Lasik surgery?

[UrbanWolf]

Has anyone done those? Is a realistic cost about $2000 per eye? I just want to know before let a doc rob my bank. I've saved up almost an entire year for this.

[Rooskibar03]

Last time I looked into it, 2-2500 total was going rate from someone reputable. Never pulled the trigger, cuss myself every time I change contacts.

[GilpinGuy]

I'm interested in the responses as well. I know a guy who went to Mexico for it in the late 90's and got it for about $500 total. I told him he was out of his mind (and still think he was) but he's still fine.

I'd spend the dough and get here in the US though. I thought I'd heard "specials" on the radio at Spivac (sp?) and others for $1K per eye though.

[Clint45]

You need to be a good candidate for Lasik if you want a good experience. If you have problems with dry eye, allergies, frequent vision changes, or severe astigmatism you might want to pass, as the side effects can be serious if you have eye issues other than poor vision. Even with a best case scenario, there is still a moderate risk of deteriorating night vision or corneal erosion. Be fully informed, do your research, and pick a surgeon with an excellent reputation, even if you need to wait a few months to get an appointment. Not all Lasik surgeons are equal.

[Danimal]

I got mine done in the military, well I got PRK in the military. It sucked, but it was the best thing that I ever did.

[The Rat]

I had PRK done a few years ago for $3600 total and it was the best money I ever spent. Went with these guys for it based on a recommendation from my optometrist: http://eyecenternoco.com/

[Hound]

Last time I looked into it, 2-2500 total was going rate from someone reputable. Never pulled the trigger, cuss myself every time I change contacts.
This is what I would expect. I had it done for about $2600. Love it. Biggest thing I can recommend is that slow is better. They measured my eyes over 3-4 months. Then they took the average of all the readings. Your eyes actaully change shape for many different reasons like time of day, brightness, barometric pressure, if you just woke up, rubbing them, etc. If they just measure and cut... Not good. Take your time and pay for a good surgeon. Your eyes are not a good place to go cheap.

[Richard K]

I had it done 10 years ago and paid $3,000. Had my vision checked last month and I'm still 20/20. Best money I ever spent.

[joeyshoe]

I had lasik done about 8 years ago. I didn't get it paid off until a year ago, but it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. Glasses and contacts were such a pain and after dealing with them my whole life, I just got tired of it. I've had no problems with it. I was up and running within a few days after the surgery. I had the interlase operation where they use lasers to cut your eye Vs. the blade. It was a strange sensation to see your vision go away. After the "cut," they asked me to walk to the other station. I couldn't see anything but bright white light. My wife was watching as they led me to the bed. I had my eyes open and tried to see where I was going but there was just nothing. She said that my eyes had no color, just white. I guess it freaked her out pretty bad. anyway, no regrets here!

[th3w01f]

I did it in 2000 when I was 30 and I have to agree that it's the best money I've ever spent; 13 years later and my vision is still 20/20. I used Dr. Spivack as did my wife about 3 years ago (she is very happy as well). They were great to deal with and have a lifetime guarantee. http://www.yelp.com/biz/spivack-vision-center-centennial-3

[Irving]

It's on the list for me as well. I consider it a survival prep.

[Bailey Guns]

I had it done in 98 by Icon in the Springs...about $2k. Like others, best money I've spent.

[cmailliard]

It's on the list for me as well. I consider it a survival prep.

This. It has been my biggest fear for a couple years.

[Ronin13]

Doctor Hock up here in Evergreen, he was one of the first to start doing it in CO (he and one other fella). My old man got it done when it first emerged and only now (16 or so years later) is he needing reading glasses for close up things, but that's also due to age. I'm planning to get it one day, just because, Like Rooskie, I curse changing contacts, even if I have the 30 day extended wear ones.

[T-Giv]

I have also been considering it. Do most of these offices offer good financing options for it?

[Great-Kazoo]

IF you have any issues with your eyes [ previous trauma, etc] while lasik is good you have a good chance of loosing depth perception

[MileHighOutlaw]

I had Icon do mine back in January of this year. My wife had hers done two years ago. Truly the best money ever spent.

[jscwerve]

Best money I've ever spent in my entire life. Got it done 2 years ago at Spivak vision center. Cost about 3k. Knowing what I know now, I would have paid even more if I had to.

