Bochner Eye Institute.. Lasik.. Life Changing.

[Asylum]

Just wanted to step in quick and let those of you wondering where the hell I disappeared off to I have an announcement.


Since the age of 8 years old I've been plagued with glasses, contacts, and the like. This means prescription updates, losing them, being made of fun, insulted, contact solutions, falling out, cases, remembering to take them out before swimming ect.

And ultimately, realizing the sad reality: I can't see.

A few months ago, I had to go do some testing for OPP. (This is not only my dream, but my goal and all I had to do was pass these few remaining tests).

When I was greeted with the Visual, I was informed quite harshly that I have 3 months to get my eyes fixed, or find a new career.

My vision @ the time was an Uncorrected 20/400.
If this doesn't make sense, let me put it in simple terms. An eye exam often uses letters in a row, in varying size getting smaller each time...

Without any visual aid I was unable ot read the SINGLE BIGGEST LETTER implying my vision was WORSE than 20/400. (the legal limit to drive uncorrected is 20/40).


Well ladies and gentleman, on September 2st, 2010 I awoke @ 9:00am eager, anxious, and nervous. That afternoon, at 2;00pm, @ 40 Prince Arthur Drive in the Yorkville area of Toronto I was booked for Surgery.

Today, September 03, 2010, the time is now 11:00am, and I have just returned from my initial post op review and I took the same test, uncorrected vision and I am an astonishing

20/30!!!!!!!

In less than 24 hours, my vision is literally NEAR perfect... and in the coming days is expect to shape up to a ass kicking 20/20.


Cheers mate. Any questions?
Let me know!

p.s., it aint cheap.

[The_Blur]

I got Lasik done, too. 8 months later, I got married.

I should be in an ad.

[d69chris]

Life will be Waaaaaay different now!

[CaniacFan]

Me three, had mine over 10 yrs ago. Best thing ever.

At age 51, I'm starting to lose my up close vision (usually happens early 40's so I'm not complaining), they can fix it, but I will lose some of my still 20/20 distant sight. So for now, I just went to Walmart and bought the lowest grade reading glasses they have and it's good. I'd rather be able to read road signs crystal clear and squint trying to read a newspaper.

Good job, glad to have you back.. Have a great weekend.

[RedJewel2SS]

what is the price range for Lasik?


i can't wait to get it done... i too have horrible eyesight, i can't read the single biggest letter either and i have astigmatism to add to it.

last time i was in the doctor said my eye sight is still changing too much to have it done, but as i get older it will stabilize to where i can have the surgery.

my annual check up and contacts refill is approaching and i'm hoping she tells me it hasn't changed too much, current contacts still give me near perfect vision.

[brandotron]

Awesome man, congrats!

[Asylum]

Originally Posted by RedJewel2SS

what is the price range for Lasik?


i can't wait to get it done... i too have horrible eyesight, i can't read the single biggest letter either and i have astigmatism to add to it.

last time i was in the doctor said my eye sight is still changing too much to have it done, but as i get older it will stabilize to where i can have the surgery.

my annual check up and contacts refill is approaching and i'm hoping she tells me it hasn't changed too much, current contacts still give me near perfect vision.

1.) How old are you? I am 25, and my eyes stopped changing by about 21 - 23.

2.) Bochner Eye Institute charges apx 5400 for both eyes

3.) I had astignatism in my left eye as well, that is FIXED when laser eye surgery is done.

4.) The difference between the EXPENSIVE GUYS and the CHEAPY GUYS
1.) The cheapy guys use the metal instrument to cut the flap, and the blade used is the same BLADE for the entire day of surgery, all they do is ''sterilize'' it. The expensive guys i.e., Bochner use a totally different tool and procedure.

For starters, nothing ever touches the eye, at all!
It uses a special laser to create air bubbles which gently create the flap.

You're given a valum to help you relax as well.

To be perfectly honest
There was ZERO PAIN
The freeze your eyes 20 minutes before the surgery
Reapply the freezing 5 minutes prior
and then
One last time about 30 seconds

Fun Fact:
the 5 minute and the 30 second mark, you feel like they may have missed your eye, you dont even feel the eye drops go in.. The lady looking after me said count to 5, and you'll feel the eye drops.

By the time I got to 5, i could just THEN feel the eye drops (ON MY CHEEKS) spilling over.

Truly amazing.


The "pressure'' they talk about is non existant.. you cant feel anything.

Per eye, its 30 seconds.
LITERALLY


Greatest experience of my life.

