LasikCurious
07-24-2007, 09:45 PM
Hi,
I'm thinking about Lasik and I went to the FDA website on it. Does it hurt when they open the eye wide and cut the cornea? Do you see the blade coming down to the eye?
I'm the squeamish wimpy type. Will Lasik scare me?
I'm thinking about Lasik and I went to the FDA website on it. Does it hurt when they open the eye wide and cut the cornea? Do you see the blade coming down to the eye?
I'm the squeamish wimpy type. Will Lasik scare me?
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eruiz67
07-25-2007, 01:03 AM
Does not hurt just a little uncomfortable when they have to put the device to hold your eyes open....You can't see the blade or anything like that....You just see a light and they tell you to look directly into it....It's over before you know it....
Mel52
07-25-2007, 02:07 AM
I had the surgery done about 7 years ago. I was totally freaked as anything with the eyes gets to me. The worst part of the surgery was the anticipation. There was NO pain. Drops are put in the eyes. They do put something that clamps on to keep the eye open. I never felt the sensation or necessity to have to escape anything approaching my eye. I looked into a red light and just stared at it. The surgeon lifted the cornea and the only reasons I knew was because he told me and because my vision became very blurry. He did the lazer, zap zap said he was going to fix my stigmatism, zap zap, said he was putting the cornea back done. While he moved it I felt a bit dizzy and then everything cleared. Next eye...Total time about 5 minutes.
I had to sit in the waiting room for about 20 minutes and put drops in my eyes. My friend drove me home and it felt good to just keep my eyes closed, vision blurry from all the drops. I got home, had a headache, took a tylenol, put the plastic guard over my eyes for the night so I wouldn't scratch and went to sleep. My vision was too blurry to do anything else and it felt better to keep the eyes closed, they kind of itched. In the morning I got up and could see all the way across the room. Colors were so vivid. For me, it was a tradeoff. I can see far away now but I can not read price tags, read the paper, use the computer without glasses.
I had to sit in the waiting room for about 20 minutes and put drops in my eyes. My friend drove me home and it felt good to just keep my eyes closed, vision blurry from all the drops. I got home, had a headache, took a tylenol, put the plastic guard over my eyes for the night so I wouldn't scratch and went to sleep. My vision was too blurry to do anything else and it felt better to keep the eyes closed, they kind of itched. In the morning I got up and could see all the way across the room. Colors were so vivid. For me, it was a tradeoff. I can see far away now but I can not read price tags, read the paper, use the computer without glasses.
jakem1
07-25-2007, 11:12 AM
There is no pain, it is over before you know it. There is no blade, it is a laser that cuts the Lasik flap and a suction lifts it, then the laser removes tissue to reshape the cornea. All you see is a bright red light they tell you to focus on.
The freaky thing is the burning smell of your corneal tissue being incinerated by the laser, but it is over so quick it is very easy.
The freaky thing is the burning smell of your corneal tissue being incinerated by the laser, but it is over so quick it is very easy.
dammie
07-25-2007, 11:34 AM
If you're considering it, a lot of people will tell you it was the best thing they ever did. It doesn't hurt and like the other posters have said it's over before you know it. When they use that suction thing on your eye, you do feel pressure and it is a little uncomfortable, but they warn you before they do it.
Genessa
07-25-2007, 01:47 PM
The freaky thing is the burning smell of your corneal tissue being incinerated by the laser, but it is over so quick it is very easy.
I had PRK done about 9 years ago, and to this day I can remember the smell...totally freaked me out! It is a good thing it is so quick!
I had PRK done about 9 years ago, and to this day I can remember the smell...totally freaked me out! It is a good thing it is so quick!
Hating glasses
07-25-2007, 03:45 PM
I have to be honest about the clamp thing that keeps your eyes open while the laser is cutting the flap. I have tiny facial features. I asked my doc (2 years and 7+ months ago) if it was going to hurt at all. I am a pain wimp and get the heebie jeebies at the very thought of anything or anyone even getting close to touching my eyes. Yup! I have the heebie jeebies just thinking about it now and I had the surgery. Anyway, the doc was honest with me and told me that I have small features so, while most people won't have any pain or discomfort from the clamps, I might. I did. The corner of my left eye (the skin, not the eye itself) pinched but, nothing bad enough to bother me. In fact, I think it bothered me more than because of the whole terrifying experience of it. Really, it was all so simple and, as others said, quick to a point of being over before I knew it. I made a bigger deal about it all in my head than it really was.
So, to answer your questions, most people won't have any pain or major discomfort other than the unnatural feeling of not being able to blink. I only did because, as an adult, a one size fits all hat is somewhat too big on me! So, given that my head is not the average size, my eyes are not either. If you are fairly normal as far as your head and facial features, you should be fine. And, I am not a freak of nature or anything. In fact, I am (for my generation) tall and slender. So, I think that is why my features are smaller than the average girl.
They numb your eyes and dilate your pupils which makes your vision sort of blurry and sensitive to light. To calm your nerves, make sure they give you a valium and make sure they give you enough time to let it work on you and calm you down. They gave me mine and had me on the bed in about 45 seconds so, the valium had not had a chance to calm me down at all before they started doing my surgery.
