LASIK and reading glasses

I wanted LASIK but my corneas are too thin.

The alternative is to have lenses implanted - which can be replaced as time goes on.

I had LASIK about 10 years ago (at 36yo). Best money I've ever spent.

I went from being insanely nearsighted to 20/15, and though I haven't had an eye exam in years I'd bet I'm still 20/20 or darn close. Before I would be useless without glasses or contacts but haven't used any correction since the surgery.

That said, nothing beats old age so I do expect degeneration as times passes.

Also, I spent $1k for both eyes. Used my flex spending account too. Why is your procedure cost 5x as much?

Reading glasses are about $20 per pair. Just saying...

Had my eyes zapped 2 years ago, but I'm only 29, so still a ways away from reading glasses age in general. My vision was crap at all distances, not quite blind, but really close. My distance vision is definitely better than close up. Close up is still really good, but my distance vision is insane.

My doctor did tell me I'd likely still need reading glasses down the line, but I'd have likely needed to go to bifocals sooner or later had I not gone with lasik.

The cost is 100% worth it, glasses and contacts fucking blow!

Here's your money back, sorry you can't see...

Nick said:

I had LASIK about 10 years ago (at 36yo). Best money I've ever spent.

I went from being insanely nearsighted to 20/15, and though I haven't had an eye exam in years I'd bet I'm still 20/20 or darn close. Before I would be useless without glasses or contacts but haven't used any correction since the surgery.

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Same story for me, but I think mine was a little more than 10 years. Started looking way back when it was "radial keratotomy". My step brother /optometrist warned strongly against it as it was a technology that was going to advance fairly quickly. I waited until "custom lasik" came around and never thought twice about it. Seems like I paid around 4800 back then. TLC also.

I think the people who are thrilled with their LASIK are those like Nick who are basically disabled without glasses--so imagine you wake up to pee, deal with crying child, check on weird noise, etc and you can't see until you find your glasses in the dark. People who are basically functional but don't want reading glasses or whatever are more of a mixed bag. It's a pretty safe procedure but I've seen all the horror stories of infection, weird glare, dry eye/discomfort... Basically, it's an elective surgery and it goes well 99% of the time but you need to make the right call for your situation. Google LASIK nightmare or LASIK complication to see the full (but unlikely) spectrum of possibilities. I know zero ophthalmologists that have gotten LASIK (and that includes a bunch that perform the procedure).

In terms of your case, I would never do it just to avoid reading glasses for near vision because that is going to be a part of everyone's life eventually no matter what--so you're paying 5k to delay using readers for a few years at best.

Final advice, if you get anything done, keep detailed copies of your pre-op exam and refraction as well as what they do to you, and your post-op refraction because when you need cataract surgery down the line, it's nearly impossible to get the correct lens implant without this information--ie you'll be wearing glasses for near and distance for the last 20+ years of your life.

Good luck regardless.

I can pass my DMV eye test without glasses but the eye doctor says I need glasses for distance. every time I get glasses it takes them at least two or three times to get it right most times during daylight hours my eyes water non stop they tell me I need to wear the glasses a couple of days to get used to them but it only leads to headaches and dizziness.
I always warn the eye doctor of all the problems I have experienced in the past, he assures me we wont have any problems, we have tons of problems I start with the condescending comments finally they get it right I'm asked to take my business elsewhere (lmao they screwed up not me)

so what I'm trying to say is I would not trust some mcdonalds type franchise with my eyes

I dislike glasses but will forego the laser. Having been raised in an AMA family, I try to restrict medical exposure to significant physical trauma and an annual checkup. For the doc, it's procedures that pay the bills, so...

Read that again.
I was much like Nick. Needed them to see.
Still the BEST money I've ever spent on myself. I did read all the "lasik gone bad" stories. Even worked with a guy that had a botched radial keratotomy procedure.
I'd do it again this afternoon without thinking twice about it.

To correct for having reading glasses? I'd pass.

I had it done about 10 years ago. Military doc (Insert jokes here...) who has one of the highest success rates in the business (or so they tell you...). It was one of the best choices I ever made.

But I did it because of deployment tempo and my career field, and the fact that I am fairly active, which always made glasses or contacts a pain. For just reading though...I would by me some cool looking readers.

If you're over 35-40 then yes, you will need reading glasses for near vision after your procedure. You'll have to pick your poison. Many people's daily lives are spent focused at near (reading, computer, phone, etc). So you have to consider for which activities being glasses dependent is most tolerable.

