When Is The Right Time To Get LASIK? | Knock Knock Eye

[@Deluge4000]

Lasik part starts at 10:14

[@VLuee]

Sir, u deserve a cape

[@Deluge4000]

@@VLuee I got you, bro!

[@GundamReviver]

Thank you!

[@PROFESSOR_BUTTER]

Thanks ❤🎉

[@ColleenMarble]

I grew up with glasses. Couldn't tolerate contacts due to stigmatism (it always felt like sand in my eyes when I wore them). I had a chance to do LASIK as part of a medication study, and as a result it was 50% off the cost at a very respected and reputable (meaning also expensive) vision center. For the study, I was followed for an entire year after surgery, as well as a series of exams prior to surgery, and supplied with all the eyedrops my eyes could hold. It was a great experience that felt as safe as such surgeries can possibly be, and the cost, while still expensive at $2,000, was my gift to myself. That was in 2010, and I was told then that they 'can't stop the aging of my eyes' so I knew I may end up in readers eventually. I did, last year, at the age of 50. And even so, I don't need them all the time (in fact, I'm typing this now without them). I still have perfect vision for driving and doing everything except reading a book or looking at my phone. So 13 years 100% free of glasses, and now occasional cheaters. I have been so happy, and it was SOOO worth it. And for the first time in my life, I can buy fun glasses that don't cost $500 per pair EVEN WITH INSURANCE. I figure I reached 100% break even in about 8 years, so now I'm actually saving money because of it.

[@DietZgeN92]

Got LASIK done at 31 y.o. I wore glasses for 12 years and contacts for four years. I am incredibly impressed with the results and see 20/15 with zero side effects. It also pays for itself within ~6-10 years depending on your prescription

[@therabbithat]

Do you need reading glasses yet?

[@Platinum_Squid]

Didn’t think about the fact that it would pay for itself

[@katieluv8422]

Pretty sure paying for itself should not be a criteria for medical procedures.

[@gabunafeesa9553]

​@@katieluv8422 it DEFINITELY counts when it comes for elective surgeries.

[@lcmattern]

@@katieluv8422 Unfortunatly, if you live in the USA, the land of the free, you gotta do those calculations. I have Vision inurance and my glasses would still cost me 200+$ with 20$ frames. Just my lenses are somewhere around 700+$.

[@oosakasan]

My grandparents got the monovision thing - my grandmother asked for it when she was operated for cataracts and was so happy with the result she insisted on it for my grandfather. Neither ever wore glasses again and my grandfather died at 100. I always found it hard to believe it worked but she swore by it.

[@brettcoles6462]

The chance of flap problems was why I went with PRK several years ago. Totally worth it, but a warning: With PRK your vision will be hazy for about a month afterwards. I woke up from a nap after the surgery and freaked out because my vision was terrible. I was worried I'd messed my eyes up, but this is a very normal part of the healing process. I now have better than 20/20 vision and it's a huge improvement in quality of life! I don't have to worry about my glasses breaking on vacation and not being able to drive or even read signs in the airport.

[@matjazpopit9066]

Similar in my case. I had to go for PRK because my cornea was too thin for LASIK (at least that's what I was told). First I saw very well but not perfect. After 2 weeks I started seeing double. I was warned about that by the doctor and that's what happened. Took about 2 months to fully get to 20/20 and after 11 years still 20/20. So I agree, this was the normal healing process. Best investment ever.

[@ChooseyData]

I had LASIK surgery almost 23 years ago. I was 25 with eyes -8.0 with mild astigmatism; i wore contacts since age 10. The surgery was phenomenally successful. 10/10, would absolutely repeat. Post-surgery, I had such amazing depth perception. It was glorious. I was genetically destined for a slow but continuous decline of my vision, and it happened, but it's over 20 years later and I don't wear glasses all day but rather for specific purposes: driving at night, reading music, and at the computer. Soon I'll need glasses for reading, like most people my age.

[@queenoflammersland8562]

I had lasik done 20 years ago in my 40 s. I was a -7. The ability to see my children when they were swimming, and the emergence of clear peripheral vision was amazing. Yes I need readers now but I can function and drive without glasses.

[@justmonika3635]

This is the reason I had lasik, worried about losing my kids when swimming! I'd much rather wear a pair of dollar store reading glasses when the time comes, great trade off.

[@dgurevich1]

I had laser surgery 8 years ago. Prior to the surgery, the doctor and surgeon who performed it offered council which I gladly took. And he did exactly what was necessary. Gave me options. LASIK - Short recovery, less invasive, certified as cosmetic surgery. PRK - long recovery, more invasive, certified as a medical procedure. I took the latter. My vision is still perfect however the recovery was long and painful. Knowing how much pain it was, I would have preferred to wear glasses. I am thankful i tool the medical option though. Many people who got lasik had poor long term experience.

[@saqlaq96]

Begins at 10:20

[@cjboyo]

bless u

[@lemonpeelangelfish]

Cheers 😊

[@rayzerot]

Thanks!

[@zachelkins1229]

Thank you

[@lolzormachine]

Thank you!

[@dmc01]

Had SMILE done last June. Cost me $0 because my work insurance (hospital) paid for it. It feels too good to be true. At age 29, it exceeded my expectations. No pain, no halos/ghosting at night, no dry eye. 20/15.

