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Thanks for sharing your comments (Reply to this comment)
by sandiegolasik
LASIK has been able to help millions of people. It is great to hear your story. For my stories, especially for people who have had LASIK in San Diego, visit http://www.2020sandiego.com
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Mar 03 '09
2:55 pm PST
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Very well written and helpful (Reply to this comment)
by dsinned
Outstanding write up from someone who experienced the entire process of Custom Lasik vision correction surgery.
Apparently not everyone has quite so pleasant an experience with LASIK; still comforting to know that most people actually do.
I would equate the decision to have laser eye surgery right up there with asking someone to get married, or having your first child. It is a life altering and life long commitment to something that is something you have the choice to avoid entirely. A lot of how well things transpire afterwards is up to you and how well PREPARED you are before making that commitment.
I would only add that in many cases the vision improvement to your eyesight is NOT immediate. For traditional PRK and something very new called Interlase, LASIK patients' recovery time can vary from one to several days before vision eventually normalizes.
Also, the cost can vary a lot and as this author stated, there is some comfort in knowing the eye clinic you used is not "cut rate". Prices can vary from as much as a few hundred to several thousand dollars per eye. I think the skill and reputation of the surgeon (success rate) as well as the lasers at hand, are directly related to the cost per patient.
Lastly, for those of us who may be a bit more skeptical, I suggest doing only one eye at a time. Have the second eye done after several months (or maybe even a whole year later), but only when you are satisfied with the results of the first eye.
The author mentions the nationwide "TLC" network of Laser Eye Centers, which is the closest thing to a so-called "guarantee".
Of course, there is no such thing, but TLC affords returning patients an opportunity to have an "enhancement" to either or both eyes should long term results be less than desired. Through TLC there is no additional charge to returning patients seeking an enhancements.
This policy applies for the rest of your life provided your TLC associated eye surgeon feels there is a good chance for your vision to further improve because the initial procedure did not achieve fully satisfying results.
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Feb 27 '05
4:09 pm PST
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Re: Holy (Reply to this comment)
by lambchops
Yeah. I hope I made it clear that you need to really not shop around. Price should have little if any bearing on where you have the procedure done--it's all about the medical reputation and their guarantee.
Plus, I hope I also made it clear that LASIK and CustomLASIK are different beasts. The latter is definitely a more refined procedure.
Anyway, yeah. I still love it after six months. And I still love not having to wear contacts or glasses.
Thanks for the comment!
Shelly.
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Sep 16 '04
3:46 am PDT
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good for you! (Reply to this comment)
by andym173
this sounds like an amazing experience-- for you, anyway. i guess i've gone through the same kinda thing, although a much slower process.
i was born with some rare condition in my eyes-- iris coloboma or something or other, i dunno honestly-- but my pupils kinda appear to drip down my iris slightly. it's pretty weird. and cool, or so people tell me. anyway, when i was younger i used to have to wear glasses or i could barely see anything. nowadays, i can see everything so clearly! i don't even think i've needed glasses for the past year or so-- haven't counted really.
that'll be why i keep ignoring those opticians' letters then ;)
- andy
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May 21 '04
6:23 pm PDT
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I know exactly where you went to have this done. (Reply to this comment)
by ehills
Great review. I'm from SCS, MI myself. We're practically neighbors!
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May 21 '04
3:43 pm PDT
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Re: I've considered doing this (Reply to this comment)
by lambchops
Hey Bryan. I'm convinced that as years progress LASIK is definitely making some major advancements. From all the research I did, I found that if you can, CustomLASIK is the way to go because it nearly eliminates all the side-effects folks complained about with the conventional surgery.
Anyway, yeah, it's incredible. Despite the fact I wore contacts for nearly fifteen years I still was always fiddling with them and my eyes a few times a day would feel like I had dirt or something caught in them. I've had that feeling ONCE since the surgery.
Good luck! Hope you make whatever decision is best for you!
Shelly.
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May 21 '04
1:34 pm PDT
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Re: Brave (Reply to this comment)
by lambchops
Nope. No problem with night vision--in fact, for me it's better because the astigmatism which made my vision blurry anyway is gone :)
I will warn that TLC is NOT a cheap place, but like I said in the review it's worth the extra money when it comes to your eyes...
Just, whatever you do, don't get it done for $750 (or something) in Canada. Not that I had to tell you that...
Shelly.
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May 21 '04
1:30 pm PDT
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. (Reply to this comment)
by vein
I'm a total moron, but completely forgot to ask, do you have any problem with night vision now?
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May 21 '04
10:03 am PDT
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Brave (Reply to this comment)
by vein
I've been wanting LASIK done for years now but every time I hear the ads on 97.1 for the LASIK center of the day, it made me scared. Glad to know there is a decent place in the metro area that does it.
Maybe one of these days I'll get up the nerve to actually have it done. I'm still too scared that I'd just suddenly go blind a few years after having it done. =)
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May 21 '04
10:02 am PDT
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I've considered doing this (Reply to this comment)
by Bryan_Carey
I have thought about having this surgery, but the thought of having doctors poking around in my eyes makes me a little apprehensive. Add to that the fact that disposable contacts are so comfortable and easy to wear and you have a good case for not bothering with the surgery. But I might give in and do it, sooner or later. Your success story and others are slowly convincing me to give in and get it done.
