I just had the laser eye surgery to correct my vision!!!! Before it was done I couldn't see anything! I had coke bottle glasses! Three days later, I can make out the smallest writing from a distance and it is getting better and better as time goes along.
I went to :
http://www.njeye.com/
It is worth it

**whew**

Thanks for saying that, Bart. I'm standing right in front of you in the 'chicken line.'

I'm glad to hear the procedure went well for chfeil--and nothing but the best of health to you! But all of the statistics and all of the reassurance doesn't mean anythig. It's my luck that I would be the one case that went wrong.

I have diabetes and asthma, I don't need to invite more to go wrong with this body.

Bart, let me add my 'me too' to your post.  While I am near-sighted, and now becoming far-sighted as well (happens alot once you are past 50) I am making do with Progressive lenses(new age bifocals) but they have their limitations. I know a number of people who have had the surgery and the results are mixed. Some think it is the greatest, though they admit they don't know what side effects there might be in 20 years or so, and I have met a few who say that if they had to make the decision again they would not do it.  That is  enough to keep me from doing it.  It is totally elective and I have never had an MD tell me to consider it. The only ones that seem to push it are the docs who perform the surgery.

For a long time I did not want to have it done. I'm 32 and have been wearing glasses since 2nd grade. My prescription was minus 12. A couple of weeks ago, I was driving home from work in the rain and my contact popped out and I was blind in one eye. I was by myself in the car, so I did not worry. Though I thought to myself, if my unborn baby was in the car with me (my wife is 8 months pregnant) and something happened to her that needed immediate attention, I wouldn't be able to see as well. I want to be there for her 100%. Drumming wise, playing live I was getting really tired of sweat going into my eyes and moving my contacts.

So I looked into everyplace, found out as much data on every doctor in the tri state area, checked the Secretary of State web sites for law suites. Everything pointed to Dr. Dello Russo in this area. He's the chairman for standardizing practices on the Lasik. I met with one on one. He went over everything. I told him all my concerns, he made me feel at ease.

So the day I was getting it done, I was nervous. The procedure was a success. My eyes were really sensitive to light. I went home and went to sleep for 12 hours (they give you valium to help you relax) I woke up at 2 am and I felt great!

Now Four days later...I woke up this morning and I was amazed that I could read the "SHARP" logo on the TV. It's not 100%, but it is getting there everyday.

Regarding the astigmatism, chk out this link.
http://www.njeye.com/html/custom_cornea.html
I didnt do much research on it just b/c.

Any other stories?
Bart, 20 yrs from now, I will let you know... lol!

My older brother had the procedure done. He now has perfect vision in one eye, but is now completely blind now in the other.

His experience made me rethink my desire to have the procedure. Once your eyesight is gone, its gone! Not worth the risk, in my opinion.

My wife had the Lasek surgery(with the EK on the end; a little different procedure).  It is more involved, and the thin 'skin' (epithelium) of the eye must be scraped away after loosening with an alcohol solution.  Then after the actual laser part of the surgery, the 'skin' is replaced and an extra large protective contact is put over the eye.  The lasek surgery was recommended for her since she has a severe astigmatism. It has a longer, more painful recovery than lasik.  Her vision immediately improved, but it continued to get better in the next 3-4 weeks.  Now, she can see small print at long distances better than I can with contacts.  She highly recommends it, although the first week was a little rough.

She talked to a lot of people beforehand and went to a highly regarded local surgeon who has done the procedure many times.  He cost more than these guys who do it for $500 for both eyes (hers was $3000--lasek costs more ) but he was very thorough in his explanation of the procedure and followed up afterwards.

I too will nest in the "chicken" coop on the surgery....

Felix, as odd as it may sound, I heard about this method a while ago also.

Here is a brief link on the apparently valid procedure.

http://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/orthok.htm

I'll add my name to the list of those staying away... at least for now.  

I'm very glad to hear of anybody who has had good luck with this type of surgery.  

A friend of mine had the surgery a couple of years ago and wound up having problems with seeing "halos" around bright lights.  

Since I can sit here all day at my PC without using glasses (obviously, I'm near-sighted), I'll forego the procedure, um, maybe forever.

I had it done 3 years ago and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I havn't heard of anyone who has had problems until this thread. I live in Utah and had it done by the Eye Instuitute of Utah. They were very informative and I had checkups for 1 year after the procedure. All of that was included in the cost. It was one of the BEST things I have ever done. But I also know a bunch of people who are still skeptical about it. If anyone asked me about it I would say Do It.. You wont be sorry. Just make sure you go to a clinic that has the right credentials and check with people who have had it done at their place.

I had it done.  It's amazing.
But it was definitely the scariest thing I've ever done <scarier than jumping out of an airplane or swimming in the ocean with barracudas and sharks>.  I balled like a baby. The smell of burning eyeball sent me over the edge.

Others I know endured this much more bravely.

Could I do it again?  I don't know.  But it sure is wonderful to be able to see and I'm glad I did it.  

Oh: one common side effect of the surgery which has continued---serious dry eye.  I buy Bion Tears.  For me, the preservative free moisure drops work the best.  They are expensive, though.  I've also been prescribed drops that are supposed to help my eyes start producing tears again.

I'm encouraged and excited with your results chfeil; most excellent.

Perhaps I have the surgery done someday, but for now, I'll have to keep up with stylish eyeglasses.

I had Lasik done about 6 years ago. It corrected my vision and the severe astigmatism I had.
I'd do it again in a heart beat. It really made a difference in my life.

I have heard people with problems after Lasik, but EVERY one of them went to a opthamologist for the procedure and NOT a corneal surgeon!

The difference is like going to a general practicioner for open heart surgery. Corneal surgeons work with corneas daily. The opthamologist attends the same school to learn the LASIK procedure, but doesn't have near the expertise with the hands on part.

Just my 2 cents.

Ged

update: After a year and a half, my right eye is 20/17 and my left is 20/15

That's great news! But, do get back to me in 30 to 40 years won't you.  

If I didn't have a beautiful wife and child, I might go for it ... but the risk is too great for me, even with all the positive results being reported. Perhaps I'll change my mind someday.

My wife had the lasik surgery, and her vision is perfect. EXCEPT that she has lost the ability to read fine print by holding it close to her eye. Has to use reading glasses.  Nevertheless, she's happy with it.
   Me?  Wouldn't do it. I went with her to the eye doc, read the info and all the waivers she signed (man, she waived every claim known to man and then some!).  I wouldn't touch it.  To me, the substantial risk (blindness) outweighs the benefit (not wearing glasses).   Simple as that.  
   But it's a free country, baby: rock on.