[@feylezofriza]

I had LASIK done 4 years ago at age 37. I used to be -6.5 on both eyes. It was corrected completely. Now, I am starting to need reading glasses. But they don't bother me as much as needing glasses all the time.

[@Florkl]

Got PRK at 25. Best couple of grand I’ve ever spent. No more dealing with glasses (my eyes are too small for contacts- proven by the surgeon struggling to put in the bandage lens despite my eyelids being pried open) and my vision is now far better than it was even with glasses. I can see details on the moon, and was able to read the 15 row if both eyes were open at my 3 month follow-up yesterday. I’m very risk averse and don’t know if I would have gone for it if I had heard other stories (and the stories I had heard about Lasik are why I specifically asked for PRK), but I’m very glad I did. Recovery sucked, but peace of mind afterwards is worth it, and by a month I was 20/20.

[@zengarou]

I got ICL and I've been so insanely happy with it. Glasses from age 6, now almost 40 and glasses free.

[@kativandermark4179]

Is it weird that watching you has made me look forward to cataract surgery when I turn 60? I've got quite a few years to go, but as someone with severe myopia and astigmatism, I am looking forward to the day when I can navigate my own house without corrective lenses.

[@kathyr1592]

Had PRK done 32 years ago in Canada, as it hadn't been approved in the US yet. My ophthalmologist tried to talk me out of it, but I did it anyway. I had to have three "enhancements" done over the course of about 18 months. Fast forward, I've been back in glasses for 20 years, and can't wear contacts due to corneal irregularities caused by the laser. The only good thing that may have come out of it, is that I have never needed reading glasses. At 62, my near-vision is perfect, and it's nice to be able to read without glasses.

[@bebelin157]

This video couldn’t come at a better time from one of my favorite KZbin doctors, im getting PRK next week, I’m so excited

[@TheGael4ce]

Before starting medical school I was an ophthalmic technician and surgery assistant and in my tenure I assisted in over 10,000 LASIK procedures and ~2000 PRK procedures. Both procedures are very safe but there are multiple risk factors. The biggest common complication was post refractive dryness which is normally mitigated by the frequent use of artificial tears for several months. For some patients they may require night time gels and ointments especially if they are experiencing erosions 2° to dryness.

[@beetlesaretrying4621]

So glad he made this. Watched the whole thing, just to learn something new.

[@paul_mari]

As someone in their late 30s with -8.5 and -6.5, I have been struggling to make a decision so I appreciate going through this in candid way. Since i need contacts for distance and probably approaching readers for reading/close up (and noticing those gradual changes), might be worth it but definitely have been holding off until I use readers anyhow. Very good info!

[@ytpanda398]

I've got the exact same split, but am entering my 20s now and have found this similarly useful

[@vm1776]

I'm not sure what my vision was before it changed but in my 30's if I took off my glasses while my husband was driving, I could barely see the other vehicles on the road. I got bifocals at 39 and at 45 my vision stablized again that I've had the same prescription for the past 4 years, I now wear trifocals. I can read without glasses depending on the font but it's a strain, but my distance vision has improved enough that I can sometimes read signs without my glasses and can even see a single dotted line on the road without glasses, which seems amazing compared to before. I didn't have surgery, but my close vision got worse, my mid-vision became more like my distance vision used to be and my distance vision improved but during those 6 years of change most of those years I had to change my glasses prescription twice a year.

[@jaynewags1452]

LASIK was one of my best decisions. Was -8.75 when I had it done in 2001. No problems since other than having to use readers for reading. Prior to lasik I wore contact lenses for years and actually suffered an ulcerated cornea from overnight use. So grateful for lasik!

[@pragsmo916]

Just had a lasik consult today after seeing this video. Being age 30, this video prompted me to have more urgency behind seeking lasik. Turns out I’m a perfect candidate for lasik

[@happyperson01]

would love a video on dry eye disease! its the absolute worst! i got scleral lenses for them and am still in the fitting stage but i wore them for 8 hrs and was totally fine! but its so debilitating for so many ppls!

[@UniquelyUnseen]

Would you have any interest in making a video on Retinopathy of Prematurity? I was born at 23 weeks, and I've always been told I am somehow a "miracle" that I have eyesight. I was born in the late 90s . I'm curious to know if ROP is something doctors know how to cure/mitigate. Great work on keeping up the consistent content, I know how difficult it can be.

