Diary of Laser Eye Surgery

wilson182

15th November 2006, 10:30 PM

I know this has been covered in another thread, but I am about to have surgery on my eyes so I though I would keep a bit of a diary, just in case it was of interest.

There are two laser surgeries in Christchurch - One in Fendalton and the one I have chosen which is on papanui road. On investigation they seem to be equally good and at the end of the day it came down to price. The clinic in Fendalton offers the relatively new "bladeless" surgery and came in at about $1500 more. Laservision have the Allegretto Wavelight machine and the blurb reads:- "Laservision's Allegretto Wavelight machine is the only one of its kind in the country and one of the first three in Australasia."

Cost at Laservision is $4500 for both eyes. This includes the "free" pre-assessment, pre-operative evaluation, surgery, follow-up care and "enhancement" surgery if required.

I had the pre-assessment on Weds and was quite happy with the information given. My nurse was very clear in her explantation of the surgery and in explaining all the tests and results that she had taken. I didn't really need to ask any questions as she covered it all already. So,

I have to stop wearing my contact lenses on the 30th November for the two weeks prior to my surgery. This is because contact lenses squash the eye shape slightly, and the surgeon will need to take precise measurements in the pre-op evaluation. At this stage he can still decide that I am not a candidate and cancel the surgery, if he is happy with everything my surgery is sheduled for the next day. Because I have only just started a new job and didn't want to take too much time off they have booked my pre-op for 5.10pm and my surgery the next day for 6.30pm. I have been given a pack to take home and read which covers pretty much what I was told, and explanations of all the terminology regarding the surgery.

So, thats all for now, will keep posting.

Smiler

15th November 2006, 10:51 PM

Thats a thoughtful thing to do, thank you.

I'll be following this with interest, good luck and will look forward to hearing your experience. :nice1

D x

Marie P

15th November 2006, 10:54 PM

I will watch this with interest too .

I'm too short sighted to have it {if I was brave enough}.

Good luck and keep us informed .

Marie x

pinkpiggy

16th November 2006, 05:41 AM

I will watch this with interest too
It's something the OH and myself have often thought about having done but I'm a scaredy-cat when it comes to anything to do with eyes. Also, I don't think I'm short sighted enough in one of my eyes so would probably still end up wearing glasses - so it would be pointless. OH just never seems to have the time to get it done.

willsken

16th November 2006, 08:20 AM

This is a description of my surgery I posted a while ago.... I still say it was one of the most liberating experiences of my life. I am a scaredy cat but it was well worth it and I recommend it to anyone.

I will be very interested to read your account wilson182. What method are you having?

Well, I had mine done at Ultralase in Cardiff and paid £3000 for both eyes (£1500 each and on interest free credit!). You can get the treatment from about £495 per eye. The treatment I had cost more because you have each eye mapped and the surgery is geared to the contours of individual eyes. This means that the side effects are less and the results better. (Not by that much I'm sure!)

You are awake for the procedure and it takes about half an hour. Although it made me feel uncomfortable, knowing what they were doing to me, there was no pain at all during the procedure. You are very light sensitive going home - you can't drive and need sunglasses. I even had to keep my eyes shut all the way home!

Once home I had to have the curtains drawn and no lights on for a couple of days - no good for the rest of the family!

Now I have to say that the pain for the first few days was quite bad. BUT this was due to the method they used on my eyes. There are 2 ways of performing the op. 1. they cut a round flap in the eye with a laser and then do the work or 2. they scrape away the top of the eye and then do it. The man doing mine preferred this method as he felt that this left less risk of infection afterwards. This method is more painful afterwards but more comfortable during. People who have the flap cut are up and around and in no pain a day or so later.

