Researched it as an option, even though my correction is slight. What I learned led me to believe that if I was legally blind without glasses it might be worth it, but since I can pass the license test without glasses I'd probably be actually worse off after.

Only friend who had done it is not really happy. I don't know how common her experience is, but it doesn't seem that unusual. One eye is far-sighted, one eye is near-sighted, and the combination gave her headaches for months. Her doctor suggested glasses. The idea was they couldn't make each eye 20-20, so they "fixed" each eye and she could learn to integrate them for "normal vision." The downside is headaches and glasses. Her vision wasn't that bad to start with, i.e. hardly coke-bottle glasses, and now she prefers glasses when driving and needs reading glasses, just like before. Just like before, she still prefers to not recognize people rather than wear glasses walking around town. I'm not seeing she got a net gain from her ~$2000 "investment."

But I am not saying it won't help the OP. Just that "LASIK" is not some magic. I'm guessing the number of people it can truly help is significantly less than "most people." And I'd bet the number of perhaps borderline cases where it has a net negative result is higher rather than lower. Again, the worse your vision the more it can probably do for you.

 

Thanks 2020,

Tried to send you a PM, but your box is full. I was specifically curious if you know anything about "Laser Eye Center" in Southern CA:

http://www.lasereyecenter.com/

They've got a deal going with Groupon ($1050/eye) and I guess I'm trying to figure out exactly HOW reputable of a place it is. Do you know them? Thoughts?

 

Had mine done in South America for $450. I was legally blind before I had it done and I now see perfect.

Yeah had the halos for about 2 months before my eyes got adjusted.

The surgery itself was uncomfortable and post surgery there was some pain in my eyes the night I got home from it but that was mainly because the pain medication wore off too soon.

Would still do it again in a heart beat.

 

I was -8 diopetors (-5 for spelling) which is damn near blind. I had mine done 4.5 years ago and paid about $4300 but i am still 20/25 even after the 4+ years. in my case a complete sucess. I could not find my glasses with looking like a squinty retard prior to the surgery.

 

Scot is back????????

 

I was similar to Scot. -7.5 was my prescription and after one procedure (was told I might need 2) I am a flawless 20/20. Couldn't be happier. I did mine in May of last year and have had no issues at all. The halos at night were rough for the first two weeks but slowly disappeared and I didn't notice them at all after 3 months. Best $3800 I ever spent in my life.

 

sorry, mail box cleaned out (a little).
don't know about that LASIK eye center. I know those folks who I trained with and who trained me. I also know some good surgeons by reputation but they are expensive (e.g. Bob Maloney is the name that comes to every ophtho when they think Lasik in Los Angeles but there are several other very good surgeons).
as mentioned by several posters here, Lasik is a very safe procedure with very high satisfaction rate but make sure you do your homework and meet the surgeon (not some optometrist) prior to the surgery so that he can interview you and know what your expectations are to ensure the most satisfactory outcome.
If you already bought the groupon then good luck. I'm pretty sure he's fine.

 

Had the lasik done ten years ago. It was $3700. Told there we're risks involved, but there is with any procedure. It was for astigmatism. During the procedure I was like Alex on "A Clockwork Orange" getting the Ludvidico (sp?) Treatment without the straitjacket. Its creepy when this instrument sucks your eyeball and then feel the vibration of cutting a flap of your cornea. And when they flip it and the little red dot becomes blurry... its sobering, no going back. Yes it does smell like burning hair. And after you are done it looks like looking under water. THAT was depressing. You are not supposed to blink too much so you do not wrinkle the flap. They give you a valium to help you sleep (I helped it with a little scotch). As the time progressed after the procedure the halo went away. It looks like when you went swimming too long in a chlorinated pool. What I miss is having protection over my eyes. Just wear safty glasses when needed. It is great for sports, swimming, or camping especially when there is a lack of sanitary conditions. Ten years later, however, I am finding that I might need reading glasses soon. But told to avoid them as long as possible. And it has a life correction guarantee if you visit the doctor once a year. Sorry so long.

 

PM box still full, so I'll copy/paste:

Thanks for the info/comments.

Haven't got the Groupon just yet, have heard good things about Maloney, Tooma and Assil... (but also that you pay for it as well.)

I *think* the doc who does the procedure in LA is Abraham Shammas

http://www.lasereyecenter.com/our-do...-v-shammas-md/

Is there anything I should worry about in going to a bigger Lasik "center" as opposed to a more personalized doctor? In doing some research, I've heard some people reference Laser Eye Center as the McDonalds of Lasik... not customized, group orientations, etc. Is it worth the extra cost (2x) to avoid that?

Thanks so much, appreciate it.

 

I have met Maloney (and his reputation as a good surgeon is well-known in the industry) and have heard of Assil (wife trained with him for 2-3 days). Both are excellent surgeons (hence the high price). Don't know about Shammas. I'm a little leery about high volume assembly-line surgery b/c of the tendency of one-size-fit-all approach. Not all high volume centers are like that though but I have heard bad stories within ophtho meetings. However, this is very rare and most high-volume places are good. If they're bad, they'd be sued out of existence.
For most folks, the mass production approach is fine but for those with special needs, they do better with customized approach. The catch is how to detect those with special needs. the only way is to see the personalized physician. If not, you are somewhat taking a (very small) chance.
they do offer free consultation and so take advantage of that. See if you can meet the surgeon, ask a lot of questions, trust your gut instinct.
FWIW, I'm a pretty conservative surgeon and don't do Lasik. I have not had Lasik (even though I'd get it for free) and will probably never have it done on me.