Lasik eye surgery

[Kniles5]

I can't see 6 inches in front of my face without glasses or contacts. I am considering lasik surgery before dental school. Has any one had it or are considering having it?

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[bwyeth]

i had lasek (slightly different procedure than lasik, but same results) a few years ago, and it was one of the best things i have ever done. i went from having to squint and strain every day to see what was going on in class, to having better than 20/20. my life is much more hassle free and i would recommend the surgery to anyone. make sure to research it though, as there are some risks.

 

[starvinstudent]

I can't see 6 inches in front of my face without glasses or contacts. I am considering lasik surgery before dental school. Has any one had it or are considering having it?

I had it and I love it. Have terrible halo vision at night though but its the tradeoff. I don't drive much at night anyways.

Downside, it cost me $4,800.

 

[aphistis]

I think Yah-E had it a couple years ago, and he seems to love it.

Starvin, what was your before & after visual acuity, and how big a problem is the haloing other than for driving?

 

[Yah-E]

Here's an old thread about dental students and LASIK.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=108032&highlight=lasik

 

[BallDontLie]

Here's an old thread about dental students and LASIK.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=108032&highlight=lasik

Hey thanks for the link! Im actually planning on getting it done this spring after classes end..so it was really helpful. I especially like the not being able to see your alarm clock quote!! hahahhaha..my roommate used to make fun of me for that all the time when I gotta have my face 4 inches from the clock to see it 👎

 

[hockeydentist]

Hey thanks for the link! Im actually planning on getting it done this spring after classes end..so it was really helpful. I especially like the not being able to see your alarm clock quote!! hahahhaha..my roommate used to make fun of me for that all the time when I gotta have my face 4 inches from the clock to see it 👎

I compare it to the beer google vision.

 

[darius99]

I compare it to the beer google vision.

but u dont wanna lose the ability to use the beer goggle excuse!

 

[darius99]

sorry, stupid phantom double-post

 

[Kniles5]

Here's an old thread about dental students and LASIK.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=108032&highlight=lasik

Thanks! I guess I should have done a search, sorry. Much appreciated!!
Thanks to all for the responses.

 

[Richnator]

Hey thanks for the link! Im actually planning on getting it done this spring after classes end..so it was really helpful. I especially like the not being able to see your alarm clock quote!! hahahhaha..my roommate used to make fun of me for that all the time when I gotta have my face 4 inches from the clock to see it 👎

Same here. Can't see a thing without glasses. However, being that our field is dentistry, the risk of losing our vision from the surgery can cost us our career.

 

[Kniles5]

Same here. Can't see a thing without glasses. However, being that our field is dentistry, the risk of losing our vision from the surgery can cost us our career.

This is my main concern. WHAT A NIGHTMARE THAT WOULD BE. I definitely need to read all of the literature I can find on risk. My husband is a skeptic.

 

[starvinstudent]

I think Yah-E had it a couple years ago, and he seems to love it.

Starvin, what was your before & after visual acuity, and how big a problem is the haloing other than for driving?

vision afterwards has been 20/15 for 2 years.

before it was bad, my contacts were almost a 10.

 

[starvinstudent]

This is my main concern. WHAT A NIGHTMARE THAT WOULD BE. I definitely need to read all of the literature I can find on risk. My husband is a skeptic.

the problem with not understanding lasik surgery is lack of education.

no need to be a skeptic.

they just reshape the outer surface of your eye after they cut a small flap of tissue and fold it back. It takes about 30 seconds to do.

total time in the office may be 1 hour at the most.


if you have the money its the best $5,000 investment you will ever make in your life.

 

[wimmcs]

I started school in July and got it done last December. Great results, never had any problems and can see 20/15 now.
Very glad I did considering we use the computer all the time and my eyes don't hurt like they did when I was wearing contacts.
Good luck w/your research!

 

[HermeytheElf]

One point which hasn't yet been addressed is that OSHA requires eyeshields for anyone working in the treatment rooms and also loupes are rapidly becoming necessary equipment for most dentists. My question is why would you spend $5000 on a surgery that eliminates the need for glasses when you have chosen a profession that will demand that you use of some type of eyewear 8 hrs a day, 4 days a week for the next 50 years?

 

[starvinstudent]

One point which hasn't yet been addressed is that OSHA requires eyeshields for anyone working in the treatment rooms and also loupes are rapidly becoming necessary equipment for most dentists. My question is why would you spend $5000 on a surgery that eliminates the need for glasses when you have chosen a profession that will demand that you use of some type of eyewear 8 hrs a day, 4 days a week for the next 50 years?

duh, because I will have a life outside of work???

I get to take them glasses off mon-thursday after 5 and I dont have to wear glasses from friday to monday morning.

I have been told by the mods to quit calling people idiots, therefore I will not call you one since I respect their wishes.

 

[Cyclysm]

i had lasek (slightly different procedure than lasik, but same results) a few years ago, and it was one of the best things i have ever done. i went from having to squint and strain every day to see what was going on in class, to having better than 20/20. my life is much more hassle free and i would recommend the surgery to anyone. make sure to research it though, as there are some risks.

i had lasek done last summer. if yall do not know how it is different from lasik it is rather simple. in lasik they make a corneal flap which is folded back, for us that have thin corneas there is not enough to make the flap so instead they fold back just the epithelium of the cornea. the laser procedure is exactly the same. the major difference, for me at least, was that the results were much slower. my father had lasik and the change was rather instant. with the lasek procedure you have a contact lens over your eyes to aid in the healing of the tissue so as long as you have that on (it stays on 24/7) your vision actually gets worse because of the gunk that accumulates. it also should be known that there was significantly more pain involved in the healing. i may have had a bad experience but i was taking vicodin for about three days (think sand grain in your eye that you are not allowed to scratch). other differences include a much higher sensivitity to light (to the point that even a dark room seemed bright). do not get me wrong, i am extremely happy with the results, it is an amazing feeling waking up in the middle of the night and actually being able to see what time it is.

 

[Smilemaker100]

I can't see 6 inches in front of my face without glasses or contacts. I am considering lasik surgery before dental school. Has any one had it or are considering having it?

No way hosay! I've had myopia (diopter -4.0 ) since my late teens and have considered laser surgery. However, a comment made by my mother's opthalmologist (my mom needed lens replacement surgery for her cataracts) has made me refrain. When my mom asked this opthalmologist what she thought about laser surgery for myopia, she replied, " Although it has a high success rate (high nineties), I wouldn't do it for my eyes. I deal with all the cases of laser surgeries with complications including diminished night vision,corneal ecstasia, blindness etc. I still wear contacts." 😱 Now that's what I call an honest doctor ! So now you decide...

 

[Smilemaker100]

repeat

 

[Hardbody]

I had PRK eye surgery done almost 2 years ago. The immediate result was great vision. I am now back to wearing eye glasses and my vision may even be worse than what it was pre surgery. If you have the surgery done make sure you have in writing that touch up surgery will be free if it is needed. Keep in mind that I am an exception and not the rule, but from what I have been told since by an opth. doc is that this kind of thing tends to happen in people in their early 20's. I was also told that the prime age to have the surgery is 27-34, you may want to keep that in mind.

 

[lindandy]

I had mine done almost 5 years ago. Shop around a bit, I got mine for about 1500. I had perfect vision until recently but my eyes started changing this year. Most places affer free touch ups for life. My friend needed it twice and I am having mine before I move for D-school. I would definatly recommend it to anyone though.

 

[Yah-E]

I had PRK eye surgery done almost 2 years ago. The immediate result was great vision. I am now back to wearing eye glasses and my vision may even be worse than what it was pre surgery. If you have the surgery done make sure you have in writing that touch up surgery will be free if it is needed. Keep in mind that I am an exception and not the rule, but from what I have been told since by an opth. doc is that this kind of thing tends to happen in people in their early 20's. I was also told that the prime age to have the surgery is 27-34, you may want to keep that in mind.

Not a Opthalomologist, but from what I've read, PRK is much more old fashioned and an more invasive procedure that requires longer recovery time. LASIK is not the same as PRK. Can't compare.

 

[Hardbody]

Not a Opthalomologist, but from what I've read, PRK is much more old fashioned and an more invasive procedure that requires longer recovery time. LASIK is not the same as PRK. Can't compare.

