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Re: If I were younger. (Reply to this comment)
by lizak
Just wanted to mention that I had the surgery 3 months before my 50th birthday. Having to use reading glasses has been a big adjustment; however, I use them MUCH less than wearing glasses and contacts before. It's true, the cost doesn't seem worth it. I was fortunate to receive this as an unexpected gift. Otherwise, I probably would never have had it done (and would have missed out on something that changed my life).
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Apr 07 '07
6:32 pm PDT
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2 years after your review.... (Reply to this comment)
by krus54
it's been a good 2 years since you wrote this and I'm STILL referring people to the review when they mention questions about the surgery!
This was a great piece!
Dave
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Apr 06 '07
3:28 am PDT
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If I were younger. (Reply to this comment)
by leskataus
If I were about 20 to 25 years younger, I would seriously consider getting this procedure. Since I'm now pushing 50, getting it done now means that I would have to wear reading glasses. In other words, I would swap one problem for another. To me, the expense (often not covered by insurance) isn't worth it.
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Apr 05 '07
5:04 pm PDT
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Re: Wow! (Reply to this comment)
by lizak
I think that the more information you have about what to expect, the less scary it can be. Remember, the entire procedure takes only ten minutes or so. I really have to say that I found these "clamps" that hold your eyes open(more like retainers that keep the eye pressurized) were really not that noticeable. And I am the sensitive type, so that's surprising. It must depend upon the size of your eye socket. Also, you are relaxed from the valium and numbing drops are placed in your eyes before they are applied. My surgeon's office provided a one to two hour consultation complete with a video and written material. I was also invited to view a surgery in progress (which I declined). My husband watched mine, however, and he thought it was fascinating. He also thought it seemed quick and easy. Also, during the lasik procedure, my surgeon described every step that was taking place in a calm and reassuring tone, which was very helpful. Hopefully, you will have the opportunity to receive more assuring information at your lasik clinic.
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Jul 04 '05
8:11 am PDT
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Wow! (Reply to this comment)
by youcantkeepme
I've been thinking about Lasik for a while now and reading this has been.. well somewhat scary but somewhat encouraging! :D It's just frustrating to go to the eye doctor and hear that I'm now -6.5! The eyeclamp part sounds just terrible, but it might be worth it to seriously check out. Thanks for the review!
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Jul 03 '05
11:32 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Lasik Last Week (Reply to this comment)
by lizak
I think my pupil size is normal, as the issue did not come up. My main issue was the astigmatism. I had my post-op on Friday July 1. I still have some remaining astigmatism in my right eye, and my optometrist said he may recommend an enhancement after three months. This is not surprising, because the astigmatism in my right eye was previously a problem that I did not expect to overcome. I am happy now that I have discontinued the antibiotic and steroid drops (Zymar and FML) that were required for one week. I think they were making my eyes feel sticky and a little foggy. I am still using lots of lubricant drops. And I don't have to wear those little plastic shields over my eyes at night any more -- I was getting a skin reaction from the adhesive! -- and can start wearing eye makeup. I have another post-op appt 3 weeks from now to measure my progress. My pre-ops, post-ops, and any enhancements were all included in a single price paid up front (called "vision for life.") It has been 9 days since my Lasik -- so far, so good. Good Luck at your surgery in August. I'm sure you will be pleased.
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Jul 03 '05
10:50 am PDT
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Re: Lasik Last Week (Reply to this comment)
by matthewn
hey! I'm getting custom lasik in August. I'm glad you said that because I know what to expect. Were your pupils big? They have to do custome lasik for me due to my pupil size.
Thanks again
Matt
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Jul 02 '05
4:29 pm PDT
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Lasik Last Week (Reply to this comment)
by lizak
I just had my Lasik Friday June 24 (6 days ago). I had Custom Lasik in my left eye (myopia -6.25 with a slight astigmatism) and conventional Lasik in my right eye (myopia -6.0 with astigmatism 2.75). My experience was similar to melissasrn. My pre-ops went well with no dryness problem, though my eyes would dry out with contacts. I attended my first consultation on June 17 and had surgery one week later on June 24! I did not find the clamps uncomfortable at all. My right eye was done first and it took a little longer. In fact, the left eye was so quick I hardly noticed. As melissasrn stated, after the flap was cut, my vision went black but that lasted only 2 to 3 seconds, then vision returned more blurry then before... her description of the dark colored ring was so just like my perception! And there was a bright white light, but it's not like looking into a bright light any other time so is not intolerable. My biggest problem was, in spite of the Valium I was given, I felt very afraid from the little noises and the light. But I the sensitive type. The procedure went very quickly but when I stood, I felt shaky from feeling tremendous relief it was over! The doctor asked me to look around, but what I saw was not immediately sharp. It was like looking through murky water, yet seeing the objects clearly if that makes sense. Of course, within minutes that improved. I was 20/20 in my left eye and 20/40 in my right. I am trying to adjust to reading glasses now, as I am 49 years old and had been wearing bifocals. That is a little difficult. My first post-op is tomorrow morning, so we will "see" what happens then. I don't want to take too much room, but want to say I was very impressed with melissasrn description.
