Here's a really good question: Why is this surgery still being performed?

Now before anyone goes crazy at the posed question please read on. I did some research; I went to a doctor that was recommended by collegues; Everything seemed to go perfect during the surgery; I did all my post-op duties. Unfortunatley, now I have side effects that make Lasik the biggest mistake of my life.

Now some of you are thinking this, "Oh boy, here we go, another crazy person that just can't handle the repercussions of his personal choices. Here's just another Lasik-hater that only wants to scare people away from the surgery and piss off all of us that are perfectly happy with our outcomes."

Well, don't know if I can change your mind about all that stuff, but I can tell you it's not true and you can make up your own minds. The bottom line is that this elective surgery IS RUINING PEOPLE'S LIVES for no good reason. It doesn't matter that a majority of people are happy with their results. Does that make it ok? I can't imagine that it does.

I guarantee to anyone that if you were able to live one day, just one whole 24 hour period, with some of the side effects many people are having, this surgery would be halted immediately. You may not believe me, but it's true.

Let's talk about the side effects, which a lot of us have more than one just to let you know.
Dry eyes: Does anyone like it when there eye is dry? I don't know anyone who does. Can you live with a little dry eye? Sure. Can you live with dry eye that makes it impossible to tolerate contacts which would help your irregular astigmatism which even glasses won't correct? Sucks to be you. Irregular astigmatism: This is the side effect which basically means your cornea is shaped all kinds of messed up. Can an "Enhancement" cure this? Maybe. I had one and it didn't, so no, not all the time. Can contacts cure this. Maybe, if dry eyes or other tear problems don't get in the way. By the way, irregular astigmatism is one thing that can give you "ghosting" or multiple images. Fun stuff. Try reading a book with that. Heck, try working an eight hour shift. I can't even think about much that doesn't include reading off some sort. Not to mention everything you do that does not include reading. I guess it's no big deal to see two of the same car while driving down the street. I'm not even going to mention other side effects because it's not even necessary.

Ask yourself this: Is it ok that me and 99 other people love their outcomes from this surgery but I know there's one person out their who had exactly the same thing done and now they are 99% ineffective in just about every aspect of life? Is that worth it? Is it ok that some people have had their life turned upside down and all they want to do is sleep and watch tv cause those are the only things they can do without feeling totally worthless? Is that really ok?

I am not crazy. I was not a depressed person. I didn't have emotional problems before the surgery that are just now bigger because of the surgery. It is ridiculous that I have seen people accused of this. I have mentioned to people that I would give up one of my legs if I could have my old eyes back. That is not a joke. I can read with a fake leg. I can work efficiently with a fake leg. I can drive with a fake leg. I might not be able to run a fifteen minute two-mile with a fake leg, but I can live with that.

Some of you might be thinking, "ok, so there is side effects which might be hard to deal with, but just go to the doctor and work it out." Sounds like a good idea huh? Ok. Hmm, let's see. I hope you have a really forgiving insurance or a decent amount of money. Oh, yeah, someone to drive you around, and the most important factor, a problem that can actually be fixed. That's a big one right there. A lot of the side effects may actually not be able to be fixed very well if at all.

I challenge those of you who do not beleive me to do this: call ten non-refractive surgery eye doctors and ask them this: "Honestly, would you recommend refracrive surgery at this time?" I guarantee you might be surprised with the results. In fact, I cannot think of one eye doctor who isn't a refractive surgeon who has told me they would recommend the surgery. Honestly. I am not making this up. Doctors I have talked to tell me there are to many problems associated with the surgery. And the problems aren't stuffy nose, drowsiness, diarreah, or upset stomach. The problems are real, and much, much worse.

This problem is real people. Everyone with side effects is not crazy, we are not natural haters of whatever, we are trying to tell you that our normal, efficient, effective and peaceful lives are being killed for a surgery that most poeple love and some are getting wealthy off of.

Here's my last question of this very wordy (I apologize for the length) post: Suppose someone came to you and told you that you could have anything you ever dreamed of. I'm not talking about world peace or anything unrealistic by the way. One thing that you've always wanted, but here's the catch: someone you don't know will lose everything they've ever dreamed of. Do you do it? Is it ok that someone else might get screwed because you are happy? This question is of course, very hypothetical, but i'm trying to get a make a point.

