Lazer eye treatment

[ChelseaHarvey]

Has anyone had this done

My eyesight is quite bad and seems to be getting worser, i have booked myself another appointment at the opticions tomorrow i had my eyes tested last June

When i went last year i asked about it and he said i could have it but to wait a few years, so i thought id double check again tomorrow and if still the case then save and prob get both eyes done next year

Id love not to wear glasses when driving and watching tv (i dont always) and when im out clubbing to be able to see people properly and not until im right on top of them LOL

[Diddlum]

I've had it done and it was well worth the money, so has bisy backson and someone else but I can't remember who...:oops: Best thing I ever did actually.

To be honest though, if you only wear glasses for driving and tv, why don't you just try contact lenses? It seems a lot of money to spend if you don't even have to wear them all the time.

[lucypede]

I'm not sure they would do it on you if you don't need glasses all the time, it could make you need reading glasses earlier then usual when you get older!

[sugarpops]

My friend has had laser eye surgery on both her eyes, she works in Harley Street London for a plastic surgeon who recommended her a good eye surgeon as some aren't any good. If you have it done let me know and I can find out where it is and the cost.

[Hungry Hippo]

I thought there was an age restriction on this - that you had to wait until around your 30's. I'm sure my OH was told this but I could be completely wrong.

I agree that if you don't need to wear glasses all the time it maybe isn't worth the expense.

[Angie]

I don't think there is an age limit. My mate's ex had his done in his early twenties. Within a couple of years his eye sight had started to go again though,and you can only have the surgery the once.

[Diddlum]

There isn't an age limit but your prescription has to have been stable for at least 2 years before they'll do it. That's what I was told where I went anyway, which was Ultralase in Birmingham.

Ultralase have got a discussion forum too, which makes quite interesting reading: http://www.lasereyeforum.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=15
And the normal Ultralase website gives loads of information too.

I researched it really well when I had it done, and decided that Ultralase had the best rep and all the latest equipment (possibly not now though) and I knew someone who'd had theirs done there.

[Hungry Hippo]

Yes, I just had a look and I must have been confusing it with the stable prescription requirement. I wear glasses all the time and although it would be nice not to wear them sometimes the surgery doesn't appeal (I think it's just because I'm squeamish about it tbh). I think it's very important to do as you did Diddlum and do lots of research and go to the most reputable place. I certainly don't think everywhere gives you the same service.

[Jamtart]

I really want laser surgery, but will make do with my glasses and contacts for now as I cant afford it!

[ChelseaHarvey]

I should wear my glasses all the time, my eyesight is shocking, i cant even see the time on the sky thing when you change the channel when watching TV

I just dont like wearing them, im sure the bloke that tested my eyes said until i was about 28 actually, il double check tomorrow

[Jamtart]

My friend had hers done a few years ago... think she was 24 or 25 so think you can have it done before 28 Gem

[Hungry Hippo]

I think as you say you think your eyesight has deteriorated it's worth going for another eyetest. 2 years with no change is quite a long time. I hope you are wearing glasses for driving as well young lady :wink:.

[Princess Fiona]

My eye sight is awful too and is getting worse and worse. I'm saving up for laser surgery but i can't have it done yet because my prescription hasn't been stable for 2+ years.

Are you short sighted Gemma? Do you wear your glasses for driving, i can't do ANYTHING without my glasses on anymore, they've gotten worse since i had Lucy and my prescripton has already changed twice in 18 months and i need my eyes testing again because i can't see out of my new glasses anymore and i've only had them 6 months :no:

I'm desparate to get them done, i hate wearing glasses and i had a trial with lenses but i couldn't put them in properly or take them out for that matter so i have to stick with my specs which i hate.

You can have a free consultation at most places, there are tonns of clinics, you might be better going on a recommendation from someone though as to which clinic to go to.

