Got my new eyes!

[petey]

So after 20 years of wearing specs, I finally found the right place and right price to get Lasik. All I can say is it's well worth the money I spent, which wasn't much at all by surgery standards.

It's been 11 days since my surgery, with 20/15 (better than perfect - don't ask me how they can say that?) from the day after surgery. I can tell that it's even getting better too. I had little or no discomfort from the surgery and it litterly only took about 2 minutes per eye once the doc started. Directly after my procedure I could see good even though things were cloudy. After a 3 hour nap, I woke up to put my drops in and was just amazed at how well I could see. Both parents and both siblings have had Lasik over the years and I finally took the plung after my sister handed me a $100 off coupon.

I opted for Standard Lasik with the blade to cut my flap and the total for 2 eyes was $1199 after the $100 coupon. I threw in a lifetime warranty for any touchups because of my age for another $299 and had both eyes with a life's worth of touchups for only $1498!

I must have hit the right time since I see their prices have gone back to normal. Just a lucky guy I guess :rolleyes: Anyhow, I'd recommend these fine folks from Clear Choice Lasik in Brecksville, Ohio to anyone. It truely is a life altering experience! Can't wait till hunting season. No more foggy, smeared or water covered glasses to contend with! It's already helped my golf game.

[Gunslingergirl]

Wow. I've worn glasses or contacts since I was 7 and have considered Lasik, but never took the plunge. Sounds like it went pretty well for you.

Why did you wear glasses before? Were you nearsighted or farsighted?

Just wondering if this might be worth investigating further.

GSG

[petey]

I was nearsighted. I could read about 2' and that was it. But they can correct for either problem. This place definitly preps you for the operation so you know exactly what to expect. You watch videos, and even take a little test to make sure you paid attention! I was a very nice experience and they do their do dilegence to make sure you're well informed before going ahead with anything.

The basic concept is they cut your "flap" outer part of your eye to expose your cornea. They then use a laser which takes about 7 seconds to reshape your cornea to properly center the image source on your retna in the back of your eye. Sounds crazy, but the risks are very minimal. No case of blindness...just loss of site which is definied as going down a level from what you already were. About 1 in a 1000 maybe? and then they'll just fix it anyhow with a later touch-up. Since it's elective surgery some crazy nuts like to go from 20/20 to 20/15 and may end up with 20/30 instead. That's the loss of vision part. It's all explained, but if you're already blind without corrective wear, you've got nothing to lose...and they'll make it right.

It's all done while you are awake, as they use knumbing drops. You feel no pain, only a slight discomfort like you have a bad contact in for about 3 hrs, that's if your eyes are open. I just slept and kept my eyes closed so I felt nothing other than watering eyes for a few hrs. There's nothing to it other than staring at a little red light for 2 minutes.

[Dan Morris]

Petey, I've heard mixed ideas as to lasik n heavy recoil rifles....
your input...............
Dan

[Rocky Raab]

Just a minor correction to what you said, petey. 20/20 vision isn't "perfect" it's only average. It means you see at 20 feet what the average person sees at 20 feet.

That's how you can be 20/15. You can now see at 20 feet what the average person can see at 15. So your vision is now five feet "better" than average.

For most of my life, I was 20/12 (the nearest that the eye doc could judge). Not quite 20/10 but better than 20/15. Not any longer, but I'm spoiled: 20/20 seems like half-blind to me.

Serious congrats to you, bud.

[M.T. Pockets]

Good for you Petey. I had it done 5 years ago this week - absolutely no regrets.

I enjoy shooting without corrective glasses or contacts. I do keep some artificial tears around and use them when needed, a small price to pay. I noticed that I do see better if I'm away from a computer screen for a day or two, and also if I drink more water. If I'm dehydrated I don't see as well. The eye Dr. said this is normal.

As for shooting & recoil, I asked my surgeon (he's a big hunter himself) and he said after two weeks to go ahead. I waited three, and I started shooting my .300 win. off the bench.

If anyone is even thinking of having Lasik done, let me help you decide. Do it now. It is proven to be safe and effective and the price seems to have bottomed out.

[Gunslingergirl]

O.k., good recommendations. Perhaps I should check this out.

GSG

[jplonghunter]

Petey

You stated it had helped your golf. Does that mean you can now see it go into the rough?

jplonghunter

[Lilred]

Congrats Petey!
I've been thinkin bout havin Lasik done but I have issues with people "touchin" me eyes. I can hardly stand puttin in eye drops much less surgery. I cannot help but blink. You said you had your eyes closed during the surgery???

