Calling all 4 eyes, lasik question

Chris Finch

Well-known member
I have been contemplating getting lasik for a while now. Glasses are pretty annoying for duck hunting in the cold/rain and I really don?t want to spend the money on prescription goggles for diving. The only positive to glasses is they are always there for eye protection (which is good for the acids, bases, and other fun chemicals I get to play with, that and the windbreak it gives your eyes when it?s cold out)

Just wondering if anyone on here has gotten the procedure and how they like it.
 
Chris,
I know you did not ask, but have you considered contacts? Up until I needed bifocals, I always wore contacts when hunting to avoid the issues you stated. I did consider Lasik but was concerned about the reported effects on night vision, so I never went the Lasik route.
 
I got saw dust behind contacts once. That was enough of an experience to turn me off of them forever. I haven?t heard anything in the night vision side effects I?ll look that up.
 
I had it done about 20 years ago to correct nearsightedness. I hated contacts (they burned my eyes if I put them in at 2:00 a.m. to go hunting, but oddly did not if I put them in at 7:00 to go to work), glasses fogged up hunting and rain drops made them aggravating to look through were the main reasons for going the Lasik route. I wanted good eyesight with no hassles so Lasik seemed like the thing to do. The Lasik definitely negated my need for glasses but that came with a price. My day vision is good but night vision has never been good. I suffer from glare and starburst. Night driving and even running a boat on small rivers and creeks is worse than before I had Lasik. Now 20 years later I need reading glasses so it seems like I only temporarily got rid of the need for eyewear. If I had to do it all over again I think I wouldn't have done it. Especially after a co-worker had it done and complications have nearly caused him to be legally blind. If it were me I'd pass.
 

I've added my 2 cents worth to this question more than once on this subject. So here goes again...

Have been wearing glasses since I was a child, way back when.

Glasses have saved my eyes from serious eye damage at work, play, hunting, fishing, and everyday life more times than I can count.

I have never ever considered contacts, or lasik, nor ever will.


Years ago I began buying the best glasses for the tasks at hand, frames, lenses, and Polaroids for certain situations.

I go for yearly eye exams. Have good night vision, and with proper bifocal lenses very good day vision. Thank GOD.


A budding cataract in my right eye has changed my master eye for shooting. So now I close my left eye while shooting, and it's OK.

When the cataract becomes a major problem will have surgery, and then back to good glasses.

Having worn glasses all but a few years of my life. I cannot imagine not wearing them, even with the few issues that go with wearing them.


Best regards
Vince
 
I had the surgery 15 or more years back and have had zero issues. I was nearsighted and had astigmatism. Lasik corrected both.

I can easily read without glasses today and my long range vision is not perfect although good enough to ID a duck and watch a gold ball out 250 yards. I had non of the issues Eric mentions but have heard others say the same thing he did. I would do it again.

I have no doubt I will need glasses again sometime in the future but for the years I have had without them it has been great.

Mark
 
I?m near sighted and have an astigmatism too. I looked up the night vision problems seems a little troubling. I have never really taken lasik seriously till now so I?ll talk with my eye doctor to see what the chances of these problems would be for me. Turns out one of the guys I dive with had it and said it was the greatest thing he has ever done.
 
My wife had cataracts bad and she was legally blind until they were able to do the surgery. with the cataract surgery they also now fix any
vision problems with lasik, She really had no choice to get it done, but now can see like an eagle. She hasn't complained of any night vision problems, but is now sensitive to bright sunlight.
Several people I know had it, and all claim it was the best thing they ever did.
I think the new versions of lasik is much improved compared to 20 years ago, That said, any problems people have had, makes you pause...
 
I have always suspected that the glare issues and night vision problems are related to how much scar tissue you form individually when cut. Essentially, the more elastin formed within that matrix along the surgical incision, the more light refraction occurs. I put this question to a friend who is the anesthesiologist for one of the larger opthalmic practices up here, after he had his eyes done. He had experienced growth formation behind his soft lens contacts on several occasions and had been told that lasik was his best option going forward. Bob experiences many of the same issues Eric has, post surgery right at twilight without the night vision diminishment issues. Another friend had some vitrious humor issues post-surgery related to his sever astigmatism. He says he still sees better overall in that eye.

No surgery is without risk..ask what their revision rate is.
 
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Most will need reading glasses in their mid to late 40s and on, so how many years without glasses are you buying?
 
My wife, sister and 2 good friends all had Lasik 15-20 years ago.
All four wore thick glasses a/o contacts before, two had astigmatism as well.
My one friend who was almost legally blind came out of surgery without having to wear glasses. She still had night vision issue with glare and can't drive at night but she couldn't before surgery so for her it was still a positive.
My wife had the surgery done 15 years ago. She couldn't read an alarm clock from 10' away before surgery. She's still good to go, no night vision issues.
My sister and other friend have had no issues.
All four are 48-54 years old and now use reading glasses but all 4 have no regrets with having lasik done.

I still wear glasses, my eyes were no bad enough to be a candidate. And as I have gotten older, my distance vision has improved to the point I barely need them even to drive, one eye is around -.25, the other is -.50.
I am close to needing readers a/o bifocals..
I don't like wearing glasses when running the boat, they get water drops on them, fog up, etc. But like others noted, they probably have saved me from an eye injury many times. And I shoot a heck of lot better when I wear them.
 
i had it done 13 years ago, very glad i did. no glasses fogging, If I wake up to a noise outside and I can see without fumbling for specs. no contacts slipping or drying out if i am staring at something one the edge of the marsh deciding if its ducks, geese or tweety birds

i went with the best guy i could find- he literally wrote the book (a text med schools use) and consults with the equipment manufacturers. there were a lot of places advertising cut rate deals, but no way, the guy i went to will not take everyone, you have to be a good candidate. his success rate (no glasses after) was a just couple points under 100%.

i did have need a minor adjustment a couple days later - they build some factor into the process due to swelling or some such thing that happens as they cut. my sight was perfect hours after, but just a little off the next day - he said i healed better than the norm - i said that explained my surviving childhood

now later in life- yes i need reading glasses a lot of the time- would have either way, as I understand it, the eye loses flexibility as you age - so not an issue for me

i always did and always do wear safety glasses, when shooting, hunting, in the shop, even mowing the lawn (took a hit in one lens again while mowing this summer) so that is no issue. My father was poked in an eye with a twig when i was young and it caused him problems for a while- so lesson learned

now, one last thing, when i had my eye exam this year, they noticed a slight change. The doctor said with the number of people having the procedure, the data available has increased and they do see changes, slight ones years later as people age (I'll take that over the alternative) i still see fine and still don't need regular glasses. since both parents had cataracts later in life, i have no doubt i will too, so that will be phase two.

BUT- this isn't picking a gun or boat- mostly - you need to talk to you doctors not us internet guys - gather all the facts and make your own decision - as they like to say - your mileage may vary -
 
Rick L said:
i had it done 13 years ago, very glad i did. no glasses fogging, If I wake up to a noise outside and I can see without fumbling for specs. no contacts slipping or drying out if i am staring at something one the edge of the marsh deciding if its ducks, geese or tweety birds


i went with the best guy i could find- he literally wrote the book (a text med schools use) and consults with the equipment manufacturers. there were a lot of places advertising cut rate deals, but no way, the guy i went to will not take everyone, you have to be a good candidate. his success rate (no glasses after) was a just couple points under 100%.

i did have need a minor adjustment a couple days later - they build some factor into the process due to swelling or some such thing that happens as they cut. my sight was perfect hours after, but just a little off the next day - he said i healed better than the norm - i said that explained my surviving childhood

now later in life- yes i need reading glasses a lot of the time- would have either way, as I understand it, the eye loses flexibility as you age - so not an issue for me

i always did and always do wear safety glasses, when shooting, hunting, in the shop, even mowing the lawn (took a hit in one lens again while mowing this summer) so that is no issue. My father was poked in an eye with a twig when i was young and it caused him problems for a while- so lesson learned

now, one last thing, when i had my eye exam this year, they noticed a slight change. The doctor said with the number of people having the procedure, the data available has increased and they do see changes, slight ones years later as people age (I'll take that over the alternative) i still see fine and still don't need regular glasses. since both parents had cataracts later in life, i have no doubt i will too, so that will be phase two.

