Eye laser treatment

[One-eyed-Jim]

I am booked to have laser eye surgery (LASIK) in a couple of weeks.  The hospital is a long was from us and my OH doesn't drive, so we will stay two nights in a hotel nearby.  Can anyone advise me exactly what will happen, as the paperwork from the hospital is skimpy.  I understand the actual procedure, but I need to know things like how my vision will be on the evening after the surgery (assume I will be able to see something!) and what my chances are of being able to drive home on the day after the surgery.  Some websites seem to indicate that vision is blurred for several days, which could run us into some serious expenses.......

Thanks in advance

Jim

[idun]

My husband couldn't stand any bright light but he could see, however his eyes were streaming for hours, and I doubt he could have driven, although we have friends who have driven home after this.

[Sunday Driver]

Ask your consultant for advice.  If driving is likely to be out of the question, then he should give you a bon de transport so you can use a medical taxi to get to and from the hospital and leave the car at home.

 

[Chancer]

What laser treatment are you having? There are many different procedures.

I have had laser photocoagulation that was so painfull that I passed out, no way would I have been able to have driven after that, thankfully I was hospitalised at the time, further seances were not as painfull, eventually everything becomes banal and I did indeed drive myself home after some of these.

I also had a post operative cataract removed by laser surgery, ironic as the initial operation was a cataract removal! The laser treatment was virtually painless and I drove home with far better vision than I had when driving to the appointment and better than I had had for the previous 6 months, in fact it get better and better during the journey.

I would say avoid driving if you can.

Technically you are allowed to drive as long as one eye has IIRC 6/10 vision, but practically it takes a long time for the brain to adapt to the loss of one eyes input and driving is very difficult initially, then there is the issue of driving whilst in pain, if the eye is painfull and you keep the eyelid closed you will not be able to stop it from swivelling in its orbit in tandem with its partner which can be very painfull, the only way to avoid this is to keep both eyes closed, not condusive to safe driving!!

[Frederick]

From a UK Health Web page . Applies no matter where you are and wanting to drive I should think

Will I be able to drive after Laser Eye Surgery?

Find Laser Eye Surgery Clinics »

To be able to drive in the UK, your eyesight must be good enough to read a car number plate at a distance of approximately 20 feet. When you have laser eye surgery, the doctor will change the shape of your eye so that it is a perfect shape for focussing images. During the operation, your vision will become very blurry. After the surgery, your vision should return, however it may still be a little blurry. It is therefore a good idea to wait for a week or so until your vision has fully returned before you consider driving again. This is still a good idea even if your vision has returned straight away following surgery. Throughout this time you should make sure you follow any advice given to you by your doctor to help your eye heal. They will also be able to give you information about when you will be able to drive again, depending on the type of operation you have had. Driving requires a high level of vision and risks should not be taken.

[One-eyed-Jim]

Thanks to all of you who replied.  I am having LASIK correction to give monovision (one eye distance and one eye reading).  There are practical issues that make this operation the best option for me, but am a bit fearful!   It would seem that the blurry vision may last for only hours or indeed a few days - so will have to organise some form of alternative transport home.  It is made clear in the hospital papers that no bons de transport will be issued and patients must fund their surgery and transport 100% themselves.  (They are very clear about the payment processes, just light on the practicalities!) 

Jim

[Chancer]

You wont regret it Jim, its effectively how I have ended up after a string of operations and a post operative cataract, when they do a cataract op they remove the crystallin lens and put in an artificial one, they deliberately made mine short sighted and it really is worthwhile.

I met a lady recently who had it done by laser surgery, previously they could not correct presbyte with laser surgery but seemingly now they can, she told me that she felt no pain at all, I dont know if she drove but under those circumstances I would have.

You might want to try a test drive on a quiet road with the eye in question closed, you may well not find it a problem especially if you already have unbalanced vision.

[idun]

Chancer, I'm sorry but I nearly wet myself when I read that................You might want to try a test drive on a quiet road with the eye in question closed.

 

Had you not noticed that he is one eyed Jim.

 

Jim that does mean what it sounds like it means. Looking at this positively, it'll only be half the cost.

[One-eyed-Jim]

Sorry to disappoint you - it will be the cost of doing both eyes.  The reason they call me One-Eyed Jim is

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because there is only one "i" in Jim.  [:P] (The old ones are the best ones.)

Apologies again, and thank you all for the info, which has been genuinely helpful.  I will report back after the event.

Jim

[idun]

I have been chuckling since I read Chancer's post and thought that he had suggested that you shut your good eye and drive.

 

I know two one eyed blokes, and they drive, so you driving wouldn't have surprised me.

 

 

 

[Frederick]

Its no problem The labrador sits on the bonnet and barks once for a left and twice for a right turn

[nectarine]

[quote user="Frederick"]Its no problem The labrador sits on the bonnet and barks once for a left and twice for a right turn[/quote]