About a month ago I started doing some hardcore research on Lasek and related eye surgeries to correct my vision. I have worn glasses sine I was 6 years old and wanted to change. I talked with Barbara Boser a bit who had had lasik surgery, Gary Lee who also had Lasik and John Chow in person who had Lasik in 1 eye and PRK in the other.
My wife is a Anesthesiologist and several of her partners had had laser correction surgery so I asked them who I should goto and what I should have done. They all recommended this guy out of Omaha, NE DR W.R. Schlichtemeier. Even though he is a 1 hour drive from Lincoln each way it was very unanimous among doctors here that he is the guy to see. Its always good to consult with the Doctor’s Doctor. (I have found).
So during the consultation we talked about the regular Lasik and also the PRK procedure. Both have upsides and downsides. Lasik gives you great eye sight but it takes 2-3 YEARS for the cornea to fully heal. If you are into any contact sports (like mixed martial arts sparring) this is not a good choice. The PRK procedure is much safer however it takes 1-2 weeks for your vision to clear up and up to 6 weeks to get your full sharpness back in your vision. The dr also told me PRK is what he does for his friends and family. Ok sold me on it. You can read more about PRK here
I opted to have the PRK procedure but I wanted to have them 10 days apart. This way I would at least have 1 good eye at all times to work.
Well I had the procedure last friday and really the procedure was so easy and so pain free. I just wish I would have had both eyes done at the same time. This is my 4th day out of recovery and I can see way better out of the eye i had done then before but not quite as good as glasses. I poped the lens out of my glasses for that side for a while but that made for a pretty bad headache.
The DR also told me no more then 20 minutes a day on the computer as this will delay the healing process… OWIE that sucks. So the last 2 days I have been kind of chilling in bed taking drugs to chill me out. Today I get to have the contact removed and I am going to express my concerns as I leave for vegas pubcon a week from Monday.
One thing I have not been able to find was a good journal of someone who went through the procedure. I have been keeping one and will post it when its all said and done.
This site is good if you want to learn the differences between lasik and prk
Hope everyone else is doing good. See you all at pubcon soon.
September 20, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Just wondering if your PRK laser eye surgery has treated you well? Did you ever have any complications or issues with adjustment?
December 13, 2008 at 8:05 am
Hi Jeremy
how is your vision,and how have your eyes recovered ?
Interested in getting your opinion one year after the treatment
Thanks
Dominic
Editor
Laser EyeSurgery Review
October 17, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Hello Shoe,
I’m going to have PRK too… Can I ask you in how much time were you able to go back to work?
April 13, 2008 at 10:46 am
I HAD PRK DONE IN 98 MY RIGH EYE IS DRIVING ME NUTS ANY NEWS ON HAVING THE PROCEDURE REDONE
February 18, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Shoemoney, I am as well thinking about getting prk. When will you have your journal posted? How high WAS your contact prescription? Also, they told me something like I need prk because my pupils are too big. Was that your problem or does that make sense? Thanks bro. Peace.
February 1, 2008 at 6:11 pm
I’M HAVING PRK NEXT MONTH AND WILL BE HAVING ONE EYE DONE , THEN 2 WEEKS LATER THE OTHER. I’M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT BLURRY VISION AND HOW LONG I WILL BE OUT OF WORK FOR EACH EYE
December 29, 2007 at 7:13 am
I hope you are fine after your surgery. I have had this surgery too. It took more than 2 weeks since I was able to work with computer as I did before. Type of this surgery was older PRK, the place of surgery Prague, Army hospital. Laser took away approx 5,5 diopters. Price for BOTH eyes is around 30000 CZK = approx 1600 USD / 2 surgeries. I am quite satisfied, if anyone is going to Prague I would reccomend it to undergo is here
December 20, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Same thing my husband said….I’m sure that you are likewise still happily married!
December 20, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Many people who get Lasik (or PRK) have mild vision correction. I had pretty major eye correction (-9 in both eyes, very nearsighted) which eliminated Lasik as an option. Plus I had some mild astigmatism (I am 40). Due to a history of wearing hard contacts, I had to wear glasses for almost 3 months before getting PRK done – only one eye at first due to the healing time. It was anticipated that I would have 6-8 weeks to heal, and it took 8 weeks (4 weeks before the double vision cleared and I could see and read up close). I experienced mild discomfort, similar to having a piece of dust in your eye (with a contact lens) and did not require any pain medication. To all, I would advise that you find a conservative doctor who will tell you the facts. Mine was excellent – he never tried to exaggerate or claim I would be healed – he always said that my expectations should be more towards the facts, which are that most people will not get 20/20, and healing time will vary. 6-8 weeks is just an estimate, for some it could be longer. If any doctor tries to tell you that he or she will give you 20/20 vision and he’ll operate tomorrow, run! If you’ve worn glasses & contacts as long as I have, waiting 12 or even 20 weeks to ensure stability prior to surgery is nothing, let alone a few months after surgery.
Be careful about the steroid drops if you have (or anyone in your family) a history of glaucoma, even low-pressure glaucoma.
Also, use the rewetting drops frequently even if you don’t think you need them – the more, the better.
December 3, 2007 at 2:52 pm
I don’t think it wears of Dean Saliba but i might be wrong. It should be permanent.
November 30, 2007 at 9:26 am
I heard that it wears off, is this true?
November 24, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Did this surgery cost a lot you? Is it have any risk of failure? I dont know if your sight after surgery will be very good, i mean perfect or just ok?
November 24, 2007 at 3:15 am
i’m in between needing glasses but dont yet wear them and i did a lasik assessment and my eyes arent bad enough yet, maybe some more daily blogging and i’ll knacker my eyes enough
November 23, 2007 at 10:23 pm
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November 23, 2007 at 8:16 am
he would not be shoe, he would be slipper
November 23, 2007 at 6:34 am
I just commented on your thanksgiving post about PRK, I hope your results are better than my gf’s. I didn’t realize you lived in lincoln (I’m in Omaha). Cheers!
November 22, 2007 at 11:27 pm
All I Can say is thank god I don’t have glasses!
November 22, 2007 at 8:48 pm
i just had mine done on 4th October 2007, both eyes on LASIK, vision back to normal, but they can’t cure my astic … overall, i’m happy with it, cause i hate wearing glasses !
November 22, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Hoe it works and you recover fast
November 22, 2007 at 10:15 am
Hope your peepers are both well again soon, Jeremy. Losing sight is not a good at all, I’m partially blind in my left eye due to an accident, but don’t think it can be fixed with lasers.
Great to see your eyebrows too, I may even attempt another go at the Shoemoney head, your glasses were a real pain. =)
November 22, 2007 at 4:48 am
Hope you recover quickly. Thanks for posting this. I have a friend who spends a small fortune each year on contacts and glasses. Here eyesight is appalling, so maybe this would be a good option for her. And it sounds like the US prices may be a whole heap cheaper than getting it done in the UK.
November 21, 2007 at 8:50 pm
What’s going on Jeremy? I really hope things work out for you. Good luck man. Happy Thanksgiving.
November 21, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Hey Jeremy, My girlfriend Gill had PRK and her results we less pleasant that yours
I sort of journaled it, mostly a horror show really. Turns out after reading during the 2 week recoveryprocess that no two procedures are the same, a friend of hers had PRk ( she found out later) and he had to take a month off of work
November 21, 2007 at 6:04 pm
nice that you have a choice to grow back your hair…
mine is receding higher and higher… a man’s curse.
November 21, 2007 at 6:01 pm
we just not used to the spectacle-less shoe
November 21, 2007 at 5:01 pm
I submitted too soon. I meant to add that I’m glad everything went so smoothly for you.. Just make sure you stick to the aftercare procedures as if your vision depended on it. I’ve been told it is critical to everything working great for a long time.
November 21, 2007 at 4:58 pm
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about this, too. I’ll probably do it one day in the near future, but haven’t researched enough yet.
November 21, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Hello Jeremy!
For more info about eye surgery, i have a comparison website in the netherlands, here are alot of different options through companies like type of machine, price of surgery and more. check it out: EDIT: nice try spammer jackass
November 21, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Yeah, I read that the most problems occur when patients don’t use the eyedrops.
November 21, 2007 at 11:45 am
I would like too.. but i heard and see too much horrible story to move the next step … can find a good motivation to do it I don’t know it is scary to know that if they miss their shot it is over !!!
November 21, 2007 at 11:02 am
I had laser PRK a little over 3 years ago and couldn’t be happier. My doctor said I was one of the first and I had to sign an additional waiver because the procedure was considered experimental at the time. My vision is still better than 20/20.
Just expect your vision to fluctuate throughout the day for about the first month. I wasn’t expecting this and got a little freaked out. Use the drops as instructed by the doctor and you’ll heal better. The steroid drops slow the healing process and keep any scar tissue from forming so your vision will be super-sharp.
Shoot me an email if you have any questions.
November 21, 2007 at 10:30 am
“So the last 2 days I have been kind of chilling in bed taking drugs to chill me out. ” — lol, what you been taking?
