I'd been thinking long and hard about getting Lasik for over a year now. It's not that I absolutely hate wearing glasses, and actually a lot of people say they suit me, it's just I find them a little annoying when it comes to travel, exercise and even just trying to eat a damn bowl of ramen. And, if I'm honest, I don't feel my prettiest in them, despite what others say.
I could go the contacts route but, while aesthetically they'd fix my problem, I've always felt like they might be just as much of a pain, if not more, especially when travelling off the beaten path. Rather than simply putting on my glasses, caring for contacts sounded like an added ritual that I might not be able to keep up with. So as the time for getting some new glasses was approaching, I started seriously considering the Lasik option. Sure, it's not cheap, but the cost of glasses over the years hasn't been either, and the freedom of being able to see well with my naked eyes was something I was really beginning to crave.
I had thought about getting it done some time when I'd be back in Australia, but when a friend of mine had a successful surgery at a well-known clinic in Tokyo, I started thinking about my options in Japan. The summer holidays were approaching and it seemed like the perfect time to do the surgery and recover without having to miss much work or attend meetings sans make-up.
There are many things to think about when going into any kind of surgery, but even more so when you're thinking about getting it done in a foreign country and dealing with a second language. This was not something I could just wing when I didn't understand; I'd have to be sure of what was going on.
Making the appointment
So when I was finally ready to make the appointment, I asked a Japanese friend to assist me. She called and was quickly told that if she made the appointment on my behalf that she would have to come to every session with me as my translator, including all follow-up consultations. As I didn't really feel that was necessary, I decided to see how I'd go with making the phone call myself, knowing that she was there if I got stuck. It took around 30 minutes to make arrangements for the surgery day and next day appointment, and for the receptionist to take me through all the necessary information. She used some words I didn't know, but I was able to understand with some explanation.
Finally the receptionist directed me to the homepage and told me to read the section for first-time visitors carefully before surgery day. I did, checking over all the kanji that I didn't know and making sure I understood each step. The list of what to bring on the day, however, was confusing as it conflicted with what I was told over the phone, and included things like documents on Lasik surgery guidance and consent forms, as well as eye drops. These all sounded like things they would give you on the day, but it wasn't worded as such. I showed it to another Japanese friend who said it also sounded strange. She ended up calling to check because she was worried that I might have some problems on the day if I didn't have all these things. In the end, though, it was as I had previously understood on the phone. They should really update their website!
What to bring on the day
- ID (passport, insurance card or driver's license – any are OK as long as it has your current address printed on it)
- Your current glasses
- Your personal seal (inkan/hanko)
- A letter from your doctor in Japanese listing any medications you're on and the dosage, and confirming that they believe surgery to be safe while taking those medications
- Discount ticket (if you have one)
- Money (cash or credit card)
- Sunglasses for after the surgery are also advised
The clinic offered a one-day option, that included the initial tests and screenings to check whether you're a candidate for Lasik. Should that all come back fine, you can have the surgery the same day. I was told that the cheapest surgery cost was ¥154,000 and the most expensive around ¥300,000 (prices for both eyes). I was told to think about the type of surgery I wanted before coming. I did lots of research and ended up deciding that their most expensive Amaris Z-Lasik procedure was the one I wanted to go for.
Before the procedure
As far as I could see, the website didn't mention anything about the use of make-up or fragrances before surgery day, but as my friend had been told to stop wearing make-up three days before and not use any moisturisers, face creams, deodorants or fragrances the day before, I decided to follow suit to be on the safe side.
On the day
- No make-up at all – including products that aren't even close to your eyes such as lip creams.
- No moisturisers, deodorants, fragrances, hairspray or hair products.
- No turtlenecks or any clothes that produce static electricity, hoodies or caps. Wear something that is easy to remove after surgery without coming into contact with your eyes.
- Wear easy to remove shoes (as you'll need to change into slippers for surgery).
- Bring along a cardigan or jacket (you'll be hanging around most of the day and may get cold).
After the surgery
- The day of the surgery, no work or driving.
- No showering or face washing. The doctor will advise if you may shower the day after when you attend your first check-up the next day.
- Don't touch or rub your eyes under any circumstances for at least several days. Avoid doing so throughout the healing process. Sleep with an eye patch to avoid rubbing your eyes while you sleep.
- No eye make-up or alcohol for 3 days. However, up to a week after only very light make-up is advised. You may wear face make-up to subsequent check-ups but none around the eyes.
- For one week, no overseas trips, hot springs, sauna or heavy exercise.
- No flu shots or vaccinations of any kind for one week.
- No pool, beach or contact sports for one month.
- Wear protective eye wear when outside/exposed to sunlight for the next 1-2 weeks.
Surgery day
My examination appointment was scheduled for 9am and my surgery pre-emptively scheduled for 3pm. The basic schedule is four hours of tests, a break to eat and then surgery time. You'll have to wait 30 minutes after the surgery with your eyes closed before going home. Make sure you have someone to escort you!
While I felt fine to do follow-up appointments on my own, my Japanese friend kindly came with me on surgery day to assist with the very important pre-examinations and consultations, and of course Hai was there too for support and to help me home after.
Reception
On arrival at the reception, I was asked for my name, discount coupon and letter from my doctor (they were expecting the latter two based on the information I gave during the booking process). Those documents won't apply to everyone.
Then I was given a consent form to sign and a medical questionnaire to fill out – it requested all usual personal details, along with medical history, allergy information etc. If you have any medical conditions and/or are taking medication – be sure to have the names of the medications handy as you'll need to write these down at this point. You'll also need to check the type of procedure you are thinking of having. Of course, it doesn't lock you into that particular surgery but will let the doctors know what your plans are. They may suggest changes based on your test results.
Once I had completed the form, the receptionist checked over it and cross-checked my address with my ID. With the initial paperwork taken care of, I was told to proceed to one of the waiting rooms (there were several as it was a big clinic, so they were assigned numbers). I was told I could pop my things into the lockers on the way.
Genetic test
Not long after, I was called along with two other clients to another room. The first stage was the genetic test that checks whether you may have any genetic conditions that could make you incompatible for Lasik. They make you watch a 1-minute video and then you are given a long Q-tip to take swabs from both sides of your mouth. You simply pop it back in the tube and hand it back to the staff member.
One thing to note that is mentioned nowhere in the preparation materials on their website, is that you shouldn't eat chocolate before this test. Under usual circumstances I wouldn't have, especially at that hour, but Hai had bought some chocolate croissants in the morning as a nice breakfast before the surgery – he knew I was nervous. In the end it wasn't a big deal. They just confirmed that I had rinsed my mouth out after and since I had brushed my teeth, I was fine to go ahead with the test.
Eye tests
Then it was back to the waiting room again. The waiting room had a large flat-screen TV and some magazines. Soon I was called to another room – this time individually. I had to look into four different machines while they did different checks on my eyes, including the one where they puff air into your eyeballs. It didn't hurt at all; only made me jump a little. Then I was asked to sit on a chair in the hall, before heading into another room. This was your more standard eye examination – as you would have when you're getting your eyesight checked at any optometrist. After that I was taken to a dark room for more tests – basically looking into the machines and staring at a light for certain periods while they took scans of my eyes. Then they put in some eye drops to dilate my pupils for upcoming tests. It would take full effect in 30 minutes and in the meantime my vision might start to blur. For now, it was back to the waiting room, during which time I did start to feel my vision getting hazy.
Test results and choosing the surgery
Then I had to speak with a staff member about my surgery prospects. I was told that with a corneal thickness of 500 microns that my corneas were too thin and also that my nose was too big for the type of Lasik that I had selected. I'd have to go with the older Intralase option and also get a second surgery known as cross-linking. They said it was possible to do the Lasik without cross-linking but it would be risky as I may develop corneal ectasia in the future and be in need of a corneal transplant.
After the explanation, I was taken to another room where the same staff member put anesthetic drops into my eye and tapped my eye balls with a metal instrument. The anesthetic worked virtually instantly. I could only feel the sensation of the first few taps – but no pain – and from then on nothing at all.
