Laser Eye surgery

November 9, 2006 1:21 AM

So I want eye surgery to correct my vision, what is the latest word on the best technique.The last post's were hella old.(yes I searched)

I'm in N Cal, if anyone has a suggestion, $ is no problem, I just hate my glasses. Should I do one eye at a time????(Slighty near sighted with a slight astigmatism in my right eye)

posted by highgene to Science & Nature (10 answers total)

You want the wavefront laser. Most places have that now. And you want the setup where the corneal flap is cut by laser too.

And naturally you want someone with a lot of experience.
posted by kindall at 1:40 AM on November 9, 2006

I was surprised that a young Marine Corps lance corporal I know had laser eye surgery at his own expense last year, and was limited by Corps medical policy to the older PRK type surgery. Apparently, LASIK surgery doesn't offer opthamologists as good a chance of saving sight in a subsequently injured eye, and so the service doesn't allow LASIK in a number of service MOS grades. As he explained it, there is also some feeling that for young people, subsequent minor "touch up" revisions may be needed later in life, and that the PRK procedure is easier for subsequent revisions. So, just about a year ago, he had the PRK procedure, one eye at a time, which was about 2 weeks of discomfort for each, with a good 72-96 hours of pretty debilitating post-operative pain for each eye.

But, he's ecstatic about the results, and has perfect vision in both eyes now, with zero night time artifacts (rainbows). Said he'd do it again in a minute, if faced with the same situation.

You need to recognize that your case is unique, and seek out and discuss the various options you have with a qualified doctor who is in possession of all the necessary information about your eyes and the specifics of your case. Anecdotal comments from non-random Internet folks don't mean diddly when its your eyesight at stake.
posted by paulsc at 3:27 AM on November 9, 2006 [1 favorite]

My father, a former pharmacist who is nearly blind, wanted the best eye surgery for me. His extensive research showed that lasik surgery using Ladar equipment was best. I had it done this summer by the amazing Dr. Soloway of Vista Eyecare Alliance in New York and have 20/20. It is GREAT. He is great! There is some dryness, but that will fade. This doctor will give you a free evaluation to determine which method, if any, is best for your eyes. There were no secret extra charges, just a flat fee with unlimited followups. I recommend him without hesitation.
posted by smartypanties at 3:45 AM on November 9, 2006

p.s. my father's blindness was caused in part by prk, mentioned by paulsc. he was a guinea pig in early testings. my LASIK with ladar had me seeing the next day.
posted by smartypanties at 3:49 AM on November 9, 2006

I have intraocular lenses. If you can afford it, and find someone in your area who does the proecedure, I highly recommend. I was very very very nearsighted, and am now 20/20 in one eye and 20/15 in the other. It is also a reversible procedure, unlike lasik. The main drawback is the high expense. Otherwise it's the best, as far as I know.
posted by miss tea at 5:01 AM on November 9, 2006

PS I know you said money is no problem, but I think some places charge almost 10k for both eyes, so...that might be even more than you want to spend.
posted by miss tea at 5:02 AM on November 9, 2006

try this board
http://www.asklasikdocs.com/cgi-local/forum/board.cgi?forum=Enhancement&az=list
posted by londongeezer at 5:03 AM on November 9, 2006

I give a huge thumbs up to Intralasik. My girlfriend and I both had it done to fix pretty severe near sightedness (with astigmatisms in my case). We both saw 20/15 in both eyes one week after the surgery and still see that almost 2 years after.

The procedure is quick, painless, and overall not a big deal. In prior treads some people have described some horror stories but I'd venture to say that the probability of a sight impairing problem to occur is extremely low.
posted by sublivious at 8:37 AM on November 9, 2006

I haven't had any procedures done, but my doctor highly recommends the intraocular lenses like miss tea mentioned. He suggests going with the least destructive method that fixes the problem, and it is something that can be redone or removed.
posted by shinynewnick at 10:12 AM on November 9, 2006

My mom got intraocular lenses twenty years ago when she had surgery for extremely early (age 45) cataracts. All this time later she hasn't had a single problem. It hasn't stopped her from having other eye trouble like glaucoma, but the lenses haven't been any problem at all.
posted by MsMolly at 6:14 PM on November 9, 2006