I was told that there are no problems in the future and my eyes should be fine for the rest of my life (as in the problems they corrected) I could still have to wear reading glasses as I get older in the same way most people do. I had very bad eyesight and I wore contacts all day everyday. This was starting to cause problems for me. As I said before, as life changing things go this is at the very top of my list - just in front of having my 2 boys!

wilson182

16th November 2006, 08:39 PM

Hi Guys

Nicola, Im having the Lasik done, so it will be an interesting comparison. The difference with lasik is that a tiny flap is cut into the cornea and the laser works on whats underneath. This is the part that I would be most squemish about, but I am told that when the little suction machine is on the eye the vision fades so you don't actually see anything:eek: Another difference is the healing time supposedly, but I will let you know about that one.

katandbob

16th November 2006, 09:32 PM

are you all short sighted?
I'm long and my eyes are getting worse since arriving here???
can't read small stuff on moisturiser/makeup/pill bottles (might be a problem when I mix up the hemoroid cream for wrinkle cream ??? JOKE I dont have any Hemoroid cream in the house hONEST!
I am having to wear my glasses more now, and have thought about doing the op route - but my old boss in the UK put me off saying How many Opticians do you see wearing glasses??? I said Lots - he said correct - they arn't doing it to their own eyes, as they have no idea what it does to their eyes...SO I will read (with my specs) how you all get on!

Kat :cool:

willsken

17th November 2006, 02:29 AM

Hi Guys

Another difference is the healing time supposedly, but I will let you know about that one.

I work with a man who had the one you are planning and the healing time is a lot faster. He was driving the next day! :exit

KerryS

17th November 2006, 09:31 AM

are you all short sighted?
I'm long and my eyes are getting worse since arriving here???

I'm short sighted and my sight has deteriorated since moving here. It could just be ageing (!) but I think it is primarily due to the light. I HAVE to wear sunglasses when I'm outside as otherwise I screw my eyes up and squint continuously.
I'm seriously thinking about the eye surgery - I have money ear-marked, I'm just a chicken! I contacted a clinic in Auckland and got all the info, I just haven't got as far as actually going and booking in to have the procedure done yet.

willsken

17th November 2006, 10:48 PM

Kerry do it. I took a year to get the courage to do it and what a wasted year that was. It really, really changed my life. Seriously don't hesitate. It actually isn't that bad and it doesn't hurt at all at the time of having it done and after if you are lucky it will be fine to. I was in pain after but knowing what I know now I would go through it again with out the slightest hesitation. :yes :yes :yes

Avalon

17th November 2006, 11:42 PM

are you all short sighted?
I'm long and my eyes are getting worse since arriving here???
:

Kat - I had laser surgery (Lasik) done about 5 years ago (at Ultralase in Cardiff funnily enough). I had short sight in 1 eye, long sight in the other and astigmatism in both (where the eye is shaped like a rugby ball instead of a football).

All went fine. One minor problem with the flap on one eye - but they dealt with it immediately by giving me a contact lens as a "bandage". That was the only discomfort I had at all after the day of surgery itself.

My eyes have been fine since. I do get dry eyes - but I was warned about this and I just use refresh eye drops when I need to. To be honest - I had dry eyes before the surgery so its not been much different.

OH has just been to see the Wellington Eye Clinic about having it done - but hes decided not to. They were recommending LASEK (slghtly different to the one I had) and it was going to cost 5K for both eyes.

Wilson -

Good luck. I can honestly say Im chuffed to bits that I had this done. I really think you wont regret it.

Hxxx

dangermouse

20th November 2006, 11:32 PM

I had Lasik eye surgery about five years ago, I was really short sighted and also had the rugby ball shaped eye thing. it was quick painless and I was back at work without annoying glasses within a week. If the experts say it will work for you do it you will be amazed with the result.

johnandbethcox

22nd November 2006, 02:58 AM

I also had lasik surgery several years back (1998, I think). I had 20-900 vision in both eyes, so it was a monumental occasion to retire the coke-bottles!! My only complications were extreme dryness in my eyes for about three months after the surgery...which I understand is not abnormal when you've been wearing contact lenses for many years. However, I found that my halos (the blurriness around lights at night), which I had always had due to the extremely bad eyesight, actually improved because my eyesight improved and the halos became crisper.

All in all, it was probably the single best thing that I have done solely for myself. I have never regretted the expense!

wilson182

30th November 2006, 07:16 AM

Thanks for all the words of encouragement guys....I have to say I'm really thrilled about it. I have been wearing bottle bottoms ( and when vanity struck - Contact lenses!!) since I was 9 years old, so I really can't wait. I find the light here really bright too, and find that I have to wear sunglasses sometimes even on the cloudy days. I thought it was perhaps the contacts that was making it worse.:confused: I also have astigmatisum (rugby ball shapped) in both eyes.

