Thinking of taking the plunge...anyone here had it? Any advice? Got an consultation on Sat, eek!

I had it done 4 years ago this summer and it was the best decision i made. My eye sight was appalling and i was so sick of glasses and contact lenses. It was painless and very quick and my eyes were slightly sensitive to light for a day or 2 but it was the best feeling when i woke up the next day and could see the alarm clock.

Good Luck

I would be terrified of having scarring - have heard that it doesn't always work well.  I say leave well alone - now my eyes are changing due to getting older I have to take my glasses off to read - unlike other folk who have to carry reading glasses around with them.  That is why I don't wear contacts because I would still have the hassle of glasses as well.   Sorry to be negative!

My cousin had in done and said it's the best thing she ever done, must say if i had the money i definately would too, she had it done at bluewater.

A friend had it done to join the police. All went well but dont think i could do it. Being awake and hearing/seeing all of that cant be pleasant :-(

A friend had it done to join the police.

Our police force won't take you if you have had certain types of  laser surgery :

from their FAQ section on their website

If you have undergone Radial Keratotomy, Arcuate Keratotomy or corneal grafts you can't apply. If you have undergone other forms of refractive surgery such as LASIK, LASEK and PRK you may apply as long as six weeks have gone by since the surgery and you haven't had any side effects. You will also need to meet the eyesight standards set by Kent Police.

I've known 3 individuals have it done and every one has had ongoing problems, one of them apalling which has involved multiple repeat surgeries and excrutiating pain.  He has to wear a special "bandage" over the lens - similar to a contact lens but specifically to keep the eyes hydrated because if he doesn't, or the lenses fall out, when he sleeps and then opens his eyes in the morning the inside of his eye lids literally peel his eye balls.  It's awful and has now been going on for around 3 years.  All to correct a relatively minor complaint - I don't need glasses or lenses but definitely wouldn't resort to this if I ever do.

My sister had it done and she loves it- but she can't drive to well at night- her night vision is not all that good- I believe she still gets star bursts at night so make driving hard and well she shouldn't now because of that...

This is what would put me off getting it done.  Your eyes are soo important.  I'd rather wear glasses for the rest of my life than have my eyesight made worse.

a close friend of mine had it done, had a lot of problems to begin with, got an infection in her eyes that took at least 2 weeks to clear, but since then she's been fine, but she did say if she'd have known it was going to be like that she wouldn't have bothered - she phoned me in tears a few times after the procedure :(

a colleague of mine wanted it doing, he made all the enqs and had consultation, and was told his cornea was too thin, he could have some alternative therapy that involved putting a plastic lens on his eye??? I don't know full details, but he was very disappointed.

And no-one I know has paid the small amounts advertised on tv - the most quoted to my colleage was £2000.....

get more than one consultation and try a couple of companies - good luck ;)

A friend of mine had it done and is over the moon.  She had poor vision since childhood (now 47) and most of her adult live wore contacts, but was told she couldn't continue with contacts anymore.

One thing she was advised to do, and did, was she had it done at Moorfields Eye Hospital rather than one of the many commercial private companies that advertise.  It was marginally more expensive, but she said it was worth it.  I've since heard the same thing advised by several others who've had it done.

The Radial Keratotomy, Arcuate Keratotomy or corneal grafts are differnt to cosmetic corrective surgery.
Maybe we are lucky down here that our police aren't so strict with it :-)

Thanks for all your replies, some encourgaing others not, but that's what I wanted! Need to make an informed decision. I know of 3 people who have had it done at Optical Express (that's who my first consult is with) & they have had absolutely no problems at all.  The reason I want to have it done is two fold: 1) I am sick of glasses & contact lenses, I spend a fortune every year on these & think that by having the surgery in the long term I will save money & 2) purely & simply (not gonna lie about this!) vanity!  I'm planning on travelling & getting married in the next 3 years & would love to do all that without the hassle of lenses or risk missing out on somthing because my sight isn't strong enough!  I know it's not cheap & I could do more constructive things with the cash I've saved (paying some off the mortgage springs to mind), but this along with having my teeth sorted out is a priority for me & I feel it would boost my self confidence too!  I'll keep you updated on how the consult goes....after all this it would be sods law that I'm not suitable!!!

Appt moved to Monday now, can't drive afterwards as I have to have some dye put in my eyes, consult should last about 1 1/2 hours sounds like they are very thorough!

If they are putting the dye in your eyes that dilates the pupils then make sure you take sunglasses. When you come out, because you have a larger pupil you will be much more sensitive to light :-)

Gembo, Good luck and keep us updated.  My boyfriend is considering the same as you but is waiting afew more years as his still young.  I was told how it all works last year by a friend who had it done, she couldn't rate it enough however I am squirmish with eyes after my eye opertion when I was young!

I'm thinking about having LES later on this year. I'm 27 and I've been wearing contacts since I was 16 and I'd love to be able to ditch them at long last! Vanity also plays a part for me as I refuse to wear glasses in public, I hate them so I wear contacts pretty much all the time. I know a few people who've had it done and none have had any problems so I really think I'm going to go for it.

[bThis is what would put me off getting it done.  Your eyes are soo important]

Probably being very squeamish but I agree, I know it can be very successful and many swear by it, but I don't think I would do it, being the worry wart that I am. :-)

I'm happy to be cut open, and wouldn't be worried about lasers anywhere else, they could zap away. :-D  But my eyes I don't think I could face it.

It's down to personal choice, your probably a lot braver than me.