I'm leaning towards some sort of surgery myself... don't know if it's Lasik or not... they have three or four different types they offer down here but the problem is they can't correct it all the way because I'm old... I'll still need to wear readers... do you live in a larger city? It's not that expensive down here (DFW) and they do offer some 0% interest deals...
Anyone out here in Ex-way world ever had this procedure done? I'm leaning in that direction. I'm thinking about crossing the border and going up to Canada to have it done for less $$. Can't stand glasses anymore. With my work ..I sweat so much and my glasses always fall off. I break and/or scratch lenses all the time. Sometimes they just fall to the end of my nose ..kinda of like the way Rocky wears his in his picture. But because I'm not a super educated liberal type like him I just can't wear that look.
My Insurance doesn't cover the procedure so Canada seems to be the least expensive way to go. Any Canadian posters know anything about Lasik?
With the Dow reaching an all time HIGH at 14000 I'll take some profits and get my vision corrected.
Wife had it done last summer in Fort Erie, Lasik. All I know is she was blind before and now she sees (perfectly)! Website and more info if you want, pm me Price US 1598 for both eyes. They only invoice in US currency. The exchange rate is nothing anymore...Bump
I know several people who have had the surgery, swear by it. I talked to my optometrist last year about it, and he recommended it to people who had need like yours Hills, as well as people who participate in sports, outdoor activities, stuff. Plus, the freedom factor is huge - having worn spec's since I was a kid, I would enjoy that I think.
One interesting part of the conversation was age - he brought up that at any age, if your lifestyle warrants it, go for it. If you're younger, you'll get years of benefit regardless. If you're older though, and don't really have the activities or interests that would make it desirable, it's more of a convenience thing. He spoke highly of the convenience factor and it being worth it if it's something you can do afford regardless, but he kind of balanced the cost versus need part of it that way, which was good I thought.
I'd like to have it done, still looking at it, the money, and timing.
One thing I do now is wear safety glasses over mine, found a pair that goes over them nicely. It protects them from a lot of the scratches and stuff that seems to happen.
One thing to think about: if you currently take your glasses off (as I do) to get a good look at something close up, you will no longer be able to do that after Lasik. You will need close-up vision glasses to see things very close up. I live my life with my glasses on top of my head half of the time, because I read and grade so much that is close.
I know a lady who had one eye done for far away and one for close up. I hear it works better on women. Most men can't adjust that well.
I am starting to have the 40-something issues with close up stuff....sigh. I'm trying to figure out what I want to do. I've worn contacts for 20 years for distance. Now what to do about close up stuff. That's my only complaint about birthdays.
One thing to think about: if you currently take your glasses off (as I do) to get a good look at something close up, you will no longer be able to do that after Lasik. You will need close-up vision glasses to see things very close up. I live my life with my glasses on top of my head half of the time, because I read and grade so much that is close.
WOW, that alone would make me think twice about it.
AT 50, I'll probably decline to do it. I know glasses can be a hassle sometimes. But I also wear contacts when I ride the motorcycle. Dailies are great... you just dispose of them at the end of the day.
Now what to do about close up stuff. That's my only complaint about birthdays.
When I wear my contacts, I have to wear glasses for closeups. That's the downside.
Husband had it done a few years ago..........best thing he EVER had done! Since the age of 16 he had to wear hard contacts........and they were constantly in/out of his eyes. He had severe stigmatism....(sp!!)....
BUT.... be careful!
First consult. ... apparently this Dr. operates on anyone/everyone..........not good. Actually scheduled an apt for surgery.
Got a second opinion... That Dr spent an hour with us telling him not to do it until the procedure and equipment got better. We listened. Every year we would call this Dr....and ..then... finally......he said it was time!!
Changed Mikes life! He does use reading glasses...........but no hard contacts...........he can play golf on windy days!!!!
This is a good thing............but get the right Dr and information!!!!
I'm thinking about it, but haven't gone in for an exam for surgery yet.
For years I used one contact--for distance, and my other eye was bare...worked great.
The past few months though, I've been having trouble with mid vision--at about 3 ft, which is not good because I assist people at their computers, so I am often working in that distance.
Eye doc said I need trifocals, and contacts won't do the job. Sheesh, I've had contacts for over thirty years.
I pick up the glasses next week. :(
My hubby. who is older than I , only wears reading glasses. He finds it amusing.
I had it done and am happy with the result, BUT I would NEVER have it done far from my own home. Here's why.
A few days after surgery, my dog reached up and quickly scratched my eyeball with the bottom of his rough paw. A totally unexpected accident. This caused an eye injury. Since then, I've had about 4 followup surgeries to repair the damage along with all the eyedrops and meds that go along with it. I've also had a few pairs of interim glasses to make my sight better in the injured eye as corrective work was being done. ALL of the costs involved in these corrective procedures was covered by the one single payment I made upfront. Also, I had it done about a mile from my home which made all the extra office/hospital visits easy to accomodate.