I know I'm asking for a lot for poeple to actually care about what's happening to others. I know there's many injustices and unfair things in this world. We can however, do the right thing when given the opportunity. If you are one of the many that are happy with your surgery, make sure and be extremely thankful that you are, but please, do not believe that it is the right thing to perform this surgery just because most people agree with you. If you knew what it was like on the other side of the fence, you definitley wouldn't.

Let the "your crazy and a refractive surgery hater" posts commence.

I'm sorry you did not have a good experience with lasik. I can honesty say that having lasik surgery was the best decision of my life. My vision has never been so clear. I am 20/15 in one eye and 20/20 in the other. I had blurry vision for as long as I can remember before surgery. Now, I find myself looking around amazed at how crisp and clear my vision is.

I personally know about a dozen people who have had lasik and are extremely happy with their results. My biggest regret is that I waited so long to have surgery. My delay was mainly due to reading horror stories off this website and others.

As the OP said, lasik is real surgery, with real risks. But as in life, there are risks associated with everything you do. I am almost five weeks post surgery and loving my new vision. I hope you can resolve your vision problems in the future.

You won't get an argument from me, Matthew. I feel the same as you after surgery and it's looking more and more that I'll never see improvement from irregular astigmatism. Once a cornea is flattened out, it seems like all they can do is say "Oops!".
It's not just refractive surgery either. The U.S. government says that back surgery is better than 99% useless and just taking people's money so why is that still happening as well?
I'm happy for the people that are seeing well after Lasik but the jury is still out as to what kind of complications they will have in the future. And there are just too many folks with horror stories to overlook the fact that this industry needs to clean up it's act.

You must be a mind reader

"Now some of you are thinking this, "Oh boy, here we go, another crazy person that just can't handle the repercussions of his personal choices. Here's just another Lasik-hater that only wants to scare people away from the surgery and piss off all of us that are perfectly happy with our outcomes."

I really don't expect you to understand what I am trying to say anyway. It's kinda one of those you gotta be in the situation type things. Think about it. Can you ever remember a time when something happened to you and all of a sudden you where like, "Ok, now I see what people where talking about." In fact, I'm happy you don't understand, because that would mean you're going through the same hell I am, and I don't wish it on anyone. The more people who get what I'm saying, the more people suffering. Again, I just don't believe it's necessary in this situation to appease the many at the expense of a few; something I promise you would sympathize with if it had happened to you.

John, have you ever looked into RGP contact lenses? They are quite efficient at eliminating or greatly reducing the visual effects of a poor surgical outcome. Also, they can be quite comfortable. Many people have been helped with them.

DrG
http://www.coppellfamilyeyecare.com

>Listen here, this surgery is not for everyone, you must be selected very carefully and go to the best surgeon in the country, On paper if you take the physics of optics and change the shape of the cornea your vison will change. But to do this you must have a surgeaon with tons of experience.

I was a classic example of a guy with crummy vison, -9.25 with 0.75 astigmatism. I am 31 years old. I had the custome lasik VISX with intralase done. 3 months post op i have better than 20/10 vision with no side effects at all. actulayy before the surgery my night vision was crummy and i had severe starbursts and Halos. All i wanted form the surgery was to be able to function without glasses. I am very lucky. I went to a surgeoan who had been doing the procedure for 10 years and was an expert in the field.

Sure everybody can get lasik, but you must be a good candidate. If you have dry eye before lasik you are a crummy candidate because one of the known side effects is dry eye.

I also believe you get what you pay for. $200.00 for lasix on each eye, come on this is a surgical operation, to change the spark plugs in your car would cost more than that.

Lasik is not for everyone. But if the pateints are selected properly the outcome can be great.

I am a pathologist, all day long i look at slides through a microscope, this is my profession. I took a chance, and i was an excellent candidate and i was in the hands of one of the most capable surgeons in the world.

