Lasik

Newman LASIK in Sacramento it great! I have 3 family members that went to him. All had fantastic results. One did have one pretty bad dry eye for like 6 months after but it is better now.

I too had astigmatism (really, really bad astigmatism - coke bottle glasses and everything!). I had lasik done about 8 years ago by Dr. Scott Hyver in Santa Clara. He was fantastic! At that time he was still in a group practice, and I believe since then that he has opened his own lasik clinic. Anyhow, I had several friends who also went to him and he did a superb job with all of us. Additionally, he's performed lasik surgery on several professional athletes (I forget who, precisely, but there was a scrapbook full of info in the waiting room). I figured with the staff of medical professionals that all pro sports teams employ, they don't just pick a lasik surgeon out of the phone book - so Dr. Hyver definitely knows what he's doing!

Anyhow, ever since the surgery my eyesight has remained at 20/20! Dr. Hyver did tell me that when I am in my 40's, I will probably need reading glasses like most people, but that would happen to anybody regardless of having had lasik or not.

Good luck with your lasik! It really did change my life. Amazing what being able to see will do for you! =)

Hi J.-
Look no further!!! I had Lasik done about seven years ago and it was the BEST thing I could have EVER invested in!!!! I went to an incredibly reputable doctor at Stanford Hospital. His name is Dr. Manche. (not sure if I spelled it right). You can Google him to get his info. He came highly recommended by 6 people that I knew went to him. Since then, I've recommended him to numerous other friends and co-workers and they have ALL loved him and their results as much as I did. The total charge was $5000. ($2,500 per eye). It was worth EVERY penny. And to be honest with you, I probably would have paid double for the results I got. Vision is PRICELESS!!!! Don't go to any of those starter places that try and offer you a deal. It's not worth it to bargain with your vision.

I was back at work the very next day and able to see better than 20/20!!!

Definitely check him out! Dr. Manche at Stanford University. Call him for a free consultation to see if you are even a candidate for the surgery.

Good luck!!!

I had LASIK done 4 years ago and I haven't looked back since - I LOVE it!!
Go to more than one doctor to have an evaluation - they will tell you different things and you can usually piece together reality from the different opinions.

One doctor told me my cornea was too thin, while another told me it was fine. One doctor told me that I only needed to stop wearing my contacts a few days before the evaluation (and subsequent procedure) and another doctor told me that I needed to wait more than 2 weeks. My cornea ended up changing for a full 4 weeks after I stopped wearing my contacts - if I had had the procedure before my cornea stopped changing, my eyesight would have changed after the procedure as well and I would not have been happy with that. I had a -9 diopter prescription and was very nearsighted with astigmatism in both eyes.

Do your research, visit a few doctors for their free evaluation, and be your own advocate - if there is something you don't understand or doesn't make sense to you, don't hesitate to ask and make sure the answer satisfies you.

I was very nervous the day of surgery, but I felt good about my preparation.

After all the doctors I visited, I recommend either of the following two doctors - they are both good and have high standards: Dr. Gary Kawesch and Dr. Scott Hyver

Good luck!

I did it and am so happy. I also have done research in the industry for over 10 years.
As with any surgery, complications happen, but LASIK has an amazing safety profile and serious complications are relatively rare compared to other surgeries.
However, do NOT pay only $299 an eye. Custom LASIK should cost around $2000 per eye. You should not risk your eyesight to save money. There is NO reputable doctor using the latest technology that will charge that little money. If you are paying that little, you are paying for a subpar laser, subpar technology, and a subpar surgeon. Your eyesight is NOT the thing to risk to save some $. The person who paid this little and had some vision quality problems -- no wonder. The Dr. is probably using old technology. I have never heard of a surgeon charging more for astigmatism. . . that seems weird. The cost to him for the treatment is the same and does not involve extra work on his/her part. Most surgeons I know charge the same for all Custom treatments. Make sure you ask for CustomVue or custom treatment. This is the latest technology. I would also find an eye surgeon who uses IntraLase laser technology to cut the flaps instead of old fashioned blades.
Also, there is no reason to wait until after 40 to get LASIK. In fact that goes against the point of having LASIK. You just have to realize that LASIK does not address presbyopia (old age vision) and that even if your refractive error is corrected (near sighted or far sighted) you are still subject to the lens issues that effect everyone as we age and will probably need reading glasses. LASIK corrects myopia, hyperopia, mixed astig (with or without astig) and is suitable for people over 21 who have a stable refraction. The treatment is done at the cornea to effect how light is reflected on the retina. Presbyopia (the inability to see up close that happens as we age) is due to a totally separate issue one part of which is that the lens inside the eye gets less able to bend and adjust focus for up close objects. There is no way to correct presbyopia successfully unless you wear reading glasses, bifocals, or have an IOL placed. Waiting until after 40 to have LASIK doesn't make sense and will actually make presbyopia worse if the patient is a myope.

