https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 08:23:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2174363 Mon, 11 May 2015 12:33:52 +0000 lamariniere 2174363@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jetsa: @mrs. wagon: @Mrs. Lion: @Applesandbananas: @lemong: thanks for all this great feedback! I hope I'm getting a pretty realistic sense of what I can expect. Of course, I will ask the dr all of my questions too, but it's nice to hear about other people's experiences. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2174178 Mon, 11 May 2015 10:59:11 +0000 lemong 2174178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think getting LASIK was one of the best decisions I ever made! As @Mrs.Wagon said, completely life-changing!</p> <p>What was your vision before? -7.5 in my left eye, -6.5 in right<br /> How was the procedure? It went well. The surgeon does surgeries for some of the professional sports teams in my area, so it seemed like a good choice. Felt a little weird but I didn't experience any real pain. Just slept most of the day after the surgery (also came down with a cold the night before). I was so scared I was going to sneeze in the middle of the surgery and have them mess up my eye!<br /> How was your recovery time? Pretty quick - things were a little blurry that night, but the next morning, I could see quite well.<br /> How soon could you work on a computer again? As others said, I did my surgery on a Thursday and went back to work on a Friday.<br /> How satisfied you are now? Very satisfied! It's so nice not to have to wear glasses or contacts.<br /> If you had it 5+ years ago, has your vision stayed the same?<br /> Generally, yes. I had the surgery in 2007 and my eyesight has been steady until this past year, when I needed glasses but only for when I don't see clearly, like on the computer and driving at night. My optometrist said the glasses are more likely from aging than anything - LASIK can't stop the eyes from getting old!<br /> ETA: If you were wearing contacts, how long before the procedure did you stop wearing them? (I wear soft lenses.) Hmm...I can't remember. I was wearing hard lenses since I kept getting protein deposits with soft lenses. I think I had to not wear them for a week? I really can't remember. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2174164 Mon, 11 May 2015 10:53:12 +0000 Applesandbananas 2174164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: I had it done almost 5 years ago and I love it! My vision was similar to yours, although I don't recall the exact numbers. My biggest issue was astigmatism, which my LASIK provider told me would be greatly improved with LASIK. I didn't drive at night prior to LASIK due to the severity of my astigmatism, even with glasses or contacts. </p> <p>The procedure was so fast, less than 3 minutes and I was back at work the next day (using a computer for 8 hours). I had itchy eyes for a day or two but no other symptoms. </p> <p>One eye is 20/15, one is 20/20, even nearly 5 years later! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2174026 Mon, 11 May 2015 09:43:54 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2174026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What was your vision before? Really really really bad. I stopped being able to see the big E on the chart in middle school, and it got progressively worse through college.<br /> How was the procedure? It was super easy and fast! It was really weird and kinda freaked me out a bit because you are awake and can see what they are doing, but it was over in 5 minutes per eye.<br /> How was your recovery time? I honestly don't remember more than 2 days of recovery time...so I guess it was pretty easy.<br /> How soon could you work on a computer again? I don't remember...so it must not have been very long.<br /> How satisfied you are now? Very!!<br /> If you had it 5+ years ago, has your vision stayed the same? For the most part. I was 20/15 right after and 3 years later. I had two babies since then, and my vision is now 20/25, but since I am only a couple months postpartum it may go back to normal. I just purchased a pair of glasses that will sharpen it a bit, if I need to see detail really far away or for driving at night, but I don't really need them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2174021 Mon, 11 May 2015 09:40:24 +0000 mrs. wagon 2174021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LIFE CHANGING!!! Probably the best thing I have done for myself ever!</p> <p>What was your vision before? -8.5 in the right and -9 in the left, slight astigmatism in left as well. "legally blind" as well, which means I need to be wearing corrective lenses to drive :) NOT "clinically blind" :)<br /> How was the procedure? It was a little intense. They offer a valium the day of, but unfortunately valium doesn't do much for me. The procedure itself was really quick but the waiting, etc took almost all day.<br /> How was your recovery time? The numbing drops wore off right when I got home and OH, the searing pain!! I didn't realize. I took ibuprofen right then and fell asleep and from then on the pain was manageable.<br /> How soon could you work on a computer again? Probably the next day but I had it done on a Thursday so I didn't work again until Monday.<br /> How satisfied you are now? AMAZINGLY satisfied.