<p>It is open enrollment time for our medical insurance; D1 turned 21 last month and for years has been talking about getting LASIK when she’s old enough. At her annual eye exam last May, the opthamalogist told her that her eyes had stabilized enough to start seriously thinking about the surgery. </p>
<p>At 47 years old, with no prescription or even reading glasses, I am clueless as to the world of poor eyesight. D1 wears Acuvue2 contacts with a -7.50 prescription (please correct me if I’m wrong - not knowing about what numbers reflect the prescription strength, I’m assuming it’s the sphere number). When people hear -7.50, they are shocked that her eyesight is so bad. I know that she cannot see anything without her contacts or glasses. </p>
<p>So, I want to make sure we put enough in our flexible spending account next year to cover the surgery; I assume most insurance companies don’t pay for it. Does anyone have ANY idea what the going rate for LASIK is these days? D is very medically conservative (is very compliant with doctor’s instructions, etc.), and has researched the surgery ad nauseum. She would not do it if she did not feel comfortable, but I know she understands the risks. I cannot tell her not to do it - it is her decision. Since she’s been seeing the same opthamalogist for 7-8 years (the same one D2 sees, and I see every couple of years for check-ups), and I have complete faith in what she recommends. </p>
<p>I know there are horror stories out there, and I don’t want this thread to morph into a thread about these stories… but be more a dialogue about what average costs seem to run throughout different parts of the country, etc. I’d like an idea of what the final tally might approach.</p>
<p>My vision is -7.0 and will probably decline another diopter or two before stabilizing. I’ve thought about Lasik or similar procedures, but so far I just really don’t think it’s necessary. I don’t mind taking out my contact lenses at night and putting them in in the morning. The only time I can’t see is at night when I’m asleep with the lights off. Add to that the fact that many people who have the procedure need to continue to wear contacts or glasses, and I just don’t see the point. </p>
<p>Can I ask why your daughter wants the surgery? This is not an attack at all; I’m just curious since I’m in a similar situation.</p>
<p>Mine was about what your D has-Bad. If it wasn’t for plastic lenses, my nose would below my chin. Spent a fortune in lenses. She will still need glasses after the lasik, but only for reading and in hazardous areas. Now I spend a fortune on readers (dollar stores- $1 each).</p>
<p>10 years ago: $1500 per eye. You can see without correction lenses, about 15-30 minutes after the procedure. You are out the door about 1 hour after you entered.</p>
<p>corranged - I think it’s because she’s been in glasses since first grade (not sure how long you’ve been in them), contacts at age 11 because she was so very compliant and responsible. I also think it’s because she’d like to be able to see the world when she first opens her eyes in the morning. It sounds strange to me, because I can’t understand a life like that. Also, we have a pool, and it always seems to be a hassle… she has to be very careful - major splashing has been known to knock the contact around (or out). She can get some pretty serious seasonal allergies, and I know the contacts can be a pain when those are going on. Then she has to alternate between using the right kind of eyedrops, her glasses, then contacts.</p>
<p>She likes her glasses - they look cute on her, but she doesn’t wear them enough to get used to her vision with them as opposed to the contacts. And yes, if she gets up in the night, she can’t see a thing (lights on or not) to get to the bathroom or wherever. Even if she still needs a mild prescription of lens or glasses, I think being able to see something without the lens or glasses will be much more convenient.</p>
<p>The mom side of me always wonders what would happen to her if she were awakened in the middle of the night by a fire (yea, I know, it’ll probably never happen, but I’m a mom and please indulge me in my worries), couldn’t find her glasses, and had to get out of some building. </p>
<p>thisoldman - I remember when my neighbor had it; she was a flight attendant and had to wait a few days before flying after the procedure, although I think she may have had the RK, which I know is not common. Technology just amazes me these days.</p>
<p>My husband has an appointment on Halloween for the Lasik evaluation. He’s been wearing contact lenses for more than 25 years, and has considered the surgery for a long time. His sister had it done earlier this year and is thrilled, so he’s ready to give it a shot–
He’s had to go without contacts for a few weeks now so they can better evaluate. Will keep you posted.</p>