I had it done about 15 years ago and couldn't be happier having worn glasses since age 6. I also had bad astigmatism as did one of my friend and it corrected it all. I know that the treatment has improved a great deal since I had it done. Be sure to ask about the Halo effect when night driving. This gets worse with age.

The only thing about the procedure is that it will not protect you from needing reading glasses in the future, with age. I am just now having to use the lowest end of the reading glasses for close work. I am 52.

Cost varies with the type of procedure you're having done. Astigmatism correction may cost a bit more. I had LASIK done three years ago to correct my vision. I was legally blind without my glasses. Let me tell you, it is totally worth it!! The surgery took about 90 seconds. It's like getting a headache for a couple of minutes, and then you're done and you can see. I spent the whole trip home telling my husband there were leaves on trees and that people actually had stuff on license plates. It was kind of like I had sand in my eyes for a couple of days, and consequently they have you wear goggles to sleep in, so you don't rub your eyes. I had my surgery done in Washington, where we lived, but there are plenty of reputable places these days. Just do your research, and when you find a doc, ask for references. I'm sure they'll be happy to provide them. They'll also screen you beforehand to make sure you're a good candidate. Be totally honest with your medical history.

I had it done 5 years ago at Pacific laser eye center -- SO happy I did it! I also have astigmatism. I do wish tho that I had one eye done for distance and one for reading as I do have to wear reading glasses. It was so wonderful to wake up and see the clock clearly -- still is wonderful! When I left the facility, I could already tell a difference. Surgery was a breeze -- no pain and recovery was also easy. I followed their instructions and I've never had any problems. Good luck!

Hello,
I had both of my eyes done but on two separate procedures a year apart about 4 years ago. I was nervous about the procedure and thought it was safer to do one eye at a time. I drove down to Lasik Plus in Concord. The procedures went very well and the experience was very positive. It is the best money I have ever spent on myself. I didnt have any problems with my eyes except I was really nearsighted so I cant comment on the astigmatism. I think they even offer Zero % financing. I would definately recommend Lasik Plus.
Good luck!

In Sacramento, Griffin & Reed is the best. Both my husband and I had it LASIK. He was borderline legally blind with out his glasses and I was nearsighted with an astigmatism. They cost a more but they are definitely worth it in that they have th technology and the experience. Quite a few of the local radio, TV and sports figures have gone to Griffin & Reed. Good luck if you decide to get it done. I have had no complications and absolutely no regrets!!

Hi J.,

I had my eyes done a year ago. It has been great. I, too, had astigmatism and so it was more expensive, but they corrected the astigmatism, night vision, and distance vision. Plus, I paid to have the lifetime warantee so it was almost $4000. We did the flex-spending account so it was tax deductible and paid it over time.

I have to say, I love every day that my son cannot hit my glasses and bend the frames or hurt my nose. I love that I can see at night without the huge star bursts coming off the oncoming traffic and street lamps. I love that I can wear cheaper sun glasses.

If you can swing it, I say get it done.

D.

You may want to wait to have lasik done. My eye doctor stated that people who have the surgery done early in life end up having to wear corrective lenses again when they are older. The MD stated that everyone's eyes start to really change after the age of 40.

It's just my opinion, but the best approach is always to ask the opinion of your Optometrist before going to get an evaluation for Lasik with a surgeon. Things like stability of your prescription, amount of astigmatism, thickness of the cornea, eye health, etc. are crucial before even considering Lasik. It's great to see without the aid of glasses or contact lenses but long term vision and health are the forefront of cosmetic decisions in my opinion. Remember Lasik isn't the only option these days. There are Contact lenses, CRT lenses, ICL's, etc. It's best to look at all options and have a professional help you to decide what's best for you. An informed patient is usually best prepared has the best odds at getting the best results. Best of luck.

I am not sure where you are, but I had it done at Pacific Laser in Stockton. I had a wonderful experience and I highly recommend it. I wish I would have done it, but I was scared, and avoided it for years. It is especially helpful when you travel and getting up in the morning not having to deal with contacts or glasses. The cost was well worth it. Good luck!