I was kind of in a dream like state when I went back to the waiting room where I started quickly Googling cross linking – a procedure said to strengthen the cornea for those with weak ones and one that I'd never heard of before a few minutes ago. From my very brief search, there was some evidence to suggest its effectiveness in avoiding future eye problems, especially due to Lasik done on people with thin corneas. But most sources ended with some variation of there needing to be more studies and results being inconclusive. Some said the whole thing was rather unnecessary and that it should never be done along with Lasik! I'm not a doctor and don't claim to be, but what I knew is that I didn't want to go ahead some life altering procedure based on a 5 minute Google search and simply because one staff member suggested it.
Then I was called in to see the doctor. He had another look at my eyes – I guess that was what the pupil dilation drops were for and he went over my test results again and recommended course of surgery. He said that I shouldn't do Lasik without cross linking, and then he explained that there were two types of machines used for cross linking I could choose from, one more expensive than the other. In the end, with my discount coupon, the whole thing with the better machine would apparently cost ¥330,000 (about US$3,300), around ¥70,000 (US$700) more than the state-of-the-art Lasik procedure that I had thought I would go with in the beginning. This was the last part before the “lunch break” and while he said I could confirm which cross linking machine I wanted when I returned, he wanted me to make the decision about everything else then and there.
What went wrong
Things may have sounded OK up until this point in the post, but I was already starting to have doubts once I spoke with the first staff member who was the first to tell me my corneas were too thin for the more modern Lasik procedures and that a second procedure would also be necessary. It wasn't the fact that he told me what I didn't want to hear, but how he was trying to sell it to me. He was so eager to get me onboard with this cross linking idea that I could have sworn he was getting commission for it. He even said he could “do a deal” for me, saying he would speak to the doctor and do what he could to get me the best deal ever. It was like something out of a used car sales yard.
Hello! These are my EYES! And unlike a replacement set of headlights, there's nothing I can do to undo the damage done if I make the wrong choice here. Then he started saying how other clinics may be cheaper but are nowhere near as good as them, that they don't use the same equipment and that they are, quote, “idiots”. While I don't mind if you give me a rundown of your experience and facilities, to put down other clinics – whether there is any truth to his claims or not – just comes across as unprofessional. He just seemed like a salesperson willing to say anything to get me to sign on the dotted line.
I also found the whole nose argument a little strange. Apart from my corneas being thin, I apparently could do more modern Lasik procedures if I did cross linking first, but it was my nose that was getting in the way. I was told that because my nose wasn't as flat as the average Japanese person's, the newer machine wouldn't be able to reach my eyeball and suction properly, but that this was possible with the older Intralase machine. When I asked whether this was a universal design or whether their machines were just fitted for a Japanese clientele, they said I would have this problem in any country. Again, I'm not a doctor, but people get Lasik done all over the world and I hardly think my nose is out of the ordinary. I just found the whole argument hard to believe, at least the way they were presenting it. Coupled with the fact that they kept on changing the reason I couldn't do the modern Lasik surgery with each new sentence – one second it was my corneas, the next my nose, then cross linking was necessary, and then not – I wasn't even sure they were following what they were saying.
I already thought about cancelling at this point but went on to see the doctor for the next consultation anyway to hear him out. This first stage was supposed to check your eligibility for Lasik anyway and I hadn't committed to anything. Although he went over the options again, he quickly grew impatient when I asked lots of questions and showed concern over getting the second procedure. He wasn't interested in discussing whether this was something worthwhile for me, considering that with the technology I'd have to go with I'd only get 5 years of good vision, after which I'd have a whopping 50% chance of regression and needing to wear glasses again anyway. For the corneal tissue that I was going to be giving up, the discomfort and potential risks of the procedure, and for the amount of money for such a short time span, it was far from ideal and not something that should be decided idly.
I ultimately decided to cancel the procedure because:
- I wasn't an ideal candidate for Lasik.
- The sales pitch was uncomfortable and I didn't feel like the staff had my best interests at heart.
- I didn't want to make such a big decision on the spot.
- I wouldn't get to meet the doctor performing my surgery and therefore had no idea of their experience in dealing with cases like mine (they just had a team of doctors on standby and do the surgery on whoever is next in line).
- I wanted to get a second opinion on the nose argument.
