join army...it is free. just about half of my platoon got it done.

i got mine done while i was in academy. it was painless and now i have better than perfect vision.
i went through ranger school with it and put lots of stress on it and it is still fine.

get it when u can....it is definitly worth it.

i was kidding about joining army.

 

The eye never really heals. The clear part of the eye cannot grow new cells thus you have a flap always floating on top which can get lost if hit. I would wait unless it's critical to have this procedure done.

A good site to read is: www.surgicaleyes.com

 

Umm, if the clear part of your eye can't grow new cells, then how does the flap seal up? or for that matter, the few times I've had a slice in my eye from a peice of metal heal?

 

Lasik has been a common operation in Canada a lot longer than in the states. I lived in Seattle for a year about 5 years ago. There were clinics there where you go to them for the initial consultation and they take all the measurements. Then you go across the border to Canada and have the actual operation done. Follow up appt's are done back in Seattle again. At the time it was much cheaper to do that than have the whole thing done in Seattle, and the quality was much better because of how much more experience the doctors in Canada had over the ones in the states. Not sure if it's still the same, but your experience suggests that process is still happening.

I had Lasik done myself in LA about 4 years ago. It's one of the best things I've ever done. The only recommendation I'd make is, if you're going to get it done find out how many operations the doctor who is going to do yours has done in the past. If it's less than a several thousand you're a guinea pig. Statistically, when something goes wrong in a Lasik operation it's because an doctor inexperienced in Lasik performed the procedure. And this is not an operation where you want something to go wrong.

 

Choose a good doctor. Be wary of doctors who tell you that LASIK is the only solution for refractive care. Get a second and third opinion.

At a minimum you should have thick corneas, stable vision, not too large pupils.

Here in California the top tier doctors charge around $5,000.00 for all laser LASIK. Beware of low ball pricing . Those doctors are building their numbers by practicing on you. Royalties are paid on each surgery , labor , rent , insurance, after care all add up. Remember to get your K numbers from before your procedure. If you develop cataracts later these numbers are needed to do a proper fix. Their is little to no blood flow to the corneas they will not heal, optical presure keeps them from flapping open. This is why fighter pilots get PRK for the most part.

My wife and I had it done early this year. Couldn't be happier, no problems.

 

Prices in Canada were much cheaper because Lasik wasn't "approved" here in the U.S., hence the practice wasn't common. Now it is common and much cheaper. You can find an experienced clinic that'll do it for around $1400 for both eyes. Few years ago, Lasik was already commonly practiced in Asia and only cost about $1000. I bet it is even cheaper now.

 

Wow, royalty fees are on avg. $250.00 per eye for the two largest manf's Alcon -BL. If these places can turn a profit by charging $1400.00 they must do it on volume. Like I said before after paying for staff salaries, advertising, rent, equipment calibration, consumables,after care . Accepting patients who are marginal in terms of being a good candidate. I spent 4 hours the day of my surgery with the doctor ,between prep, measurements and surgery. Those clinics must push you thru quickly. I doubt they do all laser treatments at that price level. For me it was not a place to pinch pennies.