Topic: Anyone Else Told They are Not a Candidate for Lasik?
Topic Posted by: ingyandbert
Date Posted: Mon Aug 25 10:27:16 2008
Additional Comments:
So Mr. Ingy and I went for evaluations for Lasik so we would know how much money to put in our flexible spending account next year to cover the cost. The good news is Mr. Ingy is an excellent candidate. The bad news is I was told I'm not a candidate for vision correction. The doctor said one of my corneas is irregularly shaped which messes with their ability to make the right cuts. He then went on to say even if it wasn't, they still couldn't correct my nearsightedness.
Rats! I've been planning to have Lasik for years now and was just waiting for the right time and for the cost to come down. I never imagined I wouldn't be a candidate. I'm not giving up just yet, though. We have world renowned doctors here at the Cleveland Clinic. I'm going to try to get in to see their top vision correction guy for a second opinion. I have a suspicion I may have been turned away by the first place not because it can't be done but because they couldn't use their typical cookie-cutter procedure. We'll see.
So has anyone else here been turned down for Lasik? Did you end up having it (or another procedure) anyway? Or are you just out of luck?
Posted by: nina Date posted: Tue Aug 26 17:43:54 2008
Message: I was told the exact opposite, that I am a good candidate for Lasik surgery. Problem is, I'm terrified to get it! As much as I hate wearing glasses and contacts, I can't bring myself to let anyone touch my eyes. I wish I were as brave as you and Mr. Ingy!
Posted by: Peridot Date posted: Mon Aug 25 22:43:47 2008
Message: Ingy, if this is something you really want I think you're right to get a second opinion. I'm very nearsighted and have astigmatism and my doctor told me years ago I was an excellent candidate for Lasik. So far I haven't been sold on the idea as most people I know who have had Lasik either wear reading glasses or have to get the procedure "tweaked" every few years. Anyway, I hope you can get a satisfactory answer.
Posted by: old and restless Date posted: Mon Aug 25 13:56:16 2008
Message:
I had lasik surgery 8 years ago and I had astigmatism. I was almost turned down because my corneas were too thin but the surgeon decided it would be OK because my vision was not that bad so they would not have to take much off. I still have to wear glasses for very tiny print. I have no regrets and love being glasses free 99% of the time. I went from being nearsighted to farsighted. My eyes were dry for a long time afterwards but using eyegel helped and eventually that cleared up.
Posted by: Denise Date posted: Mon Aug 25 13:02:35 2008
Message: I was turned down due to astigmatism last year. I went for the second opinion and was told the same thing. I was absolutely broken hearted as I have worn glasses 46 years and hoped to be finally free of them. The second doctor warned that if I found someone who would do it, I could risk my sight all together. Now, I just enjoy several pairs of glasses and think of them as an accessory.
Posted by: UncleJJJ Date posted: Mon Aug 25 12:27:42 2008
Message:
I was evaluated last year and was told I could get it done. Then my insurance switched and I have to wait. I have an HSA as opposed to an FSA. With an HSA you can't spend it until you have it in the account. With an FSA you can spend it before it is in your account.
I figure I'm going to have to wait another year which really stinks. I was going to have it done on January 3 of this year.
Posted by: Pronoun Date posted: Mon Aug 25 12:25:47 2008
Message: Good Luck Ingy. I know how you feel. I went about ten years ago (when I first had to wear glasses which I hate) and was told I couldn't have it done because I had astigmatism. Then a couple of years ago I tried again at a different place as I heard they had overcome that problem now. I was told no because I was far sighted. Geez! He said he could maybe do it but it would likely take several procedures and I would still need glasses to read. Well I'm always reading so there was no point for me. I wasn't going to spend that kind of money and still need glasses. I sure wish you luck and let us know how you make out.
Posted by: cook Date posted: Mon Aug 25 12:22:15 2008
Message: My aunt is very close friends with one of our metroplex's leading Lasik doctors and she practically begged him to do hers. She is almost 50 and needs glasses to read and hates it! He said it wasn't worth it to even try. And she would have paid almost anything.
Posted by: serialmom Date posted: Mon Aug 25 11:43:55 2008
Message:
Ingy I like the way you think! I think you are right on the money. So many things are done for the convenience. Most people don't question it.
Off topic but a pet peeve; Look how many Cesareans that are done today versus my generation. If natural birth were as dangerous as we are now led to believe there would be a lot less people my age around. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1595272
Posted by: Mz Chris Date posted: Mon Aug 25 11:43:28 2008
Message:
I have been told am absolutely not a candidate for laser surgery. And it sounds pretty similar to your problem, only maybe mine is a little worse. I have a problem called keratocones. Basically it is my corneas are too misshapped, just as you said. Luckily shortly after I was diagnosed it stopped worsening, it can lead to cornea transplants. But that could change at any time, so I have it monitored every year. They do a computerized image map of my corneas among other things.
Anyway I was told to forget the surgery by my Opthamologist (a medical doctor who specializes in eye care) who does not perform laser surgery. He told me anyone who did say it would work for me was just trying to get money, and if I had it done it would only make my visiion worse not better. If you want to double check I think maybe you should try to find someone like that, with no stake in the procedure.
I have toric soft lenses, and they give me way better vision than my glasses.
