If you are considering LASIK, my advice is to wait. There are much better technologies on the horizon that will make creation of a flap obsolete (within 3-5 yrs in USA). Creation of a flap is an inherently flawed procedure and should be avoided at all costs. There are a growing number of ophthalmologists, such as Dr. Cynthia Mackay of New York Presbyterian Hospital – Columbia University Medical Center, who are speaking out against LASIK as a routine elective procedure.

Barker

Considering the work I do to advocate for Lasik patients and the nonprofit patient advocacy I founded, their acts seem to have no logic or reason. Even stranger is the fact that these people did not seek our information before surgery and did not use doctors certified by our organization, but you can’t use logic and reason on illogical and unreasonable people.

The outrageous accusations, manipulations, half-truths, outright lies, false complaints, and attacks on me and others by these anti-Lasik zealots have caused them some serious trouble.

One recently had the FBI show up at his door investigating an alleged extortion attempt against his former surgeon and had previously been charged with felony use of false identity and resisting arrest.

Another is being sued in North Carolina Superior Court for publicizing my personal identity including Social Security number on her website. Her employer is investigating how her access to federal secure computer systems was used to publish defamation on the Internet, and she uses so many aliases it is hard to keep up.

And one has a permanent restraining order against him for threatening Dallas Lasik doctor William Boothe, MD with physical violence, has been sued for defamation, lost, found in contempt of court and sentenced to jail, is in bankruptcy, and I’m personally suing him for defamation and invasion of privacy in California Superior Court where another restraining order has been issued against him.

USAEyes is a trademark of the Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance (http://www.USAEyes.org). The use of usaeyes.INFO, usaeyes.BIZ, usaeyes.NET, usaeyes.US, and other use of USAEyes by any other person is not approved by Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance. Arbitration under the authority of the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) found use of the USAEyes trademark inappropriate and ordered the domains usaeyes.INFO, usaeyes.BIZ, usaeyes.NET transferred to the Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance.

See http://www.usaeyes.INFO

For those who would like to form their own opinion about the work I do and the organization I founded, visit our website and/or our Lasik Patient Forum.

Glenn Hagele
Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance
USAEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

http://usaeyes.us/reports/overview.html

Floaters are small pieces of tissue that have dislodged within the eye and are floating in the liquid gel-like substance inside of the eye. Floaters happen naturally and do not require Lasik. Floaters may be related to higher levels of myopia (nearsighted/shortsighted) vision. Myopia means that the eye is elongated and this can create stresses on the vitreous and retina that can contribute to floaters. Remember that even though you had Lasik, your eye’s shape is the same. Inside your eye you are still myopic.

During the Lasik process a device is used to create a thin flap of corneal tissue. This device is affixed to the eye with suction. This was when your vision went black for a few seconds during the surgery.

The increase in pressure inside the eye during the flap creation can redistribute or “stir up” existing floaters. It is suspected – but not fully proven – that the pressure can dislodge tissue and create floaters, however any floater activity that is related to the Lasik would undoubtedly present immediately after Lasik, not month or years later.

As for weakening the eye, only the cornea (clear front of the eye) is affected during Lasik, not the inside where floaters exist. Lasik involves removal of corneal tissue to change the refractive error. About six decades of practical experience has shown that as long as at least 250 microns of corneal tissue remains untouched (more is always better), the cornea will remain stable.

Glenn Hagele
Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance
USAEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

I had LASIK almost 2 years ago now…..had dry eyes from time to time which tear but use the drops, usually at night but lets say once a month or more (not big deal)…usually increses if I use computer (which I do 8hrs per day at work) and the watch tv, play my psp, read and others…so can do soem at weekend now.

I have experienced floaters 2 months ago, thought it is related to HIV…but tested negative and went for dilated retina exam and vision was 20/20 and all good….so dunno

Read taht they are side effects of Lasik and drs confirmed so since any surgery weakens teh eye just like aging…so yes LASIK causes them…..they depress me especially when playing tennis…but better than having glasses honestly….wore them for 14 yrs or so..annoying.

Anyway take care all…..
See ya

http://www.usaeyes.info

Our organization reviewed several published Lasik studies, the FDA clinical trial information, and thousands of patient outcomes to determine that about 3% of refractive surgery patients (all types of surgery, all types of patients) have some sort of unresolved complication at six months postop, with 0.5% requiring extensive management or invasive correction.

There is no such thing as perfect surgery, a perfect surgeon, or a perfect patient, for that matter. The most you can expect from Lasik is the convenience of a reduced need for corrective lenses, and to achieve that convenience you must accept some risk.

The single most important factor regarding Lasik success is the selection of surgeon. It is the surgeon who will determine if you are or are not an appropriate candidate, who will review your ocular health history, and who will analyze all those diagnostic tests. There is no amount of technology that can compensate for an inferior surgeon.

If you decide to proceed with Lasik, I highly recommend you consider a surgeon certified by our organization, or use our 50 Tough Questions For Your Lasik Doctor to help evaluate any potential Lasik doctor.

Glenn Hagele
Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance
USAEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

I whole-heartedly recommend the surgery. I went from Coke-bottle glasses or contacts to better than 20/20 vision.

Other benefits:

• Less sensitivity when it comes to my allergies
• Wake up every morning ready to go!
• No more saline solution and other contact-related expenses

It truly is as close to a miracle I have ever experienced. Don’t debate too long, do it, you won’t regret!

So I decided to stick with the contacts and glases, for now. Maybe I’ll reconsider in a couple of years.
On your list of negatives: you could always wear glasses without corrective lenses, if you think that would make you look smarter on your dates :).

Before LASIK, I was legally blind without correction – worse than 20/800. I was able to drive myself to the doctor the next day! I had quite a bit of trouble with dry eyes after my surgery. It was a real pain at first, but slowly eased up. My eyes still tend to be a bit drier than pre-LASIK, but not enough that I’m sad I had it done.

Before I could get LASIK, I had to go without contacts for 2 years. Wearing contacts had damaged my eyes, and it took that long for them to repair themselves. I figure if they get the procedure to perfection, they will also be able to correct any side effects that you might get now from LASIK.

I’d get it soon, just pick a good doctor, and you’ll be fine.

At the time, they were awaiting FDA approval of the intraocular lens. That’s basically where they replace your lens with a contact lens (of sorts) and then it becomes your new lens. In 20 years, if your vision deteriorates or more advanced lenses are developed, they can go in and replace it. I would have taken that route in a heartbeat because I really don’t have any more lens surface left to make future corrections.