LASIK for myopic eyes

[Connie722]

I am due to have LASIK next month. I am currently -8.0 on right eye and -8.75 on the left eye. What are my chances of success?
Connie

[walkietalkie]

I was -8 when I had Lasik 10 years ago. Never regretted it. Agree fully with kivrin. It regresses over the years and am now at -1.75, which is alright. I can see fairly well w/o my not so thick glasses, not to mention it actually gives me excellent near vision. Had torn retina almost two years ago, which I guess is bound to happen with or w/o Lasik, and that has completely healed. I think Lasik technology has improved tremendously since then.

[kivrin]

"I mean, is wearing glasses or contacts really that much of a crutch? I guess it is to some. "

From your comment, I gathered you thought that the original poster was engaging in "crutch" behavior by replying on glasses or contacts. I was just trying to express that desiring to stop wearing contacts or glasses -- or at least not as heavy of a prescription -- can be a life choice, not just a medical choice.

I had Lasik in 1994 .. so I have a pretty good understanding of the longer term benefits of the surgery. I would not say that I have had any disadvantages from Lasik. My retinal detachments (yes, plural) were not a cause of the Lasik, the halo effect only lasted for a few years... few ophthalmologists .. even my retinal surgeon had to really LOOK after I told them that I had Lasik to "kinda" see the surgery. They have said that they wouldn't have known if I didn't tell them.

My quality of life is better after Lasik. That is the only message that I wanted to relay to the poster. I was trying to offer a positive contrast to your more negative viewpoint. In order for the poster to make a decision based on all the facts.

[dukey]

"What dukey does not seem to understand is the stress and aggravation in being highly myopic"

Wow, that's interesting. Last time I checked I had full blown pathological myopia and only a week ago had surgery.

[dukey]

How old are you? There is no guarantee that your type of myopia will not progress as you age even if you are stable now. I am always a little confused when high myopes want to have LASIK considering all the potential pitfalls. I mean, is wearing glasses or contacts really that much of a crutch? I guess it is to some.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

If you will be happy with a major reduction of your myopia (say 90%) and are prepared to wear glasses that are much thinner I think it a good option. Visit at least two refractive surgeons. Often the surgery will be done on the surface of the cornea rather than in the niddle to allow more surgery without making the cornea unstable.

There may be some risk of the procedure causing a posterior vitreous detachment or retinal tear. The risk is small. You should know the symptoms of a possible tear anyway sudden increase of floaters, flashes of light like lightening and loss of peripheral vision.

Before lasik have your retina checked by a retina surgery to sign off that nothing needs to be treated preventively with laser or cryotherapy.

JCH MD

[Connie722]

Thansk for your concern and advise. I just wonder how come so many people with very high prescriptions, like -9, have successful outcomes after LASIK. Is the technology not better? Even I am left with 0.75, -1 I am happy. My only concern is what will happen to in 10/15 years...Please any comments on this are much appreciated.
Connie