[@miniciominiciominicio]

I'm curious to know if ROP is something doctors know how to cure/mitigate Yes, they do. Oxygen toxicity can cause ROP. We are always trying to wean preemies off oxygen. Respiratory therapy is a younger discipline that started in the 70s/80s, I believe? Respiratory Therapists were needed because doctors and nurses were too busy with so many patients to pay attention to the patients with the highest needs; generally anyone with respiratory problems requiring assistance to breathe or oxygenate or ventilate. Because of this, the errors and also neglect that patients underwent, the respiratory therapy profession was born. The late 90s medical technology and ways of minimizing oxygen concentration needs were archaic compared to what we have now in the late 2000s-2020s. The older mechanical ventilators caused lung trauma in various ways. But with new tech and new modes of ventilation (lung protective ventilation) we've come so far and been able to save so many more microprems. So many died even born at 30 weeks premature but now in the NICU we're able to resuscitate babies born 21 weeks and every day that they stay in the womb the better as they develop a little bit more and increase their chances of living. No matter how technology improves we won't be able to resuscitate babies born earlier than this because this is when their alveoli develop enough for them to breathe in air and exhale. As someone who has worked with many microprems who I've seen graduate from the NICU into the PICU onto the children's wards and finally home after months and months and sometimes even a couple years or more living in hospital, you ARE goddamn miracles, even now with our technology. But then there are the 1% of the 10% of babies who require assistance to breathe at birth (from non-invasive means to invasive means) who we lose no matter how hard we try. And this is with the full scope of NICU technology at a Level IV NICU. That 1% jumps higher when at a tertiary NICU or rural hospital or home birth that has a complication.

[@wmdkitty]

@@miniciominiciominicio We may, technically, be medical miracles, but I -- for one -- ain't feeling it.

[@miniciominiciominicio]

@@wmdkitty Well everything gets worse after you're born until you die so I don't blame you.

[@Rose_Sakura]

I had LASIK at 27 and was about -6. I ended up needing glasses again 6 years later and now 12 years later I’m -1.5. It’s gradually been continuing to get worse. My optometrist told me not to bother seeking an enhancement. I’m assuming it’s because of what you mentioned since I’m near 40 so that’s interesting. Thanks for sharing that information. I still don’t regret getting it. I just wished it lasted longer.

[@w0ngzy]

Out of curiosity, since you're nearing 40 have you started to need reading glasses or have the problem of losing your near vision like the doctor said at @30:41

[@Rose_Sakura]

@@w0ngzy No. My near vision is good. I get annual check ups.

[@abbunnies9784]

My husband had recurrant corneal erosion, and based on this he had something similar to PRK done as treatment. I find it reassuring to know that it is considered one of the more safe procedures long term. We still need to do things like keep the humidity up to help prevent it from becoming an issue again, but im grateful that time in our lives has passed.

[@inimolend]

I had refractive surgery a couple of years ago at the age of 30 (Relex Smile operation technique) and I am really happy. Never knew there are so many eagles flying around in Estonia. The recovery was also fast, no pain or serious discomfort really and I could return to work in ambulance 3 days later. The only problem I have after this is eye dryness; however I feel my life quality is a lot better than before.

[@DentGal83]

Got laser surgery in 2009 & again in 2010 (due to regression), and about 5 years ago, I required glasses again. AND my eyes are so sensitive I can’t wear contacts anymore. Plus dryness and low light and night vision problems. I do not recommend it. My corneas now are thin, and inverted according to my latest scan / in-depth exam. Had 3 friends who got it at the same time and think they’re ok, but I know another person who also regressed with issues after about 5 years or so. So that’s 2 in 5 people having problems in my circle… High percentage to me.

[@shamjekyll]

You did SMILE or LASIK? 😢

[@Clovis_Rose]

How the hell have you posted episodes consistently that speak my thoughts and actions???? I just got Lasik at 38 (actually a few weeks ago, I was -8.00 near sighted in both eyes) and used to wear my contacts to much and thought about how I could be damaging my eyes by rubbing them. Crazy Magic.

[@annec8127]

I'd been wearing glasses since I was 7 and contacts since I was 12 (did all the things you were not supposed to do in contacts). I was -5.25/-4.75. When I was 35, I finally made enough $$ to pay for LASIK and got both eyes fixed at the same time. Got to 20/15. Best $3K I've ever spent. I went to a highly respected doctor, so I paid more than others have, but it was worth it. Now, approaching 50, I use grocery store readers in low light or for tiny print and my night-time vision is starting to slide, but a check in with the optometrist says it's not enough to merit custom correction. So worth it.

[@wadecbecker]

Got LASIK @ 25 y/o. I'm currently 37 and still have perfect vision. I was a -6.0. HIGHLY RECOMMEND :) I'm now a medicine resident tho. Doubt it will last long.

[@canelami1285]

I live in California so it costs me $5k for Lasik. The office was great, no pressure, even said wait a week to think about it and also to see if I had any more questions. I hope it sticks as I'm fully aware it may not. (Left eye is sharp, right eye isn't, not bad but maybe -.5) Close to 50 and still don't need reading glasses but the office was extremely clear about my reading vision changing after Lasik as I was near sighted. Funny thing, after Lasik my reading vision is the same as it was when I had soft contacts so it wasn't any different for me. I had thick corneas so i felt comfortable getting it done.

[@Ashleigh_Jay]

I got LASIK four weeks ago! Before I got it I came to your channel to see if you had any info on it :) haven’t listened to this full video yet but am looking forward to it

[@simonederobert1612]

This episode was the story of my family. Eye surgeries galore. I had RK 40+ years ago. When I needed cataract removal, sure enough, there was discussion about the difficulty of lens choice, and the start of Dry Eye. Two of my sisters also had RK. One had very good results, as I did, but the other has had glasses unable to correct her vision no matter how it is prescribed. Both my sons had LASIK, both with excellent results. Remains to be seen what is to come. Excellent topic today. Thanks.

