LASIK/PRK questions

Definitely make sure you take some type of sedative if you're like me. Something entering or approaching my eye makes me want to crawl up a wall.

 

Don't take a sedative. Any man worth their salt can hold their eyes open through sheer power of will.

Spoiler

I took all the drugs

 

I’m so skittish about it that I watched a YouTube video of the procedure lol.

 

The procedure was a breeze if you're sedated. Next few hours of eye discomfort aren't great though

 

And by sedated, you just mean taking a Valium, yes?

 

Yeah I can't remember what I took but yes.

 

That's the only option I was given. Worked like a charm.

 

Just accept the fact that it's going to be uncomfortable for like a 1 minute procedure and then you're gong to want to be in a low lit room for a day.

Being able to see better than ever and not having to deal with the hassle of glasses /contacts far outweighs all of that.

 

Went and had my consultation/pre-surgery appointment all at once last week and scheduled the procedure for this Thursday. I'm honestly excited.

 

How much money will this cost you?

 

Mine was like $3500 when I had it done

 

$3600, all-in.

 

How old are y’all? My eye doctor says I’m too young, but I want to get this done.

 

I was 26 when I had it done.

 

Coming up on 29, so feel like I should change doctors and find one that’s supportive.

 

33.

The sweet spot seems to be anywhere between 27 and your late 30s, but it’s really all about whether your eyes are still changing or not.

 

Today starts my two week period out of my contacts, surgery scheduled for the 26th

 

I would say go to an actual LASIK consultation.

Had my eye doctor tell me 10-15 ago I wouldn't be a candidate because of my astigmatism. Now that may have been true at the time due to the technology available, but I had a much different experience and explanation when I went in for my initial consultation 2 years ago.

 

Having my procedure done tomorrow afternoon, boys.

 

Not quite 24 hours out and I already see MUCH better. I was nearsighted with astigmatism.

Prior to it, I had never worn contacts because I could never get them in my eye or touch my eye, so I knew getting LASIK would be a step for me.

I took the 2 mg of Valium that was prescribed and I’m not sure it did anything. My body was calm but my eyes reacted to every little thing. Even with that, the procedure took 20-25 minutes total.

It doesn’t hurt, but it’s definitely uncomfortable. I’d imagine someone that’s less anxious and more comfortable with touching their eyes would have a walk in the park.

There was some burning sensation for the first few hours afterwards with some hazy vision.

The burning subsided by this morning and the haze isn’t as much as it was.

 

Ordered a 6 month supply of contacts today but I think it may be my last order ever.

I have been thinking about LASIK for years and at 28 I’m ready. Been wearing glasses since I was 6. Looking to get it done sometime in April or May.

 

Similar strategy to what I did. Depending on your area, you may want to contact a clinic to see about scheduling your consultation; I had to schedule mine about 6 weeks ahead of time with how busy they are plus limited schedules with Covid

 

Ty Webb and AubCabs, how long did it take for y’all to stop feeling any intermittent scratchiness and just feel...normal?

 

I had PRK, so a little different procedure. I don't really recall any scratchiness. I was very very liberal with my use of lubricating eye drops.

 

Ahhh okay. I use lubricating eye drops every two hours and the steroid eye drops 4x per day.

 

Yeah my cornea was completely ground off and had to grow back. Different healing process.

maybe check with your physician, but I think the lubricating drops every two hours was a minimum. I don’t think you can overdo it with those. Also, hit up your doc for all the freebie drops you can!!

 

Had to use the eye drops pretty regularly the first few days and then every morning for about the first month. Haven't touched them since (coming up on 2 years on Sunday).

 

I can only get PRK. How was your experience?

 

Scratchiness as in wanting to constantly rub them? I was back pretty much to 100% the next day after a full nights sleep. Mine was a little different though because I had an accumulation of white blood cells in my right eye so I had to go back under the knife two days later to clean that up. I had to do a shit ton of eye drops for about 3 months after and I’d say the dryness went away after about a month.

