Eyesight & fishing?

[drew]

Like many of us, I wear prescription eyeglasses for a astigmatism and nearsightedness. I have a pair for everyday use, work and a polarized pair for fishing. I currently need lenses in two pairs and a completely new set of frames & lenses. It usually cost me $500 with the check up.

I often wonder if it would be better to get laser eye surgery instead of paying annually and biannually for prescription glasses.

Have any of you had laser eye surgery? Has it improved your tournament fishing or quality of life? I'm curious if the benefits are more then just the cost savings of the glasses.

[tunaman (SCFF Duplicate)]

Have any of you had laser eye surgery? Has it improved your tournament fishing or quality of life? I'm curious if the benefits are more then just the cost savings of the glasses.

Andy,

Mona and I gave each other Lasik surgery last year for Christmas, and I was kicking myself for not doing it sooner. My vision wasn't bad, but I finally realized that it had degraded (more than I realized) when I was having trouble recognizing people at the other end of the hall at work. I then started to pay attention, and found that my distance sight had slipped quite a bit, more so in my right (dominant) eye.

I had the one eye done, and Mona had both done. The surgery was painless (aside from the costs!), extremely brief, and the results were nearly instantaneous. We had to rest up that afternoon in a darkened room at the house, and there was a little after-care to be mindful of, but it was no big deal.

My distance vision is now incredible, as is Mona's, and we've suffered none of the side effects some have claimed.

It does have an impact on your close-up vision, which is the main reason that I opted to only do the single eye, and now after time my eyes have adjusted and I can see well close and great from far away. It took a little while to get used to threading 6# through a #2 hook eye, as at the beginning it can throw your depth perception off, as well as losing a certain amount of your near vision, but that was just a matter of adjustment for me and I have no problems now.

If you decide to do it, be sure to get all the information you can on the different offerings they have... there are at least three levels of surgery, each costing incrementally more. We opted for all-laser, which was the most expensive, but felt it was worth it as they are our only eyes and we didn't want to take any chances.

Good luck!
Roger

P.S. Hi Guys!

[drew]

Thanks for the info Roger.

[Ray L.]

If you do get it go and see Doug Engh.
He is a fisherman as well.
I know he has done the surgery for many bass fishermen as well.
I think he works out of Santa Clarita.

[Mike]

I had it done in 1999 my Dr Ellis. $5000 And it was great for 7 years. Now I am wearing glasses now again! I went back and they told me to kick sand, there are no garantee's. I am thinking about getting it done again??? Now I am wearing maui Jims Rx. and they are bas a$$ but suck in the rain! Do you have Doug Engh's ##??

[drew]

Mike, Is it normal for the benefits of the surgery to only last 5 years? Also does anyone know what the average cost is currently?

I had it done in 1999 my Dr Ellis. $5000 And it was great for 7 years. Now I am wearing glasses now again! I went back and they told me to kick sand, there are no garantee's. I am thinking about getting it done again??? Now I am wearing maui Jims Rx. and they are bas a$$ but suck in the rain! Do you have Doug Engh's ##??

[John Barron]

I do know a few people and one guy in particular has gone back at least once to get an adjustment, others have lasted a long time without any problems. When and if I do it I will call Doug Engh.
jb

[Schneider Fishing]

My father had it done a few months back. No regrets!!