Ask HN: Getting Laser Eye Surgery?
22 comments
I had a coworker who had lasik. About a year later, she got a paper cut on her cornea, (for real, she took a piece of paper off of a copy machine and it nicked her eyeball) across the lasik flap. It was extremely painful, messed up her vision for maybe a month, had to have eye surgery to fix it. It sounded horrific, but I asked her later and she has no regrets on getting lasik.
I have a cousin who is an opthamologist and he is totally against any laser surgery or even contacts, and the same with other opthamologists as well. He says to just wear glasses.
I have a cousin who is an opthamologist and he is totally against any laser surgery or even contacts, and the same with other opthamologists as well. He says to just wear glasses.
Do you know what particular objections he had against contacts?
Problems with contacts causing infections.
A few years ago, I really wanted do LASIK but learned it is still not 100% safe. Did not made sense to me to take unnecessary risk, however small, for sake of appearance and convenience.
I spoke with my doctor and he said that he knew a few people who have issues with their vision after LASIK. He was of same opinion that surgery on eyes should be avoided at all cost.
I spoke with my doctor and he said that he knew a few people who have issues with their vision after LASIK. He was of same opinion that surgery on eyes should be avoided at all cost.
Been thinking about the same for a few years. I don't think the technology is there yet: I need an almost 99.99999999999% assurance that nothing will go wrong.
From https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/lasik-complicat...
> But LASIK complication rate statistics are extremely low. Less than one percent of LASIK patients experience these surgical complications. That’s one percent, as opposed to 30 percent that report transient side effects. In other words, LASIK complications are very rare events.
Less than 1% is still a lot for me when it comes to "messing around with my eyes".
From https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/lasik-complicat...
> But LASIK complication rate statistics are extremely low. Less than one percent of LASIK patients experience these surgical complications. That’s one percent, as opposed to 30 percent that report transient side effects. In other words, LASIK complications are very rare events.
Less than 1% is still a lot for me when it comes to "messing around with my eyes".
I suggest you get one eye done, and give it a month to compare before getting the other done. I did this and the difference between Lasik and contact lens was glaringly obvious (contact lens is wayyy better vision, especially at night).
The surgeon will push to get them both done at once. However if you do that you simply don’t have anything to compare against, so you can’t know the pluses and minuses. Most people you hear from that have done it will be unrealistically positive about a choice they can’t change (psychology). I never got the other eye done, so I can truely say what the benefits and downsides are, whereas most people will give you extremely biased points of view.
LASIK benefit: no hassle with contacts and risks of irritation, better for water sports, no ongoing costs.
LASIK downside: much worse night vision (stellation due to irregularities in uniformity of surface - not correctable). Need reading glasses as you age.
Contact benefit: I was short sighted and if I need to do fine work, I just remove the contact and suddenly I have superb good close up vision in one eye. Macro mode!
I would recommend laser surgery if you find contacts troublesome or you are not a careful person about maintaining them, or I would recommend if you do sports where contact lenses are a problem.
The surgeon will push to get them both done at once. However if you do that you simply don’t have anything to compare against, so you can’t know the pluses and minuses. Most people you hear from that have done it will be unrealistically positive about a choice they can’t change (psychology). I never got the other eye done, so I can truely say what the benefits and downsides are, whereas most people will give you extremely biased points of view.
LASIK benefit: no hassle with contacts and risks of irritation, better for water sports, no ongoing costs.
LASIK downside: much worse night vision (stellation due to irregularities in uniformity of surface - not correctable). Need reading glasses as you age.
Contact benefit: I was short sighted and if I need to do fine work, I just remove the contact and suddenly I have superb good close up vision in one eye. Macro mode!
I would recommend laser surgery if you find contacts troublesome or you are not a careful person about maintaining them, or I would recommend if you do sports where contact lenses are a problem.
Don't think it's a good idea to get one eye, tried to do the same but if there's a lot of difference / astigmatism you will get dizzy even if you still wear glasses for the uncorrected eye.
Answering OP's question, I had lasik done in 2015 and while I don't regret it because of the convenience, there were complications that never solved after years:
1. My right eye had to get a correction three days after the initial operation: I left the operating room seeing blurry the first time (worse than before), thought it was normal as there's an adjustment period but next day when I got my left eye treated, vision was great as soon as I left the hospital.
After the correction of the right eye, I left with perfect vision there too. I recall the flap got lifted only by a pair of tweezers and got the laser again, and according to research it never fully heals, so watch out if you are into contact sports.