Yes and no. It is old fashioned in the sense that less and less docs are performing PRK. Recovery time is a little bit longer, but I play contact sports and was very nervous about getting lasik. If you were to get hit the wrong way in your eye, it is possible that the flap would open up. There is no chance of this with PRK. The reason that more docs are performing lasik is that it is an easier procedure than prk, but to get the best info on this subject try posting in the optho residency forum.

btw, make sure to get either prk or lasik done with one of the wavefront lasers. If you have large pupils and get it done with one of the older lasers you may see HALO's at night. This is because the older lasers did not cover a large enough area.

 

[lnn2]

Hey thanks for the link! Im actually planning on getting it done this spring after classes end..so it was really helpful. I especially like the not being able to see your alarm clock quote!! hahahhaha..my roommate used to make fun of me for that all the time when I gotta have my face 4 inches from the clock to see it 👎

ummhh, so, you can't see anything that is less than 4 inches?!

 

[starvinstudent]

ummhh, so, you can't see anything that is less than 4 inches?!

nice

 

[Kniles5]

I went in for Lasik. While in the chair next to the laser, they told me that I was not a candidate for the lasik procedure, but I could have PRK done. The doc told me that the laser is the same; it is what is done to the cornea that is different. I did it. If anyone else finds themselves in this position and wants to talk to someone who has actually had this procedure done, PM me. I think that you should really talk to someone before doing it.

 

[L8DYV]

I had Lasik done in the year 2000 (when I was 22), and started wearing glasses again for over a year, so I can see the blackboard writing in lectures--so my lasik experience was short lived. I suppose my eyes were still apt for change.

So before you get it done, realize that laser surgery simple resets your vision to 20/20; and that your vison may change because of age and/or other life situations.

Healing time was quick and the next day, the pain (and light sensitivity) was gone and clear vison was instant and seemed so miraculous. Perhaps I will have it done again someday...we'll see. I'll wait until my vision changes stabilize. Hope I helped out!

 

[Kniles5]

I had Lasik done in the year 2000 (when I was 22)

I have heard that the procedure works best when it is done b/w the ages of 26-37. So, I am not sure if that has added to your need for glasses. But, My sister had it done in that window and now 6 years later she needs either glasses or a touch up surgery. So, maybe not....
My vision is about 20/30 right now. It is supposed to improve daily over the next month. I am very nervous that this is it!!! That is definitely the downside of PRK. It takes FOREVER!!!!

 

[JamieMac]

I have heard that the procedure works best when it is done b/w the ages of 26-37. So, I am not sure if that has added to your need for glasses. But, My sister had it done in that window and now 6 years later she needs either glasses or a touch up surgery. So, maybe not....
My vision is about 20/30 right now. It is supposed to improve daily over the next month. I am very nervous that this is it!!! That is definitely the downside of PRK. It takes FOREVER!!!!

I had lasik done about 5 years ago. I had (and still have) a little bit of the "halo effect" at night with lights, but that improved with time. If my vision has regressed, I haven't noticed and a slight case of "halo effect" is worth the trade off. I consider it to be one of the best investments that I have ever made. Good luck.

 

[steve0036]

I can't see 6 inches in front of my face without glasses or contacts. I am considering lasik surgery before dental school. Has any one had it or are considering having it?

In fact, I am goin to get LASIK before I start dental school. Currently, I am wearing contact lenses. But, it gets dry very quick...

 

[CTSballer11]

my mother had lasik done, she is doing great. The opthamalogist that operated on her was the same guy that preformed lasik for tiger woods, troy aikman, and annika sorenstam, and a ton of other professional golfers.

 

[drhobie7]

My buddy was getting a check up on his post-op Lasik by an optho different from his surgeon. The guy walks in wearing glasses. My buddy says, "Why the hell didn't you get Lasik?!" They guy says, "Oh, I'm gonna wait a few more years before I do that." HAHAHA! Funny. I wanna get it though. I'm not scared. If anything goes wrong I can always get a new set of corneas. 😎

 

[DcS]

Shop around a bit, I got mine for about 1500.

Shop around a bit? These are your EYES!!! I got it about 7 years ago when I was 20. When it was done I had 20/15. I'd say now they are a bit worse and I could use glasses if I really wanted to but get away w/out them just fine.

