LASIK SURGERY & ALPINE CLIMBING

So it sounds like just about everyone would do it again? Any dissenting opinions?

No high altitude climbing experience, no dissenting opinion here either though, so this may not be much help. I just had lasik done a week ago today and I'd say go for it, assuming you've read the risks and are OK with taking them. Chances of issues with lasik are slim, very few cases of people with flap issues after a years worth of healing. Your eyes will be dry for a while most likely, and many see glare at night from bright lights, most people see this fade but I can say it isn't too distracting.

PRK has a long healing process, more time for something to go wrong (like an infection), but is the safer option of the 2. If you're like me, PRK won't work because there's recovery contact lenses involved in the healing process, I couldn't get them in so it was lasik or nothing. Cost was just over $5K, they spouted off about intralase and how advanced it was, I wouldn't worry about that as much as getting custom lasik if you go that route. The cheaper options aren't always customized to your specific needs, if you're going to go through something like this you might as well get it done the right way. $600 an eye makes me think of flea market eye doctors with laser pointers.

Just make sure your vision isn't still deteriorating at a high rate. Everybodies vision is getting worse, but if it hasn't leveled off you'll be going back for another touch up sooner than you would like, and your risk of issues goes up every time you have the surgery. Word is most people only get 2 procedures, 3 at most, though that depends on the person.

SinRopa wrote: Here's where I got my PRK done for $600/eye. This was in 2005, and 10 years later I'm still better than 20/20. Your mileage may vary... lasikmd.com/syracuse/price-…

I didn't mean to sound disparaging there, if the doctor is good and his procedure is solid there's nothing to be gained by paying more. My experience with less expensive surgeries was a lack of guarantees, one doctor even said I may need to wear glasses at night to drive after the procedure. There's also several post op checkups that aren't usually included in the price of the more affordable surgeries, but that's just my experience.