What has Lasik done for you?

I got LASIK back in 1999. It worked out perfectly for me. I don't know that it affected my training all that much... I didn't usually train with my glasses, though. I did wear contacts sometimes, but I wasn't doing a lot of swimming back then.

One thing that stuck out to me after I got it was that when I would wake up in the middle of the night and look across the room, I could actually read the numbers on the alarm clock.

Good luck and I think you'll be really happy

don't mean to thread hijack, but I worry about the dry eye.  My eyes are dry naturally.  I have a hard time wearing contacts.  Are your eyes still dry all these years later?  Do you have to put drops in all the time?

I had it done about 9 years ago and was instantly amazed at home much more I enjoyed my outdoor activities. I hated running with glasses. I had very bad eyesight and actually had the right eye re-done about a year later, as my eye had self corrected back toward it's old shape (not uncommon for really poor starting points). I tried to convince them that my left eye also needed to be re-done, but they wouldn't. 

I can still get by without glasses ... especially when training ... but between the near vision stuff that happens with age and continued progression in my left eye, I now use glasses again for night driving, movies, plays, etc. (mostly low-light scenarios). This is a recent thing for me and I was getting really worried that I would need to start requiring glasses again even while training. I remain optimistic that it won't be necessary.

But, really, I love what Lasik has done for me. I can't imagine sighting in the water if I had the poor eyesight I had before I had the procedure(s) done. 

Had it in 2010 and I love it. No need to find my glasses in the morning, no need for RX sports wear or contacts to worry about. But in my case, as a preventive measure for dry eyes (doc said my left eye goes dry even before lasiks) I use Gentile or Optive  preservative free lubricant eye drops from time to time. Good luck and I hope it turns out well for you. 

Had my Lasik in 1999 too and it was a minor miracle as far as I was, and am, concerned. I had terrible vision and, although I didn't do TRIs that often back then, I was running a lot, sailing, swimming and biking and generally living an active life. I did most of my sports without glasses, which was basically doing it almost blind. So, it was a major improvement. It is so awesome to be able to see where you are going and not need any special equipment for sight.

I do have eye dryness and need reading glasses now because I am over a certain age, but those are minor issues. In fact, I have been told the eye dryness has more to do with my sitting in front of a computer for 10-12 hours a day, than my lasik. I just put eye drops in first thing in the morning and sometimes before bed, but not generally more than that.

It should be awesome for you!

I had it done in 2000. It was a miracle after being -7.5 in both eyes. First couple weeks your eyes will probably itch and be dry, for several weeks you might have a halo effect around lights.

I'm back to glasses/contact lenses when driving/biking, as my vision has deteriorated slightly (-1.5) in the past couple years. If I could go back and get it corrected again I would.

But if you're like me and couldn't see a thing before, it's a life-changing event.

^ This a million times over.

DO IT!  It's amazing.

I was nearsighted so I could read just fine.  When I got it done about 10 years ago they did both eyes but then I couldn't read.  I had to carry readers around everywhere which defeated the purpose of having the surgery.

I ended up going back in and getting the right eye done for reading.  So I have mono vision, one eye for reading and one eye for distance.  LOVE IT! The only issue I have lately is that in low light situations I need readers for fine print.  In bright light I am fine.

Go for it and enjoy,

Duane

PS I only buy the $20 sunglasses as I cannot see spending $100 on a pair of shades that I am going to scratch or lose 

I had PRK (LASIK without the flap) two years ago.  -6.5 in both eyes, now 20/15.  It's absolutely amazing to be able to read the clock from the bed or while in the shower.  Or even to take a nap during the middle of a lazy day (I couldn't sleep with my contacts in even for a little bit without my eyeballs letting me know it was a bad idea). 

I had some dry eye problems before that are mostly related to allergies.  As long as I keep up with my allergy drops I don't have too much dry eye problem.  I also don't like driving at night as much now because bright oncoming headlights are more bothersome.  I had halos for a while...maybe a year? 

One of the best things I ever did.

Had it in the late 90's when it just was coming out in the US (cost $2000/eye then).  Could tell my vision was improving while they were doing the procedure; the laser dot was becoming clear and defined!  Can't describe the feeling of actually being able to to see the time on the alarm clock without having to reach for my glasses.  I had it done specifically because of athletic activity.  Once lost a contact (while wearing goggles) while swimming and didn't like swimming without wearing them, hated sweat dripping on my glasses while on the bike.  Running with glasses was ok, but normally wore contacts.  We're thinking of someday giving this procedure as a gift to the kids to get rid of their glasses.

Sorry to hyjack but is LASIK still considered elective surgery from medical insurance perspective?

Also, in my area I've heard some outfits are offering financing options, any of you get an incredibly good deal to boot?

Personally I'm -3.5 in one eye and -4.5 in the other.  I have a very pronounced (if that's the right terminology) astigmatism and was told a few years back that particular type of LASIK cost more... No idea if that was really true or if it was, is it still true today...

Great thread...

Love all the feedback you guys/gals. Thanks for your input and experiences! I'm looking forward to all the benefits.

The only downside I can see (no pun intended) so far, is that I have to stay out of the pool for a month afterwards. More time to work on bike/run I guess..

I'm also -6.5 in both eyes, been stable for a few years now (which is what I was waiting for).

Tell me about PRK and the pain. My doc keeps recommending it but the stories I hear of the pain are really scaring me away. One of my friends described it as "horrific" and said she wished she would have just done Lasik.

Doc also told me I'd have to take minimum a week off of work as I wouldn't be able to see well enough till around the 1 week mark. Like I'd need help around the house kind of thing. Did you experience that?
  

How many do you have in total?

I had my eyes done about 5 years ago.  I was able to see 20-15 in both eyes.  Now my vision is about 20-30.  I hope that my vision doesn't continue to decrease.  My sister had it done years ago, and now she is back to wearing glasses for distance and reading.

One helpful hint- I was not allowed to swim for one month after having it done.  I have heard others say that they stayed out of the pool for two to three weeks.  I went the full month- not wanting to take a chance when it came to my eyes.  You might want to consider this when you schedule your surgery.

My wife had Lasik done about 7.5 years ago. She was basically blind, not sure of the numbers but needed glasses to see. A short time after, she needed a correction done, and the doctor over corrected which messed up her eyes a bit. She suffers from dry eye and constantly needs drops and lubrication, which has caused some side effects and infections over the years since the correction. Also gone back to glasses for the close up stuff.

Most people don't have issues, but there are side effects that come with it for some people. Also, she said the correction hurt much more than the actual surgery.

I don't know if she would go through it again after what she has dealt with.