Any Laser Eye Surgery Testimonials?

Updated on June 17, 2008
D.S. asks from Coppell, TX
13 answers

I am considering laser/Lasik eye surgery. In my research, I'm finding there are a variety of choices out there. I'm not sure yet if I would be considered an acceptable candidate since my vision is still slowly getting worse as I age (I'm now 36). Problem is I have never found contacts that did not irritate my eyes--I've tried about 5-7 different kinds and I can't wear any of them longer than 4 hours. And I don't like the limit range of peripheral vision with glasses. Does anyone have any great stories (or horror stories) about laser eye surgery?

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.S.

answers from Dallas on

I used Key Whittman and it is great. No problems. It is fantastic to be able to get up and not have to worry about contacts or glasses.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.C.

answers from Minneapolis on

Unreservedly recommend Dr Gelender and other doctors in his office.
3 of them have been on D best lasik doctors for the past 5+ years.

Someone refered me to him and I am VERY happy. Had my lasik 4+ years ago and am still 20/15!!!
I had dry eyes before. Dr. Gelender worked with me to overcome that.

Dr. Gelender is WELL respected in the lasik industry. He fixes the mistakes other doctors make. he does not advertize. I personally dont like medical celebrity advertizing. I feel like if you are really good in what you do medically, why commercialize human life by using the hollywood appeal?

he does not treat you like a statistic. you see him on every visit, not some cattle ranch type processing with sub-nurses.

his price is slightly higher than others but he is worth every penny. 4 years ago, the batch processing lasik offerings (like Booth, Whitman) were taking $3200, Gelender was taking $3800. $300 off if you have insurance. I got another $300 off because I was refered by an ex-patient so I ended paying the same $3200. Even at $3800, I would have done it with Gelender.
Its my eyes, cant risk a thing!

I dont know his number anymore.
here is his website:

http://www.corneatexas.com/html/about_gelender.html

All the best! Lasik is worth it! Imagine the joy of seeing your alarm clock clearly :-)

- DC

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.R.

answers from Dallas on

I had mine almost 10 years ago, when I was in my mid 30's. They warned me up front that when I hit my 40's, I would still need reading glasses. So for about 4 or 5 years, I enjoyed perfect visions, and have used reading glasses only since. I also say it was the best $$ I ever spent. Back then it was $1000 an EYE! My vision was like 20/800 - I couldn't even go to the bathroom in the middle of the night without my glasses. At the time, I figured it would take approximately 4 years to recoup my output in glasses, contacts, solutions and eye exams.

I will say that I got mine done at one of those "pop up, assembly line" type places. Good experience for me, but not everyone. My cousin's wife had her's done there, and they darn near ruined her eyes. So I would suggest going to a place with a good reputation, even if it costs more.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.W.

answers from Dallas on

I had my Lasik done in 2000 and have had no problems as a result. I don't need reading glasses. I got a recommendation from a co-worker and checked him out thoroughly and had it done in Arlington. We had to go to Dallas for the surgery. My office visits were in Arlington. I can get his contact info if you would like it. The Dr. I went to doesn't do any type of advertising. I'm a little leary about the Dr.'s that do all this advertising on TV/radio all the time. I think they may be money hungry or greedy. I think the best form of advertising is word of mouth. I paid about $1000 an eye, cause that was when it first came out.

My husband got it done 2-3 years later than me and went to Amerivision in Fort Worth. He had dry eyes before Lasik and it made it worse. He now gets red eyes quite a bit and has to use eye drops. We are thinking he shouldn't have been a candidate. He paid $300 an eye. I wouldn't recommend them, he had to go to Plano to get corrections made on his eyes.

I would check out several different places and get recommendations/testimonials that you seek out, not the ones they give you. I would get your regular eye Dr. to see if you would be a good candidate for it, instead of the Dr.'s office where they do the Lasik surgery. You might check the BBB also for any complaints or maybe the Eye Association or Medical Associations, maybe they can also help you out.

I love the way I look and feel without glasses and contacts. Life is so much easier without having to spend money on contacts and supplies for glasses/contacts.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.G.

answers from Dallas on

I had mine done about 4 years ago in Oct. My vision was horrid (20/1000). I couldn't even see the E at the top of the chart, so to sit me up after the surgery and read the clock on the wall brought me to tears. Even waking up in the middle of the night to see what time it was on my alarm clock made me wake my husband up to tell him out of excitement!! I did a lot of research on doctors and chose Dr. Lehman at Clearview Eye Care. It is in Southlake at 114 and Southlake Blvd. I have nothing but good things to say about him, his staff, the experience and how personal they were (not like other places that make almost an assembly line). When I got there I was in the waiting room for maybe 5 minutes if that long, and I went back and the dr talked to me for a little bit, and it was done (it was an extremely quick procedure). AFter almost 4 years I still see 20/15, which is better than perfect.