Take care and keep in touch!
So, to answer your questions, most people won't have any pain or major discomfort other than the unnatural feeling of not being able to blink. I only did because, as an adult, a one size fits all hat is somewhat too big on me! So, given that my head is not the average size, my eyes are not either. If you are fairly normal as far as your head and facial features, you should be fine. And, I am not a freak of nature or anything. In fact, I am (for my generation) tall and slender. So, I think that is why my features are smaller than the average girl.
They numb your eyes and dilate your pupils which makes your vision sort of blurry and sensitive to light. To calm your nerves, make sure they give you a valium and make sure they give you enough time to let it work on you and calm you down. They gave me mine and had me on the bed in about 45 seconds so, the valium had not had a chance to calm me down at all before they started doing my surgery.
Take care and keep in touch!
eyepurist
07-26-2007, 02:00 AM
Do some research about lasik, that's the first thing i would say. Yes, i felt the same way like people felt on the day of the surgery, no pain, nothing, it's more about what's happening between your both ears. I had Custom Lasik but i would suggest you to go with PRK for long term results...i heard you can have Custom PRK too...but i guess it must be a longer procedure since they're doing the ablation of the epithilium. The lasik surgery is very quick though but i don't feel confortable to tell people go andd do it! cause i see floaters since few weeks...it supposed to go with time...i hope so. Good luck in your research!;)
smartgal
07-29-2007, 03:37 AM
I must be an exception to the rule. I had it done yesterday. I felt it. It hurt like a son of a gun for about eight hours afterward. I had to take a traquilizer and sleep through it. I'm sure it will be worth it, but I would let you know that each person is different, and may experience different things with the procedure.
mcr285
08-02-2007, 12:09 AM
i had lasik back in december '06. they started off giving me a valium to lessen my anxiety, but i'm not sure it really worked, because i was TERRIFIED (i just had this crazy irrational fear of going blind!!!). they put drops in my eyes to numb them, and other stuff, but my left eye felt different from my right one. i told the nurse, and she said it was normal and not to worry about it.... but it freaked me out!!! i was certain that my left eye wasn't numbed enough!!! so they take me into the actual room where the surgery would take place, and i got on the table and they got me all ready for the surgery...
the procedure itself, was so fast! the only thing i really felt was tremendous pressure... it was uncomfortable, but not painful, and didn't last long at all. they talked me through then entire procedure and that was comforting. when it was all over, and i went to get up, i felt like i'd been hit by a truck!
i'd been so anxious about my left eye and how i thought it wasn't numb enough, that during the procedure, i'd tensed up every single muscle in my body so hard, i HURT when it was done! nothing a little 800mgs of ibuprofen couldn't knock out though!
so my vision before surgery was BAD - my contact lense prescription was -5 and -5.25. now my vision is 20/12.5 in each eye! it's awesome! i most definitely recommend it!!!
the procedure itself, was so fast! the only thing i really felt was tremendous pressure... it was uncomfortable, but not painful, and didn't last long at all. they talked me through then entire procedure and that was comforting. when it was all over, and i went to get up, i felt like i'd been hit by a truck!
i'd been so anxious about my left eye and how i thought it wasn't numb enough, that during the procedure, i'd tensed up every single muscle in my body so hard, i HURT when it was done! nothing a little 800mgs of ibuprofen couldn't knock out though!
so my vision before surgery was BAD - my contact lense prescription was -5 and -5.25. now my vision is 20/12.5 in each eye! it's awesome! i most definitely recommend it!!!
eyepurist
08-02-2007, 12:15 AM
i had lasik back in december '06. they started off giving me a valium to lessen my anxiety, but i'm not sure it really worked, because i was TERRIFIED! they put drops in my eyes to numb them, and stuff, but my left eye felt different from my right one. i told the nurse, and she said it was normal and not to worry about it.... but i was so afraid!!! i was certain that my left eye wasn't numbed enough!!! so they take me into the actual room where the surgery would take place, and i got into place on the table and they got me all ready for the surgery...
the procedure itself, was so fast! the only thing i really felt was tremendous pressure... it was uncomfortable, but not painful, and didn't last long at all. they talked me through then entire procedure and that was comforting. when it was all over, and i went to get up, i felt like i'd been hit by a truck!
i'd been so anxious about my left eye and how i thought it wasn't numb enough, that during the procedure, i'd tensed up every single muscle in my body so hard, i HURT when it was done! nothing a little 800mgs of ibuprofen couldn't knock out though!
so my vision before surgery was BAD - my contact lense prescription was -5 and -5.25. now my vision is 20/12.5 in each eye! it's awesome! i most definitely recommend it!!!
Cool! Tell me about good news! I'm glad it work well for you. My vision is now 20/15. Was it regular lasik or wavefront?
the procedure itself, was so fast! the only thing i really felt was tremendous pressure... it was uncomfortable, but not painful, and didn't last long at all. they talked me through then entire procedure and that was comforting. when it was all over, and i went to get up, i felt like i'd been hit by a truck!
i'd been so anxious about my left eye and how i thought it wasn't numb enough, that during the procedure, i'd tensed up every single muscle in my body so hard, i HURT when it was done! nothing a little 800mgs of ibuprofen couldn't knock out though!
so my vision before surgery was BAD - my contact lense prescription was -5 and -5.25. now my vision is 20/12.5 in each eye! it's awesome! i most definitely recommend it!!!
