Lasik

[Flick James]

I'm just curious if anybody here has ever gotten Lasik surgery. I'm worn glasses since I was in my teens, and I'm just so sick of them. Contacts are cool but ultimately they're a big pain in the ass as well. However, I'm also very squeamish about surgery on my eyes. I'm seriously considering looking into it.

If anybody here has every gotten it, would you care to comment?

[The Burgomaster]

I've thought about going in for a consultation, but I don't think I qualify for the surgery because I have astigmatism.  If I did qualify, and if I had the money, I would not hesitate.  My cousin had it done about 10 or 15 years ago (his eyesight was not nearly as bad as mine).  He hasn't worn glasses since.

[Flick James]

I've thought about going in for a consultation, but I don't think I qualify for the surgery because I have astigmatism.  If I did qualify, and if I had the money, I would not hesitate.  My cousin had it done about 10 or 15 years ago (his eyesight was not nearly as bad as mine).  He hasn't woen glasses since.

Hmmm. I have astigmatism as well. I didn't know that was a disqualifying factor.

[The Burgomaster]

I've thought about going in for a consultation, but I don't think I qualify for the surgery because I have astigmatism.  If I did qualify, and if I had the money, I would not hesitate.  My cousin had it done about 10 or 15 years ago (his eyesight was not nearly as bad as mine).  He hasn't woen glasses since.

Hmmm. I have astigmatism as well. I didn't know that was a disqualifying factor.

I think it might be . . . or maybe it depends on how bad it is.  In addition to astigmatism, my eyes are just plain bad.  I got bifocals a few years ago.  I think my uncorrected vision is something like 20/400.  The time display on the clock radio beside my bed is very blurry and it's only about a foot or two away from my eyes.

[Rev. Powell]

I got it about 2-3 years ago.  It's been great, except that my vision is already starting to deteriorate again.  I'm going to need glasses again soon, just for driving and seeing at distance.  My vision will still be better than it was before surgery.

To be fair my doctor warned me this was likely to happen because of my age (presbyopia, the natural deterioration of the eyes which tends to begin in the 40s) .  So be aware that getting it in your 40s won't be as good a deal as it would be if you had the surgery done earlier in life.  My brother had it done in his 30s and he's got a lot more use out of his new eyes.  I'm still glad I did it because I hated wearing glasses.