I had it done several years ago. Vision went from 20/400+ to 20/20 for about 2 years. Vision deteriorated to 20/50 and I got a free second adjustment. my vision has stabalized at 20/25, BUT I still need reading glasses. With the right display resolution and font sizing, no problems working at my computer.

Darryl

I live in front of a computer 10+ hours a day. I had the surgery 4 1/2 years ago. Before I had it I couldn't see an eye chart. -8.50 in both eyes. It took two rounds to get it to 20/20-25. The first surgery went well, but with such a large correction the odds were 75% that I would need a second treatment in the future. At 10 months I went in again and it is great.

Now - the bad. Night vision is effected. I see halos around lights etc. I would get these when I wore my contacts too long so to me it is not an issue, but you should be aware. Large pupil size will result in worse halos in general.

I would avoid an assembly line eye clinic. You know the type. Make sure whoever you choose has done a fair amount. Most states you can check the regulator board and find out if they have a lot of complaints or problems. Talk to real patients if you can.

You will be able to see the next day, but for the first month your eyes will fade in and out as they tire. A lot the first week, and less over time.

Some people have issues with dry eyes post op. I did not, but those who do can use drops. This usually fades with time too.

The surgery requires the cutting of a flap. It takes years to heal, if ever. I know at 10 months, the surgeon did not need to cut again, he could still lift the flap with some effort - its not lose.

Some say scuba is an issue after the surgery, but have not heard any real reports. You will need to refrain from swimming and other activities for a short period after surgery.

Most places will do the evals for free. Talk to several.

There is a new surgery that uses radio waves and does not require any cutting. This is supposed ot be better. Check it out.

For me it was the best thing I ever did. I could not see the floor before, looking at my shoes, I could not see if they were untied. Now I can see everything. I can drive an night without problem, the red lights just have a little extra glow (halo).

I had this surgery about 3 years ago. The results are amazing and mine was even paid for by my insurance!

Everything that the others have posted is good information, so take those into account. Here's another thing to consider, without asking my age, my doctor explained that after 40 years of age, a person's vision begins to change. Instead of having trouble reading a freeway sign, we start to have trouble reading the label on a can of soup. So, it is a surgery that benefits a person who still has trouble with reading from far away. If you have trouble with close-up reading, this might not be the surgery for you.

Having said that, this information is already three years old, so maybe things have changed now.

My wife had it done a couple of months ago and it has changed her life. She also could not see her glasses if they were on the table in front of her. It was dangerous because if her glasses were moved on her she would be out of luck with 3 kids running arroung. Highly recommend it.

David

There are some recent inventions in this type of corrective eye surgery, with reduced risk and better long term results. Educate yourself before asking somebody who is only trained in one procedure.

Also, know that this is still surgery, not a pimple removal. The risks are far smaller than they were in the beginning of Lasik and RK, but they are not totally negligible.

I had to get lens implants on both eyes, so I did three months of research on my own before going ahead. I found that, nationwide, 25% of patients get complications after this surgery. Hmmm, not nice odds.

I checked some more and found that in Los Angeles and New York the complication rate was only about 1%. Why? Surgeons there do these operations almost daily, so they keep their proficiency up.

This is worth thinking about for Lasik too.

Now, if you are able to get correction with eye glasses and don't have to be able to function without them, there is a simple, safe and cost-effective solution.

Get eye glasses, but with good lenses. Zeiss lenses are still tops, for their optics and above all for their far superior anti reflex coatings. BIG difference.
For anybody who needs varifocals, they make those better too.
Zeiss is more expensive, but you really really get something for the money.
I have tried many brands both cheap and expensive, the Zeiss lenses really stood out.

The other thing for your eyes is of course to toss out any remaining computer CRTs and replace them with LCDs.

Best thing I ever did last year...

Had it done 6 years ago. I would do it again. It is great. I had some relapse/deteriation in one eye and thinking about having it redone. I can still pass my driver's license without them. Some halos at night - but not worse than dirty glasses do. Lost all really close vision. Anything closer than four inches is gone. More sensitive to allergies afterward.

Bill,
Have you discussed it with the doctor treating you for Bells Palsy? If the problem with your eyesight is related to that I would think it unlikely that laser correction would work very well.

John

Hi John. Only in passing so far. The way he explained it, as best I remember is Bell's Palsy effects the 7th cranial nerve so it messes up something called parasympathetic functions like your facial expressions or lack there of on one side you face, your salivary glands, sense of taste and the kicker for me the tearing and blinking of one eye which drives me goofy still on some days, especially when I eat. How's that for odd.

I was told eyesight is controlled by the 2nd cranial or optic nerve. So regardless what I do or don't do with vision aside from the annoyance of tearing and uncontrolling blinking sometimes from the BP doesn't matter.

Maybe I should change my nickname to blinky. <wink>

I understand Bell's Palsy usually cures itself over time, for most people.

If you want to speed this up, I highly recommend Jin Shin Jyutsu.

Some years ago, I had the major jaw nerve that carries taste chopped in an accident. No taste at all, and 2 top MDs in L.A. said it couldn't be fixed.

I heard of a friend of a motorcyclist friend who had his leg run over by a city bus. The hospital wanted to amputate because of severe nerve damage, but he got it fixed with something called Jin Shin Jyutsu.

I tried the same thing, and got my taste back.

I had to go to an experienced practitioner first to figure out what to do, then she taught me the very easy procedure and I did it myself for 20 minutes 3x daily. After 3 months I had half my taste back and after a year I had 90% functionality. The last 10% took three more months.

This for an incurable injury.

There are practitioners all over the world, and you can easily learn to do it yourself. No needles, no drugs, no herbs.

See http://www.jinshinjyutsu.com/Artof/artof.htm for more info.

BB, as part of your regular eye tests, have you had your interocular pressures read?

Grazie

I had the proceedure done 1 yr ago. Best advice is to fine a cautious, conservative physician for the procedure. Avoid the guys that advertise in Sunday comics section -- seriously, every week, I look for the Lasik ad, as the next page in that section are the Sunday comics!

The Dr. I went with will not perform lasik if:

1) dry eyes
2) thin cornea
3) large pupils
4) prescription still changing
5) other things that increase risk

He only takes cases with high probability of success.

Downside: I have some slight haziness around light point sources at night, a halo I believe. Much improved over time. Right is is better than 20/20. Left eye about 20/25. I have presbyopia so anticipated need reading glasses for computer work. I get the cheapies at costco.

OdielnAz just gave you something more to think about in regards to lasik or other surgeries like lasik. If you are nearsighted, cannot see objects some distance away, then the trade off is that you will need reading glasses as you get older if you have the procedure done. Vision tends to stabilize at 40+ , by then youll know if reading glasses are in order. Myself, I don't want to use reading glasses as I get older, I see people struggle a lot even with their reading glasses (bad prescription?). Believe it or not, I can almost see the fibers on a paper as I focus near its surface! I wouldn't trade that for anything at my age of almost 43. Just my 2 cents.