Eye Doctor for Contacts after Lasik (moving, medical, required)

[observer53]

If you are looking for a good ophthalmologist in the East Valley, I'd recommend Brian Rose in Tempe.

[azriverfan.]

To be fair, once you have seen an ophthalmologist and have decided against laser refractive surgery and would prefer to wear corrective lenses instead, you are perfectly fine following up with optometrists for eye exams and management of your glasses and contacts. You don't need to see an ophthalmologist for this. Optometrist are very good at what they do and I refer a lot of people to them for annual check ups and the like but for those who have concerns about surgery or have more complicated eye issues like advanced retinopathy etc, I recommend following up with an ophthalmologist.

[Julie4530]

Thanks so much for the great info, everyone. It's been so long since I had to worry about my eyesight that I had forgotten the difference between Optometrist/Opthalmologist.

[crystalys]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

had Lasik about 12 years ago and it is a miracle....I'm active outdoors and it helped incredibly....never heard of Lasik "wearing off", but my doc told me I definitely would need reading glasses as normal some day and that day came about two years ago!...no problem....I'm sorry your distance vision has not stayed as it should as that was why I did it and it's been great...

definitely need to see a real eye doctor if you haven't yet....maybe just a pair of glasses is needed?....see what he/she says and get a full exam.....

Same thing here, had the Lasik about that same time. I do now use reading glasses but only for very small print or if the area is not well lighted. The reading glasses are much cheaper than the glasses and contacts I had to buy for 30+ years. I am still astounded at the fact that I can read street signs and even billboards. I was very near sighted all my life and I agree it felt like a miracle a very short time after leaving the doctor's office. I totally agree that an exam by someone more than an optometrist is needed for the OP at his juncture.

[Julie4530]

Just an update: based on recommendations here I saw Dr. Paul Wagner. He was excellent and his staff is very friendly and helpful. He said we couldn't do much more than what the Target OD did, but we did end up with an arrangement that works (for the most part). I will need to wear one contact for distance vision, and one for reading - at the same time. Kind of wacky, but it's my only option for now. Thanks again for the recommendation.

[johnp292]

Originally Posted by SMG

I hav. Cornea disease and have had three cornea transplants. When i get lenses, i have to see someonethat is knowledgeable, will spend a lot of time wih me. I see acornea specialist, Dr Paul Wagner. I can not see the fast food contact guys. Dr Wagner is excellent.

I'm glad I read this. I had Lasik about 6 years ago and since moving to AZ I've noticed a change in my vision. I was chalking it up to age but you just reminded me I had an issue with dryness at first. I was about to make an eye Dr appointment but now I'm going to get some eye drops first! And Lasik was the best thing I ever did for myself.

[El_Waiboi]

Originally Posted by Julie4530

Hi all, it's kind of a long story, but basically after 15 years my lasik has "worn off" and my vision is bad again...

I would have to imagine that Lasik Surgery has greatly improved in the last 15 years, right? Perhaps back then Lasik would "wear off" after a certain amount of time where as today's surgeries would be more permanent. I really don't know what I am talking about, I guess I am more posing this as a question more than as a statement, as I too have contemplated Lasik but have yet to actually do it.

[Bungle]

Originally Posted by johnp292

I'm glad I read this. I had Lasik about 6 years ago and since moving to AZ I've noticed a change in my vision. I was chalking it up to age but you just reminded me I had an issue with dryness at first. I was about to make an eye Dr appointment but now I'm going to get some eye drops first! And Lasik was the best thing I ever did for myself.

I had Lasik a year ago and the best drops I've personally used for dry eyes are the Gel Tears by Blink. They're thicker than typical drops. A bit pricier than regular Visine but well worth it for me.

[Julie4530]

Originally Posted by El_Waiboi

I would have to imagine that Lasik Surgery has greatly improved in the last 15 years, right? Perhaps back then Lasik would "wear off" after a certain amount of time where as today's surgeries would be more permanent. I really don't know what I am talking about, I guess I am more posing this as a question more than as a statement, as I too have contemplated Lasik but have yet to actually do it.

Well, as this 2nd doctor explained, it's not that it wears off per se, it's that it doesn't stop your vision from changing. Since I had it relatively young, it was probably inevitable that my eyes would change.
I would imagine advances in the surgery are probably making it a better option than it was 15 years ago. If I had to do it over again, I still would.

[johnp292]

Originally Posted by Julie4530

Well, as this 2nd doctor explained, it's not that it wears off per se, it's that it doesn't stop your vision from changing. Since I had it relatively young, it was probably inevitable that my eyes would change.
I would imagine advances in the surgery are probably making it a better option than it was 15 years ago. If I had to do it over again, I still would.

As I understand it, changes in our vision as we get older are a result of muscular changes, not anything with the lens or cornea. Thus, Lasik has no bearing on that and that's why those of us who got Lasik later in life still need reading glasses after a certain number of years. In my case, my Dr gave me "monovision" in which he adjusted one eye for distance (I was nearsighted) and one for close vision. Worked great for 6+ years now, although I am starting to have a little trouble with close up stuff, as he predicted. Why I think I'm having a dry-eye issue is that I've noticed (since moving to AZ 3 1/2 months ago) is I'm having trouble seeing in general at times. Nothing serious, just kind of like a tiredness thing. I will definately be getting drops again to see if that helps.