Today is the day that I have to officially stop wearing my lenses (although I did stop at the weekend). Apparently, contact lenses "squash" your eyes slightly, and in order for the surgeon to take correct measurements I have to stop wearing them for two weeks prior. Therefore, this also means that I officially only have two more weeks to my surgery:cheers

Rabbit

13th February 2007, 07:57 PM

So what happend then? and how is it going?

I am thinking of doing something similar myself (don't want to loose my glasses paddling the kajak - aka blue whale).

Interested to here from people who have done Lasek in Wellington.

Long sighted, with astigmatism.

and oh yes, bottletops.

Rabbit

dapper

15th February 2007, 01:25 AM

Hi congratualtions!

I have LASIK surgery back in 2002 the worst you can be for the surgery is -11 and I was -10 and -10.50. The whole procedure took 45 mins for both eyes and though straight away my sight was blurred and watery I could see better than I had done for the past 20 years. :raebanana

It's a amazing!!! Good luck

wilson182

15th February 2007, 07:25 AM

It all went exceptionally well. I was given a mild sedative just to calm any nerves ( not that I had any) and the surgery itself was painless. My eyes were covered for about 20 minutes and then clear plastic sheilds were put over them. They felt gritty but no pain, and I could see straight away that my eyesight was better. I couldnt keep my eyes open though and just came home, took the other half of my sedative and went to bed, which is pretty much what they recommend. The next day it was down to the surgery for a check up and to remove the sheilds.

I have eyedrops to make sure my eyes do not dry out (a side effect for a while) and had follow up appointments - the next day, the next week, the next month and I have my last one in March (three months). My right eye over corrected very slightly, and I have the option to have enhancement surgery if I want in March.

Its wonderful to be able to see without glasses or contact lenses. To go camping without all that hassle, to even stand in the shower and not worry about washing out my lenses. Its hard for someone who doesn't have that hassle to understand just how great it is.

Rusty

24th February 2007, 03:25 AM

mine done by Ultralase in London.
Best thing I have ever done - simply to go swimming and see the kids rather than listen for them.
Lots of people have asked me about it - but rarely go on and have the surgery. Is it the same with anuone else?
Oh - dry eyes, even now, 5 years later.

speckythecky

24th February 2007, 04:16 AM

OH had it done at Boots in Manchester a couple of years ago. Best things she has had done. Not cheap but same as about 8 pairs of glasses. Same as others - can now see when swimming, doesn't have to put glasses on to see what time it is in the morning etc.

I am too much of a scaredy cat which is why I am still specky thecky.

She still has dry eyes but not often

Trigirl

24th February 2007, 08:15 AM

willsken

24th February 2007, 08:59 AM

i thought about this maybe 10 years ago but now that i have day and night contacts i've never considered it again. i guess if for any reason i had to stop wearing contacts then i'd have a think about it.

I used the day/night contacts and ended up with a really bad infection in one of my eyes. I was told after that to cut down my contact lens use, that's why I ended up having the laser treatment. Best thing I have ever done in my life. Completely liberating.:D

Rizak

24th February 2007, 09:40 AM

The Dragonlady would love to get this done. A huge portion of it should be covered by my insurance except that they consider laser eye surgery to be 'cosmetic' surgery. I can understand that on one level, however ... her situation is not one of cosmetics.

She wants to get lasered in one eye just so that she can use her glasses properly. She has gone in for a consult and they said that she would always need to wear glasses, but that if she had this one procedure done that it would really improve her ability to see. Her vision is pretty bad in one eye.

So, it can be proved that this particular case is not cosmetic surgery. However, there is no mechanism to appeal to the insurance board on these grounds. So, even though their ruling on the particulars doesn't match the situation, there is no way around it and we'd have to pay the whole shot. Prices are coming down so we may have to look into it again.

I mean, I'm willing to pay the whole shot if it'll help her out. See? I'm not really horrible. :laugh

Oh, BTW ... don't be fooled.
When the surgery is over YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHOOT LASERS OUT OF YOUR EYES!

Georgebulldog

25th July 2008, 01:57 PM

Milliemoo

25th July 2008, 03:59 PM

Wilson182 just wondering how your eyes are now also anyone else out there that has had this done in NZ where, how much & how have you found it?
I'm hoping to have this done soon in Wellington so be good to hear of anyone round here having it done.
I HATE my glasses especially with the rain now I just hope my adies pupil wont stop me from having it done, I've wanted it done for so long now
Thanks for any replies :nice1

Even if you haven't made your mind up, I'd go for the initial consultation now. I left it till I was ready to take the plunge and had never even considered I wouldn't be able to have it done. I just hadn't prepared myself for that outcome and was bitterly disappointed.

Milliemoo

Georgebulldog

25th July 2008, 04:05 PM

Even if you haven't made your mind up, I'd go for the initial consultation now. I left it till I was ready to take the plunge and had never even considered I wouldn't be able to have it done. I just hadn't prepared myself for that outcome and was bitterly disappointed.

Milliemoo

Thanks, I can almost see the same thing happening here, if my pupil isn't a stable size then how will they get it right? It's only now I have the money to do it & sure enough I bet they say no, I will be gutted as I have big problems with wearing glasses, the whole in & out of shops when it's sunny & having to change glasses & then the rain splatters on them, oh I could just go on & on

wilson182

25th July 2008, 11:29 PM

Hi Lyndsey

Very very happy that I had it done, I have never looked back (haha). I was lucky and had no problems at all.

napiers

26th July 2008, 12:12 AM

I'm reading this with envy. After a long time toying with the idea of doing it I finally screwed up the courage to investigate it further earlier this year. Unfortunately, my corneas are too thin so I was unsuitable. I did go to 2 different consultations just in case they were wrong, but alas they weren't. My corneas are fine now but after the laser they would be borderline. I was gutted!

I wouldn't have hesitated to do it though had I been able. Both the companies were good and very professional and helpful - one did a wider range of tests on me, but that may have been to do with the first company finding out I wasn't suitable sooner. I had been wobbly but they were all very nice.

dusk

26th July 2008, 01:58 AM

Yeah, I'd love to have mine done, but I won't even bother goign for an assessment as I know they wouldn't touch me with a bargepole given my history of (medical) laser treatment and operations. Shame because I would love to be free of my glasses, can't wear contacts on a daily basis either. ah well :)

Mrs Pony

26th July 2008, 03:05 AM

I know 2 people that have had Lasik. One has perfect vision... the other still needs reading glasses.

OH wanted to get it but he wears hard contacts, so he would have to wear glasses for X amount of time before they can see if he can have it... Glasses would be like coke bottles and not so helpful when he's working...

Pedro

26th July 2008, 04:40 AM

I had it done before moving to NZ because it's much cheaper here
(NZ$2,200 for both eyes) and the doctors in Sao Paulo have more experience with this procedure than the ones in NZ.

It was the best thing to do... Everything is fine and I don't need to wear contacts anymore.

Georgebulldog

26th July 2008, 08:45 AM

Hi Lyndsey

Very very happy that I had it done, I have never looked back (haha). I was lucky and had no problems at all.

Thanks for the update glad all is OK & thanks everyone for their stories, I can almost see what's going to happen but I will try, just wish I did it long ago :cheers

Rabbit

27th July 2008, 09:20 AM

Often people have a very simplistic view of laser eye surgery, but there are many factors to consider.

It appears to work well with short sight (myopia), but if you are far sighted (e.g. hyperopic) perhaps with astigmatism, then you need to be more careful as the outcome is highly unpredictable due to regression and healing (not to mention the challenge of recovery).

Strength of prescription, corneal thickness and things like Presbyopia are another factor.

Be very careful and do your research.

What works for one person may not work for another.

The laser patterns for myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism affect totally different parts of the eyes.

My own hyperopic laser correction was a failure.

Rabbit.

Spooky

27th July 2008, 07:56 PM

If ever you are in Singapore for a short transit, get your eyes done there. It's cheap and we have high medical standards here. Got mine done for NZ$2500 (2 eyes) last year but with the strong competition from new medical centres in the last 6 months, the prices have dropped to NZ$1500. And this is for the bladefree surgery!!! :yes

But of course, be aware of all the risks as spelt out in this thread.

Rabbit

28th July 2008, 11:17 AM

Hyperopic recovery (especially with astigmatism) is far more challenging than myopia.

