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robert72

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,878
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Hi ScapeGoat

I had about 6-7 laser sessions around 15 years ago to both eyes. I still have enough vision to drive - the only areas that I notice missing are high and low, so mostly have to watch where I'm walking a bit more. I didn't find the laser so bad - just unpleasant, like going to the dentist perhaps.

Anyway, they finished my course of laser and I have been stable ever since (still get annual checks). Although it's perfectly natural, please try not to worry too much as it might not be as bad as you imagine.

Hope it all goes well for you.
 

the_anticarb

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I have had around 5 sessions in one eye and 4 in the other - plus an op to the left eye. I can still see and drive! No one likes having laser, but I didn't find it painful - you just have to concentrate to make sure you are focusing on the little dot of light when they are doing it. It can be a little uncomfortable afterwards, sore or like a dull ache but not a sharp pain.
Now I've had the laser my eyes have stabilised and I can see the benefits - without it I'd almost certainly be blind or near blind in at least one eye. My doc said that it's because of the laser protection that my condition has stabilised as it's reduced the eyes needs for oxygen.
I thought I'd be on the way to losing my driving license but with both eyes open I can get all the points on the field test (and the area in one eye where I can't is due to the operation, not the laser).
There's lots of people on here who've had a number of sessions and then stabilised for many years, it's definitely not a one way ticket to sight loss.
 

ivinghoe

Well-Known Member
Messages
89
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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professional football
As above... I`ve had lasering in both my eyes. My sessions started about this time last year and I was going back for more every 4 to 6 weeks there after. My last 2 sessions have been checks only .. so its getting stablised now.
The worst session I personally had was the first one as I didn`t know what to expect. They only did one eye in that session .. I found for the next week or so after I was tripping over things or bumping into objects slightly higher than the rim of where my glasses were, misjudging distances too for a little while... it was quite unsettling.
But by being more careful it ceased to be a problem... I think just got used to the more restricted periferal vision and currently everything feels normal, I drive etc.
The only annoyance I still have is going from bright light into darker areas and vice versa as the lasering has slowed down slightly my eyes' reaction times so I`m briefly dazzled or groping around in semi gloom for a brief moment... if you imagine a bit like wearing an old set of slow photo reactive sunglasses its kind of like that.
I was quite shocked and felt down at having to have the treatment but now its sorted I realise it was just not knowing what to expect that was my problem.
It is definitely something to be relieved about that your problems have been spotted and are being dealt with sooner rather than later so any complications you have in your eyes are being treated before they progress too far.
 
H

Hooked

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ivinghoe said:
I found for the next week or so after I was tripping over things or bumping into objects slightly higher than the rim of where my glasses were, misjudging distances too for a little while... it was quite unsettling.
But by being more careful it ceased to be a problem... I think just got used to the more restricted periferal vision and currently everything feels normal, I drive etc.
The only annoyance I still have is going from bright light into darker areas and vice versa as the lasering has slowed down slightly my eyes' reaction times so I`m briefly dazzled or groping around in semi gloom for a brief moment... if you imagine a bit like wearing an old set of slow photo reactive sunglasses its kind of like that.

Thank you so much for posting this. It's almost a relief to hear someone else describe similar problems to what I've experienced. I've had problems with depth perception, falling over/walking into things, reaching for things and missing - but they are gradually improving (or I'm learning, not sure which yet!). My eye specialist said he never heard of this as an after effect of laser, but as it happened post laser and never before, it must be. I also experience the going from dark to light and vice versa issues you mention. It's good to hear someone else acknowledging they have the same issues. I was getting more and more concerned that something more was going on with my eyes, but now I know it's just after effects of the laser.

To the OP, hope your laser went well yesterday. As others have said, it's more the fear of the unknown that's the worry. x