Lasik eye surgery

I had it about 8 years ago. I instantly went to 20-20 vision in both eyes. No side effects at all. One of the best things I have ever decided to do. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

I had the surgery about 3 years ago. My experience has been very positive. I can't speak for the effects on a young hitter, but being able to see very clearly without glasses or contacts is well worth the cost to me.

The procedure took 8 minutes and I drove home the next morning. Never had any adverse effects.

Best of luck.

Fungo... he's not a baseball player but Tiger Woods swears by it!

Since Tiger continues to get that "if you want to call it a ball" down each fair as he does so graciously, LASIK can't be all that bad!

Fungo, here are many LASIK-BASEBALL links -- some interesting stuff........

Fungo, my wife trains doctors and their techs to do the LASIK surgery. Send me an email and I will have her answer any questions you have.

I had mine in '99. Not a single problem.

The one thing she has told me since my son is needing it, the boys must be completely done growing before it is recommended they have the surgery done. 21 I think is her manufacturers minimum age.

I too had the surgery.

I was blind as a bat and now drive without glasses. Still wear low prescription glasses to read but at night I see better without glasses.

I was very near sighted now slightly far sighted. I wish I'd have had it done years ago. Still would suggest getting many opinions before having this done on someone who makes his living hitting a baseball. Even though several players have had it done.

Fungo:

My oldest son was a truly standout player for a long time and eventually failed to hit consistently enough to continue on. I attribute much of that evolution to his deteriorating vision (by baseball standards, and especially at night). He has an astigmatism, which makes him a non-candidate for the lasik surgery. I've seen other top players deal with the same issue with ultimately the same results, although there have been exceptions in the Big Leagues.

My point is this. I did much research on the surgery and found many instances where it produced amazing results. But there are serious risks, especially for a ball player. To ignore them would be foolish. My conculsion was that it probably is best to stick with contacts until they are no longer effective. Until then, my view as that the risk-reward factor is out of balance.

jamez,
I appreciate your input and the others too and I'm trying to gather as much information as possible. (Pro and con) With my son’s vision being in the 20/300 range and wearing -8.50 contacts I can't help but think that surgery would improve his ability to see the baseball. He's currently wearing his glasses so his corneas can breathe (recommended by his optometrist). We were at a restaurant the other evening and some friends came up. He took off his glasses and spoke to his friends. To give you an idea of how his eyesight is, I suggested he leave his glasses off while we were in the restaurant and he told me couldn’t see food on his plate without his glasses.

I have bad eyes and wear contacts. My contacts are -3.25. I would love to have lasek surgery in the future, but no time soon i don't have the money. At -3.25 i consider myself blind as a bat, and after wearing contacts for the last four years i can't go back to glasses. I could never play with glasses, with glasses i can't see the laces on the ball.

Fungo,

My brother who is 40 had Lasik done by the same doctor that did Tiger Woods. He was practically blind and had coke-bottles for glasses. He had the surgery done on a Monday and although I don't recommend you do this; went hunting the next day. He now has 20/20 vision and said that colors are so much more vivid.

O42

One thing I thought of, might want to check Fungo Jr's contract to be sure that an elective surgery is even permitted.

When my son started wearing contacts it definitely affected his depth perception, and therefore his hitting and fielding. Could LASIK have the same affect? Remember that most of the people posting here probably had the surgery long after their playing days. Most of us (even coaches) no longer face the visual demands of a baseball player. For example, when Tiger gets a bad hop the ball ends up in the rough. Not his teeth. And of course, the ball isn’t moving when he tries to hit it.

My son adjusted to his contacts but it put him on the bench for a while until he did. With the prescription you mentioned it sounds like Fungo Jr may have been wearing glasses a long time. Did he have trouble adjusting to contacts when he changed to them? That might give an idea of what to expect from the surgery.

Had it done 6-7 years ago by my very trusted, long-time opthamologist, who'd performed many such procedures. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.