Lasik is the best thing I have ever done! My world was very blurry without my glasses. Now I open my eyes in the morning and everything is clear. I can't remember the drs name but he is right across the street from O'Connor Hosp in San Jose. His last name starts with an M. Anyway they talk you through the whole procedure. Afterwards you need someone to drive you home and take care of you because your eyes will be taped up. They give you two Ambien pills to take, one when you get home you are ordered to go straight to bed and take the Ambien. Then you wake up around dinner time. Eat dinner then in a few hours you have to take the second Ambien pill and go to bed. They want to minimize your using your eyes for the first day so basically want you to sleep through it. The second day you are able to function normally. I recommend lasik to anyone who is inquiring about it. I have a stigmatism in my right eye. My left eye sees very clearly, my right eye still has blurry edges but not bad.

I had Lasik nearly 3 years ago and I'm really glad I did. I didn't have any complications. As they tell you, I drove myself to my appointment the next morning. I suppose the only downside was that I did have quite dry eyes for a few months afterwards, so I used eyedrops as necessary. My night vision isn't quite as good and I may be more light sensitive. I went to a dr in Mountain View, I can't remember the name or clinic but it was on Castro Street. If you need to do send me a message and I'll check the exact name.

E.

I had a minor complication with my lasik. But hubby and I think it's because I sleep with my eyes partially open so some epithelial cells got in my eye under the flap they cut to do the actual changes and they began to grow.

However, even having that happen I would recommend having it done and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Hubby and I both had ours done at Ellis Eye. Dr. Ellis also had several athletes on his wall.

Hubby and I both had extremely poor vision, and I had astigmatism also. The cost was about $2000 for each of us. And it was the best money we ever spent. He woke up the next day (after sleeping the entire day of the surgery, which is when the eye heals so that's what they WANT you to do) with better than 20/20 vision. Mine isn't quite that good but it's a gazillion times better than it was so I'm very very very happy with it.

I do have some increased sensativity to light. Really really bright light and half light(like on a partly cloudy day, where you have clouds and sun) bother me and I have to wear sunglasses. But we should all be wearing sunglasses on those days anyway so it's no big deal to me.

Anyway I hope this has been helpful. I LOVE being able to see without super thick glasses or itchy annoying contacts. And even with a complication I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Best thing I ever did! (Besides marrying my husband and having my kids, of course!) Being free of my itchy contacts has been wonderful. I went to Pacific Eye and Laser about 3 years ago as it was recommended to me by several people and several optometrists.

http://www.pacificlasikgroup.com/locations/sacramento

I was a little nervous at first but I had the best experience. They examine you and make sure you are a candidate for the surgery. They let you know in the same day. Then you schedule the surgery. The surgery itself was so quick and easy. The recovery was nothing! I slept that night then went back for a re-check in the morning. I was seeing better than 20/20. The day after that, I could drive again. I was back to normal after that besides being instructed to wear goggles to sleep (so I didn't accidentally poke or rub my eyes) and told not to lift anything heavy (straining puts pressure on the eyes).

I don't know much about the astigmatism thing. Some people are eligible and some aren't. Depends on the extent of it I think. ??? Terrible but I can't remember the cost.

Good luck in your search! I hope you do it!

I had Lasik about 6 years ago and I loved the results. I was very nearsighted. I went to Dr. Royo in Antelope/Roseville area. Very professional, sterile and caring. They did alot of eye testing beforehand to make sure I was a good candidate, which I was. The surgery itself is very fast once they start. By 5pm that same day, I could see clearly from my right eye but I had to have my left eye redone because they didn't do enough and he said that might happen. They didn't want to overdue it because then I would be farsighted so they underdid it and then the redo/touchup was perfect. The only after effects were the day of - you feel like sand in your eye and than the halo effect which lasted almost a year (at night you see halo's around light fixtures and water so driving is weird) but it did disappear. I think you should do it because being free from glasses and contacts is awesome. I know lots of people who had it done like my husband, my dad, some friends and all are happy to have done it.

Hi J. If your astigmatism is bad they wont do it but only your dr can determine that. I went to 20/20 eyecare in Fresno then after the exam I went to California Eye Institute near Sacramento for $299 an eye. Although I can see things more clearly and vividly I still have trouble reading street signs and stuff and it made my upclose vision bad. I think it was worth it but wish I had done laser instead of the one where they cut the eye. I don't know if it would have been better or not though. Good Luck.