Lasik Surgery

[Sean]

Has anyone had it done in the area? Trying to gather info on any dr's in the area. Good, bad, any info would be great.

Thanks!

[Mother Goose]

They do it at Kris' office. Give her a shout, she can give you any info you need on it. They actually do PRK, which is a little different, but apparently it's better than Lasik.

[JonnyD]

I had mine done here:

Lasik Plus
Karen Heuer
7440 W Alaska Dr
Lakewood, CO
80226

303-922-0288

As far as things go, I would have paid 10k for this surgury after having it done. I **hated** glasses and contacts never really worked for me. I always seemed to end up in dusty environments. Totally worth it! But I'm also into things where fogging glasses under goggles/helmets really sucked.

As far as my experience from this Lasik Plus, it couldn't have been better. Top notch from first visit all the way to visits afterwards as well. Karen is one helluva doctor, and will steal a hug afterwards. I went as top notch as I could go when I had mine done, having a laser cut the flap on my cornea as well.

Lastly, if you're planning on doing something like this... use a FLEX plan!!

[PhL0aTeR]

I had mine done at the Lasik vision institute in denver in 2006. best money i ever spent on myself.

[puckstr]

[QUOTE=JonnyD;524969]I had mine done here:

Lasik Plus
Karen Heuer
7440 W Alaska Dr
Lakewood, CO
80226

303-922-0288
QUOTE]


Dr Heuer did my Lasik 2 years ago. I love having 20/15 vision.

DO IT

[Sean]

Good stuff! Thanks.

Wicky- I might have Angela drop her a line, It's actually for her. I'm just gathering some info.

[MetaLord 9]

Thanks for posting this mang! I'm actually looking at getting this done in the next two or three weeks too and have been looking around a lot!

20/20 institute seems pretty good & they have the newest high fangled laser, but it's pricey

Icon seemed pretty good from my visit with them. they're much more affordable and their Dr. said my eyes & prescription are pretty standard, so any laser would work.

Those are the only two I've checked into tho.

[Vitesse304]

I had it done at Lasik Plus as well...and had a different experience.

I met with Dr. Heuer maybe twice and I still don't have 20/20 vision. I've been back to the office 15 times and have only seen her twice, most visits are with another gentleman or one of the nurses. Nice people, but I still have problems.

My left eye has a dry spot that still has not healed up and it's been 2 years. On a good day, I can see pretty well, but most days my left eye is blurry. I was told that I have the eyes of a 40 yr old woman, and it seems odd that it hasn't cleared up. They put plugs in to help maintain moisture in my eye, but that hasn't helped. I also got a prescription for restasis, but at an additional cost of $200 per prescription that is not covered by health insurance, I'm not a happy camper.

I'm especially upset because I'm left eye dominant and I used to shoot competitively...now I can't.

Everytime I go back, I get the same questions...are you putting in drops, do you want more plugs, how is the restatis working? And I give the same answers...unfortunately, there is nothing they can do because they say it's a cornea issue, not a lasik issue. They say if there was no dry spot, I would have 20/20 vision.

Too bad I don't.

Sorry for the rant, but I went and got Lasik becaus a lot of my friends did and they say it was great...too bad I was the one bad experience. At this point, not even going back to glasses can fix what is wrong with my vision.

[~Kat~]

Aight boys and girls..... I work for a refractive surgeon but I also had it done in august of 2007. I had mine done at 20/20 institute as I didn't know my employer at the time. I had a great experience with them however they over corrected one eye and I had to have an enhancement done 8 months later. Dr Montgomery did mine and he is a great guy. It is BY FAR the best money you will EVER spend on yourself! But to honestly boast about a wonderful surgeon.....I work for the best! We do PRK which is similar to LASIK (which we use to do) but PRK has more accurate results and is better for your eyes when it comes to long term. We will all end up with cataracts later in life which is also a huge part of our practice and PRK is more predictible and easier to work with when it comes to surgery later in life. For those of you that had RK at any time (old school version of refractive surgery) get your records now before they are destroyed because you're gonna be a problem patient later! Anyway, if anyone wants a free PRK consult, call me. My surgeon does free evals and will tell you if you are able to have refractive surgery and he has been able to do patients that everyone else in town says they can't do it. I can post links here if people are really interested in knowing the difference or you can just PM/email/text me.