Even though it was disappointing that I couldn't get Lasik done as I had planned, I felt completely at ease in going to the reception and cancelling my surgery. That's what my gut was telling me. I knew it was the right thing to do, which was quickly confirmed by my being taking into another room to speak with another doctor who demanded why I cancelled. Was it an issue of money? he asked. Because I could go with this other machine that's cheaper; and they could do me a better deal. I'm sorry, do you mean that machine that you really didn't recommend 10 minutes ago. Either that one's fine and you were just trying to sell me the most expensive option and hoping that I'd go for it, or it's not the best choice for me but that's better than losing the sale. Either option doesn't inspire much confidence. I told him in no uncertain terms it wasn't about the money, it was the fact that I was unable to get the procedure I had planned on and didn't want to proceed with another without having done adequate research about my options. He pressed further saying that they had given me all the information I needed to know and that they would make me pay ¥10,000 (US$100) if I didn't go ahead with the surgery the same day. When he knew he couldn't sway me, he waved me and my friend to the waiting room, where we had to wait again until called to the reception to pay. As we were leaving, my friend told me that she thought I definitely made the right choice. We both couldn't wait to get the hell out of there.
What I learned through this process of attempting Lasik in Japan
1 day procedures (examination immediately followed by surgery) are not for me
At first, the one-day session was appealing. It makes total time sense to get everything over and done with in one day, and I think I would have found it convenient if I was a clear candidate for Lasik and could go ahead with the procedure I had researched and felt comfortable with. But when the test results don't come back as you'd hoped, there is very little time to consider alternative options, especially if they are ones you were not aware of before. In this case, the small time frame just amounts to pressure and surgical procedures are not the time to be making quick decisions.
I prefer more personal customer service
While I'm not saying that all large clinics are like this, this one felt like some kind of surgical farm, designed to get people in and get them out. If I go through with any surgical procedure, I want to be able to meet the doctor performing it and have my concerns properly addressed, and not be ridiculed for requesting more time to think about it. Any reputable clinic who values its clients should encourage them to be fully informed and help them to make the best decision for their health needs.
My gut knows me best
While it was disappointing that I couldn't get my eyes fixed, my gut made the decision very easy for me. Had I'd gone ahead with the procedure just because I had been anticipating the day so much, because I had already arranged a week off to recover or because I didn't know when I'll have the chance to do this again, I fear I would have made a big mistake. At least at this clinic. If something doesn't feel right to you, I'd suggest cutting your losses and making a b-line for the door. You don't owe anyone anything and don't let anyone pressure you into something that you're not comfortable with, least of all surgery that will permanently alter one of your most precious organs.
So what now?
For now I'm just going to sit on the idea of Lasik. One very important piece of information I now know thanks to the tests I undertook is my corneal thickness, so I can do more research and possibly approach other clinics in the future with this in mind.
What I do feel is that 5 years isn't enough for me to warrant the procedure at this time. My eyesight really isn't that bad compared to what a lot of people deal with every day. Lasik technology will only get better and, who knows, perhaps a procedure for thinner corneas with better eyesight retention won't be too far off in the distant future, or another doctor might have some other suggestions. In the meantime, though, I think I'm just going to pick up another pair of frames so that I can have more fun with my look, and I am flirting with the idea of trying contacts for the time when I really don't want to wear glasses, despite being kind of freaked out about putting something in my eye.
Thank you for the article.
Hello, Im so tired of wearing glasses I decided to get the surgery while im here in Tokyo.
Please tell more.
Hello. Thank you for this article. Been planning to undergo lasik this upcoming winterbreak. Now i’m having second thoughts after reading this. Can you please share the name of the clinic? Please. Thank you
Hi Joseph, I have sent you an email. :)
Hello! Thanks for all the information! I’ve just made an appointment for a clinic in Tokyo and I have a STRONG feeling its the same one. Could you please send me an email and let me know if my hunch is correct?
Hi Daphne, I have emailed you. :)
Hi Jessica,
Thank you for the article. I was also thinking to have a lasik operation in Japan but I would never choose this clinic for sure. May I also ask the name in order to avoid it? Thank you.
