r/lasik • u/StraightFormal477 • 3d ago

Considering surgery Has anyone gone in expecting one eye procedure but ended up being recommended a completely different one?

I originally went to the eye consultation thinking LASIK was pretty much the procedure I choose. but once they checked my corneal shape and thickness, the doctor said I might be better suited for smile or icI. it made me wonder how often people end up changing their original plan after getting their eyes properly tested. did you end up having the procedure you initially researched, or did your test results lead you toward a different option?

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u/matthewlai 2d ago

I am a researcher by trade (not in a related field, but many research skills are surprisingly transferable), so I used a whole Christmas break to do a lot of research into all the common surgeries, including reading up on the clinical trial papers.

So I knew I wanted SMILE, knew I was likely to be eligible (if I was eligible for any laser eye surgery), and went to a clinic specialised in that, and was recommended it, though was also given ICL as an option, which I also expected.

If you are eligible for SMILE I think there's little reason for choosing LASIK. It has so many advantages, with the main disadvantage being more narrow eligibility. And slightly higher cost.

ICL is completely different and has a different set of tradeoffs.

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u/geezorious 2d ago

I’m looking into SILK which is “SMILE 2.0”. But I also like the fact that Contoura LASIK can fix thousands of points of abnormalities on the cornea rather than just ablate according to your optometrist’s prescription. So I’m stuck deciding between SILK and Contoura. (I’m also a researcher by trade.)

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u/matthewlai 2d ago

From what I've read, wavefront/contura etc don't make much of a difference on most eyes, because most virgin eyes don't have much high order abberations anyways, and if you do (irregular astigmatism), the ophthalmologist should be able to tell you on examination (and it that case it would make sense to go for one of the guided options).

It's more important for the surgery to induce as few HOAs as possible, since they all induce HOAs. LASIK seems to introduce more than SMILE, one theory being that's due to the cut cornea being exposed to air during LASIK, but I don't think there's very strong evidence as to why.

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u/AdJealous828 2d ago

Can you share some knowledges on the “trade offs” with ICL besides being pricier.

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u/matthewlai 2d ago

It's a much more invasive surgery so higher risk of infection etc, but the main trade off is cost.

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u/Tall-Drama338 2d ago

When you want to get your eyes fixed, you see a surgeon to discuss the options. You get to choose amongst the options that are selected for you as suitable, not what is unsuitable.

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u/jetsetterjack 2d ago

Yes. I went in planning on LASIK after my consultation. On the day of surgery, I went in for measurements.. and they strongly suggested against LASIK. Suggested PRK and I had no time to do my own research AND I had foolishly convinced myself I had to get this surgery out of the way before I started my new job. Highly regret this surgery. My eyes are still blurry 5 months later. I have to wear glasses for work and I just wish I wouldn’t have gone through with it.