Laser Eye Surgery

[RGS83]

Both myself, my girlfriend, and another buddy of mine are considering having this procedure done, for both career, and leisure freedom.

The cost is nominal if you consider the fact that i'll need perscription glasses, sunglasses (driving is killer), and contacts for the next 25years atleast (between age 40-50 you end up getting Bifocals and such anyways which is fine)

Just curious if anyone on here has, or know someone whos had it done? I've worn glasses pretty much my whole life, and I'd love to ditch em!

I'm as blind as a bat without corrective lenses (something like 20/400), so my nearsightedness if quite bad.

I checked out Lasik MD, in Ottawa, Canada I like what they have to say, but am going to get some 2nd opinions from different places.

I would likely get the Wavefront, Lasik procedure, with the new Bosh and Lamb tool (forget it's name)

 

[ManOfArms]

Both myself, my girlfriend, and another buddy of mine are considering having this procedure done, for both career, and leisure freedom.

The cost is nominal if you consider the fact that i'll need perscription glasses, sunglasses (driving is killer), and contacts for the next 25years atleast (between age 40-50 you end up getting Bifocals and such anyways which is fine)

Just curious if anyone on here has, or know someone whos had it done? I've worn glasses pretty much my whole life, and I'd love to ditch em!

I'm as blind as a bat without corrective lenses (something like 20/400), so my nearsightedness if quite bad.

I checked out Lasik MD, in Ottawa, Canada I like what they have to say, but am going to get some 2nd opinions from different places.

I would likely get the Wavefront, Lasik procedure, with the new Bosh and Lamb tool (forget it's name)

Custom Lasik, with wavefront is your best bet, also the most expensive. When it comes to your eyes, never take the cheaper route.

 

[anthrax]

How much do Lasik MD charge per eye ?

 

[MikeMartial]

I had both eyes done at the Gimbel Eye Center in Edmonton when I was 22, 9 years ago. At the time, the procedure was fairly new, and his clinics were about the only ones doing it. $2200 PER eye at the time.

I was also blind as a bat, at least 20/400. When I woke in the morning, I could barely see the digital clock. I wanted a career in the fire service, so I had the procedure done.

Results were (and still are) excellent. After surgery, I was 20/10 both eyes. Night vision did change, though. Side effects for me were dry eyes, and halos around lights at night. Not a big deal.

Now, at 31, my vision is 20/40. A bit of regression, but since your eyes continually change, that's expected. I have a very very mild prescription for my sunglasses, but I don't need it. I can drive at night fine, no probs.

One of the most "freeing" thenings I have ever done. I had glasses/contacts since I was 13 till 22.

With the advances made in the past 8 years, Your results will be great. Go for it.

 

[ManOfArms]

Custom wave front technology also minimizes the chances for halos.

 

[Subzeero]

yah they are getting better at it allright. But i will wait till i am 30. The tech will get better and my ever changing eyesight will slow down.

 

[RGS83]

Wild!!

Lasik MD has many clincs in Canada. They quoted me 3500 (eveything in) for the new Wavefront, Lasik procedure. Also with that was the new Bosh and Lomb, Zero Compression Keratome, which makes a better slit in the eye and speeds healing. Plus a Lifetime warrente, Plus they included the cost of all followup visits.

It's not a bad deal seeing as what I'll spend in glasses and contacts over the next bit. Just a bit afraid...


as I believe I am 20/400, and i'm not sure where I stand in the ranks... In the book they gave me, the results are such that: 99.7% recieve 20/40 or better, and of that 87.3% recieve 20/20 or better vision.
BUT the catch is there is a '*' beside this saying that these are for ppl with low to moderate Myopia.


Another concern I had was the potential of the Flap from Lasik being rippled, or shifted out of place due to possible eye trama (playing rugby, or during work say as a police officer).
They say that this is only really possible for the inital recovery period, but i'm not sure.
They said that after some time, both PRK and LAsik are exatcly the same, but that Lasik heals much faster with a flap, and PRK (normally for ppl with thin corenas) heals much slower, but because they 'brush-off" or buff off the top portective cover, it totally heals over an new??

 

[anthrax]

3500 per eye or for both ?

Do you know if it is partially covered under OHIP ?

 

[MikeMartial]

Wild!!

PRK and LAsik are exatcly the same, but that Lasik heals much faster with a flap, and PRK (normally for ppl with thin corenas) heals much slower, but because they 'brush-off" or buff off the top portective cover, it totally heals over an new??

Just for the record...(I was half asleep when I wrote the first reply)...I had the laser PRK done. AT that time, they were recommending the LASIK only for those with extremely bad vision.

With the PRK, think of "squaring off" the round cornea surface, and as it heals back, the angle of curvature is lower than initially, thus changing the vision. And yes, it does heal. First couple of days are a write off (I had one eye done at a time), as you can't really go anywhere, or do anyting. If you've had contact, it's a breeze....it's like having a constantly dirty contact for 2 days. I was given a script for T3's, and a bunch of different eye drops that chnaged up over the course of my follow -ups. Barely used the T3's.

 

[RGS83]

-3500 for both eyes, everything in.

-OHIP won't cover it, but your insurance will useally give you what they would normally give you for glasses or contacts for that year.


Anthrax, where abouts in ontario do you live?

 

[Latamier]

Best money I ever spent. My Dr was a friend of mine and I got mine for about $2000 total. I had an astigmatism and was at 20/300 uncorrected. Right now my vision is 20/15. I have absolutely no complaints but did have the usual side effects, which do disappear over time. I would have it done again in a heart beat!