Cool! Tell me about good news! I'm glad it work well for you. My vision is now 20/15. Was it regular lasik or wavefront?
mcr285
08-02-2007, 01:00 AM
i had the wavefront surgery i think... it's all kind of a blur because i was so scared! custom, intralase, bladeless... those are all terms that i recall had to do with my surgery.
just curious, by "floaters" are you talking about those tiny little amoeba looking things that occasionally pass through your vision?
just curious, by "floaters" are you talking about those tiny little amoeba looking things that occasionally pass through your vision?
eyepurist
08-02-2007, 01:21 AM
i had the wavefront surgery i think... it's all kind of a blur because i was so scared! custom, intralase, bladeless... those are all terms that i recall had to do with my surgery.
just curious, by "floaters" are you talking about those tiny little amoeba looking things that occasionally pass through your vision?
Yeah, you know... like thin hairs, tiny worms or whatever how you call that, if you stop moving your eyes they tend to become transparent(except the big ones[i actually got one like this])... at the limit it's a natural thing, everybody have those things. It's like agglomeration laying in the bottom of your eyes. If you had bladeless surgery i'm quite sure you didn't move up the floaters in your eyes. What's frustrating me is that i never been warned about this possibility...anywhere. Their reason not to tell the people about the risk of increasing floaters...it never been proved that the suction of the "keratom"(is it the right term?) during the cut of the eye is moving the floaters...:mad: ...if i knew.
To all the people who never did the surgery don't be rushed by people around you, if you're not fully aware and ready. I did it one year in advance just because the company where i work forced me to wear very cheap prescription's security glasses for 2007, that's why i think i didn't do the good kind of surgery for my needs. I always worn high quality titanium glasses before cause i'm not just lucky, i always been hit in the eye unexpectedly...thing that is probably going to happen...:mad: :mad: :mad: ...and i like extreme sports...:mad:...i will forget about martial arts:mad: boxe:mad: so probably go back skateboarding in a half pipe, play speed metal to drain out my frustration and... oh, i forgot! express myself in forum like here!:D
just curious, by "floaters" are you talking about those tiny little amoeba looking things that occasionally pass through your vision?
Yeah, you know... like thin hairs, tiny worms or whatever how you call that, if you stop moving your eyes they tend to become transparent(except the big ones[i actually got one like this])... at the limit it's a natural thing, everybody have those things. It's like agglomeration laying in the bottom of your eyes. If you had bladeless surgery i'm quite sure you didn't move up the floaters in your eyes. What's frustrating me is that i never been warned about this possibility...anywhere. Their reason not to tell the people about the risk of increasing floaters...it never been proved that the suction of the "keratom"(is it the right term?) during the cut of the eye is moving the floaters...:mad: ...if i knew.
To all the people who never did the surgery don't be rushed by people around you, if you're not fully aware and ready. I did it one year in advance just because the company where i work forced me to wear very cheap prescription's security glasses for 2007, that's why i think i didn't do the good kind of surgery for my needs. I always worn high quality titanium glasses before cause i'm not just lucky, i always been hit in the eye unexpectedly...thing that is probably going to happen...:mad: :mad: :mad: ...and i like extreme sports...:mad:...i will forget about martial arts:mad: boxe:mad: so probably go back skateboarding in a half pipe, play speed metal to drain out my frustration and... oh, i forgot! express myself in forum like here!:D
mcr285
08-02-2007, 02:12 AM
hmmmm...... i've had floaters for as long as i can remember... are you saying you didn't have them before and now you do, or that you had them before and now they're bigger or worse than before? right now i am noticing them a lot more than usual.... i think it's because we're posting about them.... weird...
i only ask becasue they never bothered me.... i always kind of thought they were cool.... so i'm curious as to how bad they must be for you that they bother you... does that make sense?
i only ask becasue they never bothered me.... i always kind of thought they were cool.... so i'm curious as to how bad they must be for you that they bother you... does that make sense?
eyepurist
08-02-2007, 02:23 AM
yeah, i had a little bit floaters in the past but after 3-4 months more floaters appeared. I can't say if they are supposed to be more noticeable when you got a better vision than the average people like me and you but i don't think it's the reason...and yeah somtime it's driving me crazy especially in front of the computer or when i look at the sky at day time. Fortunately i can forget about them on night time and take a walk (not now cause i broke the little toe on my foot yesterday before, what a vacation LOL...)
tia2
08-02-2007, 08:43 AM
If you would like to see in detail the proceedure, believe it or not ******* has videos of it being done. I have to warn you though. I'm glad I didn't see the videos before I went in. It's freaky. I just typed in lasik proceedure or something like that.....;)
edited to add...I mean, that very popular site that people can put up their own videos on beginning with "You."
edited to add...I mean, that very popular site that people can put up their own videos on beginning with "You."