Yesterday I went to LasikMD to get my eyes poked, photoed, measured, and otherwise tested to find out if I'm a good candidate for laser eye surgery. Depending on your eyes the surgery is supposed to cost anywhere from 800 to 4000 dollars, and they don't tell you which until they've done the tests. So I went. I told myself, Jen, if it's 4000 we're going to wait until we have more money saved up, but for 2000 or under, we'll do it. Whatever you say Jen, says I.
So I got these tests. They eye doctor says I have larger than average sized pupils and he wrote HUGE PUPILS on my chart.
ME: Does this mean I have to get the über-expensive version?
DOC: It's up to you. Let me explain. (Shows me eyeball pictures). For larger pupils the surgeon will have to make a larger flap, which means he has to cut lower down or something. (okay, so these aren't exact quotes). We'll have no problem correcting your vision with standard lasik, but you'll have a higher chance of getting halos around lights when you drive at night.
ME: What kind of chance?
DOC: Well everyone gets halos at first, but they go away. A small percentage have these permanently. You're probably, like, 1 in 1500 instead of 1 in 100 000.
ME: So then I just get more lasik and fix it right?
DOC: Um, no. You're stuck with the halos. But if we to the über-expensive version we can eliminate that risk.
ME: What do you think I should do?
DOC: This isn't doctor knows best anymore. It's your decision. If your pupils were so large that I didn't think we could do it I would say "Don't do it". We could do standard and it would probably be fine, but you do have a higher chance of getting halos than normally pupiled people.
COST:
For standard, possibly halo-inducing, surgery: $2093
For über-expensive, custom fit to my massive pupils, surgery: $4045
Appointment for surgery (either one, it's up to me): May 27
6 comments:
hi,
Thank you for your comment in my blog. To an extend you are right. Thank you for making me to reflect on that aspect.
I've just read your laser post, and well I'd go for the $2093. If you look at the odds and compare them to other odds like..
Chance of dying from any kind of injury during the next year: 1 in 1,820
Yep I'd risk it :)
Hi, what a great site. I'm really looking forward to being your guest this week, with best wishes, The Artist.
I have to tell you, I once wore contacts, but stopped because they couldn't stop the halos around lights, and it was hell. I would pay the $4000, I really would.
(thanks for your comment on my blog, and not wanting to use the phone is not socially inept, email is just easier and less messy. That's smart)
That post made me run to look in a mirror. Now, I have this insatiable need to know if I have large pupils. I voted for option "Don't get lasered at all. Are you crazy? They'll cut your eyeball open. EW!" in your poll, btw.
another option is to book a flight to another country, say somewhere in asia, and get it done there for a lot less. the extraneous costs wouldn't be cheap though but you'll have fun for about the same amount...;)
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