Single hen

[Cate in NZ]

Those of you who know me will know that I'm as blind as a bat, and also quite vain . I've worn glasses (reluctantly) since I was 9 and at 16 I got a Saturday job simply to earn enough money to buy contact lenses, which I did at the earliest opportunity, and I wore them, and wore them and wore them. 29 years (and several updated prescriptions) later I've seen my optician today as I've had loads of eye problems recently and haven't been able to wear my lenses for the last couple of weeks. She's suggesting that maybe I'm approaching the end of my lens wearing years . New ones are on order, but I may need to look at wearing glasses a lot more, or possibly switching to soft lenses (I've always used hard), but I react really badly to silicon (there goes the boob job then ) and she thinks that I might have problems with soft lenses.

So, I'm actually, finally, thinking about laser eye surgery. I am incredibly squeamish about eyes, have worked as a nurse in eye casualty and cringed every second of my time there, so very lucky that they didn't sack me because I was so dreadful, but I was employed by the main A&E dept at the time and only filled in on eyes. But so, so squeamish it simply isn't true. I can't believe that I'm even considering laser eyes surgery now, but I really, really am . My optician says that broadly I fit the criteria

I won't go for any conveyor belt surgery, my eyes are far too precious, so I'm considering Moorfields (£1500 per eye ) but the best surgeons going I reckon and considering how much I've spent on glasses and lenses in the past maybe not such a bad long term deal .

So, opinions anyone, anybody out there had it done, or any experiences, comments or whatever to help me decide?

[Christian]

Hi Kate!

 

I wear contacts (though not as often as i should) as i have Kerita conus, which affects the cornea and eventually makes the cornea so thin that it tears!

 

I wore hard lenses (rigid gas permeable) for 11 years and switched to (thick) soft lenses about 4 years ago. My optician said at one point that i would have to have a corneal graft ( ) which makes me queasy at the sound of it.

Needless to say, my vision is now fine with soft lenses. They do take a lot of getting used to, as they are so big compared to hard lenses.

 

Sorry, back on topic, I do know of a few people who have laser eye surgery and they love the freedom of it! It is expenxive, but worth every penny when you consider the cost of lenses/solution/glasses etc!

[Olly]

I wear lenses ... like you, blind as a bat, saved up my Saturday job money till I could afford to buy them, and it was life-changing! Having been 'speccy kid' at school, it was fantastic. Now I'm older and less self-conscious, I tend to swop between lenses and glasses, some days I just can't be bothered to put them in. (I have two-weekly soft lenses, couldn't get on with the dailies - but if you have a silicon allergy then they probably won't work!)

 

I have thought about laser surgery just because it would be so marvellous to wake up and be able to see - not to have to fiddle about with lenses - not to worry about breaking my glasses - swimming without my prescription goggles ... there are so many reasons! But I'm too scared, not of the actual surgery, but what if it went wrong There have been some horror stories in the press, and I wouldn't go to one of the 'factory' shops - but Moorfields should be ok.

 

If you can afford it, I don't think the cost is an issue - my last pair of glasses cost me £400 and they aren't going to get any cheaper. What price perfect vision? I'm really interested to hear more about this, there must be someone out there who's had it done.

[Egluntyne]

A friend and her husband both had it done and are thrilled with the result.

 

I'm too squeamish about eyes to have it done myself, so I'm a contact lens wearer, with glasses too.

 

When you weigh up the cost of a lifetimes worth of glasses, contact lenses and all the attendant paraphernalia I'm sure three grand is a fair price.

 

It is only the price of a decent holiday.

 

Go for it I'd say.

[Snowy]

I'm the same. Flit between glasses and contacts, but hate wearing glasses and would love to have the surgery.

 

I've done quite a few fitness assessments on firefighters who have had this done. None have regretted it and all recommended it. Not come across anyone who has had post op complications either. Go for it I say!

[Shirl]

My friend had complications. I saw him the night before he had it done and he said he was prepared for the small risk involved.

 

Last time I spoke to him he was in tears and regretted his decision. He now suffers from really dry eyes if he doesn't use drops before he goes to bed then his eyelids stick to his eyes and it's agony getting them open. He has forgotten a couple of times after he's been on a heavy (boozy) night out.

