LASIK, dentistry, and life?

[redhotchiligochu]

Anyone here get laser eye surgery done during dental school? If so, how has that affected your ability to use loupes and just go about your daily life? Any side effects (e.g. dry eye, floaters) that I should be aware of?

Personally, I don’t mind wearing contacts and my eyesight has been stable for the past 4-5 years. I just enjoy the idea of waking up in the morning and having 20/20 vision—last time having enjoyed that when I was 10.

Thanks!

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[BasicG]

Just had lasik done 3 weeks ago in preparation for dental school coming up here in the next few weeks. It's awesome being able to take a nap without having to worry about waking up with dry contacts. The only downside currently is that my night vision is still a bit hazy, but that should go away in a few months.

I paid $1800 total for both eyes through a groupon deal via lasik vision institute. 10/10 would recommend doing that, these guys are found in just about every major city across the US

 

[BasicG]

Btw I recommend doing it during winter/summer break because it's common for your eyes to get bruised during the suction part of the procedure. This went away completely in 3 weeks, but people thought I got socked in the eye lol

 

[TanMan]

It's always critical to know the risks of the procedure and the likelyhood. For me, I opted not to do lasik as I thought that even with a small chance of visual aberrations such as halos was too much if it was going to affect my ability to work. Also, chronic dry eyes is not fun when you're staring into your loupes 8+ hours a day.

If the very small chance of a visual aberration is acceptable for you, you should consider lasik. Doing it during dental school seems like a smart choice, even if something happens to your eye, you will be able to adapt to it in a training environment. In a professional environment, that means lost income and productivity.

 

[percyeye]

I'd recommend not getting the cheapest Groupon deal you can find for LASIK. Go to the best surgeon you can find. It is your eyesight for goodness sake and your lively hood depends on your eyesight. I've worked with a cornea specialist that fixed mistakes from some of these cheap LASIK mills.

 

[2TH MVR]

I'd recommend not getting the cheapest Groupon deal you can find for LASIK. Go to the best surgeon you can find. It is your eyesight for goodness sake and your lively hood depends on your eyesight. I've worked with a cornea specialist that fixed mistakes from some of these cheap LASIK mills.

Yes. Thank you. No way I go to the cheapest, groupon deal mill for my EYES. We're all trying to save $$$, but your eyes are a little more important than say ...... teeth.

 

[BasicG]

I'd recommend not getting the cheapest Groupon deal you can find for LASIK. Go to the best surgeon you can find. It is your eyesight for goodness sake and your lively hood depends on your eyesight. I've worked with a cornea specialist that fixed mistakes from some of these cheap LASIK mills.

Yes. Thank you. No way I go to the cheapest, groupon deal mill for my EYES. We're all trying to save $$$, but your eyes are a little more important than say ...... teeth.

I had consultations at an expensive private practice and the groupon place. Both places did the exact same exams to collect the the data for the lasers and see if I was a candidate. However, I felt more comfortable going with the groupon place. The surgeon had performed over 70k procedures, had raving reviews, and utilizes newer technology.

I understand where you guys are coming from, but paying more $$$ doesn't always mean you're getting the best service/product.

 

[TanMan]

I had consultations at an expensive private practice and the groupon place. Both places did the exact same exams to collect the the data for the lasers and see if I was a candidate. However, I felt more comfortable going with the groupon place. The surgeon had performed over 70k procedures, had raving reviews, and utilizes newer technology.

I understand where you're coming from, but paying more $$$ doesn't always mean you're getting the best service/product.

True, doing some research on your doctor for something as important as your eyes is definitely important. The only thing is that more procedures doesn't always mean better. An example: Medicaid surgeons in my area have done a lot surgeries than other doctors in the state/nation, but that doesn't mean they are better. Especially with all the crap that you hear from the OR nurses. If they don't value human life on the operating table and otherwise, what makes you think they'll value you as a patient and person. There's a reason why I would never get any surgery here and docs say don't get sick here. Anyway, that's my rant about not judging it based on how many procedures they've done. I want to know how many died, maimed, malpractice cases, etc...

 

[BasicG]

True, doing some research on your doctor for something as important as your eyes is definitely important. The only thing is that more procedures doesn't always mean better. An example: Medicaid surgeons in my area have done a lot surgeries than other doctors in the state/nation, but that doesn't mean they are better. Especially with all the crap that you hear from the OR nurses. If they don't value human life on the operating table and otherwise, what makes you think they'll value you as a patient and person. There's a reason why I would never get any surgery here and docs say don't get sick here. Anyway, that's my rant about not judging it based on how many procedures they've done. I want to know how many died, maimed, malpractice cases, etc...

Good point, more procedures isn't always better either. The consistent high reviews over the last few years in conjunction with the high number of procedures is what sold me on the place. People should definitely do their research when it comes to a procedure like lasik

 

[mmc12]

i chose my surgeon based on a personal recommendation. I got it done right after my GPR when I was taking a break before starting private practice. I don’t regret my decision one bit, and I chose a highly regarded surgeon. The only downside was having to purchase new loupes, as my previous ones were prescription loupes.

 

[FanOfCostco]

I got my lasik after 6 months in dental school. Best decision of my life. I went with someone with a ton of experience because I don’t want anyone to f up my eyes.

Before that I was fine wearing contacts and thought I would do that my whole career. Oh how stupid I was

 

[jda02624]

I was considering Lasik while I was in my orthodontic residency. I set up a consultation with a doctor that was near my school. When I went in for the consultation, I noticed that in his office, all his pictures, diplomas, etc. on the wall were crooked and the place was not super clean. I thought if this guy is going to be doing surgery on my eyes, which requires the most precise attention to detail, I don't want a guy that doesn't give a crap about the tidiness of his own office. I ended up getting it done a year or so later somewhere else. Like others have said, don't go with the cheap option. Do your research. Talk to some optometrists (they refer to the surgeon and they know who is the best).

 

[jda02624]

I was considering Lasik while I was in my orthodontic residency. I set up a consultation with a doctor that was near my school. When I went in for the consultation, I noticed that in his office, all his pictures, diplomas, etc. on the wall were crooked and the place was not super clean. I thought if this guy is going to be doing surgery on my eyes, which requires the most attention to detail, I don't want a guy that doesn't give a crap about the tidiness of his own office. He could have been the best surgeon out there, but his office did not present him as such. I've always remembered that when it comes to my own office. I ended up getting it done a year or so later at a recommended ophthalmologist

 

[2TH MVR]

I noticed that in his office, all his pictures, diplomas, etc. on the wall were crooked and the place was not super clean.

Agree that perception is everything, but sometimes .... there are exceptions. Took my dog in for a surgical consultation on the advice of my veterinarian. This guy was a surgical vet with a FANCY office in North Scottsdale. Everything about the office; decor, staff, building was top knotch, clean and modern. Then walks out the surgical vet. Shirt half-tucked. Unshaven. Obesely over-weight. Really looked like he didn't belong in that modern office. At the consultation ... he was stuffing his face with a meatball sandwhich while explaining why my beloved dog needed experimental joint surgery. My wife and I walked out of his office before he could finish his sandwhich. btw. My dog is fine. No surgery needed 3 years after this consultation.

I'm not saying this surgical vet wasn't an exceptional dr. But if the surroundings don't match up with the dr ..... that doesn't work either. Plus ... I wasn't convinced of his diagnosis and proposed tx.