such as browsing the internet on my mobile phone), although I have needed to use "VDU use only" glasses at work for a few years now (but as such the company has to pay for them). Strangely, though, I don't seem to need glasses for the computer at home still, so perhaps it's something to do with the poor lighting in my office.
I first researched laser vision correction in 2002 after a friend recommended Centre for Sight after their own surgery, but I decided against the risk after reading the horror stories.
After further research the second time, I decided that most of the horror stories seemed to be down to the lack of proper assessment over whether the case was suitable for treatment (predominantly with regard to pupil size or cornea thickness). So I needed to go somewhere where not only were they willing to advise over the options, but were also prepared to turn you away if you shouldn't have it (as opposed to being determined to do the surgery and get your money regardless of the consequences) even though it might mean spending more (as I had a bit of an inheritance to help me). Centre for Sight seemed the ideal place not only because of the recommendation, but also because it seemed at the time to be the place everyone went to to get corrective surgery after other surgeries' mistakes!
Another thing to bear in mind is that the aim is for 20/20 vision (which isn't actually PERFECT vision, but good enough for most purposes), so my vision isn't quite as sharp as when I was wearing glasses. If I had been OK with contact lenses, I probably would have stuck with them rather than laser treatment.
I expect you'll want to do further research before deciding, and the Centre for Sight website is probably as good a place as any to start:
http://www.centreforsight.com/
I originally had astygmatisms that took my prescription to about -6.5 in each eye.
Following the surgery, I was more than happy with my distance vision, although I was getting slight issues with my right eye that I was advised was down to dry patches on the cornea which could be treated with eye drops. (Makes sense, as I had been used to my eyes being constantly shielded from the elements by my glasses since I was 6 years old.)
As I was just over 40 at the time, I had been warned that there was a risk I might still need reading glasses: as my glasses "flattened" my vision, the eye muscles didn't need to work so hard to alter focus between near and far, so we couldn't find out whether they'd be up to it until after surgery. After surgery, I was told that they were OK at the time, but I would probably need reading glasses within a few years. I actually got away without reading glasses up till recently, and am only now having to use reading glasses occasionally (eg, for really fine text, such as browsing the internet on my mobile phone), although I have needed to use "VDU use only" glasses at work for a few years now (but as such the company has to pay for them). Strangely, though, I don't seem to need glasses for the computer at home still, so perhaps it's something to do with the poor lighting in my office.
I first researched laser vision correction in 2002 after a friend recommended Centre for Sight after their own surgery, but I decided against the risk after reading the horror stories.
After further research the second time, I decided that most of the horror stories seemed to be down to the lack of proper assessment over whether the case was suitable for treatment (predominantly with regard to pupil size or cornea thickness). So I needed to go somewhere where not only were they willing to advise over the options, but were also prepared to turn you away if you shouldn't have it (as opposed to being determined to do the surgery and get your money regardless of the consequences) even though it might mean spending more (as I had a bit of an inheritance to help me). Centre for Sight seemed the ideal place not only because of the recommendation, but also because it seemed at the time to be the place everyone went to to get corrective surgery after other surgeries' mistakes!
Another thing to bear in mind is that the aim is for 20/20 vision (which isn't actually PERFECT vision, but good enough for most purposes), so my vision isn't quite as sharp as when I was wearing glasses. If I had been OK with contact lenses, I probably would have stuck with them rather than laser treatment.
I expect you'll want to do further research before deciding, and the Centre for Sight website is probably as good a place as any to start:
http://www.centreforsight.com/
Had it done in March 2011. Completely changed my life. It cost a grand per eye with Optimax, and was horrific, but that's because I had to have the older version (Lasek) because I have thin corneas. If you have the newer version (Lasik) it's much less painful and you can wake up the next day with no pain whatsoever.
- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,640
Hmmm, this has got me thinking about it now.
I only need one doing, so...half the price & half the discomfort
I only need one doing, so...half the price & half the discomfort
TheJasperCo
Well-known member
I guess it depends on the person. I mean I can think of several better uses for £3000 when the alternatives - glasses and contact lenses - are equally effective. If, as you rightly say, your eyes will continue to deteriorate naturally with age anyway, I can't justify the expense. I have considered it, but...hey-ho.
I was spending £30 a month on contacts, and a hundred quid every year or so on glasses, so getting on for £500 a year. Surgery was a grand per eye, I paid a £200 deposit and then £100 a month for eighteen months, which finishes in September. Once that's finished I shouldn't need to spend any money on my eyes for another twenty years, as I shouldn't need reading glasses until then. So 2 grand for surgery, 10 grand for glasses / contacts. No contest!
Had It done end of April and can recomend if you want all the details PM and i can explain
This
Comedy Steve
We're f'ing brilliant
I went to Optimax in Hove for a free consultation. The consultation said my eyeballs were a little flat so they would get in touch to say what was possible. A week later, no reply, so I phoned back, and they said the consultant was on holiday and would get in touch when they got back. Phoned two weeks later, still no reply. Left messages for two months. Gave up. As soon as they realised they couldn't operate on me they weren't even interested in the courtesy phonecall to tell me. Not impressed.
Dr NBC
Former Insider
Going to Optical Express in Crawley on Thursday for my consultation. Originally went in 1993 but they wouldn't recommend the surgery for a few reasons. With the advent of new technologies, it might be more feasible now.
Jam The Man
Well-known member
I had mine done at Optimax in East Croydon (boooo) in Oct 2002 when I was 27 years old. Apart from my input in making my children, it's the best thing i've ever done.
Cost me a grand, and it was worth every penny. I was driving within 23 hours and have had 2 x eye checks since then and can easily read the bottom line.
Pain? None at all, and believe me I have a very low pain threshold. All I had was some minor discomfort in that@
a) for a few hours after the op, everything seems as bright as staring at the sun.
b) the clamp used to hold your eyes open during the 20 minute op was a bit annoying
Since then i paid for my brother to have it done, and my father had his done when he was 55. Admittedly he has to wear glasses on occasion for reading, but they said that would happen with natural eye detiororation through age.
I would highly recommend it.
Cost me a grand, and it was worth every penny. I was driving within 23 hours and have had 2 x eye checks since then and can easily read the bottom line.
Pain? None at all, and believe me I have a very low pain threshold. All I had was some minor discomfort in that@
a) for a few hours after the op, everything seems as bright as staring at the sun.
b) the clamp used to hold your eyes open during the 20 minute op was a bit annoying
Since then i paid for my brother to have it done, and my father had his done when he was 55. Admittedly he has to wear glasses on occasion for reading, but they said that would happen with natural eye detiororation through age.
I would highly recommend it.
The Stout Yeoman
Master Farter
Yes ... apparently so my good lady wanted to have it done but was advised that it would only assist for a few years before the eyesight deteriates again ... she was 48 at the time ...
Tricky Dicky
New member
I have a laser pen as a toy for the cats. I'd be happy to have a shot at doing it for you. I'll even do it while you wait. I do have quite a steady hand after the first 5 drinks, honest.
Stinky Pete
New member
- Thread starter
- #39
Some interesting posts. Seems the price varies on how blind you are. For some reason I assumed it was same price regardless. Stupid in hindsight. Did anyone go for the free consultation with a load of companies? Or just the one?
I'm pretty blind -4.50 and -5.50. This is going to cost me isn't it?
I'm pretty blind -4.50 and -5.50. This is going to cost me isn't it?
Make sure when you go to a consultation you don't accept the first price. I got £500 off mine by haggling.