I need vision correction and have worn glasses all my life. I do wear contacts and can only tolerate the one day throw aways for an absolute max of 12 hours. My optometrist said that with the laser surgery you are basically getting vision correction done until your middle ages when things start to go downhill. I would spend the extra money and find the best surgeon in town and scrutinse the premises as much as possible. Glasses are the only things that will fully correct your vision out of all three options.

Quote: (03-15-2012 11:33 PM)Golden Boy Wrote:  

I had LASIK done in 2003 and am completely satisfied, when it was virtually newer at that time, as it has only been in the US for about 10 years. It has been done in Russia and Egypt for over 20 years. It was very fast, i was given anesthetic eye drops which do not allow you to feel anything. There was a little burning of the eyes after the surgery for about 3 to 4 hours, after which the night of the surgery i could see 20-15. It was a miracle for me, and changed my life. I used to wear contact lenses, and would have lots of pink eye, discomfort, burning, and could not swim. Furthermore, i had to do a cleaning and disinfecting regime every morning and night. What a hassle contacts are, and as for glasses, no way due to the shitty aesthetic looks of them. Do the Lasik, completely worth it. I still see 20/20 by the way.

this. i cant even imagine what my life would be w/o having the surgery done many years ago.

Quote: (03-17-2012 09:37 AM)Brian Wrote:  

Quote: (03-15-2012 11:33 PM)Golden Boy Wrote:  

I had LASIK done in 2003 and am completely satisfied, when it was virtually newer at that time, as it has only been in the US for about 10 years. It has been done in Russia and Egypt for over 20 years. It was very fast, i was given anesthetic eye drops which do not allow you to feel anything. There was a little burning of the eyes after the surgery for about 3 to 4 hours, after which the night of the surgery i could see 20-15. It was a miracle for me, and changed my life. I used to wear contact lenses, and would have lots of pink eye, discomfort, burning, and could not swim. Furthermore, i had to do a cleaning and disinfecting regime every morning and night. What a hassle contacts are, and as for glasses, no way due to the shitty aesthetic looks of them. Do the Lasik, completely worth it. I still see 20/20 by the way.

this. i cant even imagine what my life would be w/o having the surgery done many years ago.

Agreed. I got PRK two years ago and everything has been a million times better.

Quote: (03-14-2012 01:43 AM)Thomas the Rhymer Wrote:  

Quote: (03-02-2012 11:31 PM)Freedom Wrote:  

Quote: (03-02-2012 02:19 PM)NuMbEr7 Wrote:  

Has anyone ever tried eye exercises?
I have been thinking about doing them just need to get around to doing them

I have. I read the book and put it into use "Improve Your Vision Without Glasses or Contact Lenses". The exercises are listed at the appendix. Here's what I got from it. It is impractical for people who are dependent on computers!

I read that book too.

I tried those exercises and even walked around like a blind bat for a week without my glasses.

No improvement.

How long did you do the exercises for?

Does anyone knwo the cheapest website to order contacts? I have my prescription from the doc already.

Quote: (03-17-2012 11:32 AM)NuMbEr7 Wrote:  

How long did you do the exercises for?

I followed the instructions from the book, so it was 30 minutes almost every weekday. Then I kept in my mind the 20min 20 sec rule when using a computer throughout the day.

I wouldn't strongly urge against trying to "correct" vision problems with exercises. This will be ineffective, at best, or dangerous, more than likely. Myopia is not the product of weak eye muscles, it has to do with straight-up optic science. This is some medieval science shit.

Quote: (03-19-2012 04:19 PM)houston Wrote:  

Does anyone knwo the cheapest website to order contacts? I have my prescription from the doc already.

Probably not the cheapest (never bothered to look), but I use 800 Contacts. Usually manage to get free shipping, even though I only order 2 boxes (30 lenses/box) of daily disposables at a time.

Quote: (03-20-2012 02:30 PM)Tuthmosis Wrote:  

I wouldn't strongly urge against trying to "correct" vision problems with exercises. This will be ineffective, at best, or dangerous, more than likely. Myopia is not the product of weak eye muscles, it has to do with straight-up optic science. This is some medieval science shit.

Who said myopia is caused my weak eye muscles?

