Re:You Get What You Pay For (Score 1)

I was fortunate enough to have an very conservative optometrist. About two years ago he decided that the process was safe for folks that passed the screening. I used the surgeon that he had sent a couple of his own family members to. I had worn contacts for nearly 20 years and was starting to have trouble tolerating them on long days. My doctor had me live without contacts for almost three months. I had weekly visits for an eye test and I had to wait until I had three weeks without change to the shape of my eyes before the surgery was scheduled. I started out ~20/400, unable to read without lenses of some sort. The procedure was the closest thing to a miracle that I have ever experienced. Five minutes in the chair, maybe ten listening to the post op instructions and I was sitting in the waiting room reading a magazine. For the first day or so there was some slight irritation - much like a slight sunburn you get if you spend some time around snow or water w/o sunglasses. The next day I was 20/35, in a week 20/20. It finally settled in at 20/16 and has been there since. My night vision is better than it was before. There were some halos at first but they faded in time. There are still some small starburst effects around point source lights in high contrast situations i.e. Faraway streetlights or an LED in the dark but I also had artifacts with both contacts & glasses. I've never had "normal" vision so I don't have that to compare to but this is by far the best it's ever been for me. The entire process cost around $4500 which seemed high as everyone else I know was heading to Canada for the $1000 coupon special. I don't regret a single dime. As others have said find the best surgeon that you can. After your screening they can tell you what their success rates are for your specific profile. Listen to what they say before you mentally commit to having it done. Good Luck