Hi Antonios, I have emailed you. :)
Hi Jessica, before everything else I would like to Thank you for this information I have just started to do some research and I’m glad I came across your story I am also thinking of going to Japan for my ICL surgery and have a holiday at the same time. Could you please share to me the clinic you went to so I can avoid them at all cost.
All the best.
Chris
Hi Chris, I have sent you an email. :)
Thanks. Very helpful. Could you share the name of the clinic and any other research. Much appreciated.
Hi Joe, I have sent you an email. :)
Hi Jessica! Can you please share the name of the clinic? I just made my appointment yesterday on a clinic and want to know if it is the same one.
Hi Diogo, I’ve sent you an email. :)
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for the great article.
I was considering getting LASIK done in Tokyo but I am now going to do a lot more research before making a move.
Could you please send me the name of the clinic so that I may cross it off my list?
Thanks again!
Hi Joseph, I have emailed you. :)
Hi Jessica, thanks for this very helpful story! I’d be grateful if you could share the name of the clinic.
Hi Joe, I have sent you an email. :)
Hello! I’m pretty sure I know which clinic you’re talking about. I booked an appointment with them for 3 weeks from now, and I have been doing my research. So far the reviews are similar to your story, which is really discouraging. My question is, their website says that they speak english and I can manage without an interpreter. Is this advisable? I’m really reluctant to ask my friend to accompany me as it might mean an entire day in waiting rooms for her. Am I being stupid for considering going there on my own, and, if i decide to go through with the surgery, taking public transport after? Thanks!
Hi Jill,
I will send you an email with the name of the clinic, but for the benefit of other readers I will address your other questions here. If it is the same clinic, they do have some doctors who speak English, but the rest of the interactions were all in Japanese (reception, all the eye tests and preliminary eye procedures, explanation of the different procedures). Once you get to the point of speaking to a doctor, you should be able to converse in at least some English. Only you can know how confident you feel in your language abilities and navigating something like this in a second language.
I personally would not recommend going alone for something as serious as eye surgery. Not gonna lie, it will be a lot of waiting around for your friend (essentially it’s in and out of the waiting room for several hours for various tests, and then waiting around during the procedure and after, if you do decide to go through with it) and if they think you are OK to do some tests without an interpreter, they may ask your friend to wait outside. That happened to me when I went into the dark room. They said to my friend that I seemed to understand and it’s pitch black in there so just to wait outside for that one. But to answer your second question, you should definitely have someone accompanying you home. I was already in a bit of a dream state from the anesthesia for one of the tests and your eyes will be very sensitive if you do have the procedure.
So, yes, it is a lot to ask someone to spend their whole day to help you with this, but if you have someone you can ask, do it. Just do something really nice for them to thank them for their time, and be there for them whenever they need you. If you still feel uncomfortable asking someone to be there most of the day with you, I’m sure there are options. For example, you could find and pay for an interpreter. That way, you don’t have to worry about inconveniencing them because that is their job. And then have a friend meet you at the clinic to help you home. Perhaps the interpreter could help you with this aspect too if they are willing to provide that service.
I have “winged it” in lots of situations in Japan, but I cannot recommend it for this one. Whether you end up feeling you needed an interpreter for all of it or not, it is much better than the other way around, plus having someone to accompany you home is the only really safe option. It’s also nice to have someone there with you for support if/when you get nervous.
All the very best and do let us know how you get on with it all.
Hello, thank you so much for reply! You’re right, I may have underestimated this procedure and overestimated my prideful independence. Haha! I really appreciate the time you took to talk about your experience and to give me options. I’ll let you know how it goes for me!
You’re very welcome, Jill! All the best!
Hi Jessica, thank you for sharing the experience. I am considering LASIK in Tokyo but have doubts regarding the procedures in Japan, and would be grateful if you could share name of this clinic as well as others you might have looked into. All the best!
Hi Maria, I have sent you an email. :)
Hi Jessica!
Thank you so much for sharing this experience of yours. I’m glad I came across this because I’m seriously taking into consideration getting Lasik Surgery here in Japan. Do you mind sharing the name of that Clinic? Thank you!
Hi Razelle, I have sent you an email. :)
Hi Jessica,
I’m sorry to read about your experience.
