Didn't know where to put this.

I'm contemplating having laser surgery to correct my eyesight. I wear glasses and really fed up with them. Has anyone had this done and what was your experience? I've spoken to a couple of people who were really happy. Is anyone aware of bad outcomes?

Cindy

I had this done 11 years ago - LASIK top-to-bottom flap technique - and the results were even better than the surgeon expected. I went form a -14 to less than -1 (after a lifetime of bottle-bottom specs), and it's only now that I'm in my late 40's that my eyes are stiffening up and I need glasses again for driving, working etc.

Any technique that involves lasing direct on the cornea surface (instead of under a temporary flap) is to be avoided. But not many places do that any more. Find somewhere that has good aftercare, not the cheapest available, I'd recommend.

It sounds like such a good idea. I've tried, looking at myself in the mirror, without my glasses on, to see what I look like, Sadly, I can't see anything at all.

My wife, who also wears galsses, has such percing eyes. When she doesn't have her glasses on, I keep thinking, (remembering actually, because it's a state of permanance), that I'm in some sort of trouble.

Hi Cindy. When I was being tested for my new glasses last week I mentioned that "reading contacts" would be a great idea. The optician said that with laser surgery they can actually make you long sighted in one eye and short sighted in the other.  The brain apparently compensates and combines the two pictures to eliminate the need for reading glasses.  He had no reservations about the process, if you were suitable for it.

Karen.

That can cause a lot of headaches. The brain may compensate, but it doesn't necessarily thank you for the opportunity .

I can say from experience that being longsighted in one eye and shortsighted in the other is a recipe for a lot of migraines. I used to have a lazy eye which caused that to happen and it was just hell.
Then about 2 years ago I finally had it fixed (they tighten some muscles in your lazy eye) and now my eyes actually match and the headaches are completely gone.

So yeah, whatever you do, don't get that done.

I've not had it done but have several friends that have.  They all had great success except one.  She has trouble with night vision when driving.  The lights from the other cars make it very hard for her to see.  She had the procedure many years ago when it was brand new and I don't think they do it  the same way now.  The last time I bought glasses I had them make me a second pair in women's frames.  (I'm not in female mode full time).  The woman helping me pick out the frames said "are you sure you want those frames?"  I just yes I think they look good on me.  They are very fashionable and feminine and just adds to my look. 

My mom had LASIK eye surgery about four years ago. She had worn glasses all her life and was fed up with them. The procedure didn't actually take all that long and she was able to drive herself home afterwards. She spent the evening napping, but by the next day she was up and perfectly fine.
The only thing she didn't like about it was having to use eye drops for so long afterwards to help the flaps heal, but that was more of a minor necessary irritation than anything else. She says she's very glad she did it and even more glad that she didn't wait any longer to have it done.
The only eye problems she has now are dry eyes from allergies and the start of a need for reading glasses due to her aging. The LASIK also helped get rid of her migraines.

I was happy about her procedure too because she let me keep the really cool wraparound super-dark sunglasses they gave her for driving home.  I'm really sensitive to light and used to have a lot of trouble at night because of car headlights.

my mom got it done a few years ago. it turned out great for her. she had to do this water dropping thing afterward, and that was about it. anyway, a topic like this could be put in general discussions, since that's for anything under the sun.

  My optometrist advised Lasik not in my case because I use my night vision more than most of his patients.  I had a club member drop out due to the loss of night vision due to the procedure he went under did not heal properly.  Most of my fellow amateur astronomers will not go near such corrective procedures due to the possible bad side effects.  One eyepiece maker makes a rotating astigmatism corrector to put on his eyepiece line.  It doesn't matter if you are nearsighted or farsighted if you're looking through an eyepiece, you can compensate for that by using the focuser. 
  Astigmatism is the external correction you'll need here.  All you have to know is your astigmatism diopter number and the proper corrector will compensate for that after rotating the diopter to your astigmatism angle with a dot on the outer ring to help you find it. 
  Joelene

I've not had laser correction, but I did have cataracts in both eyes and had to have surgery; as a result, I got lens implants covered by insurance that are otherwise normally considered "elective". I opted for the close-range lenses because I do so much in a typical day that occurs at reading distance. I still need glasses for driving or watching movies at the cinema. Sadly, I can no longer do highly detailed tiny work at extreme close range (like my cross-stitch) without a magnifying glass. I miss that.

I'm told my vision can be fine-tuned with laser, but I've seen no need so far.