[idoctor]

Originally Posted by Doonite

The difficult part is to see if the best eye clinics in my city offer SMILE or not because a quick AI chat says that SMILE would be best for someone like me who has dry eyes

SMILE and LASIK both have almost equal dry eyes as per published literature but it also depends on what kind of power the patient has. Like SMILE is not very suitable for high cylindrical power correction but LASIK performs well in such cases.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by Doonite

you genuinely need 2 pairs of glasses at the very least - one for blue light computer work and one tinted for outdoors.

Tangential...

My eye surgeon used to have an article on his waiting-room wall referring to a couple of studies showing little or no benefit from the "blue-light" lenses. I was actually thinking of trying them anyway, and the optical shop guy said, "you mentioned you're a photogapher: you need to know that they do change colours." So a no-go for me.

Having said that, I do have have at least three pairs of specs. But some of my frames have lasted many years, one at least 25! So my only expenditure is on the lenses when they need changing.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by Doonite

I'm going back to India next week and plan to get LASIK/SMILE done next month or the month after. The difficult part is to see if the best eye clinics in my city offer SMILE or not because a quick AI chat says that SMILE would be best for someone like me who has dry eyes and has to use antihistamine eyedrops regularly.

I'll update next weekend about how the doctor consultation went.

Doonite, I would suggest you find the best surgeon or let’s say one who you have faith in where you are located (Sydney I presume) and leave the choice of what procedure is suitable for you after an examination. It’s not for us to choose, it’s what the Doctor feels is best for you - that’s why I said find a surgeon who gives you confidence in his/her ability.

There is a lot of follow up to be done after the procedure. Drops, tablets, repeat visits etc. So unless you are going to be in India for a couple of months I wouldn’t recommend it.

All the best with whatever you choose.

Cheers

[idoctor]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

Doonite, I would suggest you find the best surgeon or let’s say one who you have faith in where you are located (Sydney I presume) and leave the choice of what procedure is suitable for you after an examination. It’s not for us to choose, it’s what the Doctor feels is best for you - that’s why I said find a surgeon who gives you confidence in his/her ability.

There is a lot of follow up to be done after the procedure. Drops, tablets, repeat visits etc. So unless you are going to be in India for a couple of months I wouldn’t recommend it.

All the best with whatever you choose.

Cheers

Perfect advice! As a surgeon, I too tell these things to my outstation patients that they need to have time in hand since we need tokeep all eventualities in mind.

[city2491]

It has been less than 48 hours since I (M22) had my Contoura LASIK done, and I'm going to share my experience here.

I've been wearing glasses since I was in grade 6. My prescription was -2.00L, -2.25R with a bit of cylindrical. I had always contemplated LASIK but never acted on the thought until two weeks ago.

I quickly Googled LASIK and all the available technology and researched hospitals in Mumbai where I could get the procedure.

Finally narrowed down to Arohi Eye Hospital in Andheri, just because I could book an appointment online without having to call someone.

So appointment booked, I arrived on a Friday afternoon. I was asked for Rs 1000 consultation fee and introduced to the ophthalmologist. He took my prescription and we went for a discussion where he explained that we need to do some pre-LASIK tests to determine if I was a good candidate, and if I was interested, we could do it right then.

Upon agreeing, I was asked to pay a Rs 5000 testing fee after which the ophthalmologist took scans of my eyes to determine my corneal thickness etc. The average thickness was 500, and mine was 530, so I was an eligible, in fact ideal candidate.

They gave me a few options starting from traditional LASIK (Rs 50,000) right up to Femto Contoura LASIK (Rs 1,10,000). I just went with the top end one because I didn't want to compromise over a one-time expense.

I was prescribed a few drops to start two days before my surgery.

They texted me on WhatsApp on Monday, asking if I wanted to do it the next day. I postponed to Saturday, so I wouldn’t have to skip work. The available days were Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. I was told to book the slot, I need to pay an advance, which turned out to be Rs 10,000.

I spent that week with growing anxiety, until came Saturday, when I left early morning and reached the hospital at 9:30.

They took me in, took my prescription once again, and started prepping me for surgery. I think they gave me a tablet to calm my nerves, a few eye drops, and I was ready. I went into the LASIK suite and was out in 15 min.