Today I have 20/20 in the uninjured eye and 20/30 in the injured one. It's been about 3 years. I am very lucky that the injured eye came out as good as it did. If I had had the initial surgery at a remote location, I would have been up dang creek with all the ensuing corrections.
So think about having it done locally. It could very well be worth the extra money in the long run.
I know a lady who had one eye done for far away and one for close up. I hear it works better on women. Most men can't adjust that well.
I am starting to have the 40-something issues with close up stuff....sigh. I'm trying to figure out what I want to do. I've worn contacts for 20 years for distance. Now what to do about close up stuff. That's my only complaint about birthdays.
I once had an eye exam and the doc prescribed new glasses that one eye was for seeing far and the other for reading... without telling me he was going to do that... I hated it. eventually got a full refund. glad I didn't do that via surgery.
One thing to think about: if you currently take your glasses off (as I do) to get a good look at something close up, you will no longer be able to do that after Lasik. You will need close-up vision glasses to see things very close up. I live my life with my glasses on top of my head half of the time, because I read and grade so much that is close.
Before my cataract surgery, I did that too... but since the lens implants, it doesn't work. I just plain can't see the small print (or other details) without my reading glasses. I carry my readers on my shirt collar instead of on my head... But I'm thrilled that I don't need glasses to drive.
I have never been able to lift my head off the pillow and read the clock correctly. I would kill (not really) to be able to do that. Maybe after my cataracts are done, I'll have the surgery. I've been wearing bifocals since I was 35 and trifocals since 47. Actually I prefer the varilux, where there are no lines, you just get used to where to focus depending on what you want to see.
Bumpy, you seem so definitely negative about it. Would you want to share a bit about why?
We both had lasik...mine was 10 years ago and T-Bone's was in 2004. We're both happy with the results and deal with the need for reading glasses by keeping them in every room of the house, in both vehicles, in my desk at work, in his briefcase, on my shirt...you get the picture. I wouldn't change a thing, but I would never have done it if the surgeon hadn't done thousands of patients before me. It's your eyes, so you need the best surgeon you can find.
We both had lasik...mine was 10 years ago and T-Bone's was in 2004. We're both happy with the results and deal with the need for reading glasses by keeping them in every room of the house, in both vehicles, in my desk at work, in his briefcase, on my shirt...you get the picture. I wouldn't change a thing, but I would never have done it if the surgeon hadn't done thousands of patients before me. It's your eyes, so you need the best surgeon you can find.
I don't want to lower the good it has done for all that have posted.
BUT there is evidence last I read a few years ago about a 25% failure rate.
Some people completly blind.
As far as my deal. My Dr. was one of the founders of it did thousands of these.
I had to have 3 follow up tune ups with the knife.
the second you get it done for seeing far (near sightedness) you can't see close any more.
Big mistake. BIG Then you have to have glasses any way.
And if you have it before 50 sometimes after 50 or so your eyes get tired (used) and guess what
you have to get glasses any how.
So you give all this money you take a great chance at going blind and a few years later
you get the same glasses back.
I would never do it again.
BUT if I was crazy enough (ME not you fine folks) to do it I would do one eye at a time.
Better to have sight in one eye than none.
I think in our humaness we want every thing to be good and not look at some of
the bad evidence.
Maybe do a google on all the lawsuits aginst Drs of blind people.
At the eye specialist group where I got my cataract surgery, they do two kinds of eye surgery, cataract and Lasik. They ONLY do one eye at a time, for either type of surgery. I had the first eye done in May. They wouldn't even schedule the second eye until the first eye surgery proved successful. In my case, it was obvious from the day after the surgery that it went very well. So, after the 7-day follow up exam, they scheduled the surgery for the other eye. I only had to wait one more week before that one was done (very nicely also, I might add).
I have never been able to lift my head off the pillow and read the clock correctly. I would kill (not really) to be able to do that. Maybe after my cataracts are done, I'll have the surgery.
krys.
Cataract surgery and LASIK are two different things.
LASIK involves surgically altering the structure of the cornea(the outer surface of the eye) in order to change its refractive power.
Cataract surgery involves removing the natural lens from inside the eye and (usually) replacing it with an artificial lens called an IOL(Intra- ocular lens) It used to be quite a medical ordeal.
It,too, has advanced to the point of being an out-patient procedure in most cases.
I just wanted to point out that they(LASIK and cataract surgery) are not performed for the same purpose.