<p>thanks lspf72. I’ll be interested in what they have to say. I am aware that D would have to wear just her glasses for several weeks prior to evaluation and surgery.</p>
<p>I have no clue about lasik, my senior has -11.50 and -11.75 as of 11 months ago, she is due for another exam. Lasik is way out of the picture for her, but I’m sure by the time her eyes stop getting bad, hopefully they will have a procedure for people like her.:(</p>
<p>Had lasik about 8 years ago and paid about $3k for best doc and technology in town. Haven’t paid a dollar for glasses since. I’m 48. Best money I ever spent. I had worn glasses or contacts since 3rd grade. Best experiences: waking up every day with perfect vision without peripheral distortion. No water spots/fog on glasses during water sports and snow skiing, bicycling, running, showering. Can drive at night without eye fatigue. I am grateful every day for this surgery. I’ve heard anecdotal negatives lately, but have experienced no problems after first week of mildly dry eyes, and the inconvencience of glasses during the weeks prior to surgery.</p>
<p>When shopping for doc, look for one with the most modern equipment and many procedures under his/her belt. Some docs buy the latest laser and share with other like-minded docs. Older machines may not do the best job. This is not a place to bargain shop! You’ll get lots of advice. Someone from the Chicago area should be able to give you names…</p>
<p>riverrrunner, how bad were your eyes before surgery? I would love to even (sorry DD) my eyes are only in the -8.00 range. I just have heard from some others if eyes are really bad beforehand, that it doesn’t bring you to the point where you can get rid of contacts or glasses, you would still need them, just weaker, and to me, that would defeat the entire process.</p>
<p>-3.5, so not nearly as bad as OP’s DD or your prescription. A REPUTABLE doc will not take her money unless s/he can do a good job. I don’t know what the standard of care is for folks with vision in the -8 and worse category is. Go in with “eyes wide open” and listen very carefully for qualifiers about outcome. It WOULD be a shame to go through expense and surgery and still wear glasses/contacts.</p>
<p>1] Make SURE you go to a board certified Opthomologist with THOUSANDS of Lasik procedures under his belt, and not some new Lasik center in a shopping mall.2] Make sure they have high tech computerised equipment to measure corneal thickness as part of your evaluation, because if you have thin areas on your corneas, you should not have Lasik done. I went to the guru of Lasik here at Stanford U., and as much as I wanted to have it done, he said because of the thin spots on my cornea, I should never have Lasik surgery.</p>
<p>Agree with menloparkmom,
It’s so important to use a doc who has done a gazillion of these procedures. The types of procedure offered have changed rapidly as the doctors on the cutting edge (no pun intended) come up with newer, safer methods. I keep hearing about bladeless Lasik now.</p>
<p>teri, my H had lasik done many years ago when it was first approved, which happened in Canada before it did in the U.S. The surgeon who did it was one of the first and I recall that there were many people in his office from the U.S. at the time. He is world-renowned and has completed thousands and thousands of procedures. He is extremely well-trained as are his other surgeons. Doctors all over the U.S. continue to refer their most challenging patients to him. His care, both prior to, including the complimentary preliminary examination, and after the procedure are excellent. His website may provide you with the answers to questions you may have:</p>
<p>If I recall correctly, the cost way back then was $2500 per eye. I don’t know if the costs have come down in the intervening years or not. He also provides a lifetime guarantee so that if another procedure is at some point necessary, it is performed without charge. I agree with the others that this isn’t the time to save $$ and go with the least expensive option. Checking credentials and experience is essential.</p>
<p>I had an interesting conversation with my opthamologist when I was considering Lasik. He does not recommend it for 2 reasons. First, no matter how your vision has “stabilized” now, it will change over time as you age. As a result, at some point you will need the surgery again. Simply put, it is not a permanent solution. Second, and what was really the deciding factor for me, was his explanation that the surgery thins the membrane covering the eye (I don’t recall the exact anatomical terminology) with the result that you are susceptible to serious eye damage from impacts. He informed me of studies involving “post Lasik” physically active people who had eye impacts and even drivers who were struck by airbags in cars who suffered burst membranes in their eye believed to be the result of the thinning.</p>