They began by making me lie down on the bed, which moved and positioned my right eye under the first (Femto) laser. It applied a bit of pressure on my eye, and everything went dark. I held for a few seconds when they said it was done and that I did well. Next eye.

Both eyes had the flaps made, and the bed moved to the next laser, which would be doing the reshaping. I was told to focus on the green dot. The nurse announced my name, prescription, and the fact that the laser was starting. 10 seconds later, it was done. The doctor moved a brush on my eye, which was to adhere the flap (kinda like PPF). Repeat on the next eye.

Both eyes being done, the doctor asked me to open and close my eyes a few times and said everything looked good. They put protective glasses on my face and took me to the post-op zone. I could already read the stuff written on the walls. I rested for some 10 min, after which I was asked to leave.

I sat in the back of my car, and my eyes were watering quite a bit. Like cutting onions. I went through the sea link and briefly opened my eyes to see the entire skyline clearly. Upon reaching home, I lied down in my dark bedroom and tried to sleep it off. I kept putting the eye drops as instructed. Around 4-5 hours after the surgery, I could see much better than I'd ever seen without glasses.

The next day, my vision improved further. I went for the follow-up consultation in the afternoon, and my vision was better than 6/6. I could read one line extra!

The only precautions I was told were no head wash, rubbing eyes, and wearing protective glasses for two weeks.

The entire process was absolutely painless all the way through. Some starbursts and halos are there at night, but they should clear up soon.

To anyone on the fence or scared, I'd say just go for it. The results are absolutely worth it, and I'd gladly do it again.

[Matrix_Maya]

Originally Posted by city2491

It has been less than 48 hours since I (M22) had my Contoura LASIK done, and I'm going to share my experience here.

Ok! I have combination glasses (near and distance vision both). Do you have any idea about this? How about long term effect?. Is it a permanent solution or vision issues can come back in near future?

[Utopian]

Originally Posted by city2491

It has been less than 48 hours since I (M22) had my Contoura LASIK done, and I'm going to share my experience here....
To anyone on the fence or scared, I'd say just go for it. The results are absolutely worth it, and I'd gladly do it again.

Thanks for sharing. I have also had glasses since I was 12 and have always been on the fence w.r.t. Lasik. You have given me the confidence to try this out and lead a much more easier life.

[Ibanez_70]

Great read. You described the feeling at every stage very clearly. I have had a successful LASIK surgery done as well in 2016 and could almost feel again reading your post. It's been 9 years and at 27, doing perfectly fine. Be ready to face dry eyes as a side effect but it's never too severe or disturbing. For me, constantly watching the screen, writing code for hours, or driving extensively under oncoming traffic's high beams at night, eyes getting dry is almost certain. I use an eye drop called Lubimoist whenever I get dry eyes. But it's definitely worth it because of the freedom it gives from having to wear glasses at all times. No more facing extra visibility issues driving at night.

[DarkHawk]

I got my Lasik done in 2010 when I was 29 and never had a single issue till now at 43. Now recently I got presbyopia but my far sight is still good. I definitely recommend going for Lasik if your cornea supports.

[sukhbirST]

One can try SMILE which is supposed to be the latest method. Thanks for sharing.

[idoctor]

Originally Posted by sukhbirST

One can try SMILE which is supposed to be the latest method. Thanks for sharing.

Latest is SILK. Each procedure like PRK, LASIK, SMILE and SILK have one common goal of spectacle freedom but the candidature for each procedure might vary based on various patient parameters.

[dass]

Might have already been discussed, if so please excuse my repeat question.

What is the earliest age where someone has got this done? My kid is 14 and has power of around -2 in both the eyes and it does increase each year. Wondering when I could get it done for him.

[agambhandari]

Originally Posted by dass

Might have already been discussed, if so please excuse my repeat question.

What is the earliest age where someone has got this done? My kid is 14 and has power of around -2 in both the eyes and it does increase each year. Wondering when I could get it done for him.

After the age of 18 years+ and the Power of glasses should be stable for a year ideally

[idoctor]

Originally Posted by dass

Might have already been discussed, if so please excuse my repeat question.

What is the earliest age where someone has got this done? My kid is 14 and has power of around -2 in both the eyes and it does increase each year. Wondering when I could get it done for him.

USFDA has cleared LASIK after the age of 18 years, but if in no hurry, better to wait till 20 years as in certain individuals power continues to fluctuate till 20.