[OneGuy67]

I had PRK done back in 1999 and had to have a free touch up in 2005, but it was the best money I've ever spent. I did have some eye dryness issues with the first surgery, but the "enhanced" surgery I later did, fixed whatever the issue was. It also expanded the surgical area so I didn't have the halo effect from the first surgery. Very happy with mine. I did lose some night vision, but it was a fair trade to not have to deal with contacts or glasses. Now, with age, I am getting to the point where I'm going to need 'old man glasses' for reading and whatnot, but I hear they are developing a surgical technique to fix that as well.

In a nutshell, if you are a good candidate for it, do it!

[Sawin]

ok, I'm no longer on the fence. I'll utilize my flexible spending account in 2014 to get lasik. I already know I'm a good candidate because my optometrist has asked me why I haven't done it yet for the last 2 years. I just haven't really hated my contacts that much and figure the price would keep coming down...

[bnred9]

Best money I've ever spent in my entire life. Got it done 2 years ago at Spivak vision center. Cost about 3k. Knowing what I know now, I would have paid even more if I had to.

Count me in for this response. Best Money Ever Spent

[XC700116]

Again, best money I've ever spent. I did mine in MN as I'm originally from there, am single (nobody to drive me home here), and had already done all the research on the doc. Plus he charges a flat rate of $995/eye so about $2K all said and done. Unless you considder the airline miles I cashed in for the flight home to do it.

[bellavite1]

In 1987 I flew from Rome, Italy, to Moscow, Russia to get an IOL (intra-ocular implant).
I basically have been living for the last 26 yers with lenses implanted in my eyes.
So far so good...[Beer]

[TheWeeze]

ok, I'm no longer on the fence. I'll utilize my flexible spending account in 2014 to get lasik. I already know I'm a good candidate because my optometrist has asked me why I haven't done it yet for the last 2 years. I just haven't really hated my contacts that much and figure the price would keep coming down...
That's the exact same reason I haven't done it yet either. Just keep pushing it back. I want it even more now after reading through the responses.

[rbeau30]

While mine was free, and I had PRK done instead. I would definately pay the amounts that these folks are talking about for it. I keep trying to convince the little lady to get it done, but she is chicken.

I probably would have gone the Lasik route (recovery time) if I would have paid for it simply because I was effectively blind for about a week, and could not look at a computer for a month.

[The Rat]

I went with PRK over Lasik because I read more reports of Lasik people having dry eyes, as well as reports that if you're in some kind of traumatic head injury situation, the flap created by the lasik can come dislodged. I had my PRK done before having to head back overseas for a couple more contracts, so I thought that the longer recovery time was a good tradeoff for having my eyes be more solid in general. YMMV.

[rbeau30]

I went with PRK over Lasik because I read more reports of Lasik people having dry eyes, as well as reports that if you're in some kind of traumatic head injury situation, the flap created by the lasik can come dislodged. I had my PRK done before having to head back overseas for a couple more contracts, so I thought that the longer recovery time was a good tradeoff for having my eyes be more solid in general. YMMV.

I heard the exact same thing about the flap never fully or taking years and years and years to fully heal back on there. I actually have noticed a significant increase in my dry eye symptoms with my PRK than before. I just carry drops in my EDC in those little vials, love em, no burn at all.

[patrick0685]

Got mine done at Spivack Vision. I know a bunch of people that had it done there before I got it done, and we all have to carry a medical, so we wanted/need someone great! I would do it again in a heartbeat, best money you can spend IMO.

[BigNick73]

I had PRK done back in 01-02 or so, corneas too thin for lasik. Was about $2100 total for both eyes in Mississippi. Still wear glasses for somethings, like shooting, as I'm only 20/30 in my right eye, but compared to having a prescription somewhere around -8.5 (well past 20/400) before, I can't complain. Still see 20/20 using both according to the Dr. I will warn you. PRK hurt bad enough I don't think I'd do it again, and was a good week or more before I could drive myself anywhere.

[Wulf202]

I had it done 10 years ago and paid $3,000. Had my vision checked last month and I'm still 20/20. Best money I ever spent.
This for me too

I had severe head trauma 3 years after and all that is bs. It heals alot quicker than they say

[UrbanWolf]

This for me too

I had severe head trauma 3 years after and all that is bs. It heals alot quicker than they say

So after 3 trauma post surgery nothing bad happened to your eyes?

[Wulf202]

The head injury involved lots of problems. Including my eyes. But nothing to the physical eyeball. I had vision therapy for 3 months and it's not the same as it used to be but the clarity is still there. If your body can't heal a pair of cuts less than 2 inches long then there's underlying health issues complicating your healing.