26 Years Old, Got LASIK for Backpacking RTW. Newport Beach, CA

This reviewer is affiliated with RealSelf. The views expressed here are their own and do not reflect the views of RealSelf, Inc.

I started wearing prescription glasses in the 10th grade. Always struggled with contacts because I was right on the cusp of astigmatism in both eyes. Toric lenses were too much for me, but standard soft lenses weren't quite right either. I continued struggling between glasses and soft lenses for years, until I planned to take a long term backpacking trip around the world and couldn't bear the thought of dealing with either anymore.

I was referred to Dr. Chebil by a co-worker and couldn't be happier with my entire experience. I would say getting LASIK is what I imagine being abducted by aliens would feel like, but it is very quick. Roughly 23 second per eye. I was awake the entire procedure and at one point you do go "blind." When the top layer is lifted everything goes black, as the lasers begin reshaping your eyes surface your vision starts coming back. The procedure is not painful at all, more of a mild scratchy sensation. Immediately following surgery I was directed to the exam room, where I performed another eye exam and my vision was already significantly better, albeit hazy. Afterwards I went home, slept for 8 hours and when I awoke I could read the clock across the room, crisply.

It's been 4 years since my LASIK and I still have "eagle vision." 20/15. Although, in the past couple years I've began working extensively on computers again and I do believe the glare is starting to wear my eyes down.

I look at LASIK as a reset of sorts, your vision is reset to perfect (or whatever is achievable) and you may start regressing over time, but regardless of if I have to eventually return to glasses, these bonus years with perfect vision have been well worth it.

I'd like to also note that while my vision wasn't terrible, I could drive within reason, it was still changing by small amounts year over year. This is something I commonly hear as a reason to not get LASIK. My doctor advised that for my situation it would still work and it has.

In my original review I mentioned the wear I have felt over the past couple of years which I have attributed to excessive screen use. Well, I finally went to get an eye exam and am excited to report that the screen use is indeed the culprit. My vision is still 20/15. The eye doctor complimented Dr. Chebil's work, noting that the scars were some of the best she's ever seen, barely visible and perfectly formed. Having previously worked in a LASIK center herself she was quite knowledgable about the procedure and late post-op. 

I have ordered a pair of "computer" glasses which will look like ordinary prescription glasses with clear lenses, though they have a special coating that will block all of the blue light emanating from the screens and thus help with my fatigue, weary eyes, and even sleep cycle. The glasses will also hinder my distance viewing, but they are really meant for screen use only. Can't wait to try them!