It doesn't make sense if your eyes can get worse (more near sighted) in adulthood due to eye strain, why can't they get better from the opposite of straining?

edit

Quote: (04-29-2011 05:02 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  

Good info guys. I wear glasses and have been toying with the idea of doing lasik but somehow, it freaks me out. My sister did it here last summer for about 5k. A friend of mine from the US did his 3 years ago in Medellin for about 700 bucks. I was very interested in doing it while I was in BKK but somehow, I postponed it till I left. Now I'm thinking of going it when I return there in september. I keep on hearing it is very safe and a lot cheaper in SA and Asia but somehow, feel uncomfortable with the whole idea. Has anyone had their lasik done outside of North America, like say in SA or Asia?

I had it done in Colombia as well, had good results, search my username for find the post (I just joined so there aren't too many!) :-)

I got Lasik in 2007. I don't know anyone who got Lasik and isn't absolutely thrilled that they did it.

Another voucher for Lasik. Had it done in 2006 and am still 20/20. One of the best things I've ever done in my life. Just don't skimp out - no 499/eye shit. I paid $4800 for mine, lifetime guarantee (free touchups). Thankfully, vision is still great.

I work in the field. Your vision will naturally get worse at around 40, where it become more difficult to focus. Presbyopia is the term. Vision problems for most people is due to astigmatisms which are where the shape of the eye is off. Its either too short or long. This effects where the image comes in the pupil and hits the back of the eye. A perfect shaped eye hits its target, and is in focus. The astigmatism the focus point is either too far forward or far back. This result in either near-sightness or far sightness.

With the glasses if you wear them, make sure they designed to fit your face shape. The nerdy 50's glasses and hipster glasses are really popular now.

Quote: (08-05-2012 09:49 AM)kbell Wrote:  

I work in the field. Your vision will naturally get worse at around 40, where it become more difficult to focus. Presbyopia is the term. Vision problems for most people is due to astigmatisms which are where the shape of the eye is off. Its either too short or long. This effects where the image comes in the pupil and hits the back of the eye. A perfect shaped eye hits its target, and is in focus. The astigmatism the focus point is either too far forward or far back. This result in either near-sightness or far sightness.

With the glasses if you wear them, make sure they designed to fit your face shape. The nerdy 50's glasses and hipster glasses are really popular now.

What's your take on eye exercises?

I tried them for me when I was younger to correct a dominate eye. However it didn't really work that great. Glasses work better for the correction, but I only need them for reading tiny print for a long period of time. If the shape of the eye is off, you need some sort of lens correction, simply due to how light works. Eye exercises will only train the muscles of the eye and nerve somewhat.

I'm going to be getting PRK in two weeks. Has anyone here had this procedure done?

I'm wondering what the recovery experience is like.

That's an older techinque. I know lasik heals about a day or 2 and is 5-10 minutes long. Your eye is open and your awake but it is numb. Worst part is the smell if you have a good sense of smell.

PRK I believe they actually scrape the eye and your awake too. The guy I had to do a history on had it help for 20 years. I don't think it takes more than a few days for it to heal. The eye heals fast.

Contact lens can completely correct your vision. Actually some of the best vision you can get is with the older hard contacts which are smaller. They take quite a while to get used to them but they provide some of the best vision and last a long time (think several years). Monthly and dailys are far more comfortable if your new to contacts.

With any of these consult with optometrist and if surgery opthamologist. And don't go for the cheapest either surgery wise.

I had LASIK when I was 19. That was 5 years ago and my vision is still 20/20. The operation is very cheap in Colombia, with great quality.

Quote: (03-06-2013 04:53 PM)Lucky Wrote:  

I'm going to be getting PRK in two weeks. Has anyone here had this procedure done?

I'm wondering what the recovery experience is like.

I had PRK done in August 2010 and it's probably the single best thing I've done to physically alter my body. The procedure is relatively quick and painless since you're all drugged up, but they spray ICE FUCKING COLD water into your eye for about 30 seconds after each one is done, and that hurts like an absolute bitch, but it's temporary.

Recovery is quite long. I kept worrying because 3 weeks had gone by and I was still blurry, and my eyes constantly felt like they had an eyelash stuck in them, but then one day you wake up and realize that your eyes are completely healed and you can see 20/20. Don't get alarmed if several weeks pass and you're still in discomfort, it's pretty normal.

