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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 22 June 2007 22:00
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| Hiya, I would like LASEK treatment on my eyes but I don't know if I will be ok to have it done. My right eye is -5.00 and my left eye is -4.75. I currently wear either lenses or glasses and would love to be able to get up and see things! It's been years. I have some questions though, if anyone can answer them that would be great. Some of them might seem a little weird but they are in my head at the moment. I hate the sound of this treatment but I want it doing: how long does it take between booking a consultation and having treatment - is there a waiting list? what happens if I can't see when it's all over?! can you feel it, I mean seriously - it might not hurt but can you feel them doing things to your eyes? can you see them doing the surgery? might sound stupid, you have your eyes open. But if you are focussing on something you won't be able to see everything. Like, is the folding back beyond your peripheral (am I right there?) vision? what if you move your eye when the laser fires at you?! after the surgery do you have your eyes closed for a few days? (many of the testimonies I've read said they went straight to bed afterwards) If anyone can answe rmy questions I would be very grateful. :-) M xx ps: do you have bruised eyes afterwards?
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Last Login: 22 June 2007 22:00
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| couldn't edit my post but got another question. sorry!! how long does it take? i read a ladies testimony who said it took ten mins but i just watched one on you-tube and it was nearly 9 mins for one eye!!
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Last Login: 15 February 2010 08:22
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Myeyes
There is nothing silly about asking questions regardless of how strange they may sound to you or others.
The procedure you are considering is epi-lasek right? There is a difference between LASIK and epi-LASEK.
I am assuming you are having epi-LASEK so will base my comments on that procedure as that is what I had also.
how long does it take between booking a consultation and having treatment - is there a waiting list?
I had a consultation and treatment on the same day, however, I would strongly advise that you get 1 eye done at a time (caution over convenience I feel) This will enable them to see how your first eye responds, when everything settles, then and only then would I attempt the second eye - I had both done at the same time and would not recommend it.
what happens if I can't see when it's all over?!
Not sure what you mean by this. The risk of going blind is almost nonexistent, however there are a number of other issues that you need to consider first. Do you have contact lens intolerance or pre-existing dry eyes, if so, I would carefully consider your options before having surgery. There are some night time issues (starbursts, poor vision in low light) that you may also want to consider particularly if you drive a lot at night. Sometimes a retreatment can be performed to correct under or over correction - another reason to do 1 eye at a time because this will then indicate how the second eye should be treated. Remember the results are permanent and cannot be reversed. It is not something you try on then take it off if you don't like it. I don't want to alarm you but I think you need to clarify what you mean by this question?
can you feel it, I mean seriously - it might not hurt but can you feel them doing things to your eyes?
The procedure itself is relatively straight forward with minimal discomfort at all due to the installation of a local anesthetic. The pain for the next 24-48 hours varies for each individual, ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain. It is difficult to predict your reaction to this. Again, I would consider 1 eye at a time, at least then the pain is limited to 1 eye and you can still function with the other.
Can you see them doing the surgery? might sound stupid, you have your eyes open. But if you are focussing on something you won't be able to see everything. Like, is the folding back beyond your peripheral (am I right there?) vision?
There is really not a lot to see, your eye is held open with an eyelid retractor, you look straight ahead and think nice thoughts of being somewhere else.
what if you move your eye when the laser fires at you?!
My understanding is that the laser tracks your eye and stops firing if you move your eye. Seriously the laser application is so quick 10-20 seconds (from what I remember) that it is over before you realise. The only thing I remember about the laser is the burning smell but the Dr will discuss this with you before hand. My Dr also told me every step of the way what he was doing, this is comforting and reassuring.
after the surgery do you have your eyes closed for a few days? (many of the testimonies I've read said they went straight to bed afterwards)
Your eye is patched for a day or so to stop you rubbing them during your sleep. Going to bed straight afterwards is probably a good thing. You will be light sensitive for a few days so make sure you have a dark room available and some music to listen to or something to entertain you as watching TV is not advised and may be difficult due to the glare, and reading will not be an option during recovery either.
If anyone can answe rmy questions I would be very grateful. :-)
I hope I have given you some information to make an informed decision. It is important to find out if you have any pre-existing dry eye or contact lens intolerance (which could also indicate dry eyes).
The reason I mention this is because you will have a degree of dry eyes post surgery that could take some time to rectify.
There are a number of discussion boards around, I suggest having a look at those and gathering sufficient information on which to base your decision.
It is recommended that you have a week off work. Personally I would allow 2 weeks, the first is necessary, the second just in case you need it for extra healing etc, you don't want to rush back to work if you are not feeling up to it.
I wish you well with the decision you make.
Regards
Ian
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| Please dont take this the wrong way ian but our comments sound like you work the industry !!!!!!!! and not an average patient........
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Cinders (21/06/2007)
Please dont take this the wrong way ian but our comments sound like you work the industry !!!!!!!! and not an average patient........Cinders. No offence taken but I can absolutely assure you that I don't work in this industry but I also concede that I am also not your average patient. I had my laser surgery 20 months ago and it has turned my life upside down. Therefore, I have done a considerable amount of research on this topic to try and find a way forward for ME in an attempt to claim my life. Along the way using the knowledge, data and personal experiences, I reply to posts where I am able to provide detailed information to individuals contemplating this procedure and also support and encouragement to those that have had it and face similar challenges to me. It is not my intention to discourage anyone from having LVC, it is my view that the individual has to balance the risks with the desired outcomes and only the individual can decide that balance. Furthermore, if they decide to go through with it, I wish them every success. My posts are based on fact, research and my own personal experiences. I don't have any ulterior motives. I am probably a little more vocal than most because this has had a profound effect on my life. If you are interested in reading an abridged version of my story, you will find it here. As I said this is the abridged version and my experience has been far worse than I could ever have imagined and you are right, not that of your average patient. I hope this clarifies my position a little for you. Ian
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Last Login: 28 July 2009 16:50
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| A link to your experience is not working, mind adding it in, as I have concerns for getting surgery done even though I have been told I am suitable. More concerned because my age is 22 and don't feel I may have reached that perfect age limit as yet..need some help and assistance. LASIK is what im going for, high presp in -6.00 region, everything else is fine. just age issue, even though they say my vision has stablised. i dont think it has, it changes every 2 years, not been the same, every time i got for eye test, every two years it gets higher!
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