November 21, 2007 at 10:16 am
LOL, I just had a flash back to a young KOJAK…
November 21, 2007 at 10:04 am
This is a great blog. Thank you for putting this forum together. I have been reading blogs like this for awhile and for the most part people have had positive experiences with their elective procedures. That is great to see. I would be interested to know what your cirteris would be – or has been – in a search for a elective surgeon or provider. That could be the most difficult part of the process – finding a good surgeon for your specific situation. I am the VP of Operations at The Patients Advantage. I am not interested in selling what we do on these blogs. What we do is at no cost to patients. I am interested in feedback from people who have already gone through the search process and or taken the process all the way and had an elective procedure done. We have been in business since 2004 and feedback from people like yourself is vital to develop the tools to keep patients better informed on who the best surgeons or providers are and the research tools about the procedures of interest. Subsequently surgeons and providers will benefit by having more informed patients. Please reply to this post on what is important to you…or email me directly from here or through our site http://www.thepatientsadvantage.com.
November 21, 2007 at 9:19 am
Everyone here at team Blogoria wishes you a speedy recovery.
November 21, 2007 at 8:09 am
BTW – HOPE IT WORKS OUT AS EXPECTED
November 21, 2007 at 8:06 am
Are you freakin NUTS??!
You know more about the procedure you didn’t have than you did have..
I too wear specs, and have been thinking along the same lines (although never followed through, because never had the time – a bit like another procedure I’ve been meaning to have – 2 kids is enuf !)
***********************************************************************
Anyway – assuming you actually read this (unlikely) – how much did it cost and how long did it take, and did they put you under ?
***********************************************************************
November 21, 2007 at 6:11 am
Time to change the PR shot.
November 21, 2007 at 4:55 am
Get some rest man… You can tell us about it later.
November 21, 2007 at 4:36 am
Wish you quick recovery to continue your good work.
November 21, 2007 at 2:11 am
Great … now I’ll have nightmares : someone sticking a laser in my eye
November 21, 2007 at 1:26 am
My dad got lasik a couple years ago. I remember when he came home, he had these Goggles on and his eyes were all goopy.
But he can see perfectly now. Enjoy life without glasses Shoe.
November 21, 2007 at 12:29 am
Hey there. I hope all this turns out really well for you–I know it will. I’ve been a reader of your blog–I think I was baited by the huge adsense check–saw the picture somewhere and figured you were doing something right. This is my first comment though. Here’s to a speedy recovery!
November 20, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Wish you a quick recovery and much more success with shoemoney….you guyz rock!!!
November 20, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Which of those sites are yours?
November 20, 2007 at 10:54 pm
Jeremy,
Dude thanks for being a guinea pig for me, I am in the same boat having glasses for over over 30 years. I look forward on reading your works. I have been thinking of having it done for years.
Cheers
November 20, 2007 at 9:37 pm
So, you are not the fat and glasses guy anymore… I bet these changes have an strong effect in the personality and temperament, they aren’t?
Good for you!
November 20, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Wish you get well soon
–blog for dream–
November 20, 2007 at 9:11 pm
The “Shoe” with no glasses … WOW! LOL
Darin
November 20, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Wouldnt that mess with the healing process?
November 20, 2007 at 7:13 pm
I had PRK on both eyes at the same time at the end of July. My prescription wasn’t all that high, but I had a pretty severe astigmatism that would have had me wear glasses even if the vision had been 20/20. Wore glasses for 30 years! After surgery, I was really light sensitive and basically spent four days in a dark room listening to audiobooks (even with the monitor brightness turned way down, it made me wince to look at a monitor for more than a couple minute at a time.) Once the protective contact lens came out things got a lot better. I was able to drive within a week of surgery and had fluctuating 20/20 vision within four weeks. My vision didn’t become “crisp” until almost 8 weeks after surgery. My eyes are now at 20/15 with no astigmatism as of my last optometrist visit a month or so ago.
Don’t be discouraged, surprised or depressed if it takes longer than 2 weeks for your eyes to heal and for your vision to settle into some sort of “normal”… it can take much longer than two weeks. I was lucky because I had a colleague who had had PRK a year before me… he coached me through the frustrating “why isn’t my vision clear yet” moments and then the “why are my eyes feeling so dry” days. Make sure you are religious about the steroid eyedrops (evens out the healing process!), use lubricating teardrops even if you don’t think you need them. Hang in there… it’s worth the wait! I truly experienced the colours of fall for the first time this year and it was spectacular!!!!
November 20, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Hahahaha. This made my laugh.
I thought the tapping was shoe tapping his fingers on the desk next to the mic.
November 20, 2007 at 7:05 pm
I would get stir crazy too.
