I don't know her prescription, but we are paying about $7k as I think her op is more complex than the standard ones. We can get 75% on interest free I believe. I will ask her tonight, as she will know more details

I agree I'd rather have it done locally but that would mean Brisbane - 1000k away. I had an eye issue last year after my cornea got scratched and infected and after being misdiagnosed and not given antibiotics in time to prevent a bit of sight loss (in Cairns) I'm thinking I wouldn't be happy doing it in FNQ anyway. London has to be the best bet I think.

I love the idea but a mate of mine had it done, it went wrong and he is now basically blind a few years later. I know the chances are miniscule - and he in fact succesfully sued the bloke for a hefty sum, not that any amount of money compensates your sight - but its a pretty major thing to risk and has put me right off. Not trying to discourage anyone else, but going for top quality, long established professionals is definitely a good idea!

oh bugger. Now you've got me worrying - both eyes? What happened?

In the old days of PRK they did one eye at a time, six months apart. They had to as it took a few weeks for the eye to clear and it was a much more painful procedure (I was given painkillers and eyedrops galore, and basically went to bed for a couple of days as I had to keep my eye closed and then wear shades for a couple of weeks, couldn't drive) but I've always thought it a much safer option in case one procedure went badly.

I'm not exactly sure what went wrong tbh. He wasn't a hugely close friend, I mostly saw him down the football. It was terrible to see as over time his eyes got worse and worse until he basically couldnt see what was happening on the field and then at a certain point he just stopped coming and I didnt see him after that.

It all got a bit nasty, he used to to go and picket outside the company every day warning people not to go there (i cant for the life of me remember what it was called now), he even sent some dodgy threats to the doctor until eventually he got it into court, the doctor got sacked and he recieved a payout.

This was about 8 or 9 years ago now, so I'm sure standards have got better. I know lots of other people who have had it succesfully but poor tommy and his bloody weird thousand yard stare sticks in my head.

Really not trying to put you off, I'm sure it'll be absolutely fine!

I'm definitely doing one at a time - a week between I was thinking. As I've had a few kerotapathies in my left and its not as good as the other one I'll start with that one.

Can you do the surgery straight after the appointment providing there is a space? I seem to remember drops which affected my vision after the consultation.

The Geek's not in to ask about his Lasik but I'm sure somebody else on here can answer that as I can't remember, it was 11 years ago.

Erm you are not trying to put anyone off ... but have just related a tale about someone who went blind. I must say, I researched and researched and researched and I did not find a single one such story.

The drops that affect your vision after the exam are dilating drops so the ophthalmologist can see your retina. It's only because your pupil can't contract and you can't accomodate for close up that you were unable to see.

Yes, if there's an opening on the doctor's schedule there's no reason why he/she can't do LASIK right after. The drops you need for the surgery are topical anaesthetic and the dilating drops won't affect anything.

Why not save all that money on flights and pesky doctor's visits? Do it yourself....http://www.lasikathome.com/
20 years working in ophthalmology and I did see people who lost vision because of having procedures done. Infections after cataracts, people who see haloes around lights or "starbursts" in the shape of the scars cut into the cornea. We also saw patients with infections under the flap after LASIK, mostly from bacteria on fingers and drop bottles.

She said her prescription was -2.75.

And it will come to $6400. Apparently, the reason it is more expensive than standard is because they are using Intralase, which is supposed ot be the latest laser technology that means they don't have to physically cut the eye

Son has just had both his done (-2.75 both eyes) 19th dec in perth, $6100 had to go back the next day for check up every thing ok, just been back again 27th jan check up, has to go back again in two months every thing ok, he says best thing he has ever done,


does not need reading glasses at all,
best to have it done local, how do you go back for check ups,

They don't do it locally. Brisbane is my nearest place which is an hour away on a plane. London is half the price too. Apparently any opthamologist can do the check up

How will you handle any additional surgical tweaks that need to be done if you are in Australia and your clinic is in the UK? Every eye surgeon we saw in the UK said that the majority of people need some sort of tweaking done once the eyes have settled down after surgery.

ETA: My husband was told not to fly for 2 weeks after the procedure and no diving for at least 6 months.

I've never been told about the need for tweaking. The clinics I saw in London didn't mention it as being necessary. If I did it in Oz it wouldn't be any different as it would mean a 2 day drive to get to Brisbane anyway. May be I should give up on the idea. I had thought a month in London should be enough to do it.