memi

Hello drv, perhaps I can be of some help. I had LASIK surgery 3 years ago, and it is the best money I ever spent on myself!!! I was in the same boat as you-I wore contacts for 20 years (from the ages of 12-32), and was tired of the red, irritated eyes and the hassle of cleaning the contacts and annual trip$ to the optometri$t! I may be a bit atypical, as I live in Texas and had the LASIK surgery done in Mexico. I have a friend who found a clinic in Nuevo Laredo and had his LASIK surgery there a month before I had mine. Both of us had no complications, and now have normal, beautiful 20/20 vision, however I would NOT recommend this to anyone who is not broke and desperate, as I was! (The surgery cost $1000 in Mexico for BOTH eyes, compared to $1500 and up for EACH eye in USA, at least in 2001.) I did, however, get a VERY comprehensive eye exam and approval for the surgery at a local doctor before my trip to Mexico. My recommendation is to get your eyes checked at a reputable local optometrist, and check out some local doctors and clinics who are performing LASIK. Your optometrist can probably recommend a trustworthy LASIK center. Also, most LASIK doctors have payment plans if you can't pay the whole fee upfront, and some health insurance policies are beginning to cover (at least partially) the cost of LASIK. The surgery itself is painless, and takes about 5 minutes per eye. The most wonderful thing about it is you can see IMMEDIATELY following the surgery-no more glasses or contacts!!! Your optometrist can give you more info, as I have been long-winded enough!! Good luck, and I HIGHLY recommend LASIK.