I was going to get Lazik but the doctor told me I couldn’t read, view the computer, watch tv or go outside for 24 hours… DOH.
I plan on getting it eventually, but I am going to have to drug myself and sleep for the down time.
November 20, 2007 at 7:03 pm
sweet u were a pro? who did you warm the bench for? just kidding. who did you play for?
November 20, 2007 at 7:02 pm
i agree it is scary, one simple screw up and ur blind. bamm. done. my best buds dad is 95% blind, and can only see blurs.
November 20, 2007 at 7:00 pm
so you dont have a bald spot? i thought you did.
November 20, 2007 at 6:43 pm
I hope you have a speedy recovery. The no time on the computer must be tough. Did the doctor warn you about partying like a rock star when you are recovering?
November 20, 2007 at 6:21 pm
I had LASIK done back in April. It was one of the absoulute best decisions I have ever made. 20 years with glasses and now at 41 its nothin but cheap sunglasses for me!! I did find that its about twice as expensive here in Michigan (3500-4000) for both eyes. My wife had hers done in Windsor Canada about 4 years ago and she still has 20/20 vision – she had something like 20/400 or some god awful vision before.
Hers were $1200 for both eyes. Mine cost $1800 – but I had a stygmatisim and I got the 3 year bumper to bumper tune up service (extra 300) just in case.
At this point, my vision is 20/20 left and 20/15 right!! – I highly reccomend getting it done but – - follow the docs orders to the letter and verse (SHOEMONEY!!!!) you have one set of eyes so take a little time and let them heal. Since my surgury I have run into several others who have had the procedure and it amazes me the varying info out there – do your homework and ask questions.
And use the drops before you think you need them. After my surgery – I reffered 2 people and the LASIK place sent me $50.00 per person – I guess that was kind of my first affiliate check.
November 20, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Get Well soon!
I’m also interested in Lasik surgery but my parents tell me that I’m still too young for it (20 yrs. old). I have been using glasses since High School and it sucks. I want my life back without glasses and astigmatism.
November 20, 2007 at 5:41 pm
Just Drink More!! I like that. Good stuff.
November 20, 2007 at 4:55 pm
I wish you will get well soon, and that everything will work out fine with you!
November 20, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Hope all is good after the surgery is completely finished and your eye completely healed. I have been thinking of eye surgery in the future, but as of now, I simply don’t have that kind of money.
-Mike
November 20, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Interesting. I was playing professional basketball when I had lasik. Can you say elbows flying everywhere? No 2 years of healing for me or waiting to get my vision. Was fantastic. This was over 7 years ago too, and I had it done by Dr. Samuel Masket out of Los Angeles.
http://www.masket.com/masket.html
November 20, 2007 at 4:13 pm
um, i wanted go as far as to say that. my dad had it done, so did my sis in law. they love it. i heard somewhere that if you do it too early, liek before age 30, that ur vision can get bad again.
November 20, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Congrats! Although I am not to the point I need/want to consider it, it still scares the hell out of me. Though I don’t tell my girlfriend since she actually needs to get it done now. I mean I know it’s pretty basic these days but it’s one of those things you just don’t want to lose if there is a freak accident. Same reason I don’t get my meat pierced lol
November 20, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Congrats on the surgery & get well soon. My mother wanted to have this done, but they wouldn’t do it because they said her vision was too impaired in her other eye & it was too risky.
November 20, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Shoe wouldn’t be Shoe with hair. Think how much money it would cost him to update his graphics…
November 20, 2007 at 3:54 pm
start up some neighborhood basketball games with some local kids.
or goto the library and see if they are interested in someone coming in and talk about small biz online marketing. Worked nice for me to get some easy clients.
November 20, 2007 at 3:54 pm
I had RK surgery for my eyes in 1992. It was supposed to be the best there ever would be. They used diamonds to do the cuts. It was a simple procedure and it was really cool to have good vision for the first time in my life. Over the past 15 years I’ve spent way too much time in front of a PC and have worn out my eyes. I’m considering Lasik in the next year. The idea of lifting up the lid of the eye freaks me out though. They didn’t have to do that with RK.
November 20, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Who’s the new guest blogger, Jeremy’s younger cool brother?
November 20, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Thanks for the link. My wife is actually having regular Lasik surgery this Friday. I guess you can watch the procedure on a TV in the surgery room while it’s being performed. If the doctors will allow it, I’ll video tape it and post it.
November 20, 2007 at 2:41 pm
My wife had this done a number of years ago when it was pretty much brand new and the insurance did not cover any of the cost. She still says it was the best 5K we ever spent.