Bradley J. Marcus, MD
Charleston, SC and Here's a really good question: Why
>is this surgery still being performed?
>

>Now before anyone goes crazy at the
>posed question please read on.
>I did some research; I
>went to a doctor that was
>recommended by collegues; Everything seemed to
>go perfect during the surgery; I
>did all my post-op duties.
>Unfortunatley, now I have side effects
>that make Lasik the biggest mistake
>of my life.

>Now some of you are thinking this,
>"Oh boy, here we go, another
>crazy person that just can't handle
>the repercussions of his personal choices.
> Here's just another Lasik-hater that
>only wants to scare people away
>from the surgery and piss off
>all of us that are perfectly
>happy with our outcomes."

>Well, don't know if I can change
>your mind about all that stuff,
>but I can tell you it's
>not true and you can make
>up your own minds. The
>bottom line is that this elective
>surgery IS RUINING PEOPLE'S LIVES for
>no good reason. It doesn't
>matter that a majority of people
>are happy with their results.
>Does that make it ok?
>I can't imagine that it does.
>

>I guarantee to anyone that if you
>were able to live one day,
>just one whole 24 hour period,
>with some of the side effects
>many people are having, this surgery
>would be halted immediately. You
>may not believe me, but it's
>true.

>Let's talk about the side effects, which
>a lot of us have more
>than one just to let you
>know.Dry eyes: Does anyone like
>it when there eye is dry?
> I don't know anyone who
>does. Can you live with
>a little dry eye? Sure.
> Can you live with dry
>eye that makes it impossible to
>tolerate contacts which would help your
>irregular astigmatism which even glasses won't
>correct? Sucks to be you.
> Irregular astigmatism: This is
>the side effect which basically means
>your cornea is shaped all kinds
>of messed up. Can an
>"Enhancement" cure this? Maybe.
>I had one and it didn't,
>so no, not all the time.
> Can contacts cure this.
>Maybe, if dry eyes or other
>tear problems don't get in the
>way. By the way, irregular
>astigmatism is one thing that can
>give you "ghosting" or multiple images.
> Fun stuff. Try reading
>a book with that. Heck,
>try working an eight hour shift.
> I can't even think about
>much that doesn't include reading off
>some sort. Not to mention
>everything you do that does not
>include reading. I guess it's
>no big deal to see two
>of the same car while driving
>down the street. I'm not
>even going to mention other side
>effects because it's not even necessary.
>

>Ask yourself this: Is it ok
>that me and 99 other people
>love their outcomes from this surgery
>but I know there's one person
>out their who had exactly the
>same thing done and now they
>are 99% ineffective in just about
>every aspect of life? Is
>that worth it? Is it
>ok that some people have had
>their life turned upside down and
>all they want to do is
>sleep and watch tv cause those
>are the only things they can
>do without feeling totally worthless?
>Is that really ok?

>I am not crazy. I was
>not a depressed person. I
>didn't have emotional problems before the
>surgery that are just now bigger
>because of the surgery. It
>is ridiculous that I have seen
>people accused of this. I
>have mentioned to people that I
>would give up one of my
>legs if I could have my
>old eyes back. That is
>not a joke. I can
>read with a fake leg.
>I can work efficiently with a
>fake leg. I can drive
>with a fake leg. I
>might not be able to run
>a fifteen minute two-mile with a
>fake leg, but I can live
>with that.

>Some of you might be thinking, "ok,
>so there is side effects which
>might be hard to deal with,
>but just go to the doctor
>and work it out." Sounds
>like a good idea huh?
>Ok. Hmm, let's see.
>I hope you have a really
>forgiving insurance or a decent amount
>of money. Oh, yeah, someone
>to drive you around, and the
>most important factor, a problem that
>can actually be fixed. That's
>a big one right there.
>A lot of the side effects
>may actually not be able to
>be fixed very well if at
>all.

