Regarding PRK, DON'T DO IT. PRK is an earlier corrective laser procedure, and if you're a viable candidate, LASIK is a better option. PRK has just about as much corrective efficacy as LASIK, but the recovery is absurd - I couldn't see right for almost three weeks, and typically the docs won't do the second eye until the first is normalized. With LASIK, typically vision is normal within 24 hours.

As for finding a good doc, find the nearest military installation to you, and find out who they send their pilots to. No, really. You'll probably wind up paying significantly more than for some high-volume clinic, but the quality and followup care will be much better.

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http://www.semperfitnesschicago.com

I had LASIK done in September. My eyesight wasn't that bad (-1.75ish), but I still needed to wear contacts. The worst part of the contacts was riding, when I would sometimes rip out the lenses because they were so dry, cloudy and uncomfortable from all the wind. So my doc (who was a sponsor of my bike team) recommended LASIK. One timing consideration is that you cannot swim for 3 weeks post-surgery, so it needed to wait until my race season was over.

The surgery itself was painless and fast. I was shocked at how easy it was. I had it done in the early morning and then spent the rest of the morning sleeping face up. I got stuff done around the house the rest of the day (carefully), then resumed a mostly normal schedule the next day. You need to wear goggles to bed so that you don't accidentally rub or bump your eye, but other than that its a piece of cake. Highly recommended.

As for how to find a doc, my only suggestion is to ask around. I'm leary of the guys that advertise a lot. My procedure cost about $3000 (pre- a small team discount).

I had the PRK procedure done about a month ago. I needed to have the PRK due to having thin corneas. While the recovery period was about 10 days before I saw perfectly clear, the extra time was well worth it. I had both eyes done at the same time and my prescription was about 4.0 in both eyes. I have experienced no dryness issues after the ten day recovery period Unfortunately I can help you with finding a doctor since I am in Chicago. If you want to come to Chicago for the surgery, I highly recommend my doctor, Dr. Kraff. He is the best in Chicago and the most expensive, but why bargain shop when you're talking about your eyes. Good luck with the whole process.

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Ride it like I stole it.

I had lasik 3 or 4 years ago. So far it's great!

My advice: Don't go "cheap". Ask other doctors who has lots of experience, and a good reputation, in your area. When you meet with the lasik doc, ask what their success rate is. My doc said theirs was practically 100%, because they wouldn't do the surgery on anyone that they thought it wouldn't work on, and in the rare case where it didn't come out 20/20 to start with, they were able to fine tune it in a second procedure. They also said that I was a good candidate. My daughter went to the same place I did, and they wouldn't do the procdure on her. For whatever reason, they said her chances of success weren't high. In contrast, a friend of mine, who had eye problems, went to a cheap place that advertised in the newspaper, and came out worse than he started. My doc would have refused to do the surgery on him.

I'm not sure, but I think my eyesight before was something like -3.75.

How old are you? Your prescription should be unchanged for some time, so that it's not continuing to change - the lasik correction might not be correct in a year or two. My prescription had been stable for a while before the surgery; even so, I accept that at some future time I may need slight correction again.

Recovery was fast. The eye doctor said my sight was 20/20 (actually better in one eye) the day after the surgery; to me it still wasn't that clear - got better and better for several weeks (I think your brain has to get used to it!). Now I never think about it unless the subject comes up.

If you haven't done it already, you can go meet with someone at a lasik place, and have a preliminary exam, to see if you're a good candidate and to get your questions answered.

Good luck!

Eric, I had LASIK done by Dr. Shannon Wong here in Austin. He is a marathon runner and very bright doc! I had mine done 5 years ago, and still hanging between 20/20 and 20/25. It was one of the best things I have ever done for myself.

I agree that I don't want to go "cheap" on this. I know that they have the standard LASIK and then a custom mapping tha costs more but is custom. I've already decided that go that route unless my doctor is convincing enough to talk me out of it. Also, these are my eyes, I'll never have another pair, and I want to get it right the first time. I'm 28 now and my eyesight has been fairly stable. I think it has gotten about -0.25 worse in the last 6 or 8 years. I'm talking to people now about it before I go to a doctor to get the initial consultation. I probably won't get it done until next year so that I can get my flex spending account maxed out and get the tax break.

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http://trainingoferic.blogspot.com/

Once I got over the temporary blindness and exruciating, agonizing pain....it was great!

See here:

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...string=lasik;#374022

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Dan DeMaio
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Life is like riding a bicycle.
To keep your balance you must keep moving.
- Albert Einstein

Email me his contact info. I'll do some research on him.

