Who took advantage of the military paying for your Laser Eye Surgery? Was it worth it?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 20:26:30 -0400

I'm having Laser Eye Surgery at the beginning of May and just curious who received the surgery and your thoughts about the overall experience. What are your positives and negatives?

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Apr 16 at 2014 8:29 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 20:29:43 -0400

I was going to do just that prior to retirement and found out I'd still need "readers" since I had 'aged' into bifocal range... I just couldn't see having to CARRY glasses around to read.. so I decided to just leave them on my head all the time. Had it not been for that I definitely would have done it though. Good luck to you!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2014 8:30 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 08:30:43 -0400

I had mine done in 2008, I still have 20/15 vision but since I am 43 yrs old and work with computers I now need readers. I dont mind keep the readers around IF I need them so I would say the benefit way outweighs the negative. Good Luck, best thing I ever had done.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2014 9:58 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 09:58:07 -0400

I had mine done a year and a half ago and I wish I wouldn't have waited so long.

Response by SFC Sandy Halliday made Apr 21 at 2014 11:01 AM

SFC Sandy Halliday — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 11:01:14 -0400

I had mine done in the UK from 'help for heroes' - a not for profit helping those who have left the armed forces and help them to integrate back into life. I was left partially blind back in 2010 and luckily the folks at http://www.opticalexpress.co.uk offered to do my surgery. It has been a revelation finally getting my sight back and would certianly recommend help for heroes if you are eligible.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 20 at 2014 10:16 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 10:16:01 -0400

Can retirees get this? Does the VA play well with veterans?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2014 10:23 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 10:23:37 -0400

I got PRK and I would do it a thousand times over. Out of all the great things the military has given me I believe that this is in the top five possible number one. I have always hated glasses and i had contacts all the time even when I wasn't suppose to. Now I never have to worry about any of it again.

Response by SSG John Durham made Sep 20 at 2014 12:09 PM

SSG John Durham — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 12:09:44 -0400

I had PRK in 2007 and so glad I did.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Sep 20 at 2014 12:47 PM

CMDCM Gene Treants — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 12:47:24 -0400

I did not have RPK - I had Cataract Surgery in 2005. Even though I sometimes need readers it was so worth it! I can SEE when I get up right out of bed without any glasses or contacts. My vision was about 20/250 without correction before surgery and is now 20/25 almost 10 years later! I wore glasses from age 12 and most of the time do not even really need readers (which really pisses my wife off, she had the same surgery and does need hers, but she also has Macular Degeneration).

DO IT !

Response by Sgt Randy Novak made Sep 20 at 2014 2:09 PM

Sgt Randy Novak — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 14:09:05 -0400

I did. I got PRK cause I had scaring on my cornea from Kuwait sandstorms. They couldn't do the Lasik.

Well worth having it done.

Response by LT Jessica Kellogg made Sep 20 at 2014 2:33 PM

LT Jessica Kellogg — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 14:33:02 -0400

I had PRK and it was amazing.
I almost backed out of it because the doctors were saying it would be the worst pain ever. But in all honesty, it really didn't hurt. A cold gel compress over your eyes will be your best friend the first day, but (in my opinion) they go overboard in the amount of painkillers they give you.

My vision went from 20/70 to about 20/15, and I'm not quite three months out. Occasionally I'll still notice some dryness (and accompanying irritation) when I first wake up). The procedure took 7 seconds on one eye and 13 seconds on the other.

Response by MSgt Chris Adams made Sep 20 at 2014 5:41 PM

MSgt Chris Adams — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 17:41:41 -0400

I did while stationed at Hickam. Have enjoyed being able to set aside the glasses I wore since 4th grade. I had PRK, and with my vision is 20/10 in one and 20/20 in the other. Only side effect, i did lose some of my night vision. Little bit harder to focus on objects at night but other than that no big complaints.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 12:31 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 00:31:08 -0400

I had LASIK done in 2011 and have about 20/20 now. Vast improvement and well worth it. I thought I was going to get PRK but they made a determination the day of surgery LASIK was the better option. I was watching TV an hr later with no issues. One of the best things the Army has ever given me.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 8:06 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 20:06:37 -0400

Sorry I'm responding late to this and I know you already went through the surgery. I took advantage of it in January 2011 and it was well worth it. I was just shy of 41 and had been wearing glasses for about 34 years. As you can see from my pic, I don't wear glasses any more and it's great. Don't have to worry about where I put my glasses nor do I have to worry about them getting knocked off and not being able to see. I had very bad vision and could barely read clearly up to about 3 feet in front of me. I also just barely qualified for the surgery because my vision was really bad. If it had been any worse I would not have qualified.

With that said, the positives are so many. I had mine done at Walter Reed and the medical personnel were phenomenal. very professional and helpful in explaining the procedure from day 1. The Major who did my surgery was one of the best in his field. The overall surgery did not take long, about 12 seconds per eye, but the total time including preparation, etc was about 30 minutes.

As for negatives, the main one was the slight pain and scratchiness in the eyes. Granted this was mostly taken care of by the meds, eye-drops and lotion but it was still there. During the surgery, it smells like burnt hotdogs which is okay. It's just a smell. I think the absolute worst for just me personally was I supposedly passed out when the first eye was done. Don't ask. :(

Overall, I highly recommend those on active duty to get the surgery done if they can. I don't know about retirees but it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 4:00 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 16:00:14 -0400

I had PRK done in July of 2013. The first month was painful but its been great since then. I was worried about horror stories such as halo's and constant dry eyes, but none of that has affected me. It's as if my eyes have always seen perfectly.