The problem comes now that I get migraines whenever there's a big light source (sun, bright lamp) coming only from the right. Ibuprofen or a corticosteroid drop quickly resolves it, but there's definitely more sensitivity there that's permanent, as regular checkups later proved.
It does get more irritated than the left one too, more redness around the sclera and visible veins that were not there before. Interestingly, there are less of these events after Bupropion treatment, but more with Vyvanse, that antidepressant has some anti-inflammatory effect I believe.
Now there's less cornea to carve in the right eye in case another is correction needed in the long term, with higher probability of complications, which probably leaves me only with the choice of PRK. Eye centers in the US are more liberal about doing more than 2 corrections using Lasik, but mind you that's treading into dangerous territory, they are obviously happy to take your money though.
2. Visual artifacts like halos and increased eye floaters: Halos are still noticeable, especially traffic lights at night. It doesn't really annoy me.
Also worth mentioning:
Just had a routine checkup a month ago, 6 years later my vision is still the same than after the operation.
There are new techniques to cut the flap like SMILES I believe, but it's a good idea to be realistic about the outcomes.
I'd have been happy with contacts, but I couldn't use the standard ones because of my astigmatism, they had to be toric contact lenses. Those are much more annoying and bigger, more irritation too, so after the trial period I decided to go for lasik instead.
Answering OP's question, I had lasik done in 2015 and while I don't regret it because of the convenience, there were complications that never solved after years:
1. My right eye had to get a correction three days after the initial operation: I left the operating room seeing blurry the first time (worse than before), thought it was normal as there's an adjustment period but next day when I got my left eye treated, vision was great as soon as I left the hospital.
After the correction of the right eye, I left with perfect vision there too. I recall the flap got lifted only by a pair of tweezers and got the laser again, and according to research it never fully heals, so watch out if you are into contact sports.
The problem comes now that I get migraines whenever there's a big light source (sun, bright lamp) coming only from the right. Ibuprofen or a corticosteroid drop quickly resolves it, but there's definitely more sensitivity there that's permanent, as regular checkups later proved.
It does get more irritated than the left one too, more redness around the sclera and visible veins that were not there before. Interestingly, there are less of these events after Bupropion treatment, but more with Vyvanse, that antidepressant has some anti-inflammatory effect I believe.
Now there's less cornea to carve in the right eye in case another is correction needed in the long term, with higher probability of complications, which probably leaves me only with the choice of PRK. Eye centers in the US are more liberal about doing more than 2 corrections using Lasik, but mind you that's treading into dangerous territory, they are obviously happy to take your money though.
2. Visual artifacts like halos and increased eye floaters: Halos are still noticeable, especially traffic lights at night. It doesn't really annoy me.
Also worth mentioning:
Just had a routine checkup a month ago, 6 years later my vision is still the same than after the operation.
There are new techniques to cut the flap like SMILES I believe, but it's a good idea to be realistic about the outcomes.
I'd have been happy with contacts, but I couldn't use the standard ones because of my astigmatism, they had to be toric contact lenses. Those are much more annoying and bigger, more irritation too, so after the trial period I decided to go for lasik instead.
> if there's a lot of difference / astigmatism you will get dizzy even if you still wear glasses for the uncorrected eye
That would be a poor reason to do both at once. Personally have never had that side effect, and I do have a lot of difference. You still have the option to get the other one done if it is an issue, so you are not cutting down on options by doing one at at time.
That would be a poor reason to do both at once. Personally have never had that side effect, and I do have a lot of difference. You still have the option to get the other one done if it is an issue, so you are not cutting down on options by doing one at at time.
Hey, I'm in the same boat as you, that is I am about to schedule my consultation with a LASIK provider. I was really anxious about it, but I've been talking with my regular optometrist about it for the last three years and he has finally convinced me.
What made me feel better was finding out that no one has ever gone blind from the surgery. Those kind of serious complications are a function of people not following the post-operation protocols which leads to an infection.
My optometrist also told me that the main source of complications are from folks that seek out cheap providers and that the three offices he recommends are very very good. I realize that doesn't help you, but my recommendation would be to trust your regular optometrist and ask them for where they see the best outcomes.
What made me feel better was finding out that no one has ever gone blind from the surgery. Those kind of serious complications are a function of people not following the post-operation protocols which leads to an infection.
My optometrist also told me that the main source of complications are from folks that seek out cheap providers and that the three offices he recommends are very very good. I realize that doesn't help you, but my recommendation would be to trust your regular optometrist and ask them for where they see the best outcomes.
