Lasik

I had custom Lasik done in august. I went to the STAHL eye center in garden city, peabody referred me

I went for a consultation, was told I was a great candidate for the custom lasik, had them do all the measurements/tests etc. and set up my appointment!

I was totally nervous, you have to look at a little orange light that blinks (I held the teddy bear too!.) they do numb your eyes (with drops) so you really don't feel anything, but you do see them actually fold the flap back which is kind of freaky. After that you are pretty blurry. The entire procedure took maybe 8 minutes per eye! Afterwards (like 10 minutes later) I was 20/20. I went back the next day and I was 20/15!

I slept pretty much the entire first day. You have to wear these plastic shields over your eyes for 7 nights, and do various eye drops for 7-14 days. I felt literally NO PAIN.

If I had to do what peabody did, I don't think I could've. You are so strong for going through that (and I am so happy you are 20/20!!!)

It was the best investment I have ever made! It cost me about 4000, price varies greatly though depending on which type you are getting done etc. I also got a discount because of my insurance. I went in Jan. for my 6 month post op, I am still seeing 20/15 and I feel great!

I am not sure if I was lucky or not, but I had no side effects. No dry eyes, no blurry night vision etc.

If you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to FM me!

thanks guys for your feedback... i think im going to make an appt for a consultation... i dont know if spending $4K will go over well with the FI since we are trying to save $$ for a house and wedding... but if i could see my feet in the shower again

what is 20/15 vision?? do you still need glasses with that??

20/15 is better than 20/20. 20/15 means that at 20 feet away you can see as someone who is only 15 feet away. 20/20 means that at 20 feet you can accurately see what is 20 feet away. If you were 20/30 that would mean that at 20 feet you see as if you are 30 feet away and so on...

I had LASIK surgery in Chicago and FH had it here in NYC - both of us coincedentally had it done in 1999. I see 20/20 in my left eye and 20/15 in my right and FH is 20/20 in both eyes.

LASIK is the best out there today, but like everything else - it's NOT for everyone. I was not a candidate for PRK when it was the only option available b/c my Rx was -6.50 OU (both eyes). PRK would have only corrected me to about a -2.50 or so and with PRK you can never wear contact lenses again b/c the eye's surface heals irregularly and no way in he!! was I wearing glasses ever again. With LASIK my MD had told me that in later years if I ever needed or wanted to wear contacts I could after the eye heals. To be totally honest, I have friends who are optometrists and none of them can find my scar... if I didn't tell them I had LASIK they would never have known. When we get older - 40's/50's the eye goes through changes - hence why some people need reading glasses. Personally, I would have needed some interesting coke bottles to see when I'm in my golden years had I not had LASIK... I'll live with possibly needing some funky reading half eyes rather than thick bifocals or expensive progressive lenses.

I wore glasses starting at 6 years old and I was miserable with them from day one - I cried when the doctor told me I needed to wear glasses. At 10 I switched to contacts b/c I was a competitive gymnast and glasses weren't cutting it, but I needed to see. I looked horrible in glasses - I would have made fun of me - that's how bad it was back in the 80's.

The best feeling ever is to wake up and see your alarm clock the morning after LASIK! It's like a little miracle! It's expensive, but so worth it. Ask your doctor a LOT of questions... a good doctor can correct anything that goes 'wrong'. My MD taught other doctors how to do the surgery - he knew the procedure inside and out and this was 6 years ago (oh my gosh I can't believe it's been that long). I had no pain or side effects and was able to drive the next day. FM me if you have any other questions.

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Posted by Moehick

So the average cost is $4000?

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for both eyes or one???

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Posted by cjb88

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Posted by Moehick

So the average cost is $4000?

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for both eyes or one???

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Okay, I think I paid about 3500 - 3600 for the PRK surgery for both eyes. My sister paid $4000 for the Lasik surgery for both eyes.

If you don't mind....how much did everyone pay for the surgery and where did you have it done? Thanks

I had Lasik done in 1997. I LOVE it!!! I also had mine done at TLC in Garden City (though I think it was called something else back then.) It was amazing that as soon as I stood up from the chair, I could see a million times better. I don't know what exactly my vision was before, but I know my contact lenses were somewhere around -8 or so. Now my vision is basically, I think, perfect in my left and my right is not quite as good, but still good enough that my eye doctor tells me I don't need glasses. He said he would give me some if I wanted it, but he didn't think it's necessary.
I am sooo happy that I did it - waking up and actually being able to see the alarm clock is such a great feeling!!!
I think at the time, it was about $2500 per eye, but I thought it has gone down some in - WOW!! - can't believe it's almost 8 years!!
I do feel like I need to say though, that I do know someone now who didn't have such great results. My boss had it done in May and then had a touch up last month and still has some problems. I feel terrible for him cause I know he gets headaches from it and it seems really frustrating. Anyway though, that is the ONLY story I personally know of (and he did not have it done at TLC - I'm not sure where he had it done.)

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Posted by Moehick

If you don't mind....how much did everyone pay for the surgery and where did you have it done? Thanks

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I consulted a few doctors in Manhattan and the range was $4,200-5,500 for both eyes.

I got the custom cornea ladar procedure (newest and most accurate - less side effects) 2 1/2 months ago and I love love love it!! Best money I spent ever. I could see when they helped me off the table!!
I went to a place here in california that only does lasik/ladar and they give their patients xanax/muslce relaxer and when that kicks in, you're not nervous!

P.S. I had bumpy cornea, too but got better when I stopped wearing contacts all the time.

DH thought about it but is weary of the shot they supposedly give you in your eye to numb your eye and being wake/seeing the proceedure. Can anyone talk about your experiences with this?

Also, do they know if your eyesight can get worse with time/age after the procedure? Like when you are 40's, 50's, 60's, or older?

Thanks for the info.!

can anyone give me names of doctors that u used? i'm going for a consulation tomorrow at TLC, although now i'm a little scared after reading all this.!!

I replied to your FM ...

the doctor who did my procedure was Dr Donnenfeld.

Good luck!!

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Posted by wc0143

I replied to your FM ...

the doctor who did my procedure was Dr Donnenfeld.

Good luck!!

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that's the dr i have the consult with!!

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Posted by jandt2006

can anyone give me names of doctors that u used? i'm going for a consulation tomorrow at TLC, although now i'm a little scared after reading all this.!!

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I used Dr. Richard Nattis

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Posted by jandt2006

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Posted by wc0143

I replied to your FM ...

the doctor who did my procedure was Dr Donnenfeld.

Good luck!!

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that's the dr i have the consult with!!

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That's the Dr. I had it done with too and he was great!!! My regular eye dr had recommeded him very highly b/c he said he has basically been doing it since they started it so he had LOTS of experience!!!
Good luck!!!!