LASIK? Should I go for it?

I'm a 25 years old guy. I'm short-sighted about -8 each eye and that means I can't do see or anything without my glasses. I don't like contacts so I'm considering LASIK.

For people who had it, any regrets? How long did it take after LASIK to be able to do you normal daily activities? Thanks in advance!

I was about 20/250 before Lasik surgery last year. The procedure was painless, probably due to the Valium they gave me. The ride home (as a passenger, of course) was fairly uncomfortable, mainly due to light sensitivity. The doctor gave me dark goggles, but the light was still too bright. I was in some pain once I got home (maybe 3 hours post procedure), but I had some left over Vicodin, and took two doses of that. The Vicodin took the edge off. Slept fine that night. Woke up the next morning, and I COULD SEE FINE! Hallelujah! I was jazzed up about that. I drove myself to my one day check up (an 2 hour round trip) with no problems. For that check up, I was seeing at 20/25, less than 24 hours after the surgery. I went to work that afternoon (doing ultrasound which really requires you to use your eyes). For my one week check up, I was seeing between 20/20 and 20/15. Other than the touch of pain I had post procedure, before I went to bed for the night, I had no other problems. I would do it again in a heartbeat! No more glasses, no more contacts, no more cleaning solutions and saline!

My advice would be to talk to everyone....talk to your family, friends and co-workers. Then ask your family, friends and co-workers to talk to their family, friends and co-workers....you get the idea. I found my surgeon by word of mouth. I asked everyone I know if they had Lasiks (or knew anyone who had Lasiks), and what doctor they went to. Almost everyone I talked to in my area went to the surgeon I ended up going to, and everyone was perfectly satisfied. I went into the procedure very confident! I have seen people on Y!Answers, who say they or someone they know, has had post-op complications, such as halos or problems with night vision. But, I have not met anyone, personally, who has had these complications.

Just one other thing....I went to a doctor who used computerized, laser equipment. No knives were involved. But, it cost me a pretty penny. I paid $5500 for both eyes, but I was not comfortable going to a doctor that advertised in the newspaper for $500 per eye. Sometimes you get what you pay for! Good luck to you!

My optician told me I wasn't suitable for it, but I would definitely have gone for it, with a little trepidation, if I could have.

I know at least 15 people at work who have had it done - it's one of the first investments they make after joining - and none of them have a bad word to say about it. The technology is improving all the time, so I think you should do it - if your optician advises it.

Everyone says it is great and a quick recovery. However, a friend of mine had complications, his sight was worse, and they had to redo it. He is still glad he got it done. My wife also had Lasik - recovery was much longer than they told her, but again, she is glad she had it done.

Personally, I feel that my glasses work, so why take the chance, however slim, that I can lose my eyesight. Call me chicken.

Yes.I've heard nothing but good stories on lasik.

Haven't had it done as I chickened out last minute.
A small percentage of people (I've read from 3% to 7%) will have night vision problems afterwards, and since I already kinda do now (I see a haze / stars around lamps etc) I figured I'd be at a higher risk.

Also be aware that your vision usually deteriorates and LASIK won't prevent that, so you may need to have it done again in a few years. Wiser to wait til your late 20es.

If you can get it done, get it done. I envy you, I wish I was a candidate, but my eyes are -12 and I have large pupils so I am not a candidate and I so wish that I was. Both my parents and my sister had it done, and this is going back 8 years ago. They all have perfect eye sight still and they are thankful everyday that they got it done. And yes, they are able to do all the same activities as before and much more because they don't have to worry about their glasses breaking or their contacts popping out. There are no limitations. I so wish I could have it done, say go for it!!!

Keep in mind that when you get into your forties, you will need reading glasses if you are nearsighted and had this procedure done. I am in my late 40s and would never consider it. I like how I can still see well close up while most people my age have to use reading glasses. I do have to use reading glasses when I have my contacts on and I'm sure glad that I don't have to use them all the time. I'm also glad that I don't have to get bifocals. If I'm wearing my glasses and need to look at something close up, I can simply pull down my glasses and look over the top. I wouldn't be able to do that if I had had laser surgery done. I hate reading glasses. They really mess up my vision for a few minutes after I take them off. They're basically correcting for the opposite vision problem from mine and I really can't see through them if I'm not wearing contacts.