[bulldog]

Aight boys and girls..... I work for a refractive surgeon but I also had it done in august of 2007. I had mine done at 20/20 institute as I didn't know my employer at the time. I had a great experience with them however they over corrected one eye and I had to have an enhancement done 8 months later. Dr Montgomery did mine and he is a great guy. It is BY FAR the best money you will EVER spend on yourself! But to honestly boast about a wonderful surgeon.....I work for the best! We do PRK which is similar to LASIK (which we use to do) but PRK has more accurate results and is better for your eyes when it comes to long term. We will all end up with cataracts later in life which is also a huge part of our practice and PRK is more predictible and easier to work with when it comes to surgery later in life. For those of you that had RK at any time (old school version of refractive surgery) get your records now before they are destroyed because you're gonna be a problem patient later! Anyway, if anyone wants a free PRK consult, call me. My surgeon does free evals and will tell you if you are able to have refractive surgery and he has been able to do patients that everyone else in town says they can't do it. I can post links here if people are really interested in knowing the difference or you can just PM/email/text me. If I was not a canadit for LASIK, could I be a canidate for PRK? I was told my retina is too thin on one of my eyes :(

[angab]

Very Interesting all; I'm glad to hear that most of you are happy with the results. I have been wearing some combo of glasses/contacts since I was seven and I HATE HATE HATE them. Sooooo ready for the change (and excited!).

That said, anyone been to TLC on Colorado and I-25? Or even looked into it? That is the only surgeon my doc would recommend, but I don't want to go based on her word alone.

p.s. Thanks Shiny, for getting this started for me! And your reward: :boobies:

[MetaLord 9]

^^I didn't realize TLC was right there. I know Icon is at the corner of Mexico & Colorado (one block north of I-25)

Anyone have Icon experience?

[angab]

Aight boys and girls..... I can post links here if people are really interested in knowing the difference or you can just PM/email/text me.

Yes, please - more info. My doc actually said I'd be a good candidate for PRK, but I don't even know what that is! :think:

[~Kat~]

we do our PRK at TLC so I know their laser is good. We don't do it in office since we are full service (eye exams, glasses, contacts, cataract and other eye surgery, and we are a corneal specialist). Vitesse304....hit me up and we can talk about your options. A refractive surgeon only cannot address those issues for you but maybe we can. I won't go into detail but there are other options and I can see what I can do about any health insurance you may have and getting some of this stuff covered from here on out, even if I can't fix what they did wrong.
Let me pull together some links and I will post up.
Nate....did they say your retina, or cornea? Lasik is resurfacing your cornea (the front surface of your eye), your retina is in the back chamber of your eye. There are many things taken into consideration when doing any form of refractive surgery but anyone interested in a FREE consult, let me know! If I would have known my boss back then, I would have paid less and gotten better results!!!

[jbnwc]

If I was not a canadit for LASIK, could I be a canidate for PRK? I was told my retina is too thin on one of my eyes :(

I just had Lasik and have 20/15 now (20/100 before) and am happy - Dishler Lasik in the DTC. ~$3500 all lasers, no blades. Very positive experience.

I was borderline because of my thickness(or lack thereof) and could have gone with either. As I understand it, PRK just cuts down the outside of your eye whereas Lasik cuts open a flap, cuts down just under the flap and then closes the flap.

Lasik - Faster healing, requires thicker lens

PRK - Longer recovery, works for thinner lens eyes

Honestly, it was hardly worth $3500 for me. It'll take me at least 30 years to recover the cost and I didn't think contacts were that much of a hassle. If you hate glasses/contact or maybe if you do a lot of camping/backpacking/boating and won't be near a clean restroom it would definitely be worth it.

[jbnwc]

You guys really should discover Google. All of these procedures are very well documented online.

[~Kat~]

My office: http://www.thewisevisiongroup.com/

Lasik vs PRK: http://www.thewisevisiongroup.com/surgical_lasik_prk.shtml

We accept most insurances and can also help you apply for financing (care credit) which is what I did because I needed to have surgery done quickly. Most employers offer flex spend or cafeteria accounts that you can use to help pay for the surgery. Keep in mind that your surgery fees include one full year of follow up care (related to your surgery).
Had I known about PRK (which gives people who cannot have LASIK an option) I probably wouldn't have the night driving issues I do.

[Sean]

You guys really should discover Google. All of these procedures are very well documented online.How can you ask friends for their opinion/experiences on google? :roll:

[jbnwc]

How can you ask friends for their opinion/experiences on google? :roll:

No no, I was just referring to the questions about the actual procedures used for slicing up your eyes. Definitely, this is the place to get reviews on doc's.

[Sean]

Definitely, this is the place to get reviews on doc's.:up: If nothing else, the CSC is great for an unsugar-coated opinion/review.

[Mother Goose]

How can you ask friends for their opinion/experiences on google? :roll:
Yes! Google "Colorado Sportbike Club" and then post a thread! :D

[bulldog]

Nate....did they say your retina, or cornea? Lasik is resurfacing your cornea (the front surface of your eye), your retina is in the back chamber of your eye. There are many things taken into consideration when doing any form of refractive surgery but anyone interested in a FREE consult, let me know! If I would have known my boss back then, I would have paid less and gotten better results!!! Yeah must have been the cornea (the part they cut). So any possibility I would be a canidate when LASIK turned me down?

