I'm having Lasik surgery-what can I expect?

krelldog

krelldog

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've worn glasses my whole life. I can read fine without them...but need my glasses to see for distance. I started playing pool about 4 years ago(I'm currently 50) Until recently I always played with my glasses on, but about a month ago I tried playing without them. My game immediately jumped up a couple notches. The only downside is that on long shots I'm having problems actually seeing contact points, especially thin cuts.

What has been your experience with Lasik in regards to your vision at the table? I'm NOT having the monovision type of Lasik. Both of my eyes will be fixed for distance.

My glasses prescription was recent and accurate, but I can't believe how distorted the table looks now when I try and use them to play pool. Was/is this your experience also?

I know this has been discussed in past threads. I guess I'm just looking for re-assurement that I'm not going to be dissapointed....and 3500 lighter.

Thanks for any and all opinions.
 
From what I've heard there is an incredibly high success rate with this type of surgery and I'm sure you'll do fine.
On a lighter note, when I was very young my dad caught me masturbating and said that if continue the practice I would eventually go blind. I asked if could keep doing it until I needed glasses.
I'll bet you feel a lot better now. :smile:
 
the best

It was the most simple surgery you can imagine with awesome results. I am so happy I did it.
 
It was the best money I ever spent. It's a close to a medical miracle as possible.

The first few months you may experience some discomfort and minor irritation, such as dry eyes and halo's, but once the eyes completely heal, you will feel freedom from glasses and contacts and eventually take it for granted that you have perfect vision. Eventually you will forget that you ever had to wear glasses.

The downside is your pool game will probably suffer because of all the women who will be thowing themselves at you, and face it, there's only so much of you to go around.
 
You will most likely have to have reading glasses to read anything after the surgery. I had it years ago and they almost ruined my left eye. Three months ago I had another surgery on that eye, cataracts removed and a lens implant. This got my vision in that eye to 20-40. Its much more advanced now then back when I had the first one, so, you shouldn't have a problem except needing reading glasses.
 
robsnotes4u said:
It was the most simple surgery you can imagine with awesome results. I am so happy I did it.
Click to expand...

You know, for a second there I thought you performed it on yourself in front of a mirror.....

Definitely a PUI Friday around here... :rotflmao:
 
I played pool for a living for a lot of years, and I'm still living. I got a job. I played with bad eyes, couldn't see well from too far away. It really helped me to slow down and concentrate on the shots. I had lasik, and I have 20/15 vision. Now my game sucks, because I don't know how to aim. The blurry ball gave me something to vision,lol. The surgery was ugly, but it was only ugly for about 7 seconds an eye. It felt like someone took some 60 grit sandpaper, and was scratching your eyeball. I still beat most of the locals in Seattle, so you will be very happy hitting the back edge of the cueball, when you need to.:thumbup:
 
I'll chime in here too. I had it, and the experience was awesome. worse part was when they put the thing to hold your eye lid in place. It was a bit unnerving to have your cornea cut but it didn't hurt.

The results for me where great, and this happened in 2001. I never missed those glasses and at 37, I still have great vision. My dad has also had the procedure but also had the cataract issue and also wears reading glasses. He is 58 though.

I think its a great thing and you will adjust. Good luck, and when you go for your visit you will probably get to hear people coming back for their next day, 3rd day, 1 weeek, and 1 month check-ups so you will get a lot of feedback there!
 
backplaying said:
You will most likely have to have reading glasses to read anything after the surgery. I had it years ago and they almost ruined my left eye. Three months ago I had another surgery on that eye, cataracts removed and a lens implant. This got my vision in that eye to 20-40. Its much more advanced now then back when I had the first one, so, you shouldn't have a problem except needing reading glasses.
Click to expand...

I'm 45. It's been around ten years. I had astigmatism in both eyes with > 20/400 vision (-6.5 diopters for me). No reading glasses. 20/15 with both eyes on the chart.

Freddie <~~~ YMMV
 
I got Lasik done in 2005. This was the best investment for my game, period. It took about six months before my eyes stabilized. I would see halo's around the table light and see some faint spots in my vision when I got really tired. After this period, the halo's faded away and don't see the spots anymore. I suggest your spend the time to find the best doctor. I went with one that performed thousands of procedures rather than the most expensive. I got the procedure done at a local Lasik plus center. I had astigmatism in both eyes. Good luck!
 
I'm 3 weeks out from all laser LASIK. My vision is great but just a tad blurry at long distances and I'm still using lubricating drops. I'm very happy how things have turned out so far. I have played pool a couple times and it's great especially on a brightly lit table.
 
I am 52 and had Lasik done 15 years ago. It was the best thing I ever done.

Today I still have 20-15 vision. If only some of my other parts would work as well as my eyes, I would have no complaints.
 
krelldog said:
I've worn glasses my whole life. I can read fine without them...but need my glasses to see for distance. I started playing pool about 4 years ago(I'm currently 50) Until recently I always played with my glasses on, but about a month ago I tried playing without them. My game immediately jumped up a couple notches. The only downside is that on long shots I'm having problems actually seeing contact points, especially thin cuts.

What has been your experience with Lasik in regards to your vision at the table? I'm NOT having the monovision type of Lasik. Both of my eyes will be fixed for distance.

My glasses prescription was recent and accurate, but I can't believe how distorted the table looks now when I try and use them to play pool. Was/is this your experience also?

I know this has been discussed in past threads. I guess I'm just looking for re-assurement that I'm not going to be dissapointed....and 3500 lighter.

Thanks for any and all opinions.
Click to expand...

Some experienced info from NPR - http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=252573&highlight=lasik
 
First off, everything will get bigger! Those long shots will get much easier. I found that it took about 5 or 6 weeks before i was really comfortable playing pool again though. Things just look different.

My game jumped at least a ball after lasik. I do have to use eye drops a few times a day still and its been months since the surgery.
 
I don't have any Lasik-specific info for you but just wanted to say best of luck with it and be well.

hope you go up 2 balls! :thumbup:

best,
brian kc
 
Time.

You, like I, did it late in life. Your brain has been communicating with your eyes for 50 years. Those two don't like things to change. Not at all.

Your brain will fight with your new eyes, so expect that. I had mine done 7 or 8 years ago and I'd say that my brain and eyes have just now come to know each other again. Even so, I still have to consciously fight them going back to their old ways.

So be very patient, is my advice, and keep shooting shots and more shots so those two can get along again.

Jeff Livingston
 
Oops. I see you haven't had it done yet.... I thought you had, so here's one more very important piece of advice.

DO NOT GET THEM CORRECTED TO 20/20!!!!!!!

I cannot emphasize this enough.

Have them undercorrected so you CAN read. 20/40, I think is the number, I forget exactly.

This also helps greatly on a pool table. Think about it...How often do you really need to see at great distances? Rarely in today's world. 95% of what you look at is within 10 feet or so, even if you don't play pool.

My ophthalmologist and I had long discussions about this. He was totally against my undercorrection, but after 5 years of contacts (his requirement of me, due to my age, before he'd cut me), he finally conceded to my wishes. Funny thing is, at my last appointment, he was telling me how the surgery is changing to having undercorrection as the norm, as if it was his idea in the first place.

Good luck,

Jeff Livingston
 
Get a second opinion. Do you need Lasik or lense implant? I had lense impants 3 years ago and know I made a good decicion. Check with other people in your area --- not all doctors can do both.
 
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