[@CrankyCorvid]

I waited until I was 40 to have LASIK. I was very nearsighted and had been wearing glasses since I was 6. That was 22 years ago, and ZERO regret. I’ve needed readers for the past 5 years but at my age that’s typical anyway.

[@robina.9402]

So interesting that still having to use reading glasses is a deal breaker for people. It's the thought of having to switch back and forth between distance and reading glasses that's finally pushing me to consider surgery. (Also not being able to afford it up until now makes s big difference....)

[@Maverick_Mad_Moiselle]

I'm french and I know how to spell ophthalmology in english but I realized I don't even know if it's spelled with a -th- in french. Just checked, we don't spell it ophth- in french but instead opht-. I looked up the etymology, the english version is the spelling closest to ancient greek.

[@jeanlanz2344]

Great overview! I read a lot. I'm 63 and use the same mildish myopia prescription I had in high school pretty much ( in the 100 and 200s). I just use glasses to drive at night. Why? I think it's because I eat blueberries or blackberries with my oats every morning. Those berries keep my eyes strong. Also, gingko biloba helps people improve their near sightedness according to research. Thank you and God bless you.

[@sylviastarling5150]

This comes at the prefect time. I'm considering LASIK, but my doctor said that my eyes condition need to be 'stable', i.e. my nearsightedness does not get worse. But I'm an engineer that spend 8++ hours in front of screens everyday so I guess this is indefinitely postponed

[@marjschmitz1836]

I had PRK in my 30s. I didn’t have any issues except for blurry vision for 3 days. I had mono vision. I had cataract surgery in my 60s. I still don’t need reading glasses and I am 77.

[@windowdoog]

The still recommend PRK for law enforcement due to injury concerns. Went to look into the procedure. Only time I’ve ever just cut a doctor off, thanked him his time, paid to co pay and walked out.

[@physicistatlarge]

If you're taking requests, how about ocular herpes? I have permanent damage to my cornea from a nasty bout of ocular herpes (got way too stressed out in grad school, and got infection) and would love to hear your take on this disease.

[@gobirds2430]

I have a friend with this as well, I'd like to know more

[@TheMegaross91]

Had it done age 32, best thing I've ever done. I hated wearing glasses with a passion - my active lifestyle meant they were always scratched or greasy or getting broken or bent out of shape. And I looked so goofy with them. It was ruining my experiences in life because I could never see things that well and I always felt restricted by them. I'd have lasik yearly to not have to wear glasses. It's a game changer in my opinion, glasses are just, the worst.

[@le13579]

I sat in on my partner's lasik-type surgery. It was fascinating. I could tell exact point the vallium was wearing off when they were on the second eye. His eye movements became a lot more jittery (for want of a better word).

[@WhatGiraffe]

I had LASIK at 26, I had worn glasses and contacts since about 8 years old and was ready for it. It was a HUGE confidence booster and helped with some of my anxiety with going out, as I was always worried I'd get lost and lose my glasses or contacts and be unable to get home without help (and social anxiety makes that terrifying). I had -7.5 in both eyes and my doctor said that when it comes time for correction after 15-20 years, I have relatively thicker corneas so it should be no problem! It's been 3 years since my procedure and I've personally not had any issues with dry eye or regression.

[@irradiated_woman8016]

That fear is so real. I'm a terminally independent person and I hate knowing I'm SOL if I end up somewhere without contacts or glasses. I try to travel with a couple pairs of contacts and my glasses, but shit happens. Hell, I sleep with my glasses by my pillow because I can't do much in _my own house_ without vision correction. I'm 28, maybe it's time for refractive surgery lol...

[@FeCyndiW]

I had Laser PRK in 1993 or so (pre-Lasik) when I was in my 20s. I was -5. 20/10 afterwards and have not needed glasses until my 50s. Now, I just wear them for driving at night and starting to need them to read. Best money I ever spent. Unfortunately, I got Stevens Johnson Syndrome with ocular involvement in 2015 from an antibiotic (prescribed for an infection in my arm) and that gave me some vision cloudiness because of scarring. (Happy I can still see after that. Was horrible!) Recovery from Laser PRK was quick (days) and I don’t remember it hurting at all during the recovery period. Just had to remember my drops.

[@FeCyndiW]

My husband had lens implants. That seemed like an even better experience than my Laser PRK. He was about the same level of nearsightedness that I had (-5ish), so he was not super nearsighted. He could see perfectly right away and never had an issue. They gave him something for the procedure that short circuited his short term memory for a bit and I had a lot of fun with that.

[@katherinechadwick828]

Also…HUGE FAN of your content ESPECIALLY Bartholomew Banks! That guy is SPOT ON! PE is my nemesis! It goes against everything I learned in school especially ethics!

[@mr.truffles9294]

Very informative. Thank you Doc

[@katieluv8422]

Had a GF whom I urged to get epi-lasik. The initial suction ring before the epithelial scrape/removal caused the vision to go black and she panicked from the moderate unpleasantness. Assistant could not keep her calm and I had to step in and get her to focus on my voice and touch to keep her from ripping out her eyeball. That's to say, that initial cut can cause a panic reaction for some people and isn't entirely without risk.