BUT- this isn't picking a gun or boat- mostly - you need to talk to you doctors not us internet guys - gather all the facts and make your own decision - as they like to say - your mileage may vary -

VERY good points to put the probability of a successful outcome in your favor! IF you were going to have your knee rebuilt, would you go see a ortho. who does ten a year, or the guy who works on the Green Bay Packer's damaged joints?
 
I have performed over 25,000 Lasik and PRK procedures since 1998. I personally had RK surgery in 1992 before I performed any refractive procedure on a patient. And just 1 month ago had cataract surgery. I did not wear glasses other than readers for 20 years after the RK and have not needed any correction since my cataract surgery. That said, laser vision correction is a surgical procedure and although extremely low, has inherent risks, especially if used for inappropriate candidates.. I've performed it on my wife, my sister, and multiple other family members.

In my opinion if you select an experienced excellent surgeon, the risks are less than a sight threatening infection from contact lens wear. I have seen far more eyes permanently lose vision from contact lens related infections than laser vision correction. People forget the potential dangers with contacts. The problem for the lay person is to know who is that appropriate surgeon. I tell at least 30% of patients coming for surgery that they are not good candidates and should not have laser vision correction. The Corporate centers that offer $250 procedures and "lifetime guarantees" are just using those to get people in the door. The average closing price of those places tends to be no different that of a reputable private physician's procedure. And frequently the surgeons come in just for the procedure and you are evaluated by a non surgeon before and after. I believe you should always see you surgeon prior to your procedure and have access to him or her after if necessary.

Finally, you have to be cautious comparing old technology with newer technology. And be wary that not all new technology is better. You have to be very careful about newer procedures that are in development and haven't been proven. I personally select my doctors on my confidence in their skills and let them pick the best procedure for me.

Having my own procedures has been very beneficial for me. Before them had I lost my glasses out on the Bay or Marsh alone it would have been serious as I was legally blind without them. But I have never told someone they should have it, but rather educate them about their appropriate options. Many times that is to stay in their glasses or contacts.

It has been very rewarding helping my patients with laser vision correction and especially now taking care of cataracts for those same patients. Many young adults have been able to pursue military or other careers that they couldn't have otherwise.

I hope this professional and personal insight has helped with your question. If you any additional questions I am happy to discuss and help you with accurate information your decision no matter if yes or no.

Respectfully,

Robin
 
Chris,

I had my eyes done 5 or so years ago, and wish I had done it 10 years earlier, although the lasers and software are so much better...

I get some starburst on taillights at night, but have always had good night vision, and it doesn't really bother me...I've adapted to it, and so be it.

I had glasses for nearsightedness and astigmatism from age 10, couldn't wear contacts, dealt with fogging glasses, etc. When the eye doc said it was either bifocals or consider lasik, we talked lasik.

I wear readers to look at tiny stuff on the phone in the evenings, read some books, tie flies, paint duck decoys, and carve, but I did that before, and in the case of decoys, it's a safety measure as well for dust/chips...
 
Robin, I appreciate your being involved in this discussion. It's vey helpful to many of us, and especially Chris.
 
I had it done in 2008. I would do it again in a second. The trade off is the starbursts at night. Headlights and tail lights but its not bad enough to keep me from driving at night. I need reading glasses now but wearing them for a short period of time to read a menu or small print wouldn't deter me from having the surgery. The reason I got the surgery was because I lost a pair of glasses while hunting, reaching down into the water to pick up a duck in 10 feet of water. I said that's it...tired of fogging up in the cold while hunting..fogging up in the summer because of humidity coming out from the air conditioning.
 
Had it done in 2011. At the time I was pursuing a career in law enforcement. My vision was terrible. My prescription in contact lenses at the time was -10.00 in each eye. Ever since that day I have 20/15 now in both eyes. Its the best thing I ever had done that I've forgotten I had done. I take it for granted quite a bit until someone asks me about it or I'm reminded in some way.
 
Thank you guys for all the responses, lots of info. My eye doctor exam is coming shortly and I?m going to see what he has to say. Hopefully they are a good candidate for the surgery but if they aren?t I guess I?ll have to try contacts just for hunting or diving, otherwise glasses aren?t a super pain.

It would be amazing to not need to do anything when I wake up to see
 
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