<br /> If you had it 5+ years ago, has your vision stayed the same? I had it done about 1.5 years ago! No change in vision so far. You have to have regular eye checkups to make sure the flaps are healing and your vision is staying constant.</p> <p>ETA: If you were wearing contacts, how long before the procedure did you stop wearing them? (I wear soft lenses.) I hadn't been wearing my lenses for almost a year because I was diagnosed with severe dry eye, and that's why I decided to go ahead with the LASIK. I can't remember how long they tell you to not wear lenses before the procedure but they should definitely let you know.</p> <p>Also, I almost didn't qualify (one center told me I didn't qualify for the regular LASIK, but I could get the more invasive PRK procedure that has a longer recovery time) because of my high prescription. But I have a thick cornea so the more specialized center did qualify me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2174017 Mon, 11 May 2015 09:38:25 +0000 jetsa 2174017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH had it done 8 years ago and still loves it. His vision is still better than 20/20. He keeps encouraging me to get it done but I do not think I'd qualify because my eyes keep changing, I'm pretty sure you prescription has to be static for a few years before. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2173916 Mon, 11 May 2015 08:27:59 +0000 Mamasig 2173916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: I remember thinking - what?! They make it sound like everyone can get it done! Oh well, maybe one day we'll be able to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2173817 Mon, 11 May 2015 07:28:55 +0000 Foodnerd81 2173817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: they did say it's about twice as likely to need adjustments or glasses with a higher prescription- something like 1-3% for most people and 3-5% for me. So I'm just "lucky". It may have gotten better in the six years since I did it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2173806 Mon, 11 May 2015 07:11:40 +0000 MrsADS 2173806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamasig I was rejected too :sad: Too nearsighted (like -12) and my corneas are too thin. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2173804 Mon, 11 May 2015 07:08:36 +0000 blackbird 2173804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: yeah, he wore some serious glasses! Took me awhile to get used to him not needing them lol</p> <p>My dad had his done WAY back in the day when the procedure was new-probably 20 years ago-and had them touched up once and he still wears reading glasses sometimes. BUT he's also 63 or so and the technology has come a long long ways since! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2173801 Mon, 11 May 2015 07:00:13 +0000 lamariniere 2173801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: that must have been incredible for him to go from legally blind to seeing!</p> <p>@Mrs. Goose: I have no idea which procedure I will be eligible for, so it's good to hear about different recovery times. It probably would have been smarter to schedule this for the winter, since it's so grey here. But I don't mind wearing sunglasses. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2173798 Mon, 11 May 2015 06:56:42 +0000 lamariniere 2173798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey: Thanks for commenting on both you and husband's vision over time. That's great that it has stayed the same! That's a big question, how long do they stay "fixed"? But I guess it's one of those things you can't really know until you experience it yourself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2173797 Mon, 11 May 2015 06:55:45 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2173797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband got it about five years ago and he loves it. He always brings it up when I say my eyes are itchy or dry from my contact lenses he reminds me about how good his eyes feel from laser eye surgery. Anyway, his vision wasn't that bad, yours is worse than his was. I am at a -4 in each eye currently and have had glasses / contacts for about 12 years now. He still thinks I should get it, but I am skeptical and a bit freaked out. I know quite a few people who have gotten it and they all love it. I know some that had a painful / long recovery, but they got an older procedure I believe and got it done 10+ years ago.</p> <p>His recovery time was only a week or so, but there are two different procedures I think and they have differing recovery times. The only thing he needed was eye drops after because his eyes were quite dry and I think they might give you something to prevent infections. He had to wear sunglasses for a week everywhere. He says that now he finds his eyes are more sensitive to the sun, a bit, so he tends to wear sunglasses a bit more. He said the procedure was great and over quickly; he just needed someone to bring him home. He never wore contacts and didn't really need glasses that much. I feel if they can do the surgery then they'll do it no matter what your eye sight is. Some people can't get it because of the shape of their eye and stuff like that. Also, if you are of a certain age they probably won't do it, I have heard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2173796 Mon, 11 May 2015 06:55:15 +0000 blackbird 2173796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH had it done about 7 years ago-was On my one of the few with dry eyes for a couple years but is super happy with it, and still has 20/20! He was legally blind before! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2173795 Mon, 11 May 2015 06:54:51 +0000 lamariniere 2173795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Thanks, that's good to know that you still need occasional glasses for things like driving or the movies. That helps keep my expectations in check.</p> <p>@Mamasig: bummer! :bummed: I too will be really sad if they tell me I'm not a good candidate after all these years of wearing contacts, the last thing I'll want to do is go back to sticking them in my eyes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2173794 Mon, 11 May 2015 06:51:35 +0000 chopsuey 2173794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ps. My husband had it done 8 years ago and his vision is still 20/20! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2173792 Mon, 11 May 2015 06:50:18 +0000 Mamasig 2173792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: not nosy! My vision is too bad (lots of nearsightedness and astigmatism) plus my corneas are on the flatter side. The combo of that made the doctor not suggest the procedure. I was crushed. I've worn glasses or contacts since I was 8 and am basically blind without them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2173791 Mon, 11 May 2015 06:50:09 +0000 Foodnerd81 2173791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had it done in 2009, so I guess that's more than five years ago. Wow!</p> <p>Vision was bad before- -6 and -6.25. I was worried it was too bad to be considered.<br /> Procedure was very scary, knowing that this was totally voluntary and had a small but real risk, but the actual procedure was quick and pretty painless. They gave me Valium before and I was still kind of freaking out.<br /> Recovery was fine! The first night my eyes sting a lot, which can be normal but doesn't happen to everyone. After that, I remember being really bored because you can't read or use the computer or watch tv. My eyes would get tired but rarely hurt. I had to use eye drops for several weeks for dry eyes.<br /> Had the procedure on Thursday, went back to work Monday and was fine, just took frequent breaks from the computer and used the eye drops.<br /> My vision did go back a little bit. They warned me this is more common with a higher prescription, and now I need glasses with a very prescription to drive at night, and prefer to wear them for any driving, power point presentations at work, going to the movies... I can do those without the glasses but it's more comfortable with. My eyes have been stable since about a year or two after the procedure (I do really follow ups). </p> <p>I am SO happy I did it! Even needing my glasses occasionally it was so worth it! Waking up and being able to see, going in the pool with LO and not worrying about contacts or glasses getting wet, going to the beach.... So happy with it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2173790 Mon, 11 May 2015 06:50:08 +0000 chopsuey 2173790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: my eyes were -4.25 in each eye, slight astigmarism.<br /> Procedure was quick.<br /> I had blood spots on the whites of my eyes for a good 10 days, but could see better almost immediately.<br /> I forget exactly how long, but after the procedure i went straight to bed and kept my eyes closed/hydrated/medicated for about 12 hours.<br /> When I woke up, my vision was clear and perfect.<br /> I got on the computer the following day, but limited my screen time.<br /> I had it done 1.5 years ago and vision is still 20/20 (or better). </p> <p>Getting LASIK was life changing! I love not having to wear glasses/contacts anymore. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2173787 Mon, 11 May 2015 06:41:22 +0000 lamariniere 2173787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamasig: if I can be nosy, why were you rejected? I'm worried my vision is too "good", but I really can't see anything without contacts or glasses unless it is right under my nose! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2173786 Mon, 11 May 2015 06:40:14 +0000 Mamasig 2173786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good luck! I went to a consultation a few years ago and was rejected :crying: </p> <p>But people I know who've had it loved it. Most need reading glasses as they got older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-lasik-or-vision-correction-procedure#post-2173785 Mon, 11 May 2015 06:37:52 +0000 lamariniere 2173785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I booked a consultation for a few weeks from now and I'm starting to read up. For reference, I've been wearing contacts for 22 years! I'm nearsighted -2.25 and -2.75. I would like to know:</p> <p>What was your vision before?<br /> How was the procedure?<br /> How was your recovery time?<br /> How soon could you work on a computer again?<br /> How satisfied you are now?<br /> If you had it 5+ years ago, has your vision stayed the same?</p> <p>ETA: If you were wearing contacts, how long before the procedure did you stop wearing them? (I wear soft lenses.) </p>