<p>He suggested as an alternative having a lens implant using the new lens technology that has been developed for cataract patients. The new lens provides full vision corrective ability and is permanent. We had this discussion about 2 years ago when the technologies were emerging and he suggested I wait a couple of years until the “dust settled” and a dominant technology emerged. Until then, Accuvue soft lenses.</p>
<p>I work for ophthalmologists who do LASIK. Any practice that offers LASIK should offer a free comprehensive LASIK evaluation, at which the doc evaluates your potential for LASIK and you evaluate the doc and the practice. Go with all your questions. Go to more than one practice and compare them. Be aware of LASIK alternatives such as PRK and custom LASIK. Ask about pricing and what’s included–all eyedrops and postop visits? For how long? Enhancements if necessary? It’s a big decision (and a lot of money) so use due diligence in deciding.</p>
<p>I had LASIK done 6 years ago; my prescription hadn’t changed in years and hasn’t changed since, although I do use reading glasses (which is no big deal, as far as I’m concerned). The cost was $3600 then for the guy with 14000 procedures under his belt; he charges $4000 now–my husband had it done about a year ago.</p>
<p>It was life-changing for me, as cliched as that sounds. After years of wearing contacts (from age 15 to age 37) and then glasses (37 to 42) because I couldn’t wear contacts any more, I was used to worrying about losing my glasses and hated doing anything vaguely risky. I’d lost a few pairs in the lake while sailing, for example (despite those elastic bands that look so dorky)… and it’s scary to sail back without glasses! SCUBA diving was okay–prescription goggles–but getting back on the boat was scary… In short, I was spending my life worried about my glasses. Even walking in the rain (and it rains a lot around here) was a pain with glasses.</p>
<p>Once I had the surgery and had good eyesight (I got to 20/25 and no astigmatism from -4.5 and dizzying astigmatism), I found many things I’d hated were suddenly a pleasure. I really enjoy being outdoors now, which I didn’t before the surgery; traveling produces much less anxiety, as well.</p>
<p>I do miss the ability to take off my glasses and fuzz out the world, though. But only a little bit and only sometimes.</p>
<p>I was -8+ and I had mine eyes LASIKed at Stanford U for $5K back in 2001 when I could have the procedure done cheaper like $1K somewhere else for both eyes. I called a person that had this same professor at Stanford operated on and she said the same procedure could be done by a cheaper doctor, ie she told me not to waste my money. I did not listen to her, I thought I rather spent $5K and have no regrets because my eyes are too important. Fast forward to 2007, either I’m getting older or I’m using my eyes too much, my eyes are getting worse. I have to have glasses to drive at night. However, I don’t need glasses to work at my computer. I don’t wear glasses to read newspaper. The whole reason why I had the LASIK surgery because I couldn’t see neither far nor close. With the LASIK surgery, I only have to wear glasses to see farther. Most of the time I don’t wear glasses, only occasionally.</p>
<p>I have never met an ophthalmologist or an optometrist who would have done LASIK on his own eyes, although many of them wear glasses or contacts. I asked them about the reason several times and never got any satisfactory explanation, except that they appear uncomfortable with the idea. I also know that all ophtalmologists working at LASIK offices are required to wear contacts so that nobody can see them wearing glasses. I am not doing LASIK until ophthalmologists start choosing it for themselves.</p>
<p>I have been thinking about it- my eyes are -11.50 but soft contacts don’t give me very much detail and glasses are hard to fit my funny face.</p>
<p>My D told me a scare story though about a friends mom who had surgery and now sees halos around everything- she said she was “too old”.</p>
<p>I use reading glasses when I wear contacts- and I need bifocals although my last glasses prescription didn’t have them
So I compensate by taking my glasses off and peering at the end of my nose.</p>
<p>I could deal with having to wear glasses= Id like to wear colored contacts but they don’t come in my presciption anyway.
Which doesn’t make sense to me. If they were violet, I could see them if they were in my hand when I was getting ready to put them in, but since they are “visibility tinted” i.e. not enough to make any difference, I can’t tell if it is the contact or a drop of water.</p>