Now, I have heard so many many many horror stories from Dr. Boothe FYI. I know one person who went in and waited hours (several hours) before the actual process. I know another person who said that one doctor does one eye, then you get up and go to another doctor who does another eye so they can get more people in and out (assembly line). I think this is a new technique because people who I've talked to that had theirs done a few years ago didn't do that. This one was recent. Well, I could go on about the stories with him, but I won't.

I had Intralasik and am so satisfied and thankful. My husband is actually going to get it done at Clearview also. Good luck, and it will be the best money you've spent!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.F.

answers from Dallas on

I second Dr. Gelender....my sister in law is a nut about doing research on things and she found Dr. Gelender. All of our family ended up using him.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.E.

answers from Dallas on

My husband had terrible astigmatism (sp?). Had worn glasses since he was in kindergarten. He had the laser surgery done in 2001 (he was 26), and has had no problem at all with his eyes since. It was the best investment we ever did. Although it cost up front, we haven't had to buy glasses, contacts, or any of the paraphenalia that goes with that. He loved being able to see in the shower and at the pool, but best of all, according to him, was being able to see the clock when he woke up first thing in the morning. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.M.

answers from Dallas on

D.,
I am 38 & had my surgery about 3 years ago. It is normal for your eyes to continue to change..usually getting far sighted in your 40's. My Dr. told me I would still end up wearing reading glasses some day, BUT for now it is AWESOME. The procedure went smooth & it was well worth the money. I had the intralasik procedure (laser no knife). I wore glasses as a youngster then contacts for years. Always had trouble with protein build up..we didn't have the daily wear disposables they have now. My optometrist recommended me to the lasik surgeon over next to Baylor Grapevine hospital (Dr. Lehman) . He met me up there the day of my surgery then I just followed up with him right here in Cleburne where I live. No problems thusfar! GO FOR IT!! I paid about $3000 or so..which is more than advertised, but you get what you pay for I think.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.

answers from Dallas on

I had mine done in February, but had to have PRK since my eyes were so bad I was nto a candidate for Lasik. I liked my doctor, but felt that he did not give me enough informationon the PRK and the recovery time. I was still going by the Lasik recovery time and PRK is completely different. I was in so much pain for the first three days and in the 24 hours after I couldn't even open my eyes.
Was it worth it in the end, yes, but I would have preferred more information about the PRK up front.

Dr. Mazahri did mine but I would recommend you go elsewhere.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.A.

answers from Dallas on

I had my Lasik surgery done 2 years ago at Clearview Eyecare and Laser Center in Southlake and would highly recommend them. Dr Ryne and Dr. Lehman are great and the pre-op and follow up care they give is awesome. I paid $3600 and that included all pre-op and post-op care for the year after my procedure. They offered 0% interest for 18 months so I paid $200 month. If you go in for a pre-op visit and they determine you are not a candidate you are charged nothing, so if you are concerned about that it is definitely worth going in and seeing what they say. I was 35 when I had mine done and my eyes were gradually getting worse but I was able to have the procedure and have been incredibly happy with it. I had been having so many problems with my contacts and now I love waking up and not having to reach for my glasses or having to put in contacts. It is one of the best things I ever did for myself.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.C.

answers from Dallas on

I'd second Key Whitman......Great, great! My husband has better than 20/20 vision!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.V.

answers from Dallas on

I highly recommend Key Whitman Eye Center - www.keywhitman.com. I had the procedure in 1999. He was highly regarded then and still is.

G.W.

answers from Orlando on

I haven't personally had it done but my husband did in Feb 2003 by Dr. Booth. He will tell you it is the best thing he's ever done medical wise. It was over $3000 to do it but it was a birthday gift from his mother. Dr. Booth does run a very busy office but he is very good at what he does. The procedure itself is very quick, one of my husband's eyes took 20 seconds and the other 21 seconds and within about two hours, he was seeing better than he had in nearly his whole life. He will be 38 in November and has not had any lessening of his perfect vision as of yet. Yes, there are scary stories out there but there is hardly anything that is completely risk free these days and those stories are definitely the minority.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches