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Finance is not a problem. I've been quoted 2500 for both eyes. They have mobile eye surgeries? Pass on that. The company I'm looking at is an established practice with proper surgeries in multiple cities here in the UK.

Is that the implantable contact lens? Surely getting the laser would be easier? Icl is not something that would be valid for my situation, but it seems like the surgery would be much more complicated than lasik/lasek

I have been considering this for a very long time. I actually have a reasonable income now and I could probably afford it out of pocket. I haven't price checked lately, but last I knew a very reputable person in my area was about $2000 both eyes. To never have to wear glasses again, that would be completely worth it for me.

I haven't been to an eye doctor in at least 10 years. My lenses have been scratched since about the first week I got them. I don't want to go pay out of pocket for an eye appointment and new set of rims/glasses.

So its looking like I'm going to have to have it done if I want to apply for his job, despite the medical officer advising me not to do it purely for occupational reasons. I just need to 'ask permission' from my medical officer.

Best $4000 I've ever spent. Went from -4.5 in both eyes to 20/20. I had dry eyes for the first month or so but now it's not usually that bad. Just make sure you follow their post-op instructions to a T and you should be fine.

I'm booked in for November. Hope it goes well.

Good luck.

I was -10 in both eyes. I had it done in 2007, at Moorfields in London, which is one of the world's leading institutions. No more expensive than a high street brand. It's only recently that it's started to deteriorate (and only a tiny bit), which is in line with what I was expecting. I love it, made a huge positive difference to me.

I have several friends that had it done too and none regret it.

Just as an aside.

When I was training to sell the stuff (which in the end, I never did. Found a better paying job), I got to watch surgeries happening.

Have you any idea the temptation to screech FIRE ZE LASER?

It was strong. Very, very strong.

I did get recommended a guy at Moorfields who aparantly does good prices for servicemen, but I'm going with accuvision. They have a clinic near my parents house so they can take me and bring me back, and both my sisters have had it done there with good results, plus there are millions of positive reviews for them.

Once it's done Im downgraded for 6 months, and then I can reapply for the job I wanted.

Might be a little late to comment, but I had lasik (not entirely sure, as there are many out there now) back in 2003, so quite a while ago. I had worn glasses since I was about 11 years old and contacts for many years as well - I had really poor eyesight, along with astigmatism. However, both my eyes were identical and that kept my depth perception good.

When I had lasik I was told due to the type of machine they had at their office in my city they would recommend having it done at another of their offices in another city (San Antonio vs. Austin) since the other machine would leave a bit more eye material to do a touch-up. Since it was highly likely I would need a touch up about 6 months later, I went to take the drive, but complained to all get out and they lowered the price considerably for me.

Yes, it was awful pain for a number of hours after surgery, but what a difference! I saw better immediately and after a few days and exams I would need a bit of a touch up. This was the worst time, since my old glasses were useless and I did not want to get new glasses for a few months, so got by with slightly blurry vision, which really was only bothersome at night if i tried to read street signs.

I was able to go to the local office for the touch up and a different doctor did the procedure. He was about my age and mentioned what I thought about doing the touch up as monovision. This is where they dial back one eye to be suitable for reading, so one is for far sight and the other is for close up. I initially thought 'Why on Earth would anyone want to do that and not have both eyes the same??'

I went for it, and let me tell you, it was the BEST decision of my life. Sure, my eyes have degraded over the past 16 years to where I need glasses to drive at night or watch TV, movies, etc., but I do not wear them all the time. But, I can see far and close up! The dialed in eye just takes over and you really do not notice there is any difference and if I had not done the monovision I would definitely have to have reading glasses with me to read fine print, and this would simply not do with all of the mini painting... I see my wife just curse every time she needs to read something and have to get her reading glasses.

Monovision really depends on your age, so if you are young (under 35), don't worry about it, you have plenty of years for your eyes being flexible enough to not need reading glasses. If you are over this age, and you have lasik to give you great distance vision, you have a tremendous chance of needing reading glasses by the time you are 45+, so consider that, but carefully weigh your options.

My one son is a Navy pilot, so had to have the prk (I think), as lasik was not allowed. He is great 6 years later. My other son had lasik about two years ago and all perfect. Just my other son, which probably within the next year or two will get it done.

...sorry for the wall of text...

No worries! That's the sort of story I've read from most people. My sisters both had it 3 years ago. One of them planning to apply for the job I'll be going for (helicopter crewman/weapons system operator) she didn't end up going for it in the end. They encouraged me to do it at that tim but I never really thought about it. I quite liked wearing my glasses and it didn't affect my old job (EOD) but now I want to go for the aviator job I've got to do it.

Will be weird not wearing glasses. I think my little girl will be affected most.. When I go into her room in the morning without my glasses she always says 'daddy put your glasses on'

just an update, I had my surgery yesterday. no issues whatsoever. my eyesight is still settling but its great, I can see things so far away in perfect detail. would definitely recommend for those who don't like wearing glasses.

I had PRK done a few years ago. Changed my life. You'll get near immediate results, but I have to stress, FOLLOW THE CARE INSTRUCTIONS. Wear your sunglasses, use the drops, etc...

You'll have light sensitivity for years. For the first year, I had to wear sunglasses on a sunny day, it would be annoying if not. 3 years on now, it's not to bad, though I've heard others say it's like that for their whole life.

Doc's told me to expect at least 10 years before my eyesight started degrading again, but even when it starts to, it won't be anything like before. It'll be more like needing bifocals. All in all, if you have the chance for it, I'd say do it. It's completely liberating not needing glasses anymore.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 queen_annes_revenge wrote:
just an update, I had my surgery yesterday. no issues whatsoever. my eyesight is still settling but its great, I can see things so far away in perfect detail. would definitely recommend for those who don't like wearing glasses.

Congrats! Just keep up with the care that they told you to do, and things will turn out great.

 djones520 wrote:
I had PRK done a few years ago. Changed my life. You'll get near immediate results, but I have to stress, FOLLOW THE CARE INSTRUCTIONS. Wear your sunglasses, use the drops, etc...

You'll have light sensitivity for years. For the first year, I had to wear sunglasses on a sunny day, it would be annoying if not. 3 years on now, it's not to bad, though I've heard others say it's like that for their whole life.

Doc's told me to expect at least 10 years before my eyesight started degrading again, but even when it starts to, it won't be anything like before. It'll be more like needing bifocals. All in all, if you have the chance for it, I'd say do it. It's completely liberating not needing glasses anymore.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 queen_annes_revenge wrote:
just an update, I had my surgery yesterday. no issues whatsoever. my eyesight is still settling but its great, I can see things so far away in perfect detail. would definitely recommend for those who don't like wearing glasses.

Congrats! Just keep up with the care that they told you to do, and things will turn out great.

Yeah, I've had no issues. I don't even really feel like they're that much more sensitive to light. I've been wearing my sunglasses during the day, especially with the low winter sun at this point in the year, but it doesn't feel super sensitive or anything, even car headlights, which seem to be unreasonably bright nowadays don't seem too bad so far, but I will be keeping tabs on it just to be safe.

Pleased its worked out for you

Glad it went well.