[@terida81]

Would you talk about how astigmatism changes your eligibility for refractive surgery? I've always been told I'm not a candidate for LASIK - my eyes are at about a -4.75, but I've also got an astigmatism of -4.25 or so in each eye. Also, would you consider talking about ocular migraines?

[@ptiscool3334]

I have only astigmatism and was told by my ophthalmologist, and other optometrists, that I’m the perfect candidate for lasik. Did they specify why you’re not a candidate?

[@katrinat.3032]

Ophthalmology My mom me taught me at a young age how to spell this. She could also do the NYT crossword puzzle

[@HH_The_Great]

Mentour Pilot has a video about refractive surgery. He recommends pilots avoid it because of the risk of halos and ghosts. That could end a career.

[@MillionFoul]

I had PRK a year ago and the recovery was mildy annoying but on the percoset they gave me I just slept for fiveish days and then had to put some eyedrops in every twelve hours. I don't regret a thing, even with the blurriness post surgery I could tell the instant I sat up my eyesight was markedly better. Dishler Laser Institute in Denver, Dr. Dishler was awesome to work with, and so was his entire staff (one of whom I found during recovery, Iw as distantly related to!)

[@catherinebiermann7940]

After wearing contacts for 30+ years, I had LASIK 2 years ago. My prescription was -4.5 ish. I had monovision surgery, so I see far in one eye and up close in the other. So I don’t need glasses for distance or computer work, or even for reading, and I’m 60. When I tell people that they ask “how does your brain figure that out?” I say “that’s actually how vision works anyway. So when you know that, it seems odd to me that we would correct both of someone’s eyes for distance….. and then they get reading glasses for seeing small things/up close.

[@ippolitius]

How is your depth perception?

[@Natiza1]

Interestingly a large proportion of opthalmologists wear glasses. Allegedly, mine doesn't gets his eyes operated because he has his "operating habits" I had the weakness of believing that the ophthalmologist's job consisted above all of pressing the button on a machine that calculates the position of an eye on 8 dimensions at 300,000 hz and does everything automatically.

[@muffininacup4060]

I always hear from ophtalmologiscs that lasik is 'instant recovery' and prk 'takes about a week' and meanwhile so many people have quite different results. I.e. watch Deviant Ollam's recent video on getting prk done, which took him about half a year to recover, which isnt uncommon. I really wish all the possibilities are mentioned, rather than 'dont you worry, it'll just be a week' vs 'it might be a week, might be a week of agony and a few months until your sight is fully back'

[@kermitdafrog444]

Got lasik when i was 21. 30 now. When i got surgery i had "textbook perfect" vision (better than 20/20). My eyesight is just starting to worsen. I work on the computer ALL day so i have computer glasses for eye strain but i generally dont need them

[@jennymckenzie5304]

Never thought a video on eye surgery would have me going "but I'm dyslexic!" within the first 3 minutes.

[@lindawalkup6084]

I had LASIK 24 years ago, very near-sighted (-8, -9, astigmatism too )first surgeon said they couldn’t do it, second said he thought he could at least improve things. On my first eye, my epithelial layer of my flap separated off and came off in patches. They blew oxygen on my second eye and the epithelial layer stayed on. It was in bad shape from wearing hard contact lens for 20 + years, even though I had switched to glasses for three weeks. My eye without the protective layer was incredibly painful for three days until it grew back, like a PFK. That eye never made it to 20/20, maybe 20/40 but he could not take more off. I did have good enough vision to go without glasses for about ten years, then the epithelial layer (I am told) filled in the dip and I had to wear glasses again, now also far-sighted. I am looking forward to my cataract lens replacement surgery to fix things again.

[@Hawkium]

Good information, thank you! (I have my consult to see if I qualify for Lasik next week, so serendipitous timing!)

[@dillarddillard-p4e]

👍

[@jenleigh4212]

I was too far-sighted for lasik, so I ended up getting an ICL surgery. They had to allow for fluid to pass through, so now I have little black pinpricks at the top of my iris in each eye. Side note: The psychedelic analogy is what I would use as well. The surgery was wild!

[@gruel_summer]

Got lasik at 28. Wish I had done it 10 years earlier! Adhd and keeping track of glasses was a nightmare.

[@linamendt9149]

Had LASIK surgery 38 years ago. Best thing I've ever done!

[@lisaatp]

-8.50 middle aged woman here who has been sooo tempted for too many years! Thanks for the info!

[@joelaugustin6407]

I got PRK February of 2022 and it was the best money I ever spent. Wearing glasses/contacts from 9 yo to 28 and now seeing 20/15 is life changing. I was at -7 and -6.5, and besides a lingering glare from bright lights that I've had my whole life I have no issues. I wonder, to any other PRK patients, have you had the procedure twice? My docter said I have VERY thick corneas and I should be viable for a second round if I need it some day.

[@feylezofriza]

The glare gets better over time but doesn't go away completely

[@joelaugustin6407]

@@feylezofriza yeah that was something I knew it wouldn't help but it's nice to hear it might get better.

[@alenasenie6928]

Thank you for telling me all this, I am risk adverse and have thought about lasik because I don't like using glasses, and the flap is the main reason I was not even trying yet to do anything, I am around 30 and can be without glasses, but I have some negative effects, not enough to justify the flap risks, knowing the option without a flap exists and it only means a week of recovery, for me it will be the option in the future.