Thanks.

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http://trainingoferic.blogspot.com/

It was the best money I've ever spent. I had lasik in 2005. My vision was much worse than yours (-7.50 in one eye and -7.25 in the other) plus astigmatism in one eye. I went to the team doctor for the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Coyotes. I had 2 co-workers who had also had their work done there. I figured if Amare Stoudamire could trust his eyes to this guy, I was ok. It wasn't the least expensive, I paid extra because my vision was so bad.

I was 20/15 after the surgery. I think it has settle down to about 20/20, although I think my left eye is probaly about 20/30. But for me, that is acceptable. I could not see the big E, couldn't see the clock on my nightstand. I have worn glasses and/or contact lenses since I was in high school. I still need readers (I'm old, LOL), but not nearly as strong and only in low light situations.

I am so glad that I did it.

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_______________________

You're funny.

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http://trainingoferic.blogspot.com/

Eric,
The best advice I can give you is to do your homework in your area. Ask around the professional community and they should have a feel for who is good and who is not. An optometrist who has no affiliation to a laser refractive centre might be your best source of info.

As regards to PRK vs LASIK, I have to say that drjohn is incorrect in his conclusions. PRK is actually becoming the procedure of choice for most centres now with the advent of wavefront guided technology and the ability to do larger surgical zones. Both eyes can be done on the same visit. Recovery time with PRK is longer for sure but long-term stability is a bit better and it is a much safer, less invasive procedure.

My two cents: get some names and have an initial consult. Make sure you go to a centre which does both LASIK and WFG (wavefront guided) PRK. They can best advise you regarding the most appropriate technique for you.

good luck with it.

robert

I just had LASIK done on December 8th. I had worse vision then you, -6.50/-6.25....without my contacts, I was 20/2400...I couldn't even see the alarm clock when I laid in bed. I've been wearing contacts since I was 9, and never really had problems with them. I was active, with both soccer and swimming, and loved them. I saw competitively through college and still never had problems, I loved contacts. However, in the last few years as I took up triathlons, I had more and more problems with dry cloudy vision, and stinging sweat in my eyes. So I finally decided to get LASIK

I had to wait for my prescription to stabilize (about 2 year with the same contact prescription), which most doctors will recommend. Did a CRAP LOAD or research on the internet, and found out what I wanted before I ever went in. There are a few options, so be sure you know what you want. I asked around at work and looked at lots of internet forums for reviews of doctors....they are all over the board in cost.

I ended up at TLC (http://www.tlcvision.com), after being recommended by 3 people at work, that I know and trust. They were very professional through the entire experience. They also have offices nation wide, so if I move, I can still use them for my follow up, or if I have problems, I don't have to fly back to La Jolla.

I started with a consultation. They answered all my questions, and even did my follow up care. The procedure was CAKE! 15 minutes tops for both eyes. About an hour total in the office. Very comfortable the entire time, and the doctor told me everything he was doing (I ask lots of questions, and like it to be like a documentary...."now we are lifting the corena flap, using a instrument called a...."). After surgery, you need someone to drive you home because they give you a Valium, and you wear eye shields. Shields are off the next day, and I drove home from the office. It sort of like swimming in a chlorinated pool for a long time. You can see details, but everything is foggy.

I am now over a month out, and NO problems what-so-ever. I have 15/20 vision (since the day after surgery), and don't use drops at all. I only have problems with dry eyes when I'm in a heated room with the heater blowing. Other then that, I don't have any halos or anything, even at night!!!! (I'm one of the lucky ones I hear).

I splurged on this one, cost vary widely too. I had Custom LASIK, with Laser Flap Cut. Price was $6000, after discounts for recommendations and insurance (I guess I got like 5% through my insurance, cool) it was down to $4500. Some FSA money, and it only cost me $2000 out of pocket.

I recommend it to everyone and anyone. PM me if you have any specific questions.

-bcreager

I had Lasik done about a year and a half ago, and couldn't be happier with it. My vision prior to the surgery was 20/400, the doctor recommended Lasik as I had estigmatism(sp), and PRK was not an option. My research told me that any clinic with a % or complication greater than 1 or 2% was unacceptable. However, I'm in the military so I did not have a choice where I got it done, but the clinic was well under the recommended percentage, plus it was free for me! The doctor should let you know which you are a better for, PRK is a longer recovery time, but your eyes also recover stronger, with Lasik there is always the chance that they "flap" can get knocked lose. Hope this helps...oh my sight is a strong 20/15 almost 20/10.