I had a similar experience with English speaking dentists in Tokyo. Feeling like you’re in a sales pitch and they have no regard for your future health… Hoping to get LASIK soon and would rather not go through that issue again.
Would you be able to share the name of the clinic with me?
Thank you.
Hi Jenny, I have emailed you. :)
Oh my, I’m so happy to find your story! Thank you for sharing, Jessica. I’ve been contemplating about getting LASIK and I think I should go to some clinics to compare before making any decision. I mean.. it’s our EYES.
Do you mind sharing the name of the clinic? And have you gone to any other clinics? 😊
Have a good summer!
Hi Agnes, I have emailed you. :)
Hi there, I went in for a consultation at a clinic recently and your experience sounds very similar to mine. Can you please email me the clinic name? I am also debating if I should go ahead or cancel the surgery or not.
Hi Aki, I have sent you an email. :)
Hi Jessica. I think I know what clinic you’re taking about. I was also interested in them. Can you also email me the name? Should I also be worried? If they tell me I’m not good for Lasik I’ll also probably leave.
Hi Jon, I have emailed you. :)
Do you speak and understand japanese?maybe there is a misunderstanding between you and the staff and doctor at the hospital,Japan is a very strick country when it comes things like this,they are very much careful with there reputation,specially hospitals,next time you have to bring japanese interpreter with you to fully understood what truly hospital staff and doctor explaination,just a piece of my opinion☺sorry for my broken english,God bless
Hi Jade, if I had gone alone without the necessary language skills, I would agree. However, I had lived in Japan a long time, gone to many hospital and medical appointments, and you’ll see in the post that I did bring a Japanese interpreter with me just in case. She advised me to leave as well. There was no misunderstanding. I wish there had of been.
Hi Jessica, living in tokyo here as well. I’m starting to look at options and what you tell is quite scary.
Just by hearing how they treat human modifications as a plain business like that freaks me out.
Would it be possible to get the name of such clinic? Thanks a lot!
Hi Cano, I’ve sent you an email. :)
Hi ! can i ask for the name of the clinic ? i just recently booked mine too in Tokyo.
Hi Aleli, I have emailed you. :)
Hi Jessica, could you please also share the name of the clinic with me? I’m considering Lasik as well and of couese want to avoid going to such a pushy sales driven place.
Thanks!
Hi May, I have emailed you. :)
Yeah..I just went shina**** today and they told me that my nearsighted is quite bad and I have to take the plan which costs 560k yen and I chose to stop the procedure.. oh my naked eyes life …..gone
Hi Ken, I’m so sorry it didn’t work out for you either. Not that I think a medical procedure should be evaluated simply on price alone because any surgery shouldn’t be taken lightly. But I wonder if it’s worth getting a second opinion? In any case, all the very best. I know it’s frustrating not being able to see well with your naked eyes. I ended up trying contacts and I wear those when I need to see really clearly and don’t want to wear glasses. Been at home the past few months so haven’t had to worry about it much. Although I am due for another eye test. Hopefully my eyesight hasn’t declined further!
Hi Jessica, thanks for telling us your experience.
I’m also trying to get a correction on my eyes, would you mind sharing the name of the clinic with too?
Hi Lopes, I have sent you an email. :)
Hi Jessica, great read- thanks for sharing your experience. I’m doing my due diligence on Lasik Clinics in Tokyo and would also appreciate if you could share the name of the clinic where you almost had surgery done. Any other insight on other clinics would be much appreciated too. Thanks!
Hi Richie, I have emailed you. :)
Hi Jessica, thanks for sharing your experience! Would you mind sharing the name of the clinic with me as well?
Thanks for reading, Yushi. I’ve just emailed you. :)
hi jessica, may i know the name of the clinic?
Hi Sarah, I have emailed you. :)
Hi Jessica, you’re probably tired of this by now but could you email me the name of the clinic you went to? Also, have you found a better clinic since you wrote this? Thanks for the article and the help.
Hi Correy, I’ve sent you an email. :)
Hi there – I live in Saitama and I’m thinking of getting this done as well…can you please email me the clinic’s name and any others you’ve researched on? Thanks so much!!