[@anonchu]

Just started this video and thought I'd share a bit of my experience as I watch. I got LASIK after I turned 18 and at 21, I think my eyesight has deteriorated just a little bit. It's really made me panic and out of fear, I haven't gotten my eyesight checked again. Sharing this just in case anyone wants to give their insights or advice!

[@TheSouthIsHot]

I have had SEVERE DRY EYES due to LASIK since spring 2009 a few months before my 40th birthday. Before that, I had a very minor need for glasses. The ophthalmologist who performed the surgery didn't say one word that DRY EYE is a very common side affect of LASIK, even though I told him several times during our consultation that I was considering the surgery because my eyes were too dry for contact lenses. I tell everyone (ESPECIALLY females): don't do it. You have no idea what the outcome will be.

[@acarroll]

I've had more than one ophthalmologist suggest LASIK to me before I was 40 (I'm 59 now) because my astigmatism was pretty severe. Since my vision was correctable with glasses or contacts, I didn't feel that the procedure's risks were worth it.

[@tonidozier4573]

Fifteen years ago, I had LASIK in my left eye and PRK in my right. My ophthalmologist told me that due to my flattened right cornea, PRK was better because LASIK would leave me with a dry eye. I haven’t had any problems

[@TheSouthIsHot]

@@acarroll They will lie to get your money.

[@feylezofriza]

That's rough. I am very sorry. It is true that in females dry eyes tend to be worse. My wife is bothered by it. Mine went away in a few weeks.

[@TheSouthIsHot]

@@feylezofriza Thank you. I pray your wife finds a good product to relieve her dry eyes. I sometimes take as many as 50 synthetic Vitamin E 400IU capsules in a day for relief. Four weeks after my surgery when the dry eye didn't improve, I called the ophthalmologist's office who performed the surgery. His nurse told me I would probably have to use eyedrops for the rest of my life. No one at that office said a word about dry eye before my surgery.

[@pauljsm]

Indeed, I've been listening with my eyes dilated for the past 24 hours 😂 (the effect is almost gone, otherwise typing this would have been impossible) ... greetings from Leuven, Belgium

[@james.telfer]

Went for a LASIK evaluation last year. Refracive lens exchange was suggested instead since I'm approaching the age where cataracts are forming anyway. However, it's twice the price as LASIK, so.... time to save up some more.

[@456ism]

Can you do a series with other doctors commenting on your content? A lot of the humour is lost on those who are not in the medical field and need that commentary to fully grasp the brilliance and thoughtfulness of the content ( though I understand we are not the target audience which is part of what makes it feel legitimate but also interesting and captivating).

[@gizmoenterprises3467]

I got lasik in 2018. Daytime vision was great until I had optic nerve swelling due to medication side effects in 2020. My night vision and low light vision went to shit, and has only gotten worse over time. If I could go back, I never would have done it. Not needing to wear glasses for a few years was just not worth it, as I'm back in glasses waiting on my vision to stabilize again. I don't regret it, but I won't recommend it as an answer to anyone else without strong caution.

[@RdLine-zk8ik]

I had this PRK like 14 years ago, when I was 16, had astygmatic myopia, -3 on the right and -2.5 on the left. The cyllindric lens made me dizzy to the point of being sick and vomiting. Never wore those glasses since being diagnosed. Later it was found that my right eye actually had amblyopia. I did some specific amblyopia exercises and today I feel great. Don't need reading glasses. And I do read a lot. I have trouble focusing vision when I sleep like 2-3 hours or have no sleep.

[@Maggies87]

Lasik Plus 2O years ago was worth it. Vision improved from 20/30-20/40 with glasses to 20/20 👍👍👍👍👍 I do have to have a light astigmatism correction now but I see 20/20! Far better than 20/40. And I’m legal to drive with no glasses. If I didn’t have a rotary nystagmus and a lazy eye, I would see better than 20/20.

[@emom358]

Thanks! Forgot to add this to my question 😊

[@chrisleblanc581]

I worked in a biomedical lab in the same building where ophthalmology was located. For fun, I’d count the ones that like to do lasik surgery but wore glasses. I kept track of this for over a decade. I no longer work in that lab, so maybe things have changed, but by my recollection around 87 percent of the docs who did the surgery chose to wear glasses. When the opportunity arose, I’d always ask why given they were so willing to perform the surgery on others. The answers were always variations of “the risk of complications isnt worth my career. I have loans to pay off”. That was all I needed to know. Three family members have had it. All suffer with terrible dry eye and two are back on glasses.

[@chrisleblanc581]

Clinics and research being like oil and water is dead on. I worked in a mixed clinical and basic science department. When forced to mix at departmental events we would separate as cleanly as maga and progressive politicians. The most common way of interacting was for the researchers to pointedly belittle the clinicians knowledge, while they belittled our salaries (at the time I think base pay for them was in the 300-500 k range, while only senior research professors broke 100 k, and that would be cut immediately if they had problems getting grants bc between 1/3 and 1/2 of research salary depended on incoming grant money).