[Jamtart]

Mrs D - I had problems with contacts at first, but I kept on with them and mastered it eventually... I hate wearing my glasses too, I think I look awful with them on! I would love laser surgery but it costs so much and after seeing Jessica Simpson having it done on newlyweds put me off a bit

[ChelseaHarvey]

Mrs D i think im long sighted, you know i dont even know, il ask tomorrow

Mt eyesight to has gotten worse since having alfie, i had my eyes tested a year ago and they have gotten worse since then , i feel i need a stronger perscription

I sit and quint trying to read that ABC thing on the wall and i cant i make so many mistakes, when i went for a eyetest when pregnant i was told i shouldbt be on the raod without glasses and need to wear them all the time

I dont think there that bad, i should wear them more though, im sat now not wearing them but i can see the screen fine and what im writing, and when im dribing its kind of hazy without them on, but i have prescription sunglasses so thats good, i just hate having to wear my glasses in the winter when driving

I havent had contacts i just hate the thought of putting something in my eye and i was told when i enquired that it would be £60 a month for me to have them :puzzled:

Im going to ask tomorrow exactley what is wrong with my eyes so il let you no

[ChelseaHarvey]

Ive seen ads on tv where they say £395 per etye, i guess though it depends on how bad your eyes are

JT what happened to Jessica Simpson

[Princess Fiona]

Gemma if you need your glasses for watching tv and driving then you're short sighted, if you need them for reading and writing then you are long sighted.

I am short sighted, it basically means that you can only see for a short distance before your sight distorts, its the opposite with being long sighted, it means that you can see things at a distance but you can't see to read properly close up.

You can't have laser surgery for being long sighted as far as i know but there is something you can have done but i think its in the very early stages and its 100% affective.

[Hungry Hippo]

I assumed you were short sighted as you mentioned having problems with seeing things at a distance. If you need glasses for reading it's called long sighted.

[Jamtart]

Ive seen ads on tv where they say £395 per etye, i guess though it depends on how bad your eyes are

JT what happened to Jessica Simpson

Nothing happened to her, they just showed it close up how they did it... I am quite squeamish tho and things like that make me feel sick... they kinda clamp you eye open so you can't blink (you're awake) and then laser your eye, Im sure they cut the cornea part and flipped it back (I think thats what its called the outside bit) then lasered her eye then put it back and sealed it :shock: I watched it through my fingers with my hands over my eyes and thought :faint:


I used to also hate the thought of anything being near my eye but now I can put my lenses in without a mirror I have had them that long... they are not so bad after a while

[Diddlum]

after seeing Jessica Simpson having it done on newlyweds put me off a bit

It's definitely not the most pleasant experience but it's all over and done with so quickly and is SO worth it.

Gemma - £395 sounds cheap, I paid £1800 (with £150 discount!) for both eyes and that was 3 years ago. I know prices may have come down but make sure you're getting the latest treatment. I had LASIK and I think there's something even better than that now. They cut a flap on the front of your eye and laser underneath it. The original procedure was just to laser the front of the eye and it took AGES to heal, and I think you could only have one eye done at a time.

[Diddlum]

Nothing they kinda clamp you eye open so you can't blink (you're awake) and then laser your eye, Im sure they cut the cornea part and flipped it back (I think thats what its called the outside bit) then lasered her eye then put it back and sealed it :shock:

Yeah that's it!

A word of warning to anyone who goes ahead with it - you CAN smell it.:shock:

[Jamtart]

oooh Dids you are so brave... mind you if I hadnt seen it done I would have thought nothing of it!

[Diddlum]

Gemma - why £60 a month for contact lenses? I'm sure I only used to pay about £15 and that was with an astigmatism, so they're usually more expensive.

[Jamtart]

Gemma - why £60 a month for contact lenses? I'm sure I only used to pay about £15 and that was with an astigmatism, so they're usually more expensive.

I pay £22 a month for daily ones (cant get on with monthly ones as they used to dry my eyes out) This is through specsavers

[Hungry Hippo]

A word of warning to anyone who goes ahead with it - you CAN smell it.:shock:
:sick:is that like the smell of burning hair or meat?

[Diddlum]

:sick:is that like the smell of burning hair or meat?

:nod: :shock:

[ChelseaHarvey]

I must be short sighted then

See how dumb am i i dont even know

[scrobble]

It might just be that you don't have the right pair of glasses for you. I'm really short-sighted, and hated wearing my glasses until I found 2 pairs that I absolutely love - now I'm just as confident with or without them on. I occasionally wear contacts for going out, but that's all now.

If you know your prescription for lenses, this website: www.getlenses.com (http://www.getlenses.com) is where my hubby gets his, and they're dead cheap for dailies - you just order more when your current stock gets low. If you do go down the route of contacts though, you'd be best going for an eye check first and advice, as they do have a look to see if you'd be able to wear them.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Glasses can be nice though - honest!

P.S. I love your sig pic of Alfie - looks like you had a good day out there!