>I challenge those of you who do
>not beleive me to do this:
> call ten non-refractive surgery eye
>doctors and ask them this:
>"Honestly, would you recommend refracrive surgery
>at this time?" I guarantee
>you might be surprised with the
>results. In fact, I cannot
>think of one eye doctor who
>isn't a refractive surgeon who has
>told me they would recommend the
>surgery. Honestly. I am
>not making this up. Doctors
>I have talked to tell me
>there are to many problems associated
>with the surgery. And the
>problems aren't stuffy nose, drowsiness, diarreah,
>or upset stomach. The problems
>are real, and much, much worse.
>

>This problem is real people. Everyone
>with side effects is not crazy,
>we are not natural haters of
>whatever, we are trying to tell
>you that our normal, efficient, effective
>and peaceful lives are being killed
>for a surgery that most poeple
>love and some are getting wealthy
>off of.

>Here's my last question of this very
>wordy (I apologize for the length)
>post: Suppose someone came to
>you and told you that you
>could have anything you ever dreamed
>of. I'm not talking about world
>peace or anything unrealistic by the
>way. One thing that you've
>always wanted, but here's the catch:
> someone you don't know will
>lose everything they've ever dreamed of.
> Do you do it?
>Is it ok that someone else
>might get screwed because you are
>happy? This question is
>of course, very hypothetical, but i'm
>trying to get a make a
>point.

>I know I'm asking for a lot
>for poeple to actually care about
>what's happening to others. I
>know there's many injustices and unfair
>things in this world. We
>can however, do the right thing
>when given the opportunity. If
>you are one of the many
>that are happy with your surgery,
>make sure and be extremely thankful
>that you are, but please, do
>not believe that it is the
>right thing to perform this surgery
>just because most people agree with
>you. If you knew what
>it was like on the other
>side of the fence, you definitley
>wouldn't.

>Let the "your crazy and a refractive
>surgery hater" posts commence.

At more than -9 diopters, you were still a very marginal candidate. Given your profession, what was your "plan B" if it hadn't worked out?

I'm just curious. You must have had some kind of backup.

DrG

Bradley,
Congratulations on your outcome. Now I have to ask you just how does a surgeon come by "tons of experience" before he or she is considered by you to be worthy of surgery? Your surgeon had to "practice" on somebody. I had just the opposite result as you after doing Intralase. I can not see anywhere near as good as i could with glasses and now glasses cannot correct the damage done. I answered an add that said "NO WORRIES". Well, I'm just a bit worried now, Bradley. I am certainly not alone judging by the explosion of Lasik complaint sites that are springing up daily. BTW, what state are you a registered MD in?

I paid $4000 for both eyes. Pretty expensive, so the "you get what you pay for" excuse doesn't really hold much meaning for me.

I went to a surgeon whom performed surgery on two people I know personally whom have had great results. During the surgery everything seemed to go as planned. I really hold no ill will toward the surgeon. I believe there is something that we are not seeing that is affecting the recovery of the eye after surgery, or some kind of x-factor we don't know about yet.

I had no problems with my eyes before the surgery (other than the prescription of course) such as dry eye or ghost images, and I was told I was a perfect candadid for the surgery. I was -4.25 and -4.50.

Again, I am fully aware that a majority of people are ecstatic with their results. It's the minority that I am worried about. Just knowing that everyday there is someone getting this surgery that will have to go through a lot of pain and grief is what worries me. It's just not worth it to me to have a few people's lives ruined so a majority can have great surgically corrected vision. If this was a life or death situation then I can see the benefits, but it is not. Our eyes were able to be corrected before this surgery. Sure glasses and contacts could be a "pain." I would trade my problems now for that burden anyday anytime.

Matthew,

I just wanted to let you know that I commiserate with you... and since I live in Clarksville, Maryland (practically neighbors) I thought I would respond... I had LASIK last May and although I feel I have adapted, I am still in glasses and still have vision repercussions from the surgery (the misery and anger has dissipated) ... when anyone talks about getting the surgery I tell them that I would never recommend that anyone do it ... I hope that in time you will be able to see better and feel better... Hang in there! Karen

Karen and others,

Thank you for your kind words. I am still working on solutions and am hopeful. That is all we can do. What people don't seem to understand is that your eyes are so much more important than you ever know until something like this happens. Your eyes are involved in pretty much every type of thing you do in this world, and to have that horribly disrupted in a complete life changing event. It amazes me how difficult how hard that is to get across.

