LASIK surgery

[QuotaMan]

11 hours ago, Jes_92 said:

Personally I would not recommend it. I had -7.5 in both eyes and needed to get LASIK (femtosecond) for the military. It's definitely easier living without glasses or contact lenses, but my vision isn't 100% the same. I tested 20/20 with the check-ups, but there are some disadvantages:

My left eye sees a bit darker than my right eye, this wasn't the case before the surgery.
Dry eyes. I still need to use eyedrops twice a day (I could do without, but prefer for comfort).
At night (outside) I experience starbursts when looking at (sharp) lights.

Kinda like this:

There's also the possibility that they won't get your vision at exactly 0 and that you'll end up with one eye at -0.5 or even +0.5 for example.
Anyway, for me it was necessary but if you can do without I'd say it's not worth the risk.

 

I thought the military did not allow LASIK? And instead preferred PRK? 

I know that getting LASIK requires a waiver to join the military, at least as I understood it a long time ago when I tried to join. Something to do with the stability of the LASIK flap.

I had LASIK done  13 years ago. Initial side effects were halo type vision at night. Eventually got better but past year I am having trouble seeing very far and am also getting near sighted due to age. I still don't need glasses but it was to be expected.

[Jes_92]

6 hours ago, QuotaMan said:

I thought the military did not allow LASIK? And instead preferred PRK? 

I know that getting LASIK requires a waiver to join the military, at least as I understood it a long time ago when I tried to join. Something to do with the stability of the LASIK flap.

I had LASIK done  13 years ago. Initial side effects were halo type vision at night. Eventually got better but past year I am having trouble seeing very far and am also getting near sighted due to age. I still don't need glasses but it was to be expected.

I'm not sure about the US military, but in the Dutch military both is allowed. No preference for either. I hope your vision remains mostly stable in the future.

[QuotaMan]

18 hours ago, Jes_92 said:

I'm not sure about the US military, but in the Dutch military both is allowed. No preference for either. I hope your vision remains mostly stable in the future.

Oh, that's cool. I'm not sure how it is now but years ago LASIK in the US Army was an automatic disqualifier and required a waiver.