[MetaLord 9]

Hey Kat, all things being equal (which it sounds like they are for my eyes), is PRK cheaper than Lasik (quotes I've seen run around the $1800-$2200 range). Is one really better than the other? Since you guys do both, I figured you'd have a better idea

[JonnyD]

Honestly, it was hardly worth $3500 for me. It'll take me at least 30 years to recover the cost and I didn't think contacts were that much of a hassle. If you hate glasses/contact or maybe if you do a lot of camping/backpacking/boating and won't be near a clean restroom it would definitely be worth it.

It's also worth it when you play hockey and rely heavily on peripheral vision (even if you're horrible at it), don't want your glasses to fog in your goggles while snowboarding, play paintball now and again, pretty much anything "active", on top of being mechanically inclined and fixing cars, bikes, the list goes on and on. I didn't do good with contacts at all, seeing as I'm usually around dusty environments. I always had to have glasses, and HATED them with a passion. My Lasik ended up being $3300 with lasers to cut the flap and fix my vision.

But I will say this...

$10 sunglasses. Hell. YEAH.

[Sully]

I had PRK done in August 2006 and it was the best $ I spent. My cornea's were too thin (probably from extensive contact wear) so I wasn't able to have Lasik. I am glad I finally had it done and don't have to hassle with glasses or contacts anymore, especially when riding! I can't say it was a day in the park recovery though. It was painful during healing and there were some moments when I couldn't focus on anything in sight.

I went to The Lasik Vision Institute and Dr. Cutarelli was my surgeon. I believe he has his own practice now. If they offer you Valium, take it! :lol:

[bulldog]

I had PRK done in August 2006 and it was the best $ I spent. My cornea's were too thin (probably from extensive contact wear) so I wasn't able to have Lasik. I am glad I finally had it done and don't have to hassle with glasses or contacts anymore, especially when riding! I can't say it was a day in the park recovery though. It was painful during healing and there were some moments when I couldn't focus on anything in sight.

I went to The Lasik Vision Institute and Dr. Cutarelli was my surgeon. I believe he has his own practice now. If they offer you Valium, take it! :lol: Wow, I may have a shot then if you were able to get it after being turned down for lasik :)

[FZ1Guy]

I had Lasik performed in 2000. I spent around $3k for the best equipment and doctors available. I am very happy. I have 20-20 vision. I can see things many can't with normal eye vision.

Only, thing that has happened is that as I got older, my close-up vision slowly became worse. It is my understanding that this would have happened anyway (i'm almost 50...lol). I can read text and books as long as there is good light, only really a problem when in a low light situation. I keep reading glasses around so I'm ready when its needed.

Go for it! It increases you quality of life many times over, particularly if you are an active person (skiing, hiking, etc.) So nice to be able to see clearly with out glasses.

Jeff

[Jim_Vess]

I had PRK done by Dr. Tripp at Insight Lasik in Lafayette in 2008. My eyesight was too bad for Lasik (I wore glasses from age 5 until age 48 - very nearsighted and bad astigmatism). Best $4200 I ever spent.

Because I'm older, I had mono-vision done. I other words, I see distance with my left eye and close up with my right. It takes a little getting used to, but after six months I didn't notice it. My brain know which eye to use for what.

[~Kat~]

As for reading distance vision getting slowly worse as you age, it's cataracts forming. We will all get them, some as early as 40, some not till much later. The monovision is also an option in cataract surgery with the right surgeon.
Yes Nate, you can get a consult for PRK because there is a chance you can have surgery even when Lasik wasn't an option.
I had a long post from earlier today when my internet froze so it didn't post apparently but long story short, it's worth it to most people.

[Sean]

Thanks again for all of the input, it's really appreciated! :up:

[jbnwc]

No one told me this before I went in, so I'll share it with you all - It took me a few MONTHS to get back to 20/15 vision at all distances. I was really disappointed a month after surgery because no one told me it could take that long to get back to perfect.

Also - for the first few weeks after surgery, I couldn't see clearly at ANY distance beyond 2 ft, so even working on a computer was very difficult during that early recovery period.

[bulldog]

Yes Nate, you can get a consult for PRK because there is a chance you can have surgery even when Lasik wasn't an option.
I had a long post from earlier today when my internet froze so it didn't post apparently but long story short, it's worth it to most people. Thanks, when I get some time off I will hit you up to make an appointment to see if I qualify. Sucks I saved up all the money for LASIK not thinking I would be denied, then was denied and just bought the 600RR instead...time to save up again, because I hate contacts.

[Sully]

+1

Even though I could see as I left the Dr. office (wearing those really big sunglasses that old people wear) my recovery did take some time. I remember driving home one night about a week after surgery and every stop light and car light was a starburst. I had a hard time reading on my computer unless I was 2 inches from the screen. I couldn't focus on the TV which was about 12 ft. away and is a 42inch. It was just painful to have my eyes open so I remember sleeping a lot during the first couple of days. Just remember to use your eye drops and meds!

I don't want to scare you away from doing it, but just go in knowing that it wasn't an easy recovery. Of course, not everyone heals the same way so you may have a better experience than I did :)