Think of it like this: The people who had great outcomes think of the surgery as an amazingly positive life-changing experience. Well, people with bad outcomes it affects just the opposite if not worse.

I paid $4000 as well and a small fortune in drops and Pred Forte since. The medical profession is the only trade in the world that the worst they do, the more you pay. Can you imagine if a home builder, tv repairman, auto mechanic etc was able to say that there was no guarantee in their work? That they could destroy your car, tv or house but you had to pay them anyway? How long could they stay in business? If anything, the medical profession should have the human body down by now. It hasn't changed in 10000 years.
I don't blame my surgeon either, not at all but i do think that there is way too much uncertainty and harm done in the surgery industry.

John, something fishy is going on here and most no one wants to face the facts because it's easier not to. It's always a much harder fight to do the right thing.

I know for a fact too that Lasik complication results are downplayed by surgeons. How do I know this? Well, a year later, after the supposed six month healing process, I requested a copy of my full medical records. Not anywhere could I find a record of the many complications I have complained about many times. Nothing. As far as statistics are concerned, I'm just another success story. Pathetic. I cannot beleive that that happens and that people dismiss us as "mental cases." It's always easier to label people as "crazy" or "must have had pre-surgical issues."

> I have a full medical license in South Carolina. I am not a Opthomologist. All i am saying is that I believe lasik is a safe procedure. Sure it is a surgical procedure and ther are risks, im my consent form i had to hand write out "there are no guarantees" My outcome is astounding. My vision is like high definition TV. I am sorry you had such a bad outcome, Did you get a second opinion from another surgeon? Let me know. Bradley,Congratulations on your outcome. Now I
>have to ask you just how
>does a surgeon come by "tons
>of experience" before he or she
>is considered by you to be
>worthy of surgery? Your surgeon had
>to "practice" on somebody. I
>had just the opposite result as
>you after doing Intralase. I
>can not see anywhere near as
>good as i could with glasses
>and now glasses cannot correct the
>damage done. I answered an
>add that said "NO WORRIES".
>Well, I'm just a bit worried
>now, Bradley. I am certainly not
>alone judging by the explosion of
>Lasik complaint sites that are springing
>up daily. BTW, what state are
>you a registered MD in?

Do you mean did I get a second opinion before I had surgery? No I didn't. I had no reason not to believe my surgeon when she told me that I was a perfect candidate. Now I have a question for you. Why don't you show up on the South Carolina Medical Board listing?
http://verify.llronline.com/LicLookup/Med/Med.aspx?div=16

>I am on there i checked this morning. I am not a opthomolagist, but a pathologist. just type my name and you will see me there. Thanks,

Bradley
Do you mean did I get a
>second opinion before I had surgery?
> No I didn't. I
>had no reason not to believe
>my surgeon when she told me
>that I was a perfect candidate.
> Now I have a question
>for you. Why don't you
>show up on the South Carolina
>Medical Board listing?http://verify.llronline.com/LicLookup/Med/Med.aspx?div=16

I doubt that your experience is the norm for someone with your prescription. You should be grinning like the cheshire cat, but be thankful that you dodged the bullet. I wouldn't interpret your good fortune as a green light for anybody with that prescription going forward, unless they have a "plan B" if things don't go as planned.

DrG
http://www.coppellfamilyeyecare.com

>I agree, i was lucky that my vison really got that good. I would have been happy with 20/40 or 20/60. I dont mind wearing glasses, its just that i wanted to be less dependent on them. I know i will need reading glasses in the future but at least i can walk around my house in a safe manner. I did not mention that my corneas were on the thicker side about 600 microns so i had some extra tissue to work with. My flaps were aimed at 90 microns but they ended up at 100 microns thick. I think i lost about 159 microns on my -9 eye. Yes i did have a strong rx and my surgeoan was so happy that my vison is so good now. I doubt that your experience is the
>norm for someone with your prescription.
> You should be grinning like
>the cheshire cat, but be thankful
>that you dodged the bullet.
>I wouldn't interpret your good fortune
>as a green light for anybody
>with that prescription going forward, unless
>they have a "plan B" if
>things don't go as planned.