So in terms of a continuum recovery challenge:

>myopia-----astigmatism------presbyopia------hyperopic-------astigmatism--------presbyopia<

01234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 0123456789012345678901234567890
0----------1----------2-----------3----------4------------5---------6----------7-------=---8

so based on script and recovery challenge, I think the above is a good example based on what I have read and experienced. Obviously the intensity of myopia or hyperopic and the associated astigmatism (not forgetting the influence of presbyopia) has a further impact.

e.g. if you were +5.00 with -5.00 astigmatism and significant presbyopia, then the recovery challenge could be 8.00

Perhaps this is a reason for different recovery timeframes and outcomes?

Myopia, hyperopic and astigmatism corrections have differing ablation profiles (new presbyopic ablation profiles are emerging).

Hyperopic correction involves steepening the cornea based on unpredictable healing. If the steepening increases beyond 50 then it is non-recoverable, and game over.

A layman’s view - just a hypothesis, perhaps the basis for a PhD?

If you are a complex case, you will need good after care, so personally, I would not undertake such an exercise as part of a stop-over.

Rabbit

Rabbit

29th July 2008, 01:24 PM

I have kept a little blog of sorts (on another site) relating to my own laser eye experience.

Not sure how relevant it is, but I think I should have the courage to share it.

http://www.lasermyeye.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1835

I am not trying to put people off laser eye surgery, just trying to get people to understand there are many nuances depending on the sort of prescription and eyes that people have.

Low-level myopia (short-sightedness) without astigmatism or presbyopia (old age) are probably the most successful.

Hyperopia (far-sightedness) with astigmatism can be a challenge.

Rabbit.

Georgebulldog

25th November 2008, 08:56 PM

Well I am now able to type after my pupils have returned to normal size & I am booked in for one more vision check on Friday then the surgery next Wednesday, very nervous but also excited if it works & I get the result of no more glasses. I cannot express how much of a pain it's been in New Zealand wearing glasses then swapping to prescription sun glasses for 2 minutes to go into a shop then back again, wish me luck :)

JandM

25th November 2008, 11:52 PM

I do wish you luck.

kerrijeansmith

26th November 2008, 05:34 AM

willsken

26th November 2008, 09:04 AM

Georgebulldog

26th November 2008, 09:22 AM

I've always wanted to do this. I contacted a place here in Vancouver to have a consultation, but they aren't open on Mondays which is the day my husband is home and could be with the kids. What does it cost in NZ these days? I'm looking at about $2000 Canadian right now.

Kerri

It's costing $2550 per eye :wah this is for ths Advanced Surface Ablation method, where they don't create a flap, expensive but I was about to get my eyes tested & would have had to buy glasses & sunglasses, over the years it'll pay for itself, I hope :D

Georgebulldog

20th December 2008, 02:46 PM

Just wanted to do a quick update in case anyone in Wellington ever thinks of getting their eyes done.
Had mine done 2 weeks ago Wednesday just gone & it's been great for me. The op itself was not as bad as the prep talk I was given, sounded awful but it wasn't that bad at all & I'm a real baby, lots of prep work on my eyes & only seconds of the laser, A small amount of pain & scratchy eyes after, just like wearing lenses, which I was just ones that heal the eyes. I walked out 1 hour 20 minutes later with blurry vision & this slowly improved over the next week. Although I've been told it will get better than it is now I feel it is perfect. It all feels a bit weird as I keep getting up in the morning & thinking I've forgotton to put my glasses on then realise I can see & at night I keep thinking I can't go to sleep until I take out my contact lenses but it's great wearing sunnies now
Wellington Eye Centre where I had it done was great & I managed to get lots of 8am appointments so I didn't have to drag the kids with me, next check up not until end of Jan now so all good, wish I had it done years ago

napiers

20th December 2008, 09:59 PM

Glad it's all worked out! I'm still jealous and can only dream of waking up and being able to see! Hoping in time treatments will advance enough for me to try again ....

leachio

10th February 2009, 09:00 AM

Just had both my eyes lasered today with lasik with optical express in sheffield. Had my procedure upgraded on the day due to a faulty laser battery on my pre booked surgery :nice1

Got to admit 3hrs post op I was in tears at home with pain/discomfort and inability to open my eyes due to stingin. However 7hrs later here I am on the laptop with my shades on at 8pm in a dark room lol!! I still have a foggy outlook but hope to be much improved when I wake tmrw.