i know one person who it really worked for and others who said its terrible.

One thing to consider is that all of my very small sample said that their eyes are much more light sensitive.

I had both eyes done in 2001

have had no problems am very happy with it - for a while after it I had the usual minor side effects of halos at night, also dry eyes from time to time which meant using eye drops. but these have all vanished long ago. I have forgotton I ever wore glasses or contact lenses.

so for me well worth doing. but you should be asking your eye doctor person about it really as they can give you all the figures and possible side effects, then you can decide based on that. 

valium for the operation is tops but the smell of burning flesh is a little disconcerting

ooh interesting alice - since i'm abit over that age - well a big bit. i have had the same prescription now for about 8-10 years and only have astigmatism - i'm not short or long sighted at all - well i think i'm -0.5 in each eye.  i'm going to have a consultation this week so i guess i'll find out a little more - but i may not even be suitable for it. i heard they have to turn 30% of people down.

i'm just fed-up of the faf of glasses and contact lenses, adn combinations of contacts adn sunglasses adn climbing adn biking, and forgetting on them adn sitting on them etc. i wear the bloody things on my head for most of the time! i will let you know how i get on. 

dont mind wearing glasses for reading, just not for mtb and climbing.

brozza - the drugs sound good!

I had it about three years ago. I'm a similar age to you. It's fine. Didn't take any drugs for the surgery ! No one told me about the burning smell until after. They told me it was dust but it was the same smell as when they shoe horses which is burning toe-nails isn't it !!

There isn't an age limit as such on it. However your prescription seems very small, mine was about -2 which is still quite low. They can go upto about -10. I had astigmatism as well. Forget the horror stories just go to a reputable company, you get what you pay for. I went to Ultralase. I had very little discomfort. Headache but not a terrible one. Didn't take any painkillers.

hi all - have decided to go ahead with this. have chosen to go with optical express owing to price adn location. yes have read plenty of horror stories but also read plenty of success stories so i guess you just have to measure up weather you are prepared for the risk.

i will let you all know how it goes anyway - 1st May is the date.

good luck treehugger.

I know one person who's had succesful treatment.  But I used to go mountaineering with a laser physicist, who designed lasers for surgery (tumours not eyes), he said he would never let anyone near his eyes with a laser.

I've always followed his advise. If you're definitely going to get them done don't them both done at the same time.

Also you aren't allowed to drive at night in Germany if you've had laser treatment, but that could be a bonus.

Good luck

hi all

had my surgery yesterday and was eating my lunch in meadow hall straight afterwards!

eyes streamed for the rest of the day and night but no real post op pain.

been for first check up today and vision is excellent - eyes just a little tired not used to everything being so bright and clear.

gayle - yes i think there would be a problem with that prescription but there are treatments other than laser surgery for severe prescriptions such as implantable lenses - these are very expensive though. i didn't win the lottery - paid on interest free!

hi - yes i can't believe what i can see - such as the very dark centres of the cherry blossom's half way up the road. my distance vision is unbelievable although i am getting slight headache towards the end of the night at the moment.  I have got glare at night, Pez, but I am expecting this to subside over the next few weeks. I had glare and starburst before anyway as my glasses were in such a bad state!

I am very pleases with the results and looking forward to biking at the weekend!!

This is a technology that is developing all the time, and it probably wont be long before severe prescriptions can be treated. Those intra ocular lenses are supposed to be brillliant, adn safer than LASIK but at £3000 an eye I dont know how many people are having it done!

Can you ride so soon??!! I couldn't ride for at least two-four weeks. I had to wear eye patches at night for two weeks and I'm sure it was a futher two weeks before I could ride. I had Lasik. Had to wear sunnies for a few days also.

I had starburst/halo for quite a few months but it graudually reduced and I don't think I have it much at all now I'm certainly not concious of it. 

hi carolyn - with the new intralase (all-laser) procedure, the flap is much safer and a better fit.No patches at all now, sleep i goggles for a week. I am able to ride after a week, climb indoors with my goggles after a week, and swim after 2 weeks. No combat sports for a month - so no beating Daz up fo a while!

Just been out for a walk today though - unbelievable!

Ah that didn't exsist when I had mine done.

I made a concious effort last night to see if I still have starburst/halo and I do but only slightly and at distance as something gets closer, such as car lights, it disappears. I believe with the newer surgery it's even better. I had it done three years ago now and I just wished I'd had it done sooner. Although there are some scary stories for earlier procedures !!

Hi Treehugger

If you dont mind me asking what was our prescriptiona nd how much did it cost??  I have been for the appointment but refuse to pay the costs... found out its a total rip...they charge seriously more for stronger prescriptions despite it being the samer op with a different map for alteration... even thinking of taking to watchdog so annoyed.

R x