>DrGhttp://www.coppellfamilyeyecare.com

Yes, that's what most people think. However, the situation can be that you may lose lines of acuity, especially at night.

Anyhow, there is no reason to diminish your success. My motto is always "there, but for the Grace of God, go I."

Surely you don't believe that plans laid out on paper always have the correct outcome when executed surgicaly? The point I'm trying to make is that this surgury can have disasterous results for a person even with a qualified surgeon.

"Here's a really good question: Why is this surgery still being performed?"

Easy to answer. Mostly due to profit, but also because 90% are happy with lasik so this keeps a good supply of people that get lasik. As long as the majority of people are happy, lasik will go on.

"Now before anyone goes crazy at the posed question please read on. I did some research; I went to a doctor that was recommended by collegues; Everything seemed to go perfect during the surgery; I did all my post-op duties. Unfortunatley, now I have side effects that make Lasik the biggest mistake of my life."

No hun, your not crazy. Just a normal, average guy who wanted better vision without the hassles of glasses. I thought about lasik and researched it too, but decided its not for me due to the risks. Why take the chance? I dont exactly like glasses but im used to it and have dealt with them for many years and they give me pretty good vision.

"I guarantee to anyone that if you were able to live one day, just one whole 24 hour period, with some of the side effects many people are having, this surgery would be halted immediately. You may not believe me, but it's true."

If a genie popped up and you wished everyone who ever had lasik to have side effects for just one day, lasik would die right there and then.

"Let's talk about the side effects, which a lot of us have more than one just to let you know.
Dry eyes: Does anyone like it when there eye is dry? I don't know anyone who does. Can you live with a little dry eye? Sure. Can you live with dry eye that makes it impossible to tolerate contacts"

I know what dry eyes are like. They sometimes feel dry for a few minutes when I wake up or if im really tired. I cant tolerate contacts.

"Can an "Enhancement" cure this? Maybe. I had one and it didn't, so no, not all the time."

thats true and for some people, it just makes things even worse!

"By the way, irregular astigmatism is one thing that can give you "ghosting" or multiple images. Fun stuff. Try reading a book with that. Heck, try working an eight hour shift. I can't even think about much that doesn't include reading off some sort. Not to mention everything you do that does not include reading. I guess it's no big deal to see two of the same car while driving down the street. I'm not even going to mention other side effects because it's not even necessary."

It also kills visual accuracy. Irregular astigmastim can render you at 20/40, 20/50 or worse.

"Ask yourself this: Is it ok that me and 99 other people love their outcomes from this surgery but I know there's one person out their who had exactly the same thing done and now they are 99% ineffective in just about every aspect of life? Is that worth it? Is it ok that some people have had their life turned upside down and all they want to do is sleep and watch tv cause those are the only things they can do without feeling totally worthless? Is that really ok?"

I read that about 90% are happy with their lasik
but only 1% develop a major complication that renders them useless. Many develop minor complications that make them unhappy with lasik but still fully functional.

"This problem is real people. Everyone with side effects is not crazy, we are not natural haters of whatever, we are trying to tell you that our normal, efficient, effective and peaceful lives are being killed for a surgery that most poeple love and some are getting wealthy off of."

I can understand this. I think what should be done is simulate the effects of lasik. Maybe give someone wacky glasses and make him wear it 24 hours and tell him thats what lasik is like. Or maybe give someone atropine drops. I have worn contacts which dried my eyes out and the lasik crowd told me "welcome to a taste of lasik dry eyes!" When I got a cycloplegic refraction with dilating eyedrops, I experienced glare around bright lights and the lasik people say "you had a small taste of what our glare is like!"

"I'm sorry you did not have a good experience with lasik. I can honesty say that having lasik surgery was the best decision of my life. My vision has never been so clear. I am 20/15 in one eye and 20/20 in the other. I had blurry vision for as long as I can remember before surgery. Now, I find myself looking around amazed at how crisp and clear my vision is."

you probably had the same clear vision, just with glasses(albet a little minification) but im happy your lasik was a success. hope it holds up long term.

"As the OP said, lasik is real surgery, with real risks. But as in life, there are risks associated with everything you do."