Also, any sort of light (tv/computer screens, outside) will make you tear up severely for about a week, and possibly longer. I suggest putting blankets over your windows even if you have curtains. Seriously, the tiniest bit of light hurts like a bitch. I did mine in the dead of summer, and it was pretty awful for a week or so. Just make sure you have off from work for the couple days after the procedure.

Still, I would do it all again in a heartbeat. The benefits vastly outweigh these temporary annoyances. Good luck

Thanks, I got new curtains to keep light out of my apartment while I recover. I should have just gone through this procedure a couple years ago when I first had the idea but I've been hesitant because the idea of my eyes being worked on is a bit scary.

I'm glad you said it was worth it, I can't wait to be rid of contacts. They bother me sometimes especially after a night of heavy drinking and I fucking hate wearing glasses.

I underwent the PRK procedure a week ago.

The surgery was quick, maybe 5 minutes. I laid and stared at the orange light. The lab tech placed an eye cover that looked like a pirate’s eyepatch over my left eye. The doctor put some numbing drops in my eyes and scrubbed my eyes with a device that reminded me of an electric toothbrush. The doctor then told me that they would start the laser. I stared at the light and heard the laser shooting into my eye. I could smell my own eye as the laser worked, which was uncomfortable. A minute or so passed and then the doctor splashed my eye with cold water. They switched the eye cover and did the same to the other eye. They put bandage contacts over my eyes and walked me to the lobby.

I was given three different types of eye drops; one steroid drop (4 times a day for a month) , one antibiotic drop (4 times a day for a week) , and several boxes of Refresh artificial tears (every 5-10 minutes for the first month). I was also prescribed ibuprofen, vitamin c, and Percocet.
My eyes were very light sensitive right after the surgery, fortunately I remembered to bring sunglasses and wore them as my friend who drove me and I walked out of the hospital. My eyes were dry and I constantly put the artificial tears in my eyes. I took some percocet and slept and listened to audiobooks during the first few days. I couldn’t watch television or use the computer during the recovery process. I couldn’t read or really even see any sort of detail for the first two days and the third day I finally could see and the light didn’t hurt too bad.

It’s been a week now. I went in for my follow-up appointment yesterday and the doctor cleared me to drive. He also removed the bandage contact lenses and my eyes felt a bit exposed and a bit dry. I just continue to put the artificial tears in and everything is fine. I can read and see this computer screen though it is a bit blurry. I changed the resolution so I can more easily read text on the screen. I have a date with a new girl tomorrow…the girl knows the situation but I am wondering how she’ll react to me busting out the plastic Refresh packs every few minutes to drop in my eyes. Fuck it, I am so glad I did this.

Quote: (08-31-2010 03:44 PM)MiXX Wrote:  

I have been wearing contacts for about 1 year, and have been VERY happy. I feel as if I have nothing on, and they are not noticeable as many other contacts. They are available for those with Astigmatism too.

I am just not ready for LASIK - freaks me out completely. And yes, I have had over a dozen people tell me its safe - I'm just not ready, and find these contacts to be magical!


I tried several brands until I found the perfect ones you can wear for over 15 hours and still feel comfort.

http://www.airoptix.com/

I use Clear Care (a hydrogen peroxide) solution to clean them, and voila!

They can be used daily for up to 30 days.

Mixx

These are the lenses an optometrist recommended my last check up and I wasn't impressed. I was only able to get a few months out if each contact before they would hurt my eyes and had to put some fresh ones in. I liked how they never dried out though.

Cheap, disposable Acuvue lenses would last a lot longer and never hurt my eye like that. I would only get rid of them when they tore, not because they were upsetting my eyes. Does anyone have any other recommendations?

I had some trouble early on when I started wearing contacts and chose a cheap solution. After switching solutions, I've never had trouble with contacts.

I wear Air Optix. Most days I completely forget I'm even wearing contacts. Honestly, I think I only take out my contacts once every month. Several years ago, I could feel the contacts in my eyes when I went to sleep. Not sure what changed, but after a while I think my eyes got desensitized. Now I sleep with contacts in all the time.

I do get dry eyes in the morning though, but that goes away after a few seconds.

I don't plan on getting LASIK. I love my contacts.

Has anyone experimented with different kinds of solution? I've never noticed a difference with the more expensive kind.