My advice is the complete opposite as the poster above. I'm not saying to get the most expensive surgery possible, but go to a doctor who is extremely well exeperienced. Who cares if it costs you an extra 2-3k more...these are your freaking eyes! Errors happen in this surgery...in fact, there was a dds who had it done in NJ around the time I did who lost his depth of perception and could never work again. I'd recommend going to a well-known doctor who is very experienced regardless of what they charge. If you are bargain shopping for the health of your eyes, then don't get it done until you can afford the best surgeon. And please don't tell me there isn't a difference in quality, because there certainly is.

 

[Warbucks]

hi i'm a first time poster here and pre-dent. even tho this the dental forum 😛 i just done alittle research on lasik and most machines today leave little room for error. the fda just approved some really great lasers and extras for these machines. take a look at visx inc's "star s4 ir excimer laser" with "custom vue" and "iris registration". the computer system that they have on it is truly amazing. probably the hardest part about the "lasik" procedure is making sure the doctor actually checks that you are a good candidate during the consultation! i seen some people wrote that at nite time driving you see a halo, from what i read it is because your pupil dilates past the point of where the flap was made on your cornea, so that should have made you a bad candidate. i'm not a doctor so please dont attack me lol. im just stating what i read, heres the link. i think its the truth since lasik is booming rite now, these docs just want to op on anyone they can and take their cash. i have couple other great links if anyone wants them just pm me. since there now really relevent to my post i didn't want to put them up.

http://www.lasikinfocenter.net/Webpages/Pupil Size Webpage.htm

 

[gatorchc27]

I talked to my Dr. about Lasik a couple months ago. She recommended waiting because they are finding side effects. Apparently people are getting retinal detachments because of the suction the apply to the eye. So, maybe you should ask your Doc about this first 🙂

 

[mdub]

I had it and I love it. Have terrible halo vision at night though but its the tradeoff. I don't drive much at night anyways.

Downside, it cost me $4,800.

That's on the really expensive side. Did you get something special done or go to a superstar doctor? When I looked into it, the average was just over $1,000/eye.

 

[mdub]

Shop around a bit? These are your EYES!!!

If you don't shop around, you could end up with a mediocre doctor who charges a lot.

 

[steve0036]

What is the difference b/w intralasik and general lasik? I am thinking of getting that surgery done this summer. By the way, I am 20 right now. Do u think I need to wait few more years before I get that surgery? Some people say that I am too young to get that surgery.

 

[kilani]

I have some sort of phobia when it comes to my eyes, I have been using glasses since forever, always think about laser surgery but never had the nerve to even go to visit and ask questions, my case (of phobia) is so bad I can't even use eye drops or even consider contacts, you get the picture .. sigh 🙁

 

[aphistis]

What is the difference b/w intralasik and general lasik? I am thinking of getting that surgery done this summer. By the way, I am 20 right now. Do u think I need to wait few more years before I get that surgery? Some people say that I am too young to get that surgery.

That's something to ask your eye doctor, not a bunch of dental students on an internet forum. 🙂

 

[Pinkrose]

I was wondering if anyone who got lasik got it done in the Los Angeles or San Francisco area? I am thinking about getting a consultation, but really want to talk to someone who got it done with the doctor I choose to go with. Also, how did you guys go about finding the top surgeons in your area? Thanks! 🙂

 

[pre_opt_sku]

I'm actually an optometry student but thought I would post about my Lasik. I had it done a week and half ago and the results have been great. The surgeon that I work for did it on me, so my mind was at ease since I knew I was in good hands. I am now 20/15 in both eyes, and my vision is just as good as it was with my contacts/glasses (I was a -4.00 before the surgery). My pupils are a little on the large side (7.0 mm) but I have no problem with halos/glares when driving at night. My eyes are slightly dry (which happnes with LASIK) but it is no worse than the feeling of having your contacts in for a long day. Just my 2 cents...

 

[tryan77]

Check out usaeyes.org
This site is very informative. Good luck and do lots of research to anyone considering having this done. 👍

 

[ddmo]

Word to the wise, ever wonder why so many opthamologists still wear glasses? Well, someone I know asked an optho when I was standing there.

About 1 in 100 ends up without perfect vision, and many of those loose their depth perception. While that may be acceptable in the general public, most people in surgical specialties are not willing to take the risk. 1/100, that's worse odds than a dollar raffle, and it's your eyesight, and it's for life.