[Asylum]

Also, just as a note

Money wasn't an issue here, as these are my eyes.. I could go ''anywhere''.

my eye doctor recommended me 3 places which are mutually the ''best''

1.) http://wlei.org/
Windsor Laser Eye Institute
^ this is the place, and the guy that FOUNDED laser eye surgery. he is the pioneer, the forefront, the father so to speak. He is the guy that does the highest of the high end celebrities.. i.e., Tiger Woods, ect.

** as of note, getting an appointment with him, is pretty much impossible.

2.) Bochner Eye Institute (Extreme Makeover uses these guys!)
Dr. Ramond Stein.

This is where I went, they do the raptors, the leafs, the argos, among many other highend teams and big name celebrities.

3.) I forget the 3rd one, I made my mind up by the time I went to get an orientation at Bochner.



Bochner Eye Institute.
I went to this one
http://www.bochner.com/surgeons_raymondmstein.php
Read his bio, thats ''my guy''


Things you need to be sure to ask at any orientation.
1.) Am I a good canditate?
2.) Can they afford to turn you away?
3.) What tool do they use to create / remove the flap?
If its the metal blade thing, they are and should be a no go..
That technology is 6+ years old!


I can answer pretty much any question from a patient perspective.. So fire away.

[RickRay]

Originally Posted by CaniacFan

Me three, had mine over 10 yrs ago. Best thing ever.

At age 51, I'm starting to lose my up close vision (usually happens early 40's so I'm not complaining), they can fix it, but I will lose some of my still 20/20 distant sight. So for now, I just went to Walmart and bought the lowest grade reading glasses they have and it's good. I'd rather be able to read road signs crystal clear and squint trying to read a newspaper.

Good job, glad to have you back.. Have a great weekend.

I don't think they can fix for close up just for Far vision. I got one eye done only so that I can still see close(read) and see far . Once I can't read anymore than I'll get my other eye done and then get glasses to read..

[CanadianCamaro]

Very cool Joe. This is something I've considered for a long time. I may have to get more serious about it. I just wish that corporate medical plans would allow you to use more than 1 year's allowance for eye glasses against the surgery. Mine doesn't anyway :-(

So more importantly..... when are we cruising again?

[Zeeman28a]

Congrats Joe. Did mine in Mar '05. Best investment I made in myself.

Mine were 20/336 before, and 20/10 after. Wish I had done it sooner.

But my eyesite is still bad as I cannot read that bottom line. :(

[TJ91]

Joe thats great. Im going to wait a few years for mine, contacts will have to do for now. Which type of laser did you get? RK?
Anyways man i got alot to tell you, reguarding my interview
Congrats man, pricey but definitly a good choice

[Asylum]

Originally Posted by TJ91

Joe thats great. Im going to wait a few years for mine, contacts will have to do for now. Which type of laser did you get? RK?
Anyways man i got alot to tell you, reguarding my interview
Congrats man, pricey but definitly a good choice

I went with LASIK, Only RCMP wants RPK or whatever its called.

Just so you know

LASIK - > They make a flap, and then relay it back over.
(best version of the surgery)

RPK or whatever its called - > Complete removal of the flap,
soft contacts in place of it for at least 10 days (imagine leaving your contacts in for 10 days. <-- This style is meant for people who have very little tissue to work with i.e., not enough to make a flap therefor they just remove it completely.



To whomever posted, Bochner can fix near sitedness but it will be at the cost of your far distance or whatever its called vision (sorry I'm on valum right now so thigns are awesome!)


20/10 is horrid for me, as it will result in a failure for Vision Testing.
Granted, 20/10 is like seeing the world in High Definition, so I'm jealous

Fun Fact - > Almost if not ALL Nasa astronauts are 20/10. along with Fighter Jet Pilots for the USAF.

20/40
20/30
20/20
are accepted, anything higher or lower is automatic disqual from any police service in Canada, including RCMP.

[Zeeman28a]

Originally Posted by Asylum

20/10 is horrid for me, as it will result in a failure for Vision Testing.
Granted, 20/10 is like seeing the world in High Definition, so I'm jealous

Fun Fact - > Almost if not ALL Nasa astronauts are 20/10. along with Fighter Jet Pilots for the USAF.

20/40
20/30
20/20
are accepted, anything higher or lower is automatic disqual from any police service in Canada, including RCMP.

Do they give a reason why 20/10 would fail your application? Seems strange that they would fail you for having better eyesight.