LASIK aka laser vision surgery

[jingjai9]

Here it is 2025 and I was wondering if LASIK aka laser vision surgery has gotten better and/or cheaper over the last 5 years. 

 

The two things I am most concerned about is the cost and possible negative effects. I have friends who had the surgery and they tell me they can generally see better but they complain about night vision with issues such as halos or glare. Has anyone here experienced problems with the surgery that will effect their vision for years to come?

Can anyone report on their experience with laser surgery since 2020. Is Bangkok the cheapest and most professional? Are there any forum members who would not recommend this kind of surgery and if not, why? 

Personally, I do not have cataracts. I am 72 and want to get rid of my glasses and improve my vision. I am bothered by corrective lenses especially when getting out of an air conditioned car and  experiencing the old fog up or when it rains having the lenses get wet. 

 

Do you still need reading glasses after laser vision surgery?
 

 

[scoutman360]

I am 60+ with poor old age vision (2.5x glasses). Can't see far, can't see near. I went to Rutinun eye hospital. The doctor told me my eye sight was not bad enough to justify surgery. The risk was much greater. They can't fix near vision and far vision at the same time. You must choose. Plus all the side effects that you mentioned. Strangely, my 85 yr old father had cateracts, had his lenses replaced, and could read in the dark without glasses.  It was fun to watch. 

[Patong2021]

The benefit of cataract surgery is that the new lense can correct some or most of the  vision deficiency caused by eyeball geometry defects. It does often come with the  halo effect and  deterioration of  night vision too.

 

Lasik surgery still has the same risks of halos and night vision impact as described above. Nothing has changed, although the use of the "new "eyedrops reduces the likelihood of dry eye syndrome. The reality is that as we pass age 50, our night vision gets worse with each passing year. The reason I mention the cataract surgery is that if you are candidate for cataract surgery or expect to have it soon, hold off on the Lasik surgery. You may find that the  use of a new lense offers corrections that make any remaining  vision deficiency  liveable.

[NickyLouie]

Don't do it.

Perpetual dry eyes and night halo's sound like fun to you ? 

[jingjai9]

Thank you for these responses. Now I know I need to separate LASIK surgery from Cataract surgery. 

[Freddy42OZ]

On 3/21/2025 at 11:25 PM, scoutman360 said:

I am 60+ with poor old age vision (2.5x glasses). Can't see far, can't see near. I went to Rutinun eye hospital. The doctor told me my eye sight was not bad enough to justify surgery. The risk was much greater. They can't fix near vision and far vision at the same time. You must choose. Plus all the side effects that you mentioned. Strangely, my 85 yr old father had cateracts, had his lenses replaced, and could read in the dark without glasses.  It was fun to watch. 

 

A friend of mine, aged about 42, had the lenses in her eyes replaced instead of having lasik.  She now has perfect vision.  She did not have cataracts but the doctor in Hong Kong said lens replacement would be a better option for her.  
 

[Surasak]

I had lens replacement due to cataracts 4 years ago. Best thing I ever did. 20/20 vision now.

[9a9a]

I am 72 and had my slight cataracts lasered off and corrective lenses fitted into each eye three years ago in a Korat hospital. The best thing I ever did as now I have excellent eyesight and suffer with no dry eye, halo effect or poor night vision. The doctor said I didn’t really need the operation but I too did not want to wear glasses anymore, now all I need is weak reading glasses for very small text in poor light. Very pleased with the results.

[jcmj]

What it sounds like you need is Super Sight surgery to replace the lenses so you can see near and far. Three of my friends had it done at Bangkok Pattaya hospital and they said the only thing they were upset with was not getting it done sooner. I just went to see if I would be a good candidate and I was a number 2 out of 3 so I am going to put it off another year, just because insurance covers it if it is a 3. The cost is 200,000 baht and you can follow up anytime if you need to for free. That’s included in the price. My friend just had his “adjusted “ after 12 years and was in and out in 10 minutes and of course No charge. The doctor who does this surgery has been here for 25 years and started with the LASIK but now prefers to do the super sight so you won’t need a pair for reading. LASIK is much cheaper but I would only want the best, and don’t want to still need a pair of glasses after the surgery. Dr. Somchai 

Good luck. 

[DiDiChok]

On 3/21/2025 at 4:25 PM, scoutman360 said:

I am 60+ with poor old age vision (2.5x glasses). Can't see far, can't see near. I went to Rutinun eye hospital. The doctor told me my eye sight was not bad enough to justify surgery. The risk was much greater. They can't fix near vision and far vision at the same time. You must choose. Plus all the side effects that you mentioned. Strangely, my 85 yr old father had cataracts, had his lenses replaced, and could read in the dark without glasses.  It was fun to watch. 

Well, I had the lens replacement surgery a.k.a. "Supersight" and can now see near AND far.  Only the bankrupt NHS in the UK still insert the fixed focus replacement lenses just to save a few pence.  You simply do not have to "choose".  I agree with other posters that the reading is not very good in poor light, but that's a small drawback.  My vision is now 50/20 which is above 20/20 and what they call "super" sight.  I had glasses from the age of seven and bad astigmatism.  All gone now, lovely clear vision and no glasses any more.

[atpeace]

Had Lasik done in 2009 in Thailand.  Better than perfect vision for the first 10 years and now pretty close to perfect beyond 3 meters.  Dry eyes maybe but I'm not the type t focus on small issues.  Same applies to the halo effect.  

[samui99]

On 3/21/2025 at 5:13 PM, jingjai9 said:

Here it is 2025 and I was wondering if LASIK aka laser vision surgery has gotten better and/or cheaper over the last 5 years. 

 

The two things I am most concerned about is the cost and possible negative effects. I have friends who had the surgery and they tell me they can generally see better but they complain about night vision with issues such as halos or glare. Has anyone here experienced problems with the surgery that will effect their vision for years to come?

Can anyone report on their experience with laser surgery since 2020. Is Bangkok the cheapest and most professional? Are there any forum members who would not recommend this kind of surgery and if not, why? 

Personally, I do not have cataracts. I am 72 and want to get rid of my glasses and improve my vision. I am bothered by corrective lenses especially when getting out of an air conditioned car and  experiencing the old fog up or when it rains having the lenses get wet. 

 

Do you still need reading glasses after laser vision surgery?
 

 

I have just done what 2 other posters have mentioned, SuperSight Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, and I can confirm I should of done it sooner. Better than 20:20 vision. 

Yes I have experienced Dry eye but only in Air-conditioning on a 7 hour drive. As for the night rings Dr Somchai said you will get used to in time, its only been a month and I am already used to it. No glasses and Near and Far sight restored. 200k money well spent. Good Luck.