Had my eyes lasered yesterday so hopefully I will actually be able to see everything and everyone when Im on the water again.
Just wondering if anyone else has had laser eye surgery before and any tips for the first week regarding looking after them and things to do?
So far listening to music and laying on the couch with my eyes closed is my activity of choice. Even writting this is proving to be a challenge as my eyes go in and out of focus.
Had the LASIK version done over 10 years ago, using a second generation Japanese laser. Had to use drops for the first 2 weeks to slow down formation of scar tissue on the cornea(l epithelium). Don't think this is required for PRK though. Kept seeing the words "BUY NIKON" for the first 2 months whenever looking at bright objects...
Just follow the docs instructions to the letter and keep the sunnies on, it will feel like you have sand under your eyelids for a few days, really scratchy. Keep the drops up.
It is going to blow your mind how much difference it will make to your life.
Still got 4 different types of drops to add 4 times a day.
Are your eyes still good after 10 years?
I know you addressed that to d1 but for me its been 8 years and I have just had to go and get some specs.
I dont have to wear them all the time, just for detail nothing like I was before the lasik.
Yes, the eye that was lased is still very sharp, over 10 years later, in fact it was done around '99. The other one, which wasn't lased, needs lasing now 
The lasing was to correct myopia (so a concave lens got burnt under a flap that was cut out in the cornea with a scalpel moving on a small jig) as well as astigmatism. Very happy, made a huge lifestyle difference, and there are no problems with close focusing either, despite age. The first few weeks were a bit unpleasant, and I had problems driving at night for a few months. A friend had PRK done at the same time, and is still happy. At the time, the doctor chose PRK or LASIC based on curvature of the eyeball and thickness of the cornea.
Dr recommended PRK for me cause my eyes are so sensitive, I struggled with opening my eyes so he could clamp them open. I even struggle with the drops, eyes water like crazy whenever I try to put drops in them. I guess it's good in this cause my eyes are well lubricated inbetween drops.
I also had to have PRK cause I'm hoping to become aircrew and LASIK isnt recommended if you fly for a living. Nothing worse than that flap flipping open while flying a plane!
Can't wait for it heal so I can see the benefits cause at the moment it seems I've paid $5000 for someone to put sand in my eyes
I had mine done about 4 years ago now. They are still not perfect, but its nice not having to wear glasses or contact lenses. I was borderline between PRK and Lasik, although I elected for PRK figuring it might be better long term.
I hope your experience is not exactly like mine. The first day was actually okay, but after that, it really started to feel like I had sand instead of eyeballs. The effect of glare was intense!
Luckily I had a job where I could work from home for a few weeks, so I wasn't too put out, but I think otherwise I would take a few weeks off of work.
It took quite a while before the effects of glare reduced, so it is sort of good you did it this time of year.
Good luck! It took me many months to get out of the habit of reaching for my glasses when I woke up in the morning!
Had PRK in 1995. Best thing I ever did. Worth 10 times what I paid for it. Still got better than 20:20 vision.
my experience has been less than flattering to date.
any thing bright and I have to close my eyes, cant focus on things up close or far away for that matter.
seems like it will be worth it in the long run.
I get the contact lenses removed tomorrow so Im hoping that will get rid of some of the discomfort.
Had it done 2.5 years ago, from a pioneer in the field - checked his resume before going.
Far from perfect for afar, barely OK (no need glasses).
Debilitating from up close, suddenly needed reading glasses for anything closer than 3-4 feet, including any computer work.
I'm glad for those who did well with the surgery, and very certainly that will include your experience.
But I certainly wouldn't do it again and don't really wish my experience onto others.
Thought I saw an FDA street survey on the web that had yielded a 75% satisfaction rate. Was done a few years ago, against a 95% industry self-proclaimed rate.
A few people at work said a similar thing re reading glasses.
I'm hoping cause of my age (29) it won't affect me for a while.
As long as I can see the water and snow so I don't have to have another knee recon I'll be happy. I also want to pass eye test so I can get a new job, only need to get 12/6 or 6/12 can't remember how it goes.
Thanks for that comment formula, can't wait for it to get better.
Been better since contact lenses were removed this morning.
How long should I wait until I kite again?
It will be at least another week going by the forecast!
Best to google it.
