Spending money

[jobu07]

Well, it's my senior year in college and suprise suprise... I got a letter from the registrar saying i've been overpaying! Well, i've got nearly $2,000 coming back to me now in one nice lump some. At first, after wiping the saliva off my chin, I started thinking about what sorts of new toys I was going to buy. That FAL i've been wanting... A Garand perhaps. No no, that elusive M1A whose price tag has just been too daunting for me. Maybe get some new pistols? A whole slew of mil-surps? Well, after much ado, I finally came to the conlcusion that what I need to do is not buy guns with it... I've decided that i'm going to get laser eye surgery.

I've done some research and i'm actually going to an eye surgeon in Maryland early next month to get consulted and see if it's plausible, then get it done the following week if I can. I guess this guy is good, he's done eye surgery for Tiger Woods among other high dollar celebs.

So here's my question, to keep it gun related. What sort of things can I expect after eye surgery from those of you who've had it? Also, what sorts of things can I expect afterwards. Shooting a gun without eyeglasses I've never even contemplated such things. I've had glasses since i've been shooting. Terrible thing it is, but, will my perception of the sites be different in some ways? Will I have to "retrain" my eyes in the way I align the sites? Have glasses caused a sort of straw in a glass of water effect with the sites? Or am I just hyping it up too much? I've heard that firing handguns is a different experience for people who have prescription lenses from those who don't. Eh, just looking for some insite.

Your advice, as always, is appreciated.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

"Shooting a gun without eyeglasses"


I sure hope you intend on using safety glasses if you are shooting. I'd hate to think you may end up losing your $2000 in surgury because you lost an eye.

I wear glasses, too. I have since 3rd grade. I've never even considered getting the surgury done. I keep thinking of all those times I would have poked my eyes out if I had not been wearing glasses. Between the shooting and riding motorcycles, I've been hit in the face (glasses) MANY times by flying objects.

As for visibility.....well......all I can contribute to this is that the wife claims that her safety glasses distort the target/sights a little bit, sometimes. I think it is an excuse for a stray bullet or just a poor shot.

 

[jobu07]

Corrective lenses or saftey glasses aside, I will always have something protective on over them eyes. I have an ulterior reason for getting the surgery as well, but i'm keeping it shooting related.

 

[WT]

It's spelled "sights."

 

[Kramer Krazy]

"I have an ulterior reason for getting the surgery as well"


Protective Witness Program? Who'd you shoot? hee hee

 

[Mr. Mysterious]

Only thing that I can suggest is that when you get in the "real world" (like I will in May) you may find a job that has an insurance plan that pays all or part of the surgery. I know that the military has started to do no charge Lasik, because they are finding it is cheaper than a lifetime of glasses. The same may be true in the private sector. Think about that... perhaps some people that have private insurance can chip in their $.02.

 

[BrokenPaw]

I know that a lot of insurance companies will cover glasses, but will not cover laser eye surgery. One reason for this is that, while in the long run, it is cheaper to pay for the laser surgery, most health-insurance companies don't have customers for "the long run". Companies change who they insure their employees with, and people switch jobs.

So it's cheaper for UberInsuranceMegaCorp to pay for your glasses for the 5 years that you're their client, than it is for them to pay for you to get your eyes done once and for all, and then move on to another insurer.

Also, some companies have vision coverage as a separate policy from general medical insurance. If you have glasses, you're going to pay for the vision coverage, and keep paying for it, so you can keep being covered when you need new glasses. If they covered LASIK et al, people would join, get the surgery, and then, when they were happy with their vision, would cancel the policy.

Those are two reasons why. I imagine there are more.

-BP

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

a guy that i work with had the surgery in jan. he's always had glasses since he was a kid, he's just now starting to heal up. he hasn't been able to see clearly since the surgery, they tell him it will probally be 4 more months before he can see clearly again...

so from a shooting standpoint, you can expect not to be able to see the target, at any distance, for 6 months following the procedure...

 

[JohnBT]

I must be special...

I've been to see two eye docs and the quotes for surgery are $4800 and $4500. I'm still thinking about it because at my age I'd still need reading glasses after the surgery and would still have to use glasses to see the front sight on a handgun. But it would help a lot when I used a scope.

John...20/1200+ and wearing progressive lenses.

 

[AKAMac]

Had mine done 4yrs ago for 500 each. My vision is now 20/15 & 20/20. I did it because of, foggy, 6 mile, 2AM boat rides to go duck hunting. My vision was great right after the surgery. Eyes were sore and light sensitive for a week or so. I am still sensitive to bright sunny days. Your ability to shoot shouldn't change, mine didn't. It sure is easier to identify birds at distance now. Go for it and don't look back!
Mike

 

[Zeke/PA]

Shoot without glasses?
I wouldn't think of it especially when one shoots black powder pistols or long guns.
In fact most clubs and public ranges post rules and regulations calling out eye and ear protection while shooting.
Aside from that, good luck with the surgery.
Respectfully, Zeke