Eye Laser surgery improving your game?

[Kid Dynomite]

I am considering having Lasik or laser eye surgery soon. I read that Efren did his eyes and is currently 20/15 or 15/20. I am a good strong A player border line pro. I find I play best in bright settings and struggle in dark. I have a stigmatism and it is described as a football shaped lens that causes light to focus on two spots instead of one on the back of the eye. It makes it a bitc* to play competitively with such eye strain. But, back in the day with such high prices for the procedure I balked at doing it. But, with the IPT in full swing and rumors of a buyer for 70 mil. I have to take it seriously into consideration. I was wondering if other AZ members have either had the same problems or even had the surgery and saw a major iimprovement in their game? I am also curious if any other big names had their eyes done as well and who???? If so which procedure???

Kid Dynomite

 

[Da Poet]

It makes it a bitc* to play competitively with such eye strain.

Are you wearing glasses or contacts now?

Weeks ago I had the same exact problem with an astigmatism. I cannot believe the improvement glasses made for me, but that's just me. It did take a couple eye exams to get the lenses right for playing pool. My girlfriend says the glasses make me look more intimidating.

 

[Rich93]

I had three Lasik operations in 1998-99. My eyes kept reverting to nearsighted so the last two were "touch-up" operations where the flap was peeled back and the cornea was hit with the laser beam again. I'm still a little nearsighted, but very little - I see fine over a 9 foot table, and I don't wear glasses except for reading. I consider the operation very safe and I'm glad I had it.

I can't comment on your particular eye problems (eye strain, trouble seeing in the dark, etc.). I'd advise you to tell the doctor - the best one you can find - what your problems are and what you hope to accomplish, and see what he or she says. My only problem was nearsightedness (around -6.50 correction). Your problem is definitely different from mine. I would be wary of layman's advice. Although it's a very safe operation as operations go, it's still an operation, and you don't want to go through it unless you can accomplish what you want.

You ask about the possibility of a "major improvement" in your game. That would be asking a lot - you're already a strong A player bordering on pro, so you must see the balls very well when the light is good. You don't mention whether you wear glasses or contacts. My experience has been that getting rid of the glasses has helped a little - I can get lower over long shots than before, and it's more fun to play without them. But major improvement? No.

Also, I wouldn't be too impressed by claims of 20/15 helping a pool game, as opposed to 20/20 or even 20/30. We pool players aren't baseball hitters or fighter pilots. It's not so hard to see a pool ball 9 feet away - you don't need 20/15 to do it.

 

[Cornerman]

I was wondering if other AZ members have either had the same problems or even had the surgery and saw a major iimprovement in their game?

First and foremost, when I got LASIK surgery, it did not have anything to do with playing pool. I had an astigmatism in both eyes, and I was using toric lenses (astigmatism correcting). Late at night, as the muscles in my eyes "changed," the toric lenses were an enemy. Double vision all the way.

The most important thing, when related to pool, is that for me, there has been no adverse effects. The ony thing directly related to the surgery is that late-night, smoke-filled bars do not affect me anymore .

So, no, doing LASIK isn't going to buy another level of play, but it might help to maintain it over the long sessions. Nick Varner recently got a form of laser surgery. At the IPT Orlando, I thought he was playing the best or second best 8-ball until the last day. He said that his contact lenses and his eyes were killing him that day, and it really destroyed his game.

Note to others considering it: Today's LASIK surgery is immensely improved over the techniques of 5-10 years ago.

Fred

 

[Ken_4fun]

I had it done

I was 400/20 before glasses now after surgery I am 20/13 in both eyes.

ChristyD told me I would improve at least a ball. I agree.

Ken

 

[Kid Dynomite]

Thanks for the Info!!!



I do not wear glasses, I just deal with it at this point. I had them and they hurt and caused headaches. I just put them in a draw and left them. The problem was not bad just annoying. But, I notice the problem with my pool game & looking for street signs at night. HA HA HA.

When I wore glasses and played the light and glare was still an issue.

Thanks again for the info. It is much appreciated.

Sincerely

Kid Dynomite

 

[PoolSleuth]

I personaly would USE Glasses, before undergoing a Surgical Procedure that C O U L D cause you to become BLIND....

 

[ScottW]

Lasik's come a long way in the past few years. One of my league teammates was fairly farsighted (or is it nearsighted? Distances were fuzzy), and wore contacts. He's a very risk-averse fellow, so he waited for years for Lasik procedures to improve before he tried it.

He ended up doing it twice. The first time, it improved his vision dramatically - but not down to 20/20 as he was hoping/expecting. He kinda wigged out a bit. He went back to his doc, and the doc told him to let his eyes heal up from the first procedure for a couple of months, and they'd do it again. He did, they did, and this time it worked great. He's quite happy.

I ponder doing it myself, but I don't think my eyes are bad enough to warrant the cost. My eyes now are about where my buddy's eyes were after his first time - my prescription is like -.75, very weak - but enough that I can't shoot pool very well without glasses or contacts.

I'd definitely ask around your area, see who is a good eye doctor, and make an appointment. Find out what's going on with your eyes now, and what options are available to you (and how much they'll cost).