LASIK involves cutting a flap on your eye ball then lasering flat surface then putting flap back.
PRK just lasers the eye ball and it takes a while to heal the outer layer.
PRK was better for me cause I got sensative eyes and needed it for work.
But if you can have LASIK cause results are meant to be instant (or very close too)
I had prk. Used all drops everytime without fail for four weeks. As soon as you cease the antibiotic drops, within 2 days vision is perfect.
Great kiting without contacts
It was recommended 4 weeks without kiting. My surgeon gave me the all clear after two weeks.
Did any one have to go back for a second round of laser?
I've heard it's common to have to go back for a minor adjustment, just wondering if it more common for LASIK or PRK?
Another week with contacts and weeks of waiting for it to come good would suck again.
Don't think I'll be kiting for a while given the newy forecast, thought it would have been awesome this week due to me being out, again.
I had radial keratotomy done at age 19- that's 21 years ago. It has worked perfectly with no side effects ever since. I dealt with the 24 hrs of sore eyes at the time by taking a few sleeping pills. Sleeping worked better than painkillers.
Lasik and PRK are both risky. 
The US Food & Drug Administration bloke who approved Lasik has since spoken out against it. The bloke approved Lasik 'cos it had few reported side effects, but he later discovered a shedload of patients who had bad side effects that were hidden by the Lasik industry (by falsely classifying their problems as temporary effects).
For the scary details, see www.lasikcomplications.com
I had LASIK done in Florida about 10 years ago, i spent one day with my eyes cover and then all good, no diving for a month or so but i did go surfing, no problems at all since then.
It takes about six months before everything is finally healed and stabilised, especially if you have worn glasses for a long time and had a strong script. I wore glasses for 25 years and had -5.6.
The steroid drops you use increase the internal pressure of the eyeball, a bit like over inflating a balloon. That helps the eye to heal and stabilise on the final prescription.
They over correct by 18% so that when you are fully healed your eyesight is spot on. If it's perfect from day one then I would be concerned.
This isnt funny i know
The reason there are little or no negative comments on here is when it goes wrong you cant bludy see
Glad to hear the positive i am juust waiting till i can afford it, contacts dont bother me much so happy to wait
Are there any long term probs with wearing soft lenses
What the cost of the surgery now a while ago i was told $4k ish
Saw my usual dr today and did an eye test and I could read the bottom line of the eye chart.
There is still some shadowing but that should go away with time along with the sensitivity to light.
So I'm pretty happy at the moment, just need some wind and waves to really get me high!
It cost me $5100 to have both eyes done, pretty sure it's $2850 an eye and they gave me some discount cause I'm a nice guy.
Those horror stories sound pretty bad but like I said in another thread buy nice or buy twice. Or you get what you pay for.
It's one of those things though. Even if you do your research, you just never know the outcome.
Before I made my choice, I went and had a consultation with one place, and then another consultation with another. I was a bit surprised that they had different opinions.
The thickness of my epithelium (sp? too lazy to look it up) was marginal, but one place said they could do Lasik, and the other recommended PRK. Thinking through the risks and with my basic understanding, I opted for PRK on the basis that I think it might be more stable. Lasik would be quicker, but potentially not last as long.
The downside is that PRK takes a lot longer to settle down. I didn't take notes, but I sort of wished I could have, in that I can't remember exactly how long it took.
The worst thing is when you do research on the internet, where you only seem to see the opinions that are very strongly one way or the other. It makes for a few scary weeks or months where you imagine the worst.
One complaint I do have, is that there is no way that these companies research the results they produce as much as I expected. They outsource the check ups to an optometrist, and that seems to be as far as it goes. I would have to assume that the optometrist would report back if there was a problem, but I suspect that there is not much they can do anyway.
If they don't check the results, how can they claim any valid figures?
I went to my optometrist only once after this, so I was surprised there was no follow up call to check how my eyes were. To make sure they were okay, I ended up going to another optometrist, but I still wonder why the original company doesn't seem to care.
I had follow up for almost a year after my surgery. My eyes are still excellent 15 years later.
This is the guy that did mine.
www.newvisionclinics.com.au/dr-alpins-experience/
He's a bit of a self promoter but he definitely knows his stuff. Heaps of papers and articles to read on his web site.