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May 21 '04
9:37 am PDT
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I had it three years ago (Reply to this comment)
by AliventiAsylum
and it was the best thing I ever did. I am so happy being able to really see again. Every now and then I realize what it used to be like, but sometimes it's hard to remember the almost 30 years of wearing glasses and contacts.
Best wishes,
Patti
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May 20 '04
2:44 pm PDT
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Clap, clap, clap... (Reply to this comment)
by vemartin
Shelly, good for you! I went for the exam and was deemed to be a good candidate, but in the end I could not afford to get the procedure at this time; maybe next year. I am glad to hear that your procedure went well; I long to get rid of my own glasses. Thank very much for this very informative review.
VeMartin
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May 20 '04
10:04 am PDT
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I'm very close (Reply to this comment)
by roheblius
to getting this. I'd give myself another 5 years or so.
Nice job and hearing stories like yours makes me want to do it like now.
I haven't heard any horror stories with custom Lasik.
GG
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May 20 '04
9:50 am PDT
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I hope (Reply to this comment)
by shantel575,  in Wellness & Beauty
to have this surgery someday. I talked to my eye dr. about it at my last yearly checkup and he said they are *almost* ready for folks like me (I have a really bad Rx and astigmatism in both eyes). He said I could do it now, but I'd still have to wear reading glasses or contacts, so I may as well wait til they have the surgery that will correct my vision 100%. He says it should be available in the next 2-3 years. I've worn glasses since I was 2 yrs old (contacts since I was 13) so another 2-3 years won't hurt I guess :) B/c when I do it, I want it done all the way so I can toss the glasses and contacts completely :)
I'm a bit of a wimp with surgeries, so I'm glad I read this.. it answered alot of questions.
Glad it worked so wonderfully for you!
Shantel
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May 20 '04
8:51 am PDT
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Re: PRK (Reply to this comment)
by lambchops
Yup! LASIK worked wonderfully with me. I'm so happy. It's so odd to look out on the horizon and see everything--nothing, no leaves, no clouds, no animals are blurry.
Shelly.
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May 20 '04
5:12 am PDT
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PRK (Reply to this comment)
by nsign
I had PRK corrective surgery on my right eye about 5 years ago - Lasik wasn't as common then - and went through alot of pain and discomfort, and really wasn't happy. The sight was just not as good as with lenses, and I regret it, and now I wear a lens in my right eye only. However I've heard that Lasik is a far more effective option and I've considered going back to get it done on both eyes. Seems to have worked for you then?
Steve
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May 20 '04
2:51 am PDT
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I totally want LASIK!!! (Reply to this comment)
by melissasrn,  in Wellness & Beauty
Only I have NO glasses and couldn't function for 10 days without my contacts.......bummer :-(
So glad it worked so well for you though!
Melissa
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May 19 '04
10:37 pm PDT
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... (Reply to this comment)
by teamfreak16
oh to be able to see without glasses or contacts - I want to do this so badly.
Unfortunately, right now I can't afford it. But I can dream....
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May 19 '04
8:15 pm PDT
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Re: Review (Reply to this comment)
by lambchops
Yeah. They used to have patients sleep during the procedure (again, I asked) but prefer people to be responsive instead. It really is a great thing, but I understand the hesitation.
Shelly.
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May 19 '04
11:00 am PDT
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Re: Awesome! (Reply to this comment)
by lambchops
Thanks, Marcy.
I'm just so pleased. I feel a bit like the bionic woman...
Shelly.
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May 19 '04
10:59 am PDT
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Re: LASIK (Reply to this comment)
by lambchops
Yup. Know all about the reading glasses...far-sightedness just comes with age. I've got a few more years left in me though :)
Shelly.
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May 19 '04
10:59 am PDT
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LASIK (Reply to this comment)
by skbreese
I had LASIK surgery about 3 years ago and I swear by it too. My vision without glasses or contacts was off the scale, and now it's 20/20. However, don't be surprised if you have to use reading glasses once you get past age 40. It doesn't fix that problem. Glad you got a good result. By the way, I had mine at TLC also, in Atlanta. Sheila
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May 19 '04
9:55 am PDT
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Review (Reply to this comment)
by Javelina
Awesome review. That is so wonderful! I'm glad to hear that everything worked out so perfectly!
Honestly, though, I could never do it. That is, unless they came up with a way so that the patient could sleep through it. I couldn't deal with the "eye claw", nor seeing things come towards my eye. Even the TV viewing your dad could have - I'm not squeamish, but I wouldn't want to see it. I just got contacts, so, for the mean time I am thrilled with them. No ugly glasses if I don't want.
Anyway, congrats!
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May 19 '04
8:01 am PDT
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That is......... (Reply to this comment)
by kamel622
........so wonderful!! It must be amazing to not have to worry about glasses or contacts.
I've been using magnifying glasses for the longest time.....until last week when my children gave me an eye exam and glasses as a Mother's Day gift. It is fantastic to have my bifocals (ahhh aging...what fun) and be able to see clearly at a distance and be able to read without squinting.
You've done a great job of describing the whole surgery process and I'm sure this review would Most Helpful to anyone thinking of havin LASIK done. Make it a great day.......Hey, a song springs to mind "I can see clearly now.." lol....kath
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May 19 '04
6:42 am PDT
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