[@allisonmeena]

Interestingly, I know about radial keratotomy because I love to learn about Mount Everest, especially the 1996 tragedy, and Beck Weathers had a radial keratotomy and for that reason couldn’t see when he got close to the summit.

[@Mayeko]

I've had painfully bad vision since childhood, thick lenses are no joke and the frames that seat them aren't usually on the dainty end either, on top of all that they usually cost over $1000 even with the cheapest, clunkiest frames Walmart has to offer. Despite this, I prefer the familiar sight of my face with glasses, so I'm actually really glad to hear that the most common negative side-effect people report is having to wear what I would consider, featherlight little reading glasses that are cheap and abundant and can be made in any style! I'd heard that laser corrective surgery can increase negative outcomes of eventual cataract surgery, but that's a low-level concern after I did a bit of reading and the omission of it as a concern in this video. I will of course discuss with my actual doctor, but this has allayed any underlying anxiety I had of it being a known and common problem I hadn't yet encountered.

[@SuperDoNotWant]

Try contact lenses. The technology has advanced a lot since the 90s. They're now extremely gas permeable (fewer issues with depriving your eyes of oxygen resulting in vein growth), and they even have ones that fix astigmatism, and bifocals! Like you I had bottle-thick glasses from a young age, but have no problem finding lovely light thin contact lenses that fix my vision and fix my astigmatism at the same time. I can wear them 24/7, too, although I realise not everyone can. Contacts are also super cheap whereas glasses mysteriously keep getting more and more expensive. No way I'm letting any doctor put a knife or laser near my eyes unnecessarily. You only have one set, they can't be replaced.

[@Mayeko]

Ah, I know you didn't mean to overstep and are excited to let me know about other options, (after all, DFTBA) but a bit more detail on my situation might help with understanding why I'm relieved to get surgery: I have autism and ADHD, around -9 in both eyes, distance double vision and have daily discomfort and visual aberrations from the prism-thick lenses I have to wear all day every day. I can't learn to drive or go to the movies or live theatre because my vision spits and I have to hold one eye closed to see properly which quickly gives me a headache. Contacts are equally if not more uncomfortable than the 28g (~1oz) glasses I have to wear, and impossible to see clearly with no matter how many options I try, and I have been trying since middle school in the mid-2000's up until Lockdowns started. I'm barely in my 30's and all my screen text is set to large in the accessibility options of every device I own and let me tell you a LOT of Web 2.0 style websites brick themselves when you have this turned on, so a whole swath of the internet is unnavigable to me on desktop. On top of this, I'm an artist and craftsman so I really use the heck out of my eyes and tend to value my vision more highly than the average person without my training and background. I'm really glad that contacts work for you and the overwhelming majority of people with less than 20/20 vision, but I feel corrective surgery is not a "meh, why not?" type elective or even aesthetic procedure for people like me who are literally disabled by their vision. I *like* wearing glasses and don't want to get irreversible surgery to get rid of a simple inconvenience or fashion impediment. In fact, knowing I will likely still require a lighter prescription for reading or full distance vision actually REMOVED a barrier to surgery for me because I *want* to keep wearing glasses, wearing glasses has been a part of me nearly my entire life! What I want is to see without having a painful contraption digging to my face 16 hours a day, I want to be able to cry or cuddle up without first worrying about mashing the nose pads and greasing up the lenses, I want to be able to see what I'm doing in the shower, I want to go to the Museum and see the exhibits properly, I want to go birding or look at the stars without struggling around two different sets of optics, I want to end the nigh constant daily cleaning from having my stubbornly straight eyelashes touching the lenses for them to be close enough to see properly. This would be a truly life changing surgery for me, I don't undertake the plausible risks lightly and watching this video brought me a lot of hope for a significantly less painful existence being possible. EDIT: I want to be clear I am with you, people shouldn't treat this like an out-patient plastic surgery procedure like injections, in fact it's high-key crazy to me that people with very low level prescription and tons of affordable options available get LASIK, they should really just use those many options and leave the surgery to people like me who will definitely save themselves a lot of money and suffering if they get it done. I got a bit upset about your well intentioned reply because people often assume my vision can't possibly be that bad and that I'm just a silly girl who is after a frivolous plastic surgery no one actually needs. People have literally said "but you look great with glasses!" like I was fishing for compliments and not discussing a medical procedure.

[@DrEsky914]

I am kind of hoping the answer is never, but I know some people love their lasik. I discovered how great it is NOT to have had lasik as my eyes aged and I can now read at night without any corrective lenses! Annoying to have to find corrective lenses for absolutely everything! My vision correction is -3.5 L and -4.75 R. (that allows me to read the computer and see long distance at the same time but NOT to read!) I also have trifocals which allow the reading element which took time to adjust to but now I love them.

[@oakstrong1]

I got Lasik in my mid-late 30s. I need glasses immediately.. They suggested just one eye, but they didn't tell me why. I was very upset at the time, but I still prefer not having to wear glasses when driving, in the rain or having to keep swapping between indoor and prescription sunglasses and I can see people'sfaces across the room and shop signs before I am right by them. I could still squint at the smaller print until 55 but now I am rapidly needing stronger and stronger reading glasses, and I am starting to need wearing glasses just walking around at home. My long distance vision is gradually detriorating, too, (I'm 60) but I reckon I won't need bifocals until near my retirement.

