Ive had the multil focal contacts in the past but now am using the mono focal type now. I moved and changed optometrists and they had different ideas of what worked. Both worked fine, there is a learning curve no matter which contacts you try. Both are not great at night but I never minded wearing my glasses at night to drive. I have very thick glasses and am very near sighted. But if I have to wear my glasses, I bought a cute trendy pair and that helps a bit.
I do not like wearing contacts and readers, my sil does that as she can not get used to the mono or multil focal contacts. It drives me crazy not to be able to read and I’m glad I was able to adjust to the mono vision.
The biggest help for me was changing to daily contacts, I love the dailies, they are so comfortable and I never have any problems.
My eyes are not a candidate for lasik surgery so I couldn’t speak to that.
That’s a one sided view of LASIK. It’s true most people will experience dry eyes initially after surgery, and maybe long term. However, in most cases, dry eyes can be adequately managed with artificial tear drops. To me, putting in artificial tears once a day is a lot easier, safer, and cheaper than contacts. Light sensitivity decreases over time, and until then, you can wear sunglasses outside. Some ophthalmologists recommend everyone wear sunglasses outside anyway, to prevent UV damage to the eyes. Some of the other issues, such as ectasia, are extremely rare.
I had it done when I was 40. Had double cataracts less than 10 years later. No risk factors. And the cataract surgery was much harder because of the LASIK—I had to have an extra eye surgery because they couldn’t get the prescription for the implant right. If I had the chance to do it again I would have stayed with contact lenses.
I had PRK in 1996. That’s the thing @LeastComplicated mentioned in an earlier post. I had to do it in Vancouver, CA because it wasn’t approved in the USA at the time (we lived in the Seattle area then). The results were amazing even though I had some complications at the beginning (something under the bandage contact at the beginning and then allergies afterwards, which prolonged the healing period). Once that cleared up it was smooth sailing for decades. The DR warned me that I would suffer from farsightedness earlier than normal due to the correction, which is true, but it doesn’t matter. I would do it again in a second.
The one thing about LASIK that concerns me is the flap. PRK only burns the surface of the cornea. LASIK cuts into the cornea (the flap) and then performs the burn. Back when I had PRK, LASIK was only performed in South America and other “wild” countries and only for extreme vision problems. PRK was becoming frowned upon because burning the “skin” over the cornea in PRK was a short-term and long-term concern compared to LASIK (short-term because it took several weeks for the skin to regrow and long-term because it might not grow back uniformally). I never suffered from that complication.
Note: a few years ago I convinced DW to get LASIK even though she has a history of autoimmune issues (iritis). She was in the chair at the office and then the screening showed multiple peaks and valleys in her cornea (inflamed areas). The DR balked … so I said, “let’s get out of here”. You only have one set of eyes and they can’t be replaced!
I had LASIK done in 99 and it was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I hated wearing glasses and never was able to find contacts that felt comfortable.
I live close to the Canadian border and at that time the Dr’s up there (I went to Ottawa) were advertising heavily in the states. It was 1/3 the price of getting it done in the US at the time and the Canadians had been doing it for at least 10 years (as compared to most American Dr’s in my area who had just started offering it).
A couple of years ago I was experiencing some eye strain and went to see the eye dr for the first time since LASIK. He said my vision was still fantastic and that he could see the scars on my eyes - it was one of the best jobs he has seen. I have several relatives and acquaintances who had their LASIK done in the US within a few years after I had mine and most are still wearing glasses. I am happy with the results I got.
When I was 25 I had an eye condition (from wearing extended-wear contacts) and had a 50/50 chance of going blind. My eye doc fixed it and my vision was fine, so I now consider him “they eye god,” and drive a fair distance to see him when I need to. He told me many years ago that I am not a good candidate for lasik, so I’ve never considered it. @conmama, I have disposable, 1 day use multifocal contacts. I occasionally wear them, but my vision is not great in them. I don’t think I could work at a computer for too long while wearing them, and I need readers to read small restaurant menu print. I may try another type of multifocal contacts soon.
I had it a few years ago after resisting for a long time due to fear of complications. It’s the best money I’ve ever spent to date. I had a stigmatism and terrible eyesight that made everything I enjoyed doing difficult and expensive since they required special glasses.
@conmama My experience with multi focal contacts is similar to @1214mom. Not great for the computer, as my vision is fine unaided at that distance. I find myself wearing my glasses more and contacts less and just take my glasses off when using the computer. I also tried monovision lenses and wasn’t thrilled with that either. Sigh. Fortunately I am only mildly myopic and presbyopic and often don’t wear anything if I am home. Aging eyes are not fun!
@my-3-sons, I am only mildly nearsighted (20-60 to 20-80ish) and can read “normal” print size and email size fine without glasses also. Much of my CC reading happens in bed, unaided by glasses
I can function in everyday life more or less fine with no glasses, but reading road signs are difficult, along with seeing people when they are sort of far away.
Since my vision is so “good,” relatively speaking, taking the risk associated with surgery isn’t worth it to me, especially since doc does not recommend it.
This is scary. Legally, you need 20/40 vision in almost every state to get an unrestricted license. If your vision is 20/80, you shouldn’t be behind the wheel without corrective lenses.
A cheap pair will do.