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Jun 30 '05
10:07 pm PDT
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Great write-up! (Reply to this comment)
by captaind
I've often wondered about having laser eye surgery done, but always felt a bit hesitant... not so much now, though I'll never actually be able to afford it anyway!!
Thanks for sharing your experience.
CaptainD
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Jun 29 '05
7:54 am PDT
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Congratulations (Reply to this comment)
by crommy1
They decided to postpone my procedure and try to work on my dry eyes first. I don't think they are extremely dry, just a little bit. I would rather be cautious though. I'm taking Restasis eye drops twice a day and we will re-evaluate in two months or so. Glad you are still enjoying your results. My correction will be mostly my astigmatism which is 3.25 and 2.00 respectively. Did your doctor use the Visx laser?
Jason
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Jun 24 '05
7:12 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: MH (Reply to this comment)
by matthewn
My parents are STILL freaked out about me doing it. "What if a epitheluim develops?" "What if the machine malfunctions during the surgery?"
I think I'll be fine!
Matt
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Jun 23 '05
2:16 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Re: Congratulations (Reply to this comment)
by melissasrn,  in Wellness & Beauty
Hi Jason,
My reply might be a day or so too late, but here goes anyway!
Yes, my eyes were still a bit on the dry side when I had my surgery done (they did a tearing test to make sure they weren't TOO dry, and I just barely passed in one eye). I had to use rewetting drops frequently those first few weeks afterward, but not so much anymore.
Then again, the weather isn't as dry either, so that may be part of it as well.
Good luck and I hope you get as good of results from your Lasik surgery as I did from mine!!
Melissa
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Jun 22 '05
11:17 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Re: Re: MH (Reply to this comment)
by melissasrn, in Wellness & Beauty
Good luck, Katy, and it sounds like the procedure has really progressed over the past few years!!
Melissa
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Jun 22 '05
11:15 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Congratulations (Reply to this comment)
by crommy1
Glad to hear of your success. I am scheduled to have my surgery in 3 short days. I too went through a course of accutane about 8 years ago and have had dry skin ever since. My eyes are also on the dry side. I was wondering if you felt that your eyes were still considered dry at the time of the surgery? This is my main concern since they can become even more dry afterwards. Thanks! Jason
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Jun 20 '05
1:48 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Re: Re: MH (Reply to this comment)
by matthewn
Hmmmmm....
Well, you could go to www.dishler.com. That's where I'm going to have mine done. it tells you what he uses, then you can see if there's one in your area that uses that.
Make sure that you look for an "intralasik" surgeon who uses "custom lasik". It might be helpful to look up Bausch and Lomb Intralase Zyoptic.
Feel free to email me or leave me another comment, Kathie.
Good luck!
Matt
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Jun 20 '05
6:36 am PDT
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Re: Re: Re: MH (Reply to this comment)
by katybrighteyes
Amazing, Matt, and thanks for the info! It was a little over 4 years ago that I had my eye exam. (See how quickly new developments are made?) I'm gonna do a search on Intralasik right now. In the meantime, do you know of any good links I can check out?
Katy
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Jun 20 '05
6:20 am PDT
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Re: Re: MH (Reply to this comment)
by matthewn
Hey Kathie-
I am getting intralasike. It's for people with bigger pupils like you and I. When were you told you weren't a candidate? I'm just wondering, because Intrasik as opposed to regular lasik has been around for 4 years.
Later
Matt
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Jun 19 '05
2:27 pm PDT
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Re: MH (Reply to this comment)
by katybrighteyes
Who is NOT a good candidate?
FYI, Dave . . . I was not a good candidate for two reasons: I have very thin corneas and very large pupils. Either one could cause complications (at least at the time I was checked; see comment below), and I happen to have the double whammy.
