After thoroughly researching LASIK and the doctor I am going to see, I called for a LASIK consultation last week. I had to forgo wearing my contacts for a week before the consultation; they want your cornea to return to it's most natural state. Soooo ... you can't wear your contacts even for the consult. For the actual surgery some people have to go up to 2-3 weeks without their contacts. I don't like wearing my glasses. They give me headaches - and it stinks not having peripheral vision.
Sooo ... today was the consultation appointment. Two hours of eye tests. They check your eyes using all sorts of different machines ... then they dialate your eyes - and check them all again. This is comforting that they are trying to get as accurate as possible. Not so comforting is the still dialated eyes several hours later.
I went ahead and scheduled the surgery for next Thursday. I figured I already had one week of not wearing my contacts under my belt - so I would just go ahead and get it done. I'm excited -- I've wanted to have LASIK for a while now. It will be so strange to wake up and be able to see the alarm clock. To not have my contacts bugging me at the end of a long day. :)
Now I just have to decide what package I want to get. They offer a "Lifetime Enhancement" package - which basically means that they will keep my vision corrected for the rest of my life. Pretty useful considering I'm only 27 - and I know several people who have needed enhancements a few years after their LASIK. Your vision is going to naturally deteriorate ... soooo - anyway - that's what I've got to decide between now and Thursday. Do I want to pay the extra $$ to cover the lifetime package. My mom offered to pay for the difference between the One-Year Enhancement Package and the lifetime ... she thinks I should definitely do it. My vision just keeps progressively going downhill... so it probably would be smarter to go for the lifetime. That way I don't ever have to worry about it again.
I know about 15 people who have had LASIK - all good results. All would do it again in a heartbeat. Any of you guys out there have LASIK? Did you opt for any type of lifetime or yearly package?
i've never head lasik, but i did used to work in an eye doctors office with several people that had it done. only one of them had any bad side effects - basically she ended up with really dry eyes and had to get her tear ducts cauterized to keep the moisture in. but even she said it was worth it, because her vision had been at -8.00 and she didn't have to wear glasses or contacts!
me personally? i think i'll stick with glasses and contacts. i'm just not willing to risk it, but then again i'm not a risk taker :)
I've been doing research to find out who has the best price. The local places around here are really expensive, but I so desparately want to get this done that I might take the plunge in the next 6-12 months. I found a place near where my parents live in FL that is reasonable priced.
Good luck! I can't wait to hear about your experience.
So did you get the surgery yet? I was thinking about getting it....but was a little unsure. I'm 27 and I wear contacts. My vison is 20/1400 (-7.0 in each eye with moderate/severe astigmatism) and I am interested in the surgery.