[@christiandad5920]

Thanks for your admission to have used psychedelics....appreciate the honesty. 😂😂😂😂

[@motionless_horizon]

My ex had extremely progressive keratoconus because of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and in the two years we were dating, they went from -3 and -4, to -7 and -10. Could you talk about EDS? It can have a lot of ocular effects, especially a type called Brittle Cornea Syndrome. I have EDS and thankfully haven’t had major eye problems from it, but I’m very interested in the issues it can cause for some patients with it

[@fakhruddinnalawala5451]

I got tPRK done when I was 24, best decision of my life! As someone with not only myopia but also astigmatism (see previous episode) which means very expensive spectacles, I'll begin saving money in a few years lol. And the reason why I did PRK instead of LASIK? My ophthalmologist told me it has fewer complications and better long term vision? xD

[@zelousfoxtrot3390]

I got LASIK in '02 (20 years ago) when I was in my 20s. Best decision. HOWEVER, I have pretty severe haloing at night. Since I live in the city, it's not too bad, but when I visit the country driving at night is bad. Take that info for your decision.

[@kraftypants]

I got PRK 6 months ago and my vision still isn't great. I'm scheduled for an adjustment and really worried my vision is going to continue being blurry and lights being starbursts/ streaks. Can you maybe talk about the differences between PRK and LASIK?

[@sasha-taylor]

I thought he said the Nuance Dragon Ambien Experience and imagined an AI-simulated Ambien trip featuring a pedantic dragon instead of the usual ambiguous walrus

[@urmothwr]

-5.5 and -6.25 plus astigmatism for a max total of -7.5. Age 20. I'm waiting till 26 since thats the minimum age, but after that the plan is to get LASIK immediately.

[@_____alyptic]

I have x1.25 lenses for shortsightedness in one eye. And x1.00 for the other. The Opticians said if i try LASIK/LASEK while its not severe, then id probably get complications because there's not as much to work with. Now im scared of getting issues with it :/

[@sauercrowder]

Frankly I don't know why you would bother anyway. Seems like you could get away with just not wearing glasses or contacts anyway.

[@jennysong99]

high quality content!!!! thank you!

[@ferretyluv]

I’m just a -1.25, but id like to be able to go to the beach without glasses. I’d only get it in one eye, though. I noticed a couple years ago that I’ve started to have trouble with seeing things up close. I’d like to avoid getting bifocals. I’m fine wearing reading glasses for the librarian look.

[@russhackleford4912]

Does LASIK have any implications for underwater hobbies like scuba, especially with respect to things like being de-masked at depth accidentally?

[@joanhoffman3702]

One of my cousins had radial keratotomy done on one eye. He had bad after effects.

[@jplayzow]

I'm deeply disappointed the one question quiz wasn't a sub plug for your channel

[@markae0]

Weird Al got his eyes done live.

[@markae0]

then a bad one "ruined my life" kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIndn2N7orNkb6c

[@lunadawnlynn]

Ohmygosh! I’d never heard that. 😳

[@dillarddillard-p4e]

Saw it on YT

[@markallman418]

They removed my cataracts, corrected some kinda astigmatism, and put in "trifocal interocular" lenses. And all that before i was 50. Don't ignore your diabetes kids. Also while you may not see much more than colors and light you sure FEEL things. I know what it feels like to have something screwed into my eyeball now.

[@evilsharkey8954]

I wish I could get it, but I have irregular astigmatism, and my ophthalmologist said no surgery corrects irregular astigmatism. My glasses sure done, and my night vision is getting awful because of it.

[@lemonpeelangelfish]

Awesome episode- thank you Will 😁

[@NoahKuzel]

First time viewer, spelled Ophthalmology correct

[@pezz2345]

Can you talk about Binocular Vision Dysfunction? I would love to learn more about it as I think I have it!

[@carrie_lol]

Well, I got SMILE (different from LASIK) for about USD2800 in HK and it was awesome. I had almost no side effects that it was almost forgettable 😂. I decided to do it after I realised I have a higher chance of hurting myself from accidents due to fogged up glasses under humidity than my surgery. 😂 I actually almost got hit by bus and fell down a flight of stairs because of foggy glasses. Ofcourse, I also feel awesome not having the weight and nuisance of glasses and contacts in my life again. 😂 The only regret I had was not doing it earlier 😂

[@SuperDoNotWant]

i swear to god this entire comment thread reads like contact lenses don't exist.

[@carrie_lol]

@@SuperDoNotWantI have worn contacts. It sucked. Dry eyes HURTS. I HATED cleaning them and disposables are expensive. I actually hated contacts so much I chose to stick to glasses. Case closed! 😂

[@Haja3am]

@@carrie_lolwait u had dry eyes with contacts and still got RELEX SMILE? How is your dry eye now!?

[@sandwich2473]

I watched a video recently from DeviantOllam about his experience so it'll be interesting to hear it from the other side :O

[@sandwich2473]

I got it right :P

[@sandwich2473]

He described getting both eyes at the same time on PRK as completely debilitating for several months and if he was on a different road in life he'd have lost everything because of it Worth keeping in mind if you're thinking about it 👀