Even if I *could* have the surgery done today, I've grown even more wimpy with age. Not so sure now I could go through with it, although I would LOVE to be glasses-free.
Katy
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Jun 15 '05
7:52 am PDT
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Thanks, Melissa... but yikes! (Reply to this comment)
by katybrighteyes
This was a wonderful essay, and I thank you for sharing your experience with us in such great detail. Still, I'm weak in the knees from reading certain parts of the procedure. *shudder*
I finally got the guts to go for it several years ago, but was told I was NOT a good candidate at the time. My doctor said I should wait a couple of years, then see what progress the medical world had made with Lasik. Apparently they are constantly working at it so that eventually most everyone who wants it can have it.
Thanks again, Melissa, but I'm still shaking. LOL
Katy
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Jun 15 '05
7:46 am PDT
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Re: Congratulations (Reply to this comment)
by melissasrn, in Wellness & Beauty
Thanks, Patti!!
Hard to believe our little guys are 5 now :-(
Melissa
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Jun 13 '05
11:09 pm PDT
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Congratulations (Reply to this comment)
by AliventiAsylum
on seeing the world for the first time! I don't know if I told you I had this done back in January of 2002 - it has been wonderful for me too. No real problems - halos at night disappeared after a few months, but other than that it's been fine.
Happy Birthday to Tristan too!
Patti
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Jun 13 '05
3:06 pm PDT
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Re: Very cool, I suppose. (Reply to this comment)
by melissasrn, in Wellness & Beauty
Yeah....only reading about it really is worse than actually being there!
I remember when I was a nursing student and doing my surgery rotation. It didn't bother me a bit to watch an abdominal surgery where everything was pulled out everywhere!! But I was totally freaked out watching an eye surgery as it just doesn't seem natural to be cutting on that part of the body.
So watching (or reading about it) is probably WORSE than the actual experience!!
Don't let my details scare you away as it's the most wonderful thing I've done for myself in a long, long time.
Melissa
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Jun 12 '05
10:27 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Re: One more question.... (Reply to this comment)
by melissasrn, in Wellness & Beauty
I was already 20/20 as soon as they finished with me and took me into the exam room to evaluate my vision. So yeah, the correction was instantaneous!!
No problem on all the questions. Knowing what to expect makes all the difference in the world.
Melissa
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Jun 12 '05
10:24 pm PDT
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Very cool, I suppose. (Reply to this comment)
by patricknjacob
I always thought I wanted this surgery, but after reading your detail I really am not so sure. I am feeling squeemish and a bit nervous right now. And all I did was read your review. :( Melinda
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Jun 12 '05
3:23 pm PDT
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Re: PS (Reply to this comment)
by matthewn
Actually, I remember the optometrist telling me that I will be blurry in my eye when they are doing the work. It's probably different than the way you were doing it, but not much.
I'll try my best to shut up now! -:)
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Jun 12 '05
12:11 pm PDT
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Re: Re: One more question.... (Reply to this comment)
by matthewn
But when you could see again, you could see again just as good or better as you could with corrective lenses? I'm sorry keep bombarding you with all these questions, I just want to get a real good idea what I'll be experienceing when I do it in August.
Thanks again
Matt
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Jun 12 '05
12:09 pm PDT
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Re: One more question.... (Reply to this comment)
by melissasrn, in Wellness & Beauty
I saw "black" through each eye until the laser finished and then the flap was put back in place. Then I could quickly see again, so it only lasts a minute or two per eye.
I just wonder if this will even be an issue since there's no cutting involved with the new procedure.
Melissa
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Jun 11 '05
10:43 pm PDT
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One more question.... (Reply to this comment)
by matthewn
how long are you "black" in your eye while their working on it? You said once they place the flap back that you could see pretty soon? I wonder if with the intralse that I will be able to see well towards the end.
Thanks again!
matt
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Jun 11 '05
9:13 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Reading glasses (Reply to this comment)
by melissasrn, in Wellness & Beauty
That would be too cool! Not needing reading glasses eventually, that is....
Melissa
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Jun 10 '05
10:28 pm PDT
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Re: Reading glasses (Reply to this comment)
by melissasrn, in Wellness & Beauty
No......you won't need reading glasses sooner. But then again, you won't have to deal with bifocals, either!
For with Lasik, you will still be able to see far off. The glasses will only be needed for seeing things close up, which starts once you hit your 40s they say.
Melissa
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Jun 10 '05
10:27 pm PDT
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