[ChelseaHarvey]

Well im being sent to a eye specailst, my left eye has really deterioated, my right eye is fine still, hence why i thought my eye sight was worse

The optician said there is no way it should have deterioated that bad in a year and she is puzzled as to why it has, she said that the only thing she can think of (cant rember the name) i would be showing other symptoms for but my eye is fine

She said i cant have lazer eye surgery until my perscription has been stable for 2 years like you lot have said

I asked about contacts and she said the eye specialist at the hospital may say that would be best for my eyes, if thats the case i wont havwe to pay for them either, if im told it doesnt matter i think il go for contacts anyway and get them through the optician monthly

It has got me worried though, as why would it deterioate so badly in a year and i can so notice it

I am short sighted and have stigmatism as well (whatever that means)

[Hungry Hippo]

am short sighted and have stigmatism as well (whatever that means)

I'm astigmatic as well and I believe it means you have an oval cornea (none symmetrical spherical shape). It's actually quite common. See here. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/astigmatism2.shtml)

[Diddlum]

Sorry to hear you've got to see a specialist - hope it's something minor. When are you going - or have you got to wait for an appointment to come through?

[ChelseaHarvey]

I have to go to see my GP thurs/fri give them enough time to get the letter though, they i just need to decide what hospital suites me, apparently in my area there isnt a long wait so hopefully by the following week i should have a appointment

[Diddlum]

That's not so bad then.:smile: At least you won't have to wait months.

[katkinn]

I have a couple of Dr friends who say that they wouldn't have it done at the moment as there is obviously no guarantee/knowledge of what will happen in 20 years plus time to eyes that have had the treatment (clearly as it's a new treatment)

I think I'm also right in thinking that if your eyesight deteriorates again (and it is likely to change in the longterm future, potentially for the worse) if you've had the surgery, you can't wear contact lenses again. (I certainly know that that was what my DH was told when he went to see them a couple of years ago)

BUT I'm sure that in the future, there will be loads of other treatments/surgeries that you could have to repair any damage that may occur.

I've had a couple of friends who have had it done and they are over the moon with the outcome!

PLUS Tiger Woods has had it done and his eyesight is financially worth a SHITE load of cash to him!! :teehee:

Personally I'm just really squeamish at the thought of someone fiddling around with my eyes!!!

katkinn
xxx

[schnapps]

I had mine done about 18 months ago. I had worn glasses/lenses from the age of 8 and was blind as a bat. And now I don't need to anything at all. And it's fantastic!!!!!!!!!

Having it done is horrible and the smell is awful and it is uncomfy for a short while after (not to mention the attractive eye guards you wear at night!!) but I'm so glad I had it done.

Not sure I would have it done though if I didn't wear glasses all the time as it's not cheap.

[bisy backson]

gemma hope they find out what's going on with your eye and its not too drastic.

as didds said i had it done last year and although everyone says it changes your life, tbh i didn't find it totally life changing.

yes its great not to have to wear lenses or glasses any more from the convenience side of things, and you can fall asleep comfortably without worrying about taking your lenses out first or removing your glasses, but tbh i wouldn't say it's changed my life, or quality of life in anyway (and i was -5.75 in both eyes).

i found the surgery painless (and smelless :wink: ) on the first eye, and a bit scratchy on the second, and had the same surgery as didds.

it was totally amazing though, that as soon as they had lasered the first eye, and not even put the flap back, i could see perfectly clearly - ie the reflections on the theatre ceiling, when before they lasered my eye i couldn't even see the ceiling.

the first couple of weeks my left eye was perfect and my right was a bit blurry and i had started to think wtf have i done and why did i bugger around with my eyes when my sight was perfectly fine with lenses, but the right eye turned out to have bruising unrelated to surgery (probably from being smacked in the face by splashy....) and when that healed up my eyes were 20:20 and have been ever since.

interestingly though the surgeon still wore glasses......

by the way, i went on a personal recommendation by a friend who had had it done, and i think she'd also been recommended by someone she knew which is the only way i would have done it.

good luck (and apologies for the long ramble about myself, it seems to be par for the course today :oops: )

bbxx

[DillyDally]

Slightly OT, has anyone heard of orthokeratology

http://www.orthok.co.uk/orthok.htm

I think Philip Schofield was having this. My optician was talking about it last time I went for a contact lens check.

I am a bit squeamish about eyes, and am unsure about laser because of what might happen in the future, but would consider OK, I think.

[sugarpops]

My aunt is a nurse in theatre the eye surgeon she works for said he wouldn't have it done either because of complications later on.

As Katkinn mentioned i'm sure there will be future treatments if need be.