I think for me, much of the motivation for lasik surgery was vanity--I look better without glasses. I had worn contacts when younger, but the motivation was tougher & tougher--my eyes always dried out & were uncomfortable. I was 42 when I had my surgery.

Well, a number of friends had lasik surgery done and had great results. I thought--great, so I started saving up my money. I went to the same surgeon they did--after checking references and being assured he worked for THE best practice in town and was THE surgeon with the most experience. All true. However, I really was not warned of potential consequences.

Surgery was tough on me--my eyes hurt & I was not happy for about 4 days afterwards. I was NOT one of those patients who bounced back and went to work the next day. (that has become the expectation at my work place--no thank you to a few souls who did just that.) I did have to wear reading glasses for a couple of months right after the surgery, but that went away. As I am getting closer to 50, now it appears that I will need reading glasses within a year or two anyhow....

Anyhow--I have been plagued with dry eyes ever since the surgery. It hasn't gotten better--and it's over 4 years later. It's worse in the winter with heating that dries out everything. It is also bad if I am tired. I have personally persuaded a number of people to NOT have lasik surgery--they just watch me struggle with eye drops constantly & dry eyes & become somewhat alarmed. Now I am grateful that I can direct them to this site so it's not just my word or my experience.

I am happy to know this site exists. I do become a bit depressed when I read others experience, and yet I am glad to know I'm not alone. It's also good to know that my problems are not as severe as others are. I have gone along in my life, simply learning to live and cope with the constant dry eyes. I wish I could turn back the clock of course--the surgery was NOT worth it for me. Oh well.

One thing I find funny--every morning I STILL automatically reach for my glasses. I can see the alarm clock just fine, but old habits don't die easily I guess.

--Robin