Laser eye surgery risks

[pk698]

I'm thinking about getting laser eye surgery.

I'm nearsighted and my vision has been stable around (+-) 2.00 to 2.75.

Anyone here done laser eye surgery before or know anyone who's done it and had no complications afterwards?

My main concern is the long term problems, if any.

Also, would you recommend it?

[Jose Amaral Rego]

My brother became blind after getting laser eye surgery. He got an infection in one eye and then the infection spread to his second eye.

Longer term will be the small slits (scares) will increase in width, as you get older and you will see thin lines around any light source at night. Do not go to any doctor that does not tell the exact number of patience that had a bad experience or had to go back mutiple times to correct something.

Only recommended if you are going to a profession that needs very good eyesight. You need to investigate the doctor to see if any cliams were ever made against practice or how many procedures the doctor has done.. Practice makes perfect.. not always the case.

[AWS]

Had it done 4 years ago. I wore bi-focals for 12 years and wanted it done sooner. The doctor advised me not to have done until my presciption remained the same for 2 years. I waited 4 years. I had one eye corrected to fix distance vision and the other to correct reading vision. I could have had both eyes corrected for distance and then wore reading glasses. I want to be glasses free as I was when I wore contacts. The same principle applied when I got contacts the first time. I can now go without glasses. I have no halos at night or any other side effects you sometimes hear about, I did have halos for about a week after the surgery was done, and can read without glasses.
I would recommend it although some people do have problems if it isn't done by someone that specializes in doing laser corrective eye surgery.

[kellz123]

I want to have laser eye surgery so I don't have to wear my eye glasses any longer. Any suggestions on lasik before I set up a consultation for my surgery?

[smooth]

My dad had it done around a year ago and couldn't open his eyes for 2 days.

[FreshFroot_]

well your ALWAYS taking a risk doing laser surgery. I mean maybe 1 out of 10,000 will go wrong.. maybe even 1 out of 100, but that's a RISK in laser surgery. Both my uncles got it done and they have had NO issues.

My mom got her's done and it didn't work properly.. but it didn't hurt her too much either.. she has to wear special contact lens, because she can't see far or close.

I was thinking of it as well, but I might wait.. I don't mind glasses/contacts really..

[harmor]

I wouls rather wear glasses or contacts then get LASIK eye surgery. Here is a video for all those wondering what we are talking about and/or like to be grossed out.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/233895...rgery_amazing/

[Dean C]

With all due respect, asking an optician we would be the first/best place to start asking about the risks of laser eye surger

[harmor]

Doesn't Steve Machol run a site for the seeing impaired?

Edit: yes - http://www.optiboard.com/forums/

[Karri]

I had to have it done twice in both eyes, about 4 years apart. My vision was so bad to start with that I regressed. Also in between times I had it done, they came out with a better laser that does better with astigmatism. Both times I had it done, I was back on the computer the same night. (my eye dr was less than thrilled since I should have been resting) The first time I had it done I had haloing but that was an acceptable side affect for me since I was so near sighted before and totally dependant on my glasses. After the second treatment, my haloing is basically gone except if I am really tired or my eyes are really dry. Now the only side effects I have are dry eye which my dr fixed with those little tear duct plugs and I don't see well when it is gray outside. Like at dusk where everything is basically the same color. Day time I am great and night time I am great. I just went for my regular exam and I am still 20/20 at this point and it has been about 3 years since I had the second round done. I agree with what everyone says about making sure you get a really well qualified Dr even if it is more expensive.

[Dean C]

Doesn't Steve Machol run a site for the seeing impaired?

Edit: yes - http://www.optiboard.com/forums/

It just happens that we have an optician on the staff here, but that's besides the point. I wouldn't post on here asking for advice on getting a nose job, on the offchance that a plastic surgeon posted here. I'd go and get professional, confidential advice from an expert in-person

[Asvin]

One of my uncles had an eye surgery like a year ago.. I don't know if it was laser, but he didn't suffer from any side effects nor did he lose anything.. No one can really tell you about the long term effect of it, because your body isn't going to be the same always!!!

[MRGTB]

I remember having an eye test in my previous job about 2 years ago, and was told I had the best eye site she'd ever tested where I worked. Which I was quite chuffed about.

But since then I've noticed now I'm having real problems reading "very small text" on things like tins of food that tell you whats included in the ingrediants etc. Or a food box that tells you how to cook it. However I can see the text better if I move it further away to some degree, but then the text is so small anyway that it's still hard to read. But I focus better now when things are not close, but further away.

I guess my near site vision is going bad, as even reading a newspaper now look quite blared if to close.

[BryanPeter]

Any kind of medical surgery of any type has its risks. It's ridiculous to think that there aren't any. Getting anything "done" to you is simply a matter of deciding risk versus rewards.

Just read up more about laser eye surgery ( http://www.docshop.com/education/vision/refractive/lasik/ ). Some of the posters in here have obviously had their run-ins with the risks (namely becoming blind---wow); but complications aren't a must, and successes aren't miracles either.

Do what your gut tells you, at least after your mind has done a lot of thinking.

[Wheels]

My brother became blind after getting laser eye surgery. He got an infection in one eye and then the infection spread to his second eye.

Longer term will be the small slits (scares) will increase in width, as you get older and you will see thin lines around any light source at night. Do not go to any doctor that does not tell the exact number of patience that had a bad experience or had to go back mutiple times to correct something.

Only recommended if you are going to a profession that needs very good eyesight. You need to investigate the doctor to see if any cliams were ever made against practice or how many procedures the doctor has done.. Practice makes perfect.. not always the case.

I have a friend that had serious eye issues after having laser eye surgery. It went wrong... She didn't go blind though.

It may end up endingher career as a letter carrier and she is not an happy camper. She's wearing glasses again and she's seeking legal action.