Nearsighted, but getting older....

[whackedback]

I'm nearsighted, but have noticed that I have to hold things at more of a distance or take my glasses off when reading, so I will bet in a few years, I'll probably need bifocals.

Can you have Lazik done in this case? Anyone had it done who has this same experience? Thanks.

wb

[Hating glasses]

What you are experiencing is called (I think) Presbyopia. I don't know if you can have the surgery while your sight is still changing from nearsighted to farsighted but, one procedure they have is called Monovision. They will correct one eye for nearsightedness and the other for farsightedness so that you will just switch the use of one eye for distance and the other for up close. I have heard mixed things about that particular surgery. Not so much the surgery itself as the results. Some people experience headaches and a real problem adjusting to the difference. Talk to a lasik specialist to find out if you are even a candidate right now and they will be able to better inform you about what you can and can not do.

Good luck and keep in touch!

[myope33]

If you have a lower pescription, I would NOT bother with lasik as you trade glasses. If your really myopic, the loss of near vision may be worth the HUGE gain in distance and mid vision. You then could get monovision or undercorrected so you can see well from near and the distance will only be slightly blurry

[berkenbe]

I'm was in the same boat as you. I had lasik in April and did the monovision thing. I'm 20/20 in one eye (for distance) and 20/70 in the other eye (for reading). I'm still getting used to it. I lost my close up vision I had which I used for reading before surgery. I called it my reverse bifocal since I would look under my glasses or just take them off to read. The monovision is supposed to give me a few more years without reading glasses but I'm sad I lost my close up vision. I asked my Dr. if I should have my 20/70 eye corrected to 20/20 years down the road when I'll need reading glasses anyway and he said I'm better off keeping it since as we get over 60 (I'm 42) we tend to either be able to see distance or intermediate, not both. He says with monovision, I'll get the best of both worlds, being able to see both for distance and intermediate. The only thing is, I'll need prescription reading glasses when that time comes since my eyes aren't even. I guess no drug store cheapies for me. I told my dr. I didn't like that my distance vision wasn't as crisp as I was used to with glasses and he suggested getting a cheap pair of glasses that will correct my left eye 20/70 to 20/20. I did and use them for driving or going to the movies.

[myope33]

what diopters of myopia did you have in each eye? Could be -1.5 or -1.75 for each for 20/70. Monovision isnt for everyone. However if your myopia is severe, you have three choices, one is undercorrect both eyes with lasik and only need a thin pair of glasses for driving and movies. Two is fully correct one eye, undercorrect the other. Three is correct both fully and depend on reading glasses. For those with mild myopia, not getting the surgury in the first place is an option. Unless you pratically never read or use the computer and do alot of outdoor activities, you dont want to trade your near vision for distance. I personally would not reccomend lasik for anyone under -2 diopters, especially if they are 35+ years old. Severe myopia gives you such limited near vision, many go ahead anyway and I dont blame em.