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What about Refractive Lens Exchange?
Had it years ago. Life changing and wish I had it done sooner. Very quick recovery. I didn’t time it right and ended up throwing away a brand new year supply contacts…with a huge smile on my face.
10 years later I am still happy
Have you been thoroughly checked? Like for cataracts or other things?
I had cataracts surgery in both eyes and went from driving with corrective lenses to 20/20 and no more glasses requirement when driving.
Had it done 10 years ago. Still have nearly 20/20 vision. At that time, I think I paid $3,000 total.
As someone else said, I would look into RLE - you get the same benefit but will not need reading glasses or cataract surgery in the future. Win-win!
Had it in 2007. Would do it again. My company’s insurance paid 100% so I can’t comment on cost. The DR did over-compensate my right eye so still need reading glasses. But going from 400/20 to near 20/20 was/is a blessing.
Most people seem to be happy with the results, but it can cause a few people severe problems.
I did when I was 30 and was glad I did. As I got older, in my mid 40s, I started going farsighted and needed reading glasses as my lenses hardened up, happens to everyone. If you’re close to that age you might get advice not to have it done but if you have severe astigmatism lasik works better than corrective lenses to address it.
I’m not sure what they call it but try to get the type of procedure that doesn’t cause the starring of bright lights at night due to the scaring of some types of lasik treatment procedures. I think it’s called “wavefront” but the doctor will be able to tell you all about that.
Good luck!
piggybacking on...
I’m in my upper 60s. Use glasses (bifocals). I have one eye that is out of focus at all distances, the other eye is almost OK without glasses. I was thinking of LASIK in the bad eye to get good distance vision. I’d still need glasses for reading but it would be nice to hike, run and ride horses without glasses.
Anyone ever hear of someone doing that?
And how did people pick their surgeon? Yelp?
My daughter and son, both had it done. Both happy with the results, although my daughter will have to use glasses for close up reading soon.
I wish Lasik had been available for me when I went the RK surgery route. I’ve had bad night vision since then with a lot of glare that keeps me from driving at night. But, that’s besides the point.
My brother had LASIK surgery . He did some research first. Then he went to a top doctor, and paid top dollar. He is very happy with the results.
A good friend of mine went to a discount doctor, one who advertised heavily on the radio. The doctor botched the surgery. My friend now has continuous eye pain and headaches. And she still has to wear glasses, just like before.
There is, I think, an important lesson here.
Its a great improvement when you are in your late 20’s to 30’s.
20/15 vision is awesome.
But when you get to your mid to late 40’s, your arms get too short. Your near vision gets progressively worse. You will try readers, until you have bought every power available, then you will go back to glasses. Progressives are best because you still have your far vision. It was worth it, but accept by the time you are in your fifties, you will be back in glasses.
Skip the Lasik and get cataract surgery instead... They actually insert a lens, very fast (15 minute operation), very simple and you can see perfectly for the rest of your life... I had mine done at 50 and that was 12 years ago... No probs and after the surgery I had a follow up with my ophthalmologist and he said.. “This is likely the last time that I’ll ever see you.” He was right... I haven’t seen him since. And the lenses they have now are even better than the ones I had inserted, it’s almost like bionic sight.
Here is more than you’d probably ever want to know.....
I got Lasik when I was 54. I was a long term contact lens wearer (since i was 14) with about a +6.5 prescription. I had tried when I was in my mid-30’s to get Lasik, but was told my corneas were too thin. However, in the interim the technology improved, and I was eligible.
I got mono-vision. In other words, one eye for reading, and one eye for long distance.
I am now 60. Bottom line — LOVE it. I’ve had zero problems, and don’t wear reading glasses. I highly recommend it.
As for price, I paid about $2200. The price is negotiable, so get a couple of estimates. Lasik is one of the few medical procedures that has gone down in cost while the technology has improved because its not covered by insurance and is cost competitive.
If you are over 50, they won’t do it, as your eyes no longer have the required elasticity. Than *can* implant corrective lenses, and save you the need of cataract surgery later, but it’s vastly more expensive.
I’ve had two cataract surgeries and some laser correction of ghost images in an eye. The laser part was a breeze. I’ve been completely out of my glasses ever since.
Love it.
My mother had it done, but she still had to work glasses.
Have you looked into replacing your eye lense with an artificial one?
Lasik, as far as it has comes, leaves your eye wall thinner and more vulnerable to being burst in the event of a hit to your head.
I’m not advising either one, just suggesting to see which is better with less risk.
I had cataract surgery, twice. Turns out the Allopurinol drug will bring on the eye damage after a few years.
One of the problems can be light sensitivity so if you already have that then be careful. It seemd to work for the vast majority of people.