November 20, 2007 at 2:33 pm
it’s gonna be weird seeing you without glasses . . . . now you’re going to see the real benefits of getting your eyes fixed . . . coming home drunk, watching tv on your side, not worrying about dry eye, glasses falling out . . . . enjoy the drugs . they’re the best!
November 20, 2007 at 2:32 pm
hey, glad it went well for you. wishing you the best on the second procedure. it’s going to be strange seeing pictures of you without your glasses from now on
November 20, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Congrats on taking the decision shoe, I am still considering doing this but still not too sure yet.
One thing I did notice was how prominent your eyebrows are now.
November 20, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Good luck with the recovery, my wife is desperate to have this done but I keep on trying to convince her we can’t afford it. Of course the real problem is that if she gets her vision sorted she’ll realise what an ugly git she married
November 20, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Looking forward to seeing you in Vegas. Hope you can see me.
November 20, 2007 at 1:36 pm
hmm i should let it grow out sometime and freak everyone out =P
I have been shaving my head since I was like 17
November 20, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Now, what about hair?
November 20, 2007 at 1:33 pm
are you including the cost of the person who is “looking at the computer” for you since you can’t look? hope it all works out. seems like it has done well for everyone I know.
November 20, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Never posted before but long term fan. Just wanted to give some moral support, as you say it’s got to be pretty scary, and your video post was kinda moving. Your in my prayers. Ryan
November 20, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Good news Jeremy. I’ve been thinking of having that done someday too. My eyes aren’t too bad, but I need glasses at night while driving.
November 20, 2007 at 12:34 pm
haha ya thats live vblogging for you =P
The banging in the background is the new edition we are having built at our house.
November 20, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Awesome Jeremy, I’m sure it will work out for the best. My grandfather and my gf’s dad both just had eye surgery, which was for cataracts… not the same, but anything with the eye is pretty scary. I would like to get my vision done as well. Good luck with the procedure!
November 20, 2007 at 12:33 pm
It was about $800 more for the PRK
November 20, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Well the statistics of people going blind from laser surgery are the same as people going blind from wearing contacts… almost exactly.
per your mma questions… its hard to continue to train mma if I cant take a hit
November 20, 2007 at 12:31 pm
I know this is all serious but this was a pretty funny quote,
“Its truly frustrating for someone who uses their eyes as much as me.”
I use my eyes the entire time I am awake. Do you use yours more than that?
lol
Hope you feel well. btw. . . .what was all that banging in the background? Sounds like the house was falling around.
November 20, 2007 at 12:26 pm
20 mins a day max… dang that’s rough… glad to hear it all worked out.
November 20, 2007 at 12:13 pm
I hate not being able to work, can’t even imagine not being able to see. I have a sigmatism, so my site is not that great, but I don’t have to wear glasses to drive, but I do.
November 20, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Shoe, did it cost more money to have the PRK? I would have thought so but I’m thinking about getting Lasik when I’m older and hopefully the procedure will have improved.
November 20, 2007 at 12:07 pm
seriously, thanks for posting this. I am in the same boat and looking to get one of the surgeries done after the new year when I have a full flex spending account. Looking forward to the journal
November 20, 2007 at 12:03 pm
ShoeMoney , i have heard that there is some possibilities for the operation to fail and the person become blind (saw a case about it on the news) , did they mention any of those cases in the “downside part” and why the MMA Sports could face problems ?
November 20, 2007 at 12:01 pm
You’ll be fine man, then you’ll be so happy you went through with it.
November 20, 2007 at 11:57 am
I had Lasik about 10 years ago. No problems at all. You will be totally freaked out when you don’t have to deal with glasses and contacts. It was totally liberating for me.
November 20, 2007 at 11:52 am
its been nice….. but i get super stir crazy quick
November 20, 2007 at 11:51 am
Nothing like chillin in bed and taking drugs
November 20, 2007 at 11:45 am
I think the total was $5,183 for both eyes
November 20, 2007 at 11:45 am
if you have a tax free savings or as we do… execucare then its tax deductable
November 20, 2007 at 11:44 am
Hi Shoe, you actually look a bit alien-ish without your glasses. How much does it cost to do both your eyes?
November 20, 2007 at 11:40 am
I look forward to your PRK journal! I read that PRK is more invasive but overall is the better surgery. I’m considering the procedure myself but I haven’t been able to justify the cost yet. We’ll see (no pun intended). Speedy recovery!
November 20, 2007 at 11:34 am
http://terrencechan.livejournal.com/?skip=60
Scroll down a bit for detailed report on PRK
November 20, 2007 at 11:26 am
Shoe you look so cute without your glasses!