At the eye specialist group where I got my cataract surgery, they do two kinds of eye surgery, cataract and Lasik. They ONLY do one eye at a time, for either type of surgery. I had the first eye done in May. They wouldn't even schedule the second eye until the first eye surgery proved successful. In my case, it was obvious from the day after the surgery that it went very well. So, after the 7-day follow up exam, they scheduled the surgery for the other eye. I only had to wait one more week before that one was done (very nicely also, I might add).
Then WHY are you still wearing glasses everytime I look at your postings!
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Tom Strange
I'm leaning towards some sort of surgery myself... don't know if it's Lasik or not... they have three or four different types they offer down here but the problem is they can't correct it all the way because I'm old... I'll still need to wear readers... do you live in a larger city? It's not that expensive down here (DFW) and they do offer some 0% interest deals...
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Bumpy
Wife had it done last summer in Fort Erie, Lasik. All I know is she was blind before and now she sees (perfectly)! Website and more info if you want, pm me Price US 1598 for both eyes. They only invoice in US currency. The exchange rate is nothing anymore...Bump
PS, I might be doing the same in Sept.
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Rocky
Hills, have you already had an eye exam to evaluate whether you're a candidate for lasik?
Given your age (mid-50s?), perhaps lasik might not be the best option.
I recently had cataract surgery -- which included implanting permanent lenses. Now, I ONLY need glasses to read.
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socks
I know several people who have had the surgery, swear by it. I talked to my optometrist last year about it, and he recommended it to people who had need like yours Hills, as well as people who participate in sports, outdoor activities, stuff. Plus, the freedom factor is huge - having worn spec's since I was a kid, I would enjoy that I think.
One interesting part of the conversation was age - he brought up that at any age, if your lifestyle warrants it, go for it. If you're younger, you'll get years of benefit regardless. If you're older though, and don't really have the activities or interests that would make it desirable, it's more of a convenience thing. He spoke highly of the convenience factor and it being worth it if it's something you can do afford regardless, but he kind of balanced the cost versus need part of it that way, which was good I thought.
I'd like to have it done, still looking at it, the money, and timing.
One thing I do now is wear safety glasses over mine, found a pair that goes over them nicely. It protects them from a lot of the scratches and stuff that seems to happen.
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notinKansasanymore
One thing to think about: if you currently take your glasses off (as I do) to get a good look at something close up, you will no longer be able to do that after Lasik. You will need close-up vision glasses to see things very close up. I live my life with my glasses on top of my head half of the time, because I read and grade so much that is close.
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Nottawayfer
I know a lady who had one eye done for far away and one for close up. I hear it works better on women. Most men can't adjust that well.
I am starting to have the 40-something issues with close up stuff....sigh. I'm trying to figure out what I want to do. I've worn contacts for 20 years for distance. Now what to do about close up stuff.
That's my only complaint about birthdays.
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oldiesman
WOW, that alone would make me think twice about it.
AT 50, I'll probably decline to do it. I know glasses can be a hassle sometimes. But I also wear contacts when I ride the motorcycle. Dailies are great... you just dispose of them at the end of the day.
When I wear my contacts, I have to wear glasses for closeups. That's the downside.
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2life
Husband had it done a few years ago..........best thing he EVER had done! Since the age of 16 he had to wear hard contacts........and they were constantly in/out of his eyes. He had severe stigmatism....(sp!!)....
BUT.... be careful!
First consult. ... apparently this Dr. operates on anyone/everyone..........not good. Actually scheduled an apt for surgery.
Got a second opinion... That Dr spent an hour with us telling him not to do it until the procedure and equipment got better. We listened. Every year we would call this Dr....and ..then... finally......he said it was time!!
Changed Mikes life! He does use reading glasses...........but no hard contacts...........he can play golf on windy days!!!!
This is a good thing............but get the right Dr and information!!!!
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Danny
I had it done.
I would never do it after knowing
what I know now.
I would say don't do it don't do it.
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Bramble
I'm thinking about it, but haven't gone in for an exam for surgery yet.
For years I used one contact--for distance, and my other eye was bare...worked great.
The past few months though, I've been having trouble with mid vision--at about 3 ft, which is not good because I assist people at their computers, so I am often working in that distance.
Eye doc said I need trifocals, and contacts won't do the job. Sheesh, I've had contacts for over thirty years.
I pick up the glasses next week. :(
My hubby. who is older than I , only wears reading glasses. He finds it amusing.
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cman
I will second getting a second opinion and getting the right doctor.
My wife had it done when not long after it first came out.
She was wearing thick glasses or contacts.
For the first year or so everything was fine.
But she eventually had to wear glasses again.
But not anywhere near the problem before.
She can still see without glasses but wears them.
Because she can see better with them.
She has a good doctor and she recommends to not do it at this time again.
Because they are not that bad and no guarantee to be totally glasses or contact free.
Which we knew that from the first surgery. Which was quite costly.
