Has Anyone Here Had Laser Vision Correction Surgery? Were You Pleased

[Intelsucks]

with the results? I had it done in October of 1997 when LASIK was right on the cusp of being FDA approved. Since it wasn't yet approved when I had the surgery, I had to sign my vision away in order to have it done. Basically, they said if you go blind, you're on your own. If two other co-workers of mine hadn't already had it done by this same doctor, I probably never would have had the guts to go through with it myself.

Today, my vision is not perfect, but I don't need glasses to do anything. I also had the corrective lenses restriction removed from my drivers license.

Aside from having a flap sliced off of my corneas, the worst part of the surgery is the smell. Your nostrils aren't far from your eyes, so you can smell the laser burning your eyeball.x(

[Native]

1. Had it and ended up with monovision...

one eye is good for close up & the other for distance. It is more pronounced than when specifically requested (mine was accidental), but I've had no problem adjusting and don't need to wear reading glasses. Having been legally blind before the surgery, I can easily say I'm very pleased with the outcome.

[MissMarple]

2. Me, too.

I love not having to wear glasses. And the brain really adjusts for the near/far eyes. It is not 100% perfect, but I would never go back. I wear reading glasses for needlepoint or if reading in dim light.

After reading so much science fiction in high school in the 60's I figured they would come up with something viable sooner or later. So I was waiting and ready when the procedure became safe and affordable enough. I had trouble with contacts.

Warning: Just be very careful who does it. You need someone who has a sucessful and long history with this procedure. And no fly by night guys. I understand in some places they haul the equipment around from place to place. That doesn't sound good to me.

[Intelsucks]

3. I would highly recommend this to anyone still wearing glasses or

contact lenses, if you can afford to have it done. :thumbsup:

[Frangible]

4. Know a friend who did

He really liked it. I'll probably get it done eventually, but just a bought a house so I have financial obligations atm :)

[geniph]

5. Yes, and I'm a poster child for it

I had worn glasses or contacts since I was 8 years old. I was legally blind without corrective lenses, and very astigmatic. I did 10 years of research (I'm not kidding) before choosing a surgeon, and part of the reason I chose the one I did is that a) he taught the procedure at university medical schools, b) he'd had it done himself, and c) nearly everyone working in their office had had it done, and was happy with the results.

The surgery itself took about ten seconds per eye, I sat up in the chair, and I could read the clock across the room (I couldn't even SEE the clock when I sat down in the chair). I was 20-20 within a week (and lenses had never corrected my vision to 20-20). Nearly five years later now, and I've never regretted a cent of the money. The only bad effect I have is very minor haloing when driving at night (which was worse with hard contacts when my eyes were tired).

Do your research, and stay away from computers and televisions for a week following the surgery.

[Intelsucks]

6. I saw halos around lights at night for about 3 months after the surgery

but everything is fine now. I don't think my night vision is as good as it was before, but I can't necessarily blame the surgery for that.