I was considering getting lasik… but now I’m not sure. I have astigmatism (I think high), but my glasses prescription is relatively low. (I don’t know the exact number, I’ve just been told I don’t need a whole lot of correction.)

After talking to a doc (salesman?) about lasik (and researching online), I learned lasik mainly improves your distance vision. The doc said, I’ll probably still need glasses for up-close work.

But. Don’t we constantly do up close work? Read a message on my phone -> close up work. Read a menu -> close up work. Read a price tag -> close up work. Type on my computer -> close up work. Having to constantly put on and take off my glasses based on the task seems like a huge step backwards compared to today where I just have my glasses on all the time and don’t think about them. (Or lose them.) I heard I could get some glasses that let me see far and close… and I could wear them all day…

So… what’s the point of lasik in that case?

I’ve heard after lasik, my overall un-assisted vision would improve. I would only need minor corrective lenses. But. Why does major vs minor correction matter?

If I still need glasses (with minor correction), what’s the point of lasik?

Am I missing something here?

Why do tons of people online seem extremely happy with their lasik experience?

  • Vanth@reddthat.comEnglish
    8·
    4 days ago

    Lasik corrected my vision enough that I’ve had ~15 years without glasses, and can expect another 5-10 before I need reading glasses like any other aging human. The lens gets stiffer, the muscles that manipulate the lenses to focus weaken, people start to need glasses while reading to make up for it, Lasik will not stop that from happening.

    So IMO, Lasik at 35+, not worth it. Lasik at 25 or under, maybe.

    I also had astigmatism and went to a doctor who knew enough to use the Lasik process to counter some of it. I still have a little bit but can pass driving tests and go about daily life with no correction. I also play contact sports so not having to wear glasses was a significant mark in the pro column as well.

    I also agree with others about not going to a Lasik salesman doctor. I went to a doctor who was affiliated with a hospital and did other sorts of eye surgeries.

    • SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.caEnglish
      1·
      4 days ago

      Lasik salesman doctor

      FYI, these guys are typically med school trainees who did not qualify to get into an Opthalmology specialty. They are businessmen with the inherent con artist skills of business.

      • Vanth@reddthat.comEnglish
        1·
        3 days ago

        I didn’t even get that far. I called one for initial info and found out his “clinic” was a truck and he drove his Lasik machine to different locations thru the week. I asked him how often and how did he check his laser calibration. He said he did it once per month, sending samples in to a calibration lab and then they sent him a report a couple weeks later telling him if the laser was a-okay or if it needed adjustment.

        So drive that truck around everyday, bumping that laser around. At least a months worth of patients will have their eyeballs lasered before he knew about an equipment problem. No thanks.