Tomorrow, I am getting laser surgery for my eyes. I was so frustrated last year not being able to see all there was to see during our Italy trip. Forgetting indoor glasses, forgetting sunglasses...what a pain! Looking forward to more european travels and 20/20 vision.

Make sure you check with your physician BEFORE getting your surgery regarding post operative problems with painfully dry eyes.

I had laser surgery done by a very renonwned surgeon 5 years ago and for the first 3 years I couldn't leave home without moisturizing eye drops. I couldn't wear eye makeup as it was always washed away and I constantly looked like I was crying from having to apply large amounts of eye drops. 5 years later I still have to use drops but not as often but when I ski, snorkle or travel to dry climate areas my eyes are very uncomfortable. Dry eyes also interferes with the quality of your vision and you end up needing the drops just to see clearly.

I wish someone had warned me about this before my surgery. Would have probably stuck to my contact lenses.

Calamari, I personally will be interested in how this laser surgery works out for you. My eye doctor has suggested it to me. I sure understand your frustrations. I have the same. Please, when you are able, do post a report on your experience and the end report. And very best wishes to you.

I had lasik over 1 year ago now, and I have never looked back. I just had my eyes tested for a pilot physical, and my vision is 20/20. My vision before the surgery was 20/200 and 20/400. For me, the risks were acceptable. I haven't had any particular problems with dry-eyes, loss of night vision, or night halo's. Good luck.

Best to you Calamari,

I had Lasik a bit over 2 weeks ago for some of the same reasons. I could no longer wear contacts for more than 8 hours due to previous eye scarring; and not for more 1 or 2 consecutive days.

Even my new lightweight glasses began to hurt the bridge of my nose and I feared permanent indentations!!

It is wonderful to see without the glasses, without needing to take out my contacts. I do need the readers though! But I needed them with my contacts.

Regarding the dry eyes. I've had dry eyes for some time; this is a result of my allergy medicine. A few days before surgery I stopped my medicine and stopped coffee; wanted no interference in the results. I would get up in the middle of the night for drops BEFORE the Lasik.

Now, I get up in the middle of the night for eye drops and through out the day. I've had the drops with me at work and at home before surgery; I just use more often. It does seem makeup aggravates the dryness. After no eye makeup for 2 weeks,I kind of like not wearing any.

No halo's or other issues. After researching this issue and being prepared for much of the downside, I am happy to report my only issue is continued dryness, at a higher degree.

DO NOT RUB YOUR EYES!!!!!! Let them heal.

I did mine in 97 and don't regret it at all! I used drops for about 6 months religiously. I don't find the need for them anylonger.

A good choice for me.

Good luck!

I very much hope you are seeing the best opthalmologist in your town. I've heard of a few botched surgery stories.

did you ever try disposable contact lenses? they are fabulous...

My sister-in-law had the surgery three years ago. Now she can't drive at night or rainy days because of streetlight and headlight halo effect.

I've often wondered why most of the doctors that perform this surgery wear glasses and haven't had the surgery on their eyes.

I had lasik in July and it's been great. I've got 20/15 in one eye and 20/25 in the other. I have had a dry eye condition but it's asymptomatic, meaning that I can't tell but the doctor can. I use eye drops but find it to be much less annoying than needing to clean deposits off of my contacts every few hours!

Thanks for all of your input. I am leaving in an hour for my surgery. I am having the monovision procedure, the same one the doctor has and 9 of the people who work in his office. While I am concerned about one eye for distance and one eye for up close I am still excited. My brother had it done almost a year ago and his only complaint is in fact the dry eye irritation. Hopefully, I will be lucky. I just hate this 20/100 vision and look forward to being able to see. I will be happy to report back. Yes, my doctor is suppose to be "one of the best" but I will be the judge of that i guess. Thanks again for all the well wishes. It makes me feel better. Cheers! Wish I could "SEE" all of you later!

Good luck, Calamari! One of my friends just had this procedure done and she's delighted to be able to see. Report back to us.

Author: sundowner
Date: 01/31/2005, 09:29 am
Message: I've often wondered why most of the doctors that perform this surgery wear glasses and haven't had the surgery on their eyes.

Sundowner - Be pleased that they haven't had the operation! Precise vision upclose is sacrificed. I have trouble threading a needle on the first try. Considering I was blind as a bat at any distance, I am willing to sacrifice some detail!

I've heard many different, contradicting opinions...

And I have a suggestion: if Calamari and LoveItaly go to the same Lasik surgeon, can you guys get a discount on your 4 eyes: buy 3, get 1 free?

Faina, LOL!!!

I have considered laser surgery but because I do have dry eyes (and consequently gave up contacts) it has been decided I am not a good canidate for this.

But if it works, how wonderful it will be and evidently many people have had wonderful results.

Calamari, my best wishes to you. And take good care of yourself. And sure understand about the sunglasses/indoor glasses/ hassle.

Congratulations Calamari!!

I had Wavefront Lasik done last June and I love it!! I have had no problems what-so-ever. I am now 20-15 in both eyes. It is so nice not to have glasses on when it is raining! Report back!!

LoveItaly, I am not giving up my glasses! They give me that intelligent look, see our SF GTG pictures 8-)

Think about it!

Hmmmm... not sure what my vision is in terms of "20-???", but I know that it must be bad because I am totally bling without my contacts! My lenses are -6.25 and -6.50 respectively.

I'm 25 and my eyes are still changing a bit every year so I don't think I am a good candidate for the surgery yet. I've had a few friends who have had it done and they have all had some problem or another (one had to have it done twice to get to 20-25 vision, another has chronically dry eyes, and the other has problems at night because her eyes are super light sensitive and distort any sort of light badly). These stories make me very wary, that is for sure!
But to wake up and actually SEE... wow!

Well, now that we've discussed Lasik surgery on this travel board, can we move on.

I'd like to know the results you have had after vitrectomy for diabetic retinopathy and then we can move on to a discussion of map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy and the potential for recurrence.

Ptttthhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhht!