LASIK in Vegas

September 30, 2009 2:59 AM

Lasik Filter: (asking for a friend) I am traveling to Las Vegas in November and staying for 1 week. LASIK recommendations?

I am looking into getting Lasik while I am there because the price would probably be a LOT cheaper (euros vs. dollars). Any recommendations for a good doctor/center? Anyone have any good/bad experiences with this in the LV area? I will be staying in a hotel on the Strip and do not plan on renting a car. Any help would be great. I can do follow ups with my opthalmologist when I get back home.

posted by alchemist to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

Best answer: Lasik can weaken the front of your cornea, meaning your eyes become more vulnerable to variations in air pressure in the acute postoperative period, plus your eyes are also much more susceptible to dryness and serious infections whilst they heal.

Aircraft cabin air is at a slightly lower pressure than normal, as well as being very dry. I know I'm not answering your question, but you should think carefully about the wisdom of exposing your eyes to the conditions of a long haul flight so soon after LASIK surgery.
posted by ruperto at 6:03 AM on September 30, 2009

Best answer: A reputable doctor will not do the surgery under the conditions you are describing. I had Lasik done in January, but had to have two consultations beforehand to test whether I would be a good candidate. In addition, I had to do a follow up 24 hours and one week later with this exact doctor and was told under no uncertain circumstances not to fly for a period of weeks.

I understand wanting to save money, but these are your EYES. This is not the place to cheap out.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 6:07 AM on September 30, 2009

Also keep in mind that in the past some of our LASIK doctors have been found in the back seat of a car, wearing a diaper, and coked to the gills. Well, one at least. The others probably lead pretty normal lives. (I like this city, but I wouldn't trust a LASIK doctor that practices here.)
posted by krisak at 8:54 AM on September 30, 2009

Response by poster: Thank you all for your answers! I will forward this info to my friend and try hard to get him to reconsider. Thanks again.
posted by alchemist at 9:53 AM on September 30, 2009

I got Lasik from Dr. Siems, and know one other person who went to him. Very professional, very good experience, multiple follow-ups, and not at all cheap. Many of the cheap Lasik doctors in Vegas have been the targets of lawsuits over the past few years -- avoid them.

I wouldn't trust a LASIK doctor that practices here.

I can't imagine why. Do you not trust other doctors who practice here? What about lawyers, firemen, librarians, and mechanics? Yes, your vision doesn't depend on these people, but how does where they choose to live affect their competence?

As an aside, my sister went to Canada to get cheap Lasik, which had to be redone a few months later.
posted by coolguymichael at 12:37 PM on September 30, 2009

When I had LASIK, I too had several days of lengthy exams, plus I had to wear my glasses (as opposed to contacts) for several days before the procedure. It is an operation, you will be slightly out of it and I would not want to be somewhere so bright, sunny and full of cigarette smoke (which irritates my eyes) after LASIK.
posted by FergieBelle at 6:21 PM on September 30, 2009