 

Yea this was me. Used the individual ones about 4 times a day

 

I had to take a steroid drop for a week and then an antibiotic drop for 2 I think was the timeline. Make sure you take the antibiotic one.

First few hours after were very uncomfortable.
The next day I was like 95%. Still was a little strange but mostly everything was back to normal.

 

Yeah, I’m about 26 hours post-op and I go in waves of feeling normal and then feeling like there’s a giant hair in my eye and I can’t do anything to get it out.

The doctor also put a contact in each of my eyes because he didn’t know if my eyes thrashed around when I slept, so he put the contacts in just to act as bandaids. I’ll get them out on Tuesday.

 

I had to wear goggles when I slept because he said some people mess with their eyes when they sleep

 

It was good. There was a rough 24-36 hour period that started ~36 hours after surgery. My eyes watered a lot. It was expected.

My doctor was great, experience was great. He set the right expectations and put PRK vs Lasik into proper perspective. As far as surgeries go, PRK's recovery is easy. Lasik is just that much easier. Said Lasik was like flying cross country on a plane while PRK was like traveling on a train. Both beat the hell out of walking. The other key is that it will take 3-4 weeks for you to achieve your "best vision" with PRK whereas Lasik is next day for a lot people.

 

I had 20/20 vision a few days after my procedure and he said it would continue getting better

 

Yeah, I can see distances better than I ever could just under 48 hours after surgery.

The weird thing is I can’t see well up close now. It’s a bit blurry and almost like I have to refocus by blinking to read my phone, etc.

 

Didn't you say the Dr put contacts in your eyes? Wouldn't judge too much this soon after

 

Yeah, he did. I have one in each eye until Tuesday.

 

I COME TO TMB FOR REASSURANCE. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO US?

 

Do it! Had the PRK and it wasn't terrible but wasn't fun either. So glad I did it though. No more glasses getting in the way!!

 

I’m one week post-surgery and my eyes have felt normal since Day 5 when the doctor took the protective contacts out.

Prior to taking them out, they said my right eye was at 20/15 and my left eye was at 20/30, and to expect them both to improve.

 

Just had my pre-op exam and he said he felt that PRK was the safer choice for me and since they’re conservative that’s what they recommend. Going to keep the-reading this post for assurance that it might be bad for a few days but is very worth it

 

I had LASIK in early Dec, both eyes. Cost $5k total; you can use FSA dollars.

At my 1 month exam, my left was 20/20 and right was 20/30. Original prescription was (3.50) right and (3.75) left.

I use synthetic tears about 4 times a day because they get pretty dry. It’s worse in the morning.

Looking at stuff far away at night is still a bit weird. I was in an airport and it was tough to see/read backlit signs at distance.

I am a little bothered by my right eye being 20/30, especially since it was the better eye going into it. However, I have noticed improvement in dryness and vision over the last week, so it could be getting better, which they said could happen.

Very glad I did it. I have my 3 month appointment in Mar. Would consider a touch up on the right if it’s still weird.

 

Absolutely worth it.

Another tip - your doctor will probably recommend you wear sunglasses when outside. If you have vision insurance, have the doctor write you a prescription for "plano" lenses. Pick up some nice glasses with polarized lenses and let your frames/lenses benefit cover most/all of the cost.

 

Thanks. Initially I was hesitant when they said PRK instead and thought about holding off for a bit but the uncomfortable few days will be inconvenient timing now matter when I do it so just have to suck it up

 

Those first ~ 5 days weren’t particularly pleasant, but I also had contacts, which I’d imagine isn’t super normal.

Once those came out, it’s been like normal. I use the hydrating eye drops on an as-needed basis now.

I coach and last night was the first time I’ve coached a game without glasses in my life. It was amazing.

 

sounds kind of dumb but lasik really is life changing imo

 

I’ll have those contact bandages until Tuesday since mine is PRK. I’ve got plenty of podcasts and playlists lined up for this weekend, hoping for the light sensitivity to dissipate some by Sunday.