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As someone who had contacts and got LASIK later on, I would still highly recommend considering it. For me, the deciding factors included 1) hassle of putting on

by mdolon 11y ago

As someone who had contacts and got LASIK later on, I would still highly recommend considering it. For me, the deciding factors included 1) hassle of putting on contacts, 2) ability to lose them when swimming and 3) lack of access to new contacts when traveling or outdoors. I've since found that my contact prescriptions were, apparently, never that great, since after getting LASIK my vision feels noticeably better. The first few days it felt like switching from 1080p to 4k, it was that significant. I think it might have to do with how LASIK is done nowadays, where they make a topographical map of your eye and adjust the curvature with extreme precision. You just can't get that with contacts. Anyways, it's been 2+ years for me too and I can truly say it was one of the better life-changing decisions I've made.

T-hawk 11y ago
LASIK patient here too, 8 years ago then at age 29, about 90% satisfied. Yes, it is life-changing, especially for one such as me who couldn't tolerate contacts. I played noticeably better in pickup sports games now that I could move freely without always subtly adjusting to balance the glasses. My one problem is persistent dryness, which is manageable with eyedrops but does require keeping that with me. My one particular miracle moment: stepping out of the shower, onto the scale, and holy crap I can see the dial without squinting or bending! The other great convenience is lying sideways on a couch watching TV without glasses digging into your pillow. That 4k vision is great but it's not permanent. Lasik doesn't stop your eyes from changing, so it's now as if I'm wearing a contact prescription that's 8 years out of date. It's still perfectly fine for driving and should stay so for several more years, but I do have trouble now with things like reading signs from far across a train station. It's normal to need a Lasik redo or lenses again after 10-20 years.
mikeash 11y ago
I have a feeling that your point #2 is key, and there's going to be a strong dividing line between people who swim a lot, and people who don't. I hardly ever go swimming so that doesn't bother me at all. I don't know about #1 or #3 though. The hassle is literally 30 seconds in the morning and 30 seconds in the evening. It takes me more time to brush my teeth. If I travel for an extended period I just pack an extra pair or two.
Gobiel 11y ago
You should never put water on contact lenses as water is a strong vector of bacterial infection. I'm glad you haven't lost your eyesight (probably because the contacts fell while swimming with those).

by mdolon 11y ago

T-hawk 11y ago

LASIK patient here too, 8 years ago then at age 29, about 90% satisfied. Yes, it is life-changing, especially for one such as me who couldn't tolerate contacts. I played noticeably better in pickup sports games now that I could move freely without always subtly adjusting to balance the glasses. My one problem is persistent dryness, which is manageable with eyedrops but does require keeping that with me. My one particular miracle moment: stepping out of the shower, onto the scale, and holy crap I can see the dial without squinting or bending! The other great convenience is lying sideways on a couch watching TV without glasses digging into your pillow. That 4k vision is great but it's not permanent. Lasik doesn't stop your eyes from changing, so it's now as if I'm wearing a contact prescription that's 8 years out of date. It's still perfectly fine for driving and should stay so for several more years, but I do have trouble now with things like reading signs from far across a train station. It's normal to need a Lasik redo or lenses again after 10-20 years.

mikeash 11y ago

I have a feeling that your point #2 is key, and there's going to be a strong dividing line between people who swim a lot, and people who don't. I hardly ever go swimming so that doesn't bother me at all. I don't know about #1 or #3 though. The hassle is literally 30 seconds in the morning and 30 seconds in the evening. It takes me more time to brush my teeth. If I travel for an extended period I just pack an extra pair or two.

Gobiel 11y ago

You should never put water on contact lenses as water is a strong vector of bacterial infection. I'm glad you haven't lost your eyesight (probably because the contacts fell while swimming with those).