No fear mongering here I'm well aware of the upsides and downsides of LASIK--just trying to be informative/honest based on extensive knowledge and experience. Hope all goes well.

Sandwich said:

My question is to those who have had it done, did that happen, and was it worth doing anyways?

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I did lose a bit of close range focus, but not the extent that I need reading glasses. I would do it again without hesitation.

Back when I had it done my Opt. told me that all of the referring docs used the same few surgery centers. They basically did the pre/post exams, provided the q&a, etc, but were effectively "selling" the service which would be performed by another. My procedure took about 4-5 minutes per eye and the lasers were controlled by computers that mapped a few dozen spots on my eye like 1000 times a second to compensate for movement, etc.

I spoke to others waiting for surgery that morning; the range of cost was from about $5,000 down to a $40 co-pay.

CHepler said:

I did read all the "lasik gone bad" stories. Even worked with a guy that had a botched radial keratotomy procedure.

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My dad had this done in that late 80s or early 90s and ended up being one of the horror stories. I've worn glasses since I was 10, they've never bothered me.

How many daily disposable contact lenses can you get for $5000?

StiHacka said:

How many daily disposable contact lenses can you get for $5000?

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A *LOT*... I went this route for skiing (and sometimes swimming and fishing) - but the major drawback of contacts for me is that they dry out. I've quit wearing them for biking because of this.

So for me it's glasses most of the time, daily-wear contacts + reading glasses occasionally.

Fucking old age.

SkaredShtles said:

A *LOT*... I went this route for skiing (and sometimes swimming and fishing) - but the major drawback of contacts for me is that they dry out. I've quit wearing them for biking because of this.

So for me it's glasses most of the time, daily-wear contacts + reading glasses occasionally.

Fucking old age.

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No reading glasses for me (yet) but I had to wear -2.0 glasses since early teens. I pretty much learned skiing "blind" as a result, seeing the scenery and people but not the details of the snow surface. I kinda learned to deal with what my feet discovered underneath - deep snow, ice, damn slick ice. For riding, I now have a sporty glasses for trails, and dailies for DH.

SkaredShtles said:

A *LOT*... I went this route for skiing (and sometimes swimming and fishing) - but the major drawback of contacts for me is that they dry out. I've quit wearing them for biking because of this.

So for me it's glasses most of the time, daily-wear contacts + reading glasses occasionally.

Fucking old age.

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Quit whining, Junior!

I did mine at or around age 40, and I am still 20/15...no reading glasses needed.

StiHacka said:

How many daily disposable contact lenses can you get for $5000?

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A bunch.

I've always wondered about this. I had to start wearing glasses when I was around 19-20 and my eyes have been getting worse ever since. Though, my vision isn't too bad. In a pinch, I can drive without my glasses, but not at night.

I buy contacts almost solely for DH, so I can use goggles. I get contacts that are supposed to last a month of wear. Sometimes they expire before I get to wear them. I don't mind though, a years worth of contacts cost me about $100.

had lasik at age 27... best money ever spent, by far.
beats the return of money spent on bikes.

no regrets.

Sandwich said:

How much did you pay? 5790 is certainly high, but this is tlc vision center, allegedly the best in the business, and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

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$5000, my doc is a local practice, has an office here in TO and one in Hollywood. Definitely go somewhere close to your house, lots of follow up appointments. $5k was on the high side, but I know a few people who went to the same doc and had great things to say, and it beats driving an hour each way to Laser Eye Center.

even if I had to start wearing reading glasses tomorrow, it would be well worth it IMHO. Between being able to ride bikes without my glasses bouncing around, and do various aquatic activities without worrying about losing my glasses or doing them basically blind, lazily has kicked ass!

cecil said:

I can pass my DMV eye test without glasses

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Ive seen old people in Arizona pass the DMV tests, but there was no way in hell they passed legitimately.

Sandwich said:

and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

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Good, because you only get one lifetime. You do get two eyes though.

My vision has been constant 20/150-200 for my entire life, so it's something I've thought about from time to time.

I am so glad my eyes seem to work well. I have a pair of glasses for a stigmatism in the left eye. Never wear them as I really can't tell the difference.

My ears on the other hand...

Westy said:

My ears on the other hand...

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Huh, what did you say?