 

I think what I've said is all correct but he's so upset about it he doesn't always quite make sense to me and my memory is awful

[Guest]

I know someone who has had both eyes done and after a few adjustments is very happy.

 

I spoke to my GP many yearts ago about it. Although he can no longer wear contacts and his glasses give him a headache every single day, he still said he wouldn't have his eyes done because he didn't know yet what the long-term effects would be.

I spoke to my optician too and he told me that he has been offered the surgery completely free - some sort of advertising I expect - but he still wouldn't have his done for the same reason my GP gave.

 

What happens when the eyes naturally change shape as we age? Does anyone know yet?

 

Is surgery better here Kate? or cheaper?

[Karen & co.]

I spoke to my optician too and he told me that he has been offered the surgery completely free - some sort of advertising I expect - but he still wouldn't have his done for the same reason my GP gave.

 

What happens when the eyes naturally change shape as we age? Does anyone know yet?

 

Is surgery better here Kate? or cheaper?

 

This is the reason why I'm still reluctant, my friend is an Optometrist, and won't have it done, although treats lots of people who have had few or no problems, but my vision is too precious to me.

 

karen x

[Charlottechicken]

There are some pros and cons here, although the article is a couple of years old

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2745035.stm

 

Read all of the article and not just the first bit, some people have success stories! Looks like there are some interesting links too.

[theherd123]

OH would love laser surgery but im not too sure (Just for the record i'm deaf and he's virtually blind - we make a great pair!)

 

I worry that this is a relatively new development in surgery and the effects of it over the long term havent been studied enough.

[Egluntyne]

When I think about it.....most opticians do seem to wear glasses......or at leat the ones I go to.....maybe they all are waiting to see what the long term implications are.

[theherd123]

Either that or they get free glasses!

[Egluntyne]

Either that or they get free glasses!

I didn't think of that!

[Cinnamon]

My eldest girl is only 14, but is already quite determined to have laser eye surgery one day.

She wears contacts at the moment & gets along fine with them, wearing her glasses at the weekends.

She likes her glasses, & I must say that she looks good in them, but hates to have to wear them at school as she gets the mickey taken

 

I will tell har it will cost £3000, so she had better start saving her pennies up

[Jules.]

I wore contacts from being 16 to 31. When I was pregnant with Ethan I just couldn't get them in anymore, looking back that must have been the start of my Thyroid eye disease. Now my eyes protrude because of the swelling behind them, & if I wear contacts-( I have a huge supply of daily ones with the strength -4.50, anybody want them? ) my eyes are killing after an hour, & my double vision comes back, as I have prisms in my glasses.

Anyway- I would have loved to have surgery, but will not be suitable for it now. My auntie had it done & she is fine.

Hubby calls me moley

[Guest]

I've had mine done TWICE! And I couldn't recommend it more highly, Mum and a number of my friends also had their done. We all went to Optimax who do just laser eye treatment so if you go there you will be treated by someone who is just doing this and is a real expert as they are so familier with the procudure. I would not assume it would be better at Moorfields for one minute, there you will be treated by specialist who does a lot of different things and may not be as used to this as a laser specialist. Oh and Optimax are a lot cheaper - the boss even sells his service on Ebay - when he has extra capacity and staff who would be being paid to do little. Heres the story of how I had it done twice and how brilliant they were.

 

I first had my eyes done at Optimax when they had only the one clinic in Finchley Road London back in the early 90's. It was all very lovely and professional although the surgery was still quite new and the laser did not adddress astigmatism. Over the next couple of years my then boyfriend and my Mum went there (when I first had it done Mum couldn't as she was too bad but the lasers improved over the years). It was the cheapest option by far at the time and we were all very pleased with the results. We were told that if we were to need re-treatment in the future for any reason it would be half price.

 

Over the next few years my astigmatism got worse and I ended up back in glasses. In March 2000 I returned to find out about having my eyes done again - I was getting married in July and wanted to walk up the aisle and see where I was going. I was told that the new lasers did do astigmatism and they could treat me. By then they were also doing bi-lateral treatments and I wanted to get both eyes at once. I was told that they would rather wait until they got a new topography machine to do my left eye as the astigmatism was really bad but that they could do the right eye now. I figured one eye would get me down the aisle.