It is cheaper these days, which brings out the Doctors that are not good imo.
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nolongerlurking
I had it done and am happy with the result, BUT I would NEVER have it done far from my own home. Here's why.
A few days after surgery, my dog reached up and quickly scratched my eyeball with the bottom of his rough paw. A totally unexpected accident. This caused an eye injury. Since then, I've had about 4 followup surgeries to repair the damage along with all the eyedrops and meds that go along with it. I've also had a few pairs of interim glasses to make my sight better in the injured eye as corrective work was being done. ALL of the costs involved in these corrective procedures was covered by the one single payment I made upfront. Also, I had it done about a mile from my home which made all the extra office/hospital visits easy to accomodate.
Today I have 20/20 in the uninjured eye and 20/30 in the injured one. It's been about 3 years. I am very lucky that the injured eye came out as good as it did. If I had had the initial surgery at a remote location, I would have been up dang creek with all the ensuing corrections.
So think about having it done locally. It could very well be worth the extra money in the long run.
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coolchef
i have heared many good reports
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Rocky
I once had an eye exam and the doc prescribed new glasses that one eye was for seeing far and the other for reading... without telling me he was going to do that... I hated it. eventually got a full refund. glad I didn't do that via surgery.
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Rocky
Before my cataract surgery, I did that too... but since the lens implants, it doesn't work. I just plain can't see the small print (or other details) without my reading glasses. I carry my readers on my shirt collar instead of on my head... But I'm thrilled that I don't need glasses to drive.
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krys
I have never been able to lift my head off the pillow and read the clock correctly. I would kill (not really) to be able to do that. Maybe after my cataracts are done, I'll have the surgery. I've been wearing bifocals since I was 35 and trifocals since 47. Actually I prefer the varilux, where there are no lines, you just get used to where to focus depending on what you want to see.
Bumpy, you seem so definitely negative about it. Would you want to share a bit about why?
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tonto
We both had lasik...mine was 10 years ago and T-Bone's was in 2004. We're both happy with the results and deal with the need for reading glasses by keeping them in every room of the house, in both vehicles, in my desk at work, in his briefcase, on my shirt...you get the picture. I wouldn't change a thing, but I would never have done it if the surgeon hadn't done thousands of patients before me. It's your eyes, so you need the best surgeon you can find.
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Rocky
Absolutely!!
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Danny
Looks like I am the only stick in the mud here.
I don't want to lower the good it has done for all that have posted.
BUT there is evidence last I read a few years ago about a 25% failure rate.
Some people completly blind.
As far as my deal. My Dr. was one of the founders of it did thousands of these.
I had to have 3 follow up tune ups with the knife.
the second you get it done for seeing far (near sightedness) you can't see close any more.
Big mistake. BIG Then you have to have glasses any way.
And if you have it before 50 sometimes after 50 or so your eyes get tired (used) and guess what
you have to get glasses any how.
So you give all this money you take a great chance at going blind and a few years later
you get the same glasses back.
I would never do it again.
BUT if I was crazy enough (ME not you fine folks) to do it I would do one eye at a time.
Better to have sight in one eye than none.
I think in our humaness we want every thing to be good and not look at some of
the bad evidence.
Maybe do a google on all the lawsuits aginst Drs of blind people.
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Rocky
At the eye specialist group where I got my cataract surgery, they do two kinds of eye surgery, cataract and Lasik. They ONLY do one eye at a time, for either type of surgery. I had the first eye done in May. They wouldn't even schedule the second eye until the first eye surgery proved successful. In my case, it was obvious from the day after the surgery that it went very well. So, after the 7-day follow up exam, they scheduled the surgery for the other eye. I only had to wait one more week before that one was done (very nicely also, I might add).
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Danny
Thanks Rocky
My sister the Dr. told me not to.
I was looking for the cure.
I hate it when I have to tell my sister she was right.
We were always on the tit for tat deal.
Sibling rivalry.
Ask a Dr who is outside the eye field.
You will be more informed.
I think it would fall into elected surgery.
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waysider
krys.
Cataract surgery and LASIK are two different things.
LASIK involves surgically altering the structure of the cornea(the outer surface of the eye) in order to change its refractive power.
Cataract surgery involves removing the natural lens from inside the eye and (usually) replacing it with an artificial lens called an IOL(Intra- ocular lens) It used to be quite a medical ordeal.
It,too, has advanced to the point of being an out-patient procedure in most cases.
I just wanted to point out that they(LASIK and cataract surgery) are not performed for the same purpose.
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Bumpy
Then WHY are you still wearing glasses everytime I look at your postings!
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Rocky
Well... those ARE just reading glasses.
But at the time of the pic, I was wearing contact lenses. Now, no contacts. Can't you tell? ;)
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