If you stick with glasses, you dont have to take risks on an elective surgury. No one has to get lasik, they choose to on their own to take the risks. You dont have to take that risk in life!

"I was a classic example of a guy with crummy vison, -9.25 with 0.75 astigmatism. I am 31 years old. I had the custome lasik VISX with intralase done. 3 months post op i have better than 20/10 vision with no side effects at all. actulayy before the surgery my night vision was crummy and i had severe starbursts and Halos. All i wanted form the surgery was to be able to function without glasses. I am very lucky. I went to a surgeoan who had been doing the procedure for 10 years and was an expert in the field."

and we believe you? Most eyecharts dont go beyond 20/20 which is considered perfect vision. Some go to 20/15 and a few to 20/10. You sound like a lasik surgeon making this up to promote lasik. Let me tell ya something, one website claims that 25% of people get 20/10 and like 80% get 20/15 yet the reality is only 50% end up 20/20, the other 50% see worse than 20/20. Let me tell you, I know alot of people who got lasik and I ask them. One lady I know is seeing 20/30 to 20/40 after lasik and she considers it a good experience! Expect to reduce your dependancy on glasses after lasik and get closer to plano and around 20/30 vision. Anyone that expects eagle 20/10 or better vision is just fooling themselves.

"Sure everybody can get lasik, but you must be a good candidate. If you have dry eye before lasik you are a crummy candidate because one of the known side effects is dry eye."

even good candidates have complications. Lasik is a risk for all.

"also believe you get what you pay for. $200.00 for lasix on each eye, come on this is a surgical operation, to change the spark plugs in your car would cost more than that."

people get complications with any lasik, much more so with $299 an eye lasik than $2499 an eye.

"I went to a surgeon whom performed surgery on two people I know personally whom have had great results. During the surgery everything seemed to go as planned. I really hold no ill will toward the surgeon. I believe there is something that we are not seeing that is affecting the recovery of the eye after surgery, or some kind of x-factor we don't know about yet."

There is still much to learn about eyes and vision. Results can be unpredictable, healing can be unpredictable. Most people with bad lasik results had competent surgeons who did everything right, their eyes just healed "wrong". One never knows how your eyes will react and heal from the laser. In fact you can have a perfect result in one eye and a lousy result in the other eye, thats how unpredictable things are! I know one guy who ended up 20/15 in one eye perfect and 20/40 in the other undercorrected with induced astigmastim, dry eye, ghosting, poor night vision. The exact same procedure was done on both eyes and no mistakes were made on the surgeon's part. Yet one eye came out so bad!

"I had no problems with my eyes before the surgery (other than the prescription of course) such as dry eye or ghost images, and I was told I was a perfect candadid for the surgery. I was -4.25 and -4.50."

middle of the line moderate myopia. Your typical 20/300 UCVA. No super thick glasses, no going around blind without glasses.

"I know for a fact too that Lasik complication results are downplayed by surgeons. How do I know this? Well, a year later, after the supposed six month healing process, I requested a copy of my full medical records. Not anywhere could I find a record of the many complications I have complained about many times. Nothing. As far as statistics are concerned, I'm just another success story. Pathetic."

I know! Complication rates are much higher than anyone wants to imagine. Many people generally agree theres a 10% chance you wont be happy with your lasik experience and a 1% chance youll be disabled from it. I guess it all boils down to how badly you want to reduce dependancy on glasses and how much risk your willing to accept on a non reversable procedure. Whatever lasik gives you is forever.

Here we go. Ace, our internet expert is here answering questions again despite his complete lack of qualifications.

Ace, tell them what your educational background is and what you do for a living.

Ace is not a Doctor. He has no training in the field. He does not work in the field. Ace has not even had the surgery.

He just like to play an expert on the internet.

I remember hearing that John Walker Lindh used to impersonate a black rapper on the internet. Ace is in the same category.