Today my son had the LASIK surgery. My thanks to all the posters that responded with some great information. I especially want to thank Keller Dad and his very informed wife that provided me with some great information. My son’s prescription was very strong and without corrective lenses they said his his eyes were 20/400. He had very thick corneas so he was a very good candidate for the surgery. The surgeon that performed the surgery, Dr. Toyos, who is the ophthalmologist for the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies and the St’ Louis Cardinals AAA affiliate, the Memphis Redbirds, recommended the epi-lasik because Josh is a catcher and he felt the epi-lasik was more durable and the long term results were better with the epi-lasik vs the lasik. Josh was somewhat nervous going in to the surgery but emerged in fine shape. He had “tears” streaming down his face from the solution(s) used during surgery (the tear ducts are sealed). He looked at me with bloodshot eyes and quietly told me: “Dad, I can read the writing on the bag you’re holding”. The tear soaked smile he had on his face told it all. I guess the tears on my smile said a lot too. He has a few weeks to get back to a normal life and a few months to be completely healed. He should be good to go for spring training.
Thanks,
Fungo

That's a very nice story for this time of year Fungo. Here's hoping for a speedy and healthy recovery for Josh.

Curious about the cost if you don't mind sharing. Also, was it covered by the team, by insurance, or by you.

Fungo, great news! Bet it is a huge relief for you and a marvelous change for Josh.
Any chance you will be in Dunedin come March? Would love to meet you and say "hello" if possible.

Infielddad,
Had not though about going to Dunedin but now you have me thinking! I will let you know.

ClevelandDad,
Cost for the epi-lasik is more expensive and no, neither his insurance or my insurance will cover any of it. Total cost for two eyes was $4,400.00. Dr. Toyos is probabaly higher than any other around here but has a great reputation. Josh's agent told him this might be a tax deduction.....He's checking.
Thanks,
Fungo

Fungo,

That is great news and I am glad everything turned out for the best. It is amazing what can happen when you can actually see. Best of luck and Merry Christmas!

O42

Fungo,
Awesome news and my best wishes!!!!Thanks to all here who help daily!!

Catchersdad

Fungo -

Slightly moist eyes out here on reading your post. Thanks for sharing the update on Josh. Very happy to hear that all went well.

Fungo,

Well wishes for Josh on a 100% recovery and seeing the ball better than ever!

WOW! Thats a scary thought for pitchers.

Glad to hear everything turned out so well!!! Hope to see Fungo Jr. in Arlington soon.

Thanks for all the support and info. I'll keep everyone posted as to his progress.
Eye appreciate it!
Fungo

If he hits over .400 next spring and summer, you might start hearing about Lasik Eye procedures happening all over the hsbbweb

It’s been almost a month (Dec. 16) since the LASIK eye surgery and here’s the update I promised. Josh left for Alabama on Jan 3rd to begin preparations for spring training. He’s been catching bullpens and working out in the weight room. We talk almost daily and he says his eyes seem to be getting better each day. He entered into the surgery at 20/400, had the surgery and one week later he was measured at 20/30.
I talked to him today and he said his eyes are really doing well. He feels as if they are just about where they were with contacts which was about 20/20 but he has made numerous comments that everything looks larger since the LASIK. He will return home for a few days and has another check-up January 20th. He made the comment today...”I’m really glad I had my eyes operated on.” The epilasik is a much slower recovery time than the lasik and doesn’t have the “wow” effect (as described to me by KellerDad’s wife). Epilasik was recommended by the doctor because Josh was an athlete and this procedure would ultimately be better and more durable. The doctor indicated Josh’s eyes should keep improving for up to 3 months and should remain constant until he’s 40 years old.
Thanks to all and a special thanks to KellerDad and his wife for all the help!
Fungo
Fu

Fungo:

Great news! Thanks for keeping us posted.

Fungo -

Thanks so much for the update. Great news on all fronts. It will be very interesting to hear how Josh continues to progress when he gets to spring training. Please keep us updated as appropriate, and all the very best to him (and you) this year!

Good news and good luck to Josh this upcoming season.

Glad everything is working out!! And no reason to thank me, I just referred you to somebody that is much smarter and better looking than me.