 

Then I went to book it - I first asked what the cost was "re-treatment is free" how much cheaper can you get! Then she started looking at the diary to book me in, they were busy and she offered me Saturday 1st July - my wedding day. I nearly burst into tears as I explained to her I wanted it done for my wedding that day. She went and had a word with the boss and came back and squeezed me in for the following Saturday. I had the second eye done after my honeymoon and my eyes have been great since.

[Cinnamon]

That sounds like a good recommendation.

How lovely of them to squeeze you in like that - how long do your eyes take to heal up?

[Guest]

Healing was interesting. The first eye I had done was painful for 2 days, the second wasn't painful at all! Second time round I didn't experience mroe than a mild discomfort. Within a week you feel really good.

 

People who know me well are not surprised to hear that I was driving the second I took the patch off the first time. By the time I had the second treatment I was taking the patch off the next day so I wouldn't get pulled over whilst driving!

 

Mind you my friends all reckoned I would drive myself to hospital when I went into labour, had an elective c section in the end so didn't want to leave my car in hospital car park for 5 days!

[sam42]

I had mine done at Ultralase in Birmingham two years ago and it's been fantastic. Had both eyes done and could see clearly the next day. I find it so much easier when going to the gym or swimming and also in the winter when coming in out of the cold there's no glasses to steam up. Would definitely recommend going for the consultation to make sure you are suitable.

[Couperwife]

I spoke to my optician about this. I'm really squeamish with my eyes (I hate going to the opticians) so she said that they would probably have to sedate me ( )

 

apparently one of the best places to go is Sunderland Eye hospital.

 

my optician said that she knew of people who found it fantastic, so I should go for it if I wanted to but she wouldnt cos she just loved wearing glasses ( ) I wear all day-all night contact lenses, so I only have the stress of changing them once a month - but I am seriously considering it (once the lottery win is through )

[FORENSICA]

My husband had his surgery done about in 1998! They did it using some old method and not laser yet. Also only one eye. He sees amazingly well, considering that his other non-operated eye is still 3.5 and doesn't need any glasses or anything. He says that it had to be done 2x, since the correction wasn't complete the first time. But he can only recommend it!

[Richard]

I've worn glasses since I was a teenager. I wore contacts for many years - never hard ones, soft disposables and dailies and whatever- then went back to my glasses when I needed bifocal/varifocals.

 

Now I have early cataracts and am looking at (unintentional pun) an op for them in the next five years. I'm told it is really easy - they replace the lens apparently - but I've always been uneasy about stuff with my eyes so am not looking forward to it.

 

However, if it has to be done ...

 

I suppose my contribution to the thread would be that I personally wouldn't have the laser surgery unless I needed it - absolutely everything has a risk, so if you are doing it electively why take even the very smallest risk?

 

However I will have the cataract op when my vision gets poor enough to need it. when I can't see the golf ball on the tee (I can't see it on the fairway now, but thats OK as I don't often hit the fairway!)

[Guest]

My mum had the laser surgery which was much easier than the later surgery she had for a Macular (sp) hole. The later problem had absolutely nothing to do with the origial op (lasered front of eye, macular at back of eye).

 

A year later she had a cataract removed which was a GUARANTEED side effect of the macular repair op!

 

Her sight is still degenerating and all of this is macular degeneration which they assure her (lots of different Moorfields surgeons) has absolutely nothng to do with her original laser correction. Without having had that original surgery her sight would be an awful lot worse. With all this, she doesn't wear glasses as they wont help.

[Beauty-Box]

I used to be as blind as a bat! -6.00 and -6.50. I decided to have laser surgery because I was totally reliant on contact lenses or glasses. I went to Optical Express and now have better vision than I had with contact lenses, better than 20/20 and I don't have to bother with contact lenses or glasses. I did have to have re-treatments in each eye because of such a high prescription, but this was included in the original price.

I would recommend it to anyone, but I can understand people who don't like the idea. It's up to the individual.

[The Dogmother]

One of the blokes here has had it done Kate - I'll ask him about it when I next see him. He seems alright now.

 

Phil has quite bad eyesight, which isn't good considering he needs good sight for his job. He wouldn't consider eye surgery because if it went wrong, he wouldn't be able to work. He wears specs every day and lenses when he goes out.

 

I like your glasses kate - you look fine in them.

 

to you having a boob job - can I have some of your spare?