Eric,

A timely post as I just had this done 2 weeks ago. I am replying to your post with no glasses, something I was unable to do pre-LASIK.

One question: are you near-sighted or far-sighted? I ask because I was far-sighted and what my surgeon explained to me was that all the testimonials with satisfied patients that you see in commercials are the near-sighted people that get corrected. They literally get up from the chair and can see everything immediately. With people who are far-sighted, like myself, what happens is that they cut a flap on the eyeball and the net effect is that your vision "switches". What I mean is that when I got out of the chair I could read my watch or my cell phone perfectly (and I couldn't do it before as I was -4.5) but when I looked off into the distance I had blurry vision. That was odd for me since I'd always looked into the distance to "focus". Initially I had halos in my vision at night but it's been two weeks and they're almost gone now. My surgeon told me that it usually takes 3 to 5 weeks for distance vision to return to normal as that's the amount of time it takes for the incision in your eyeballs to completely heal.

Here is a link to a local news program. The host actually had her eyes done and you can see it here. The surgeon who did my procedure is the one getting interviewed. He is an ultramarathoner and we have a relationship outside of his practice as I used to sell him his asics Kayano's.

http://www.communitymedical.org/...library/default.aspx

go to the description menu where it says "eye to eye" and it will load for you.

Anyway, I agree with a previous poster. DO NOT SKIMP!!! I did lots of research and found that a large part of what you pay for is "insurance". In the event something goes wrong, the level of care you receive after the fact is what you're really paying for. One of my good friends is a critical care pulmonologist. She had the procedure done and her surgeon, I presume as a professional courtesy, told her that the "machine part" is so easy a monkey could do it but that she was paying for his experience and knowledge in the event that there are complications after.

Another part of what you're paying for is equipment. The surgery center I went to has the only Alcon Alegretto all-laser LASIK practice between SF and LA. I'm certain a skilled surgeon can fix you with a blade but why use a blade when the laser does the job so much better? Also, most complications from LASIK stem from issues with the blade. In my research I found that the cost of the procedure can indicate either the skill level of the surgeon OR it reflects the cost of doing business as more expensive procudures often employ the newest, most cutting-edge equipment. They had a machine that took a 3D scan of my eyeball that measured cornea width/depth etc. so they could calibrate the laser more precisely.

I know in Los Angeles I could have both my eyes done for $995...my cost was $2200 for each eye. When I researched the inexpensive LASIK I found that the surgeons are students and that they are practicing on you. My surgeon has 20+ years of expereince and has done almost 5,000 procedures. When it comes to my vision I'll gladly pay extra for someone who knows what they're doing. Also, I wanted my surgeon to have all the new machines as I figured it would mean that he'd have more information available to him thereby reducing the risk of getting "surprised" as he cut my flap.

The actual procedure only takes a few minutes and is similar to going to the dentist. You can't feel pain per se, but you can feel them manipulate your eyeball and when the laser is cutting (assuming you go with laser LASIK) you can smell your eyeball burning...like going to the dentist and smelling drill on your tooth if you're getting a root canal. You're drugged up so you can't feel any pain but there is something very odd about knowing that the burning scent in your nostrils is that of your eyeball.

LASIK for me was great and my only regret was waiting so long to do it. After the procedure you go home and take a nap. When you wake up you put your steroid drops and your antibiotic drops into your eyeballs so as to avoid infection (about 1 in 1800 chance my surgeon told me) and you resist the temptation to rub your eyeballs. Sleep with goggles so you don't rub at night. Bada bing...you're fixed. My doc said I should stay out of the pool for a week and not run for 3 days as chlorine water/sweat are not a good combination for eyeballs with incisions. Infections are rare but only if you listen to the post-op instructions and make sure you don't get foreign substances in your eyes.

If you have specific questions post them but in my experience it was money well spent...although $4K worth of new toys is always good too.

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Michael in Fresno
"Do you spend time with your family? Good. Because a man that doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man" V. Corleone

My vision was worse (-8 and 9 area). I had LASIK and am (now) very pleased.

I found my doctor by asking my ENT who did his LASIK. His advice - go to a cornea specialist - the doc you would see if your first doc messed up. It did cost more. I went over two months without my soft contact lenses prior to the procdedure so he could make sure he was not trying to hit a moving target.