This is true. No one has ever gone blind from LASIK, but personally, I value my vision over (almost) everything, and losing it is a chance I don't want to take.
I absolutely agree with you which is why I'm considering getting the surgery. I experience a large amount of anxiety around traveling and losing access to my contacts or glasses. Also, what if someone breaks into my house in the middle of the night? "Excuse me Mr Burglar, let me put on my glasses before we wrestle."
> For lasik, has anyone known someone who was misfortunate enough for the flap to dislodge and what were the consequences?
No but a relative of a friend went blind in one eye. There used to be a big Facebook group where people shared their negative stories like this, I'm sure you can find similar subreddits/FB groups/whatever. Not everyone goes blind obviously, but some side effects are really, really bad and you can't fix them by simply wearing something like glasses so they're going to stay around forever if you get them. After all, the eyes are probably the most delicate part of the human body.
I'd say it's too risky, possible side effects are much worse than having to wear glasses when you're reading etc. Glasses are just fine.
No but a relative of a friend went blind in one eye. There used to be a big Facebook group where people shared their negative stories like this, I'm sure you can find similar subreddits/FB groups/whatever. Not everyone goes blind obviously, but some side effects are really, really bad and you can't fix them by simply wearing something like glasses so they're going to stay around forever if you get them. After all, the eyes are probably the most delicate part of the human body.
I'd say it's too risky, possible side effects are much worse than having to wear glasses when you're reading etc. Glasses are just fine.
I've had lasik about 10 years ago, best decision of my life, no side effects. It only took 10 minutes, and I can only assume that the technology advanced further the last decade.
I know 2 people who had it around the same time as me, and only one has -1 in one eye after another 7 years. The other person is still glass-free.
My advice is to not go cheap. Don't choose a doctor that "also does eye surgery" (there are a few like that), go to someone who specialises in it and only does that.
Unfortunately I don't have anyone to recommend in the UK as I've done mine in Greece, but I've had -5 on both eyes and lasik did wonders.
I know 2 people who had it around the same time as me, and only one has -1 in one eye after another 7 years. The other person is still glass-free.
My advice is to not go cheap. Don't choose a doctor that "also does eye surgery" (there are a few like that), go to someone who specialises in it and only does that.
Unfortunately I don't have anyone to recommend in the UK as I've done mine in Greece, but I've had -5 on both eyes and lasik did wonders.
I got it done. Life changing, in a good way. Know 2 close friends who did it as well. Good results.
I had it, everything went fine. Very unpleasant though. If I were doing that again, I'd take 1 or 2 months between eyes in case something go wrong. All in all, I'm very happy with the surgery.
Don’t do it.
If you do, get PRK not lasik.
Don’t do it. Your vision and ability to stare at a computer is the only thing standing between you and being homeless. It’s not worth it.
And it only lasts about 10 years then you need glasses anyway.
If you do, get PRK not lasik.
Don’t do it. Your vision and ability to stare at a computer is the only thing standing between you and being homeless. It’s not worth it.
And it only lasts about 10 years then you need glasses anyway.
You don't need glasses again after 10 years.
My personal experience. I had Laser Eye Surgery 25 years ago. I started wearing glasses regularly about 7 years ago. Your eyesight will deteriorate with time.
One of the complications from Laser Eye surgery is the change in the shape of Cornea from surgery. It creates challenge of determining proper strength of eye lens in case you developed cataract and need artificial lens.
One of the complications from Laser Eye surgery is the change in the shape of Cornea from surgery. It creates challenge of determining proper strength of eye lens in case you developed cataract and need artificial lens.
Sometime after 40 you are likely to need reading glasses.
If you are short sighted, then without surgery you can remove your contacts for close up work like electronics or other maker activities (or reading!).
LASIK will also affect your ability to do fine work on a screen. I would especially avoid Lasik if you are a designer.
If you are short sighted, then without surgery you can remove your contacts for close up work like electronics or other maker activities (or reading!).
LASIK will also affect your ability to do fine work on a screen. I would especially avoid Lasik if you are a designer.
The time can vary but it’s likely if you’ve had your prescription change over years it will continue to do so.
- Did you have any visual artefacts like halos?
- For lasik, has anyone known someone who was misfortunate enough for the flap to dislodge and what were the consequences?
- If you've done it, are you still happy with it and say it's worth it?
- If you're in the UK: any doctor recommendations?