Hey Matt, can you see my reply to you? if you answer the questions, I will be able to further help you

Hi Matthew,

Sorry to drag up this old thread, but if you are still reading out here, I just wanted to let you know you are not alone. I could not have said it better myself. I'm 27 and had lasik 10-months ago. I'm still struggling terribly with dry eye. I don't think that anyone can understand quite how devastating these complications can be until they experience them themselves. You asked the question if you could have anything in the world you dreamed of but someone else had to lose everything, would you do it? Well, I think it is important to point out that for many of us suffering from complications, that ANYTHING in the world is just to undo lasik....the "simple" elective procedure that was supposed to make our lives so much easier. I would give my house, my job, my entire savings and everything I own to get my old eyes back. I'm not sure why people with good outcomes can't understand this. Perhaps if they knew me before lasik and saw the happy, bubbly, optimistic carefree girl I was, and now saw me as a depressed wreck they would understand. I think people read our stories and see stories...not real people. Good luck and I wish you and everyone else suffering improvement in their situation, physically and mentally.

Michelle

This surgery is ruining lives for no reason. Even if 99% of people are happy or at least content, then that leaves 1% that have had their lives turned upside down. 1% of one million is ten thousand people. More than a million people have had the surgery. That means more than ten thousand people have had their lives ruined so some people don't have to wear glasses or contacts. NOT WORTH IT! It is not that hard to understand if you really think about it. It's a shame. Good luck to you.

Millions of people drive a car everyday with great success. Unfortunately, some people are killed by cars everyday. Despite the number of people killed by cars everyday, the vast number of drivers are extremely happy they do not need to walk great distances to get to their destination. The same thing applies to lasik. I had lasik eight weeks ago, and it is by far the best decision I have made. My vision has never been so crisp or clear. I am free from my glasses and could not be happier. With any surgery there is always a risk of complications. It is unfortunate for those who have had problems related to their lasik, but the vast number of people are very happy with their results. I know over a dozen people who had the surgery and all are very happy with their results. My only lasik regret, is that I waited so long to get the surgery.

Brian, your logic may seem to ring true, but it does not work. People do not die because of driving cars, people die in cars. People also die walking down the street. You could die sleeping in your bed by having a plane fly into it. It is very understandable that there are risks in life that are unaviodable.

If one out of every ninety-nine people died getting their wisdom teeth pulled, would the surgery still be performed??? I doubt it, unless is was medically necessary.

So are you saying that pretty much anything should be fair game as long as everybody realizes there are risks involved? I know the risks of shooting up heroin, why is that illegal?

If you think that rendering at least 1% of the population depressed, inefficient, etc, for the rest of the other 99% on a cosmetic surgery is ok, I think that's a problem. But hey, that seems to be the way of the world. As long as I am happy, then screw everyone else.

Matthew

I am in complete agreement with you and let me tell you why. In March of 2003 I had Lasik performed to help correct farsightedness in my right eye. Actually both eyes were farsighted but the right eye was about 100 percent more farsighted than the left eye. So you can imagine the vision disparity between the two eyes.

While the Lasik worked for the most part, it also introduced a host of other problems that did not exist prior to the surgery.

The pupil of the eye I had surgery performed on changes size on a regular basis. It becomes larger than that of the left eye. Then goes back to normal. This occurs if I read too long or in certain lighting environments, specifically florescent lighting. Compared with that of the left eye, the right pupil grows larger in dim or dark lighting. The right eye also displays a slightly glassy appearance and the pupil at times is off-center in the iris. I also wake up with some degree of eye pain everyday. I did not have these issues prior to Lasik, this I know.

Unfortunately I found this site http://mercola.com/ too late. The doctor who founded the site; Joseph Mercola, also speaks out very loudly against the dangers of Lasik surgery. Had I found this site prior to having Lasik performed, I would never have had it done.

Lastly, I want to point those who have had post Lasik problems, to this site https://www.herbdoc.com/abp_1024x768.asp where you might want to check out a product known as "Eye Bright" which is an herbal product that has helped me greatly. This product has helped to improve my vision. This really works. I'm not a saleman by the way. I'm just someone who does a lot of research over the Internet. I just wish that I had done more on Lasik before having it performed.

I wish you the best Matthew and all the innocent folks who have been mislead by false claims of crytal clear vision by way of Lasik. The dangers are real and the risks are not worth it.

Kevin R.
New Jersey