I had a lot of side effects for the first 6 months to a year. Halos, problems with night vision, etc. I was not happy with the procedure in the month or so after. Either the side effects improved or I have gotten much better at ignoring them because, 7 years later, I am happy/pleased with the results.

(Funny stories - I was bummed a few months after my surgery that I could not see underwater until my brother told me that no one could see clearly underwater. Also, I was bummed by inability to see my computer screen and my brother pointed out it was glare from the sun.)

My doc told me that if you expect perfection (like an engineer might) that you will be unhappy. But if you seek a great improvement you will be happy.

David K

Eric,

Wow! I am watching this thread fairly carefully since it is something I actually kow something about for a change around here and I am a bit frightened, although not surprised, by the amount of misinformation. All the advice is well-intentioned for sure and some of it is spot on but a lot of it is entirely incorrect. Again, do your homework and find out what is best FOR YOUR EYES. It sounds like you are on the right track already, but PLEASE listen to the professionals and don't be sucked in by the marketing.

PM me if you like

robert

I'm very nearsighted. I decided to post this when I got up and looked at my laptop and I had to get 6 inches from the screen to read it clearly. I usually have my glasses on my nightstand but not this morning.

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http://trainingoferic.blogspot.com/

I had lasik surgery two years ago. My vision was worse than yours. All I can say is it was the best $$ I have ever spent. Keep in mind I just bought a new bike, and the lasik was still money better spent : )

It was like a miracle for me. To be able to open your eyes in the AM and see the alarm clock...wow.

The biggest bummer for me was having to wear my glasses for two weeks leading up to teh surgery. I had very thick glasses that were very uncomfortalbe.

To this day, I am still thankful for not having to wear contacts. I have bad allergies, which was a real bummer with contacts. The bonus is my vision is now 20/15.

Do it!!

I'm probably the only person on this forum that is quite happy with their $1500 tri bike and thinks that it's quite sufficient for now. However, on the road bike front, that's a different story.

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http://trainingoferic.blogspot.com/

Eric,

as I reread my post, and saw others, I feel compelled to toss in a disclaimer, "every eye is unique so make sure you get a qualified consult so you can see which option is best for YOUR eyes". One thing that I forgot to mention in my excitment about my experience is that LASIK may be temporary. My surgeon told me that I may need touch-ups in the next 5 - 10 years...or I may not. Every set of eyes is different and unique.

As with any elective procedure it pays to be a informed consumer. Regardless of the manner in which you choose to improve your vision, if it works for you without complications then I think you will be very happy.

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Michael in Fresno
"Do you spend time with your family? Good. Because a man that doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man" V. Corleone

After getting my googles knocked off at IMLP 2000 and losing a contact. I decided right then to get the Lasik. I had worn glasses/contacts since I turned 26 (and I turn 44 this year). I did about a months worth of research and got opinions from others who had already had it. Ended up spending about $3200, but it was worth every dime... Here it is 5 years later and at my last eye exam in November, I was seeing 20/10... Ted Williams baby!!! I don't worry about getting my googles knocked off, dust or dirt in the contacts, dry eyes.. it's all good!!

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"Nobody is an atheist the last 6 miles of an Ironman"

Policies continue to change, but the military is still mostly PRK (although I'd imagine the numbers are higher toward un-recommend Lasik). My brother (double top secret rambo) had to go with PRK and said it was worse than SEREs training....

Eric
I had PRK done about 8-9 years ago and have been very happy with the results. Lasik was just starting to be used and PRK was much more popular with the docs at that time. The recovery was slow compared to Lasik but my vision is still great, 20/20 and started out about 20/300. Wore glasses or contacts from 11 years old so I was glad to get rid of them as an everyday thing. Now have to wear readers but that comes with age. People I know who have had Lasik have been more than happy with the procedure as well. I'd ask around about who all the optometrists in your area recommend and let them tell you which procedure you need.

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Rob
http://www.roadandtrisports.com
F.I.S.T. certified
415-786-9181

I had LASIK done in metro D.C. in the summer of 2001 (at age 34, vision of -2.5 and -7.5), and 5.5 years later can still say it is among the best money I ever spent.

My only advice is to take your time, visit with a couple of places and get comfortable with whomever is doing your procedure. I chose my doc because he actually interviewed me and took my history, and we spent a fair amount of time discussing the procedure and recovery. Many of the larger places around here were run like assembly lines, when the only time you ever saw the doc was during the procedure itself.

If you decide to do it, definitely schedule it so that you can have 48 solid hours of down-time, after that my vision was 20/18.

Good luck!
Paul