BTW, Lasik around here still seems to be in $5,000 range....will have to check on that....

[petey]

Lilred,

Nope, you're awake and they tape your eyelids open, knub them with drops, then place a little suction type ring on them that applies suction when the flap is being cut. It may be different if you have the laser cut the flap, I don't know? A patch is on the opposite eye while the one eye is being done. The doctor holds your head completely still. You really have no opportunity to blink or move, although when they do apply that little bit of suction it makes you want to tense up. I just told myself to relax as to make sure everything went smooth. After all it's only 4 minutes of your life to get it done.

The difference between the flap being cut with a blade vs laser is simple. If you can picture a ball andmaking a cut horizontal with a knife, then that's how the blade does it. The laser cuts the flap much like you'd cut a pumpkin top, so when they flip it back it goes in the exact position it was originally. You can see there could be some room for it not going in the exact spot (microscopic) when using the blade, but it's been done that way for years and I think the laser is all hype and just one way to bleed an extra $1200 out of ya. Mine healed right back where they were supposed to.

You wear see-thru eye gaurds for the first 3 nights so you don't rub your eyes or bump them. This is to ensure quick and perfect healing. I think the problems you ever hear about it is when people rub or touch there eyes directly after surgery and cause the flap to move a little. Anyhow, I got to see al of this prior since they prep'd me in advance. I really knew nothing about the procedure until I went for my pre-op visit. It's worth every penny.

jplonghunter,

Funny you mention the rough... My first time out after I wore sunglasses....something I never did obviously since I wore glasses. I had a heck of a time striking the ball with my driver which was very unusual. After about 5 holes I said "I wonder if it's these stupid sunglasses?" From that moment on I struck the ball perfect ever since. Might be a head thing....don't know, but I sure don't swing with my sunglasses on anymore!

Rocky,

Thanks for the clarification...never really knew what all that 20/20 crap meant anyhow!

Dan,

Actaully I never gave it a thought, but I haven't shot any of my big boomers in a while so I guess it wasn't any issue anyhow? I'm well healed now so I don't think any recoil would do damage at this point.

[Dan Morris]

Keep me advised, going rate here is from 750 per eye up. Kinda makes me wonder about the quality!
Dan

[BILLY D.]

Originally posted by Dan Morris
Petey, I've heard mixed ideas as to lasik n heavy recoil rifles....
your input...............
Dan

Dan

I had Laser eye surgery for glaucoma. A couple weeks after the surgery I picked up my 458 Win Mag from the smith. I didn't have any ammo built up for it yet so the smith gave me some. 500 grainers.

Sat my bony butt down at the bench, and bore sighted it and loaded the magazine, closed the bolt and touched 'er off. After the shot the first thing I noticed was two very bright flashes and then found myself in a different zip code than what I started in.

I thought I had detatched my retinas. Scared the crap out of me. Also determined little skinny guys that weigh less than 150# shouldn't shoot 458's off the bench.

When I got back to the shop I asked my smith if he could install a front sight on the gun, he said yes, but why? I told him I wanted to stick the gun where the sun don't shine and I want him to really feel the pain when I extract it.

The gun was made for my daughter to hunt the Big Bears in Alaska. I wish I could have been there. Shes lucky to weigh 120 fresh from the shower. She never complained about it at all. Smart aleck.

Just tell your Doc you are a shooter and follow his instructions. You'll be OK.

Best wishes, Bill

[gd357]

After wearing glasses for about 14 years, I switched to contacts last fall, not coincidentally right before hunting season (foggy, damp conditions, etc. had become too much of an annoyance). I wish I'd done it years ago. I'm still a little leary of surgury, but may do it one of these days. Oh yea, and the sunglasses are a great improvement over prescriptions when it comes to sunny conditions.

gd

[Wahnie]

I'm like gd357, I switched to contacts this past year after wearing glasses my whole life. My vision, especially night vision was better with glasses, but the pros far outweigh the cons. The idea of sticking something on my eyeball freaked me out for the longest time until I broke my glasses the morning I was flying home from my sisters house in Texas. My sister and I have almost the same prescription, only she had disposable contacts, which she gave me for the flight home. It got me by and I look better with contacts (not that I'm not already a sexy beast :D ). Someday I'd like to have surgery, but I don't have $1500 laying around.