has anybody had laser eye surgery in oz, is it cheaper over there or should i have it done in uk. any advice would be much appreciated.

My advice would be to avoid laser surgery, but then again I am biased, since I work for a contact lens company.

Have you considered other treatments such as Ortho-K (this is wearing a specially designed hard lens during the nights, and reshaping your corneas)?

One thing to consider with laser surgery is if it is so good and effective, why do so few eye docs have it done on their own eyes?

Ortho-K: hope of correction for long-sightedness?

I was going to get laser eye surgery done before I leave the UK but find I have an eye condition that's a contra-indication ie it's strongly not recommended for me.

One thing that was pointed out to me was that almost all people need reading glasses around their fifties so I wouldn't be free of specs forever if I had the surgery to correct my sight, whereas staying as a short sighted person I will never need glasses for reading.

Elaine M

Ortho k is typically only used for short sightedness or astigmatism, but I believe that its applicability for long sightedness is underway.

Hi everyone,
A lot depends on your prescription/assessment as suitable for laser treatment.

I had laser treatment about 5-6 years ago and would definitely RECOMMEND IT!!!!! Its changed my life completely, and its the best thing i've ever done. Its meant to be even better now than when i had mine done and I've had no complications. The greatest thing was throwing away those orrible glasses and realising i didn't need to put lenses in or reach for my glasses first thing in the morning!!

It feels like a modern day miracle!!!!!!!!!

I had one eye done slightly longer sight than the other (+1/2 and -1/2)so in my 40s (which is now)when i'm meant to need reading glasses i can use one eye for long distance and one for reading. I've never worn lenses or glasses since the op and the eye surgeon reckoned i would never need them.

I used to be as blind as a bat(-6 in both eyes) but i have to remind myself i went to the opticians and paid for glasses and contact lenses for 25 years. No optician will ever recommend it because they would have no jobs if everyone had it done. If it was me i would definitely get it done again, its worth loads more than the money and you can't go blind ...they only reshape the surface of your eye and do not touch the retina!!

if you want to know more get some info from the companies that do it , i went to Optimax in Manchester and they were brill!!!!! I think they have some overseas branches now so you could check this out with them.

Best see for yourself!

Sherie

hi guys

I completely agree with Sherie on this one! I had my eyes done in the UK before we came out to Aus and I can also say that it without doubt the BEST thing I have EVER EVER spent my money on! And she definitely has a point about the opticians not recommending it to everyone, they so would be out of work! I had mine done through the Eye Clinic in Leeds and some of the staff there had had it done.

I don't think people can ever appreciate the "miracle" of getting your sight back unless they have been through it. I have wore glasses and contacts since I was 10 and once I weighed up either wearing them for the rest of my life or wearing glasses for reading when I get older...er I know which one I prefer. Almost 2.5 years on from having my eyesight corrected I still get a thrill to know it's my eyes are that are seeing and not the specs/contacts!

BTW sorry for digressing, but I'm not sure what the costs are out here for the laser surgery..just wanted to reassure you though!!!

love sophia xxx

I'm in complete agreement with both Sherie and Sophia. I had my eyes zapped about 6 years ago and my hubby had his done 18 months ago, we both think it's one of the best things we've done, just being able to go swimming and see people..it's wonderful!

J.

Checked out the Fendalton clinic in Christchurch NZ and it was about NZD1000 an eye incl follow-up and corrective surgery if needed.

Sophia & Cherie
Totally agree with you. I had my eyes done at the begining of June and it is great to be able to see unaided. Wish I had it done years ago.

Have to say its the best thing I ever done too "I too was as blind as a bat" and now am glasses free
Had mine done london ultra laz.

Sue2

I have my laser eye treatment on Australia 2 years ago and think it is fantastic. Since I had it a male friend had it and my sister in law. We have all had brilliant results. The price varies. I paid $4000 for both eyes. My sister in law paid $6000. She went to a different place which included in the price all the follow up consultations (2 or 3). I paid my follow up consutations separately. The cost can be claimed against your tax. If you spend over approx $1500 on medical in a tax year you can claim it. (dont quote me on the figures). so the first year you come over you may not pay enough tax to claim it (being only a part year). So I would recommend it and Tim (my husband) is having it done this year. Hope that reply helps

I am also thinking about laser or CK work on my eyes as i'm longsighted.

Anyone know about the "Conductive Keratoplasty" CK treatment specifically for longsightedness ? It's Radio Waves rather than Laser.


Just on the Tax thing, as I am sure it will be of interest; If you spend over $1500 in one year on allowable medical costs, (including eyes) then you get back 20% of the figure above $1500, in tax benefit.
ie:
Spend $2,000 you get back (2000-1500=500*20%)= $100
Spend $3,000 you get back (3000-1500=1500*20%)= $300

Another vote for laser eye surgery. One of the best things I've done, and my consultant surgeon and several of the nurses at the clinic I went to had all had the operation done themselves.

My concern with laser treatment is that if it goes wrong, you may never be able to wear contact lenses due to intolerance etc. (I think). I'd hate to wear glasses for the rest of my life. Glasses give me serious problems with sport etc. Also I hate being speccy as it makes me look too intellectual and I like looking sporty..

That is the sole reason I haven't done it.

BM