Hi Tania, I have sent you an email. :)
Hi! I’m planning to have a Lasik surgery here in tokyo too. Can you tell me which clinic you went to? Thank you so much!
Hi Kimiko, I have sent you an email. :)
Please email me the name of the place and address and phone you visited for lasik consultation . I am traveling with my family from new york to tokyo for a 8 day vacation in august and thinking of getting lasik or ICL surgery . have some family members lived in tokyo . thanks alot
@furhan malik: Hey I just got the LASIK procedure done in Tokyo. Send me an email at davenlu1989 (at ) g-mail and I would be happy to talk with you about it. Sorry to be commenting on your site Jessica. Hoping I can offer some help to someone else in need.
Thank you, Dave! Hope you had a better experience than I! Farhan, I have sent you an email as well. :)
Ms Jessica,. Thank you for the information. All the replies from strangers has helped me in my search for eye surgery. I am moving to Japan and would like my eyes to be worked on. Please email the name of a reputable eye clinic you used or you know if that I do not have to worry about is practices. Aloha for your Kokua.
Hi Sawaguchi san, I have sent you an email. :)
Hi Jessica, thank you so much for the post. I am scheduled for lasic tomorrow. Could I know the name of the clinic you went to please :)
Thanks
Hi Yu, I have sent you an email. :) All the best for tomorrow!
“your nose was too big for the tecnique you choosed” LOL!! Just in Japan where everyone has a small nose someone could have said that!! No wonder people say Japan is really a different place.
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Same comment as many others. What was the clinic name? Please can you let me know?
I too am teetering on the edge of getting surgery in Japan but am nervous and my Japanese is limited too. I want to avoid the dodgy clinics.
Also, did you research if anywhere in Tokyo offers the SMILE technique? i am struggling to find anything.
Thanks
Jamie
Hi Jamie,
No clinic in Tokyo is currently actively promoting the SMILE technique. I get the feeling that they are not as happy with the outcomes of this technique (slow recovery?). It seems that many clinics are shifting from LASIK to ICL as their preferred technique. All ICL surgeons need to be certified, so I would not worry too much about the level of care. Most doctors speak some English.
Hi Jamie, I have sent you an email. :)
Hi Jessica,
The ICL (Implantable Contact Lens) option is actually quite popular now in Europe and Asia, and is not just for people with thin or irregular shaped corneas. Recently ICL has become a high quality option also for people with regular corneas in the lower myopic range. ICL adds a lens to your eyes (lens implantation) instead of removing part of your cornea, which means that ICL lenses can be removed, while LASIK is non reversible.
In the past you would have to wait for months to get your lenses, but now most clinics can provide treatment soon.
There are quite a few clinics now in Japan offering ICL with English speaking doctors. Simply call a few clinics and ask if they have an English speaking doctor available.
From my own research on this, it is:
– the most invasive procedure
ICL is inserted inside the eye, beyond the cornea and deep behind the pupil.
– not advisable to participate in contact sports
as the ICL may dislodge or injure internal structures.
– increases the risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma.
– there is a real 1 in 1,000 eyes fear of the eye going fully blind from a bad post-op infection.
Best to wait a few more years and then do a RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange), that is painless and eliminates cataracts in future.
1) Comment: The most invasive procedure. ICL is inserted inside the eye, beyond the cornea and deep behind the pupil.
Reply: Yes ICL is an intraocular procedure whereby the lens is placed in front of the natural lens and behind the iris. ICL makes a 3 mm cut just like done with cataract surgeries. LASIK cuts and removes tissue by creating a flap and grinding off the cornea, while also cutting the nerves in your cornea making it an irreversible procedure.
2) Comment: Not advisable to participate in contact sports as the ICL may dislodge or injure internal structures.
Reply: With contact sports you can displace the flap of your LASIK procedure. In the worst case the ICL lens becomes dislodged, which can be fixed by the surgeon. I have not heard of any injuries to internal structures since the ICL material is very soft. Here is an abstract of someone in a war zone environment wearing eye protection where the ICL lenses remained stable after a grenade explosion:
Abstract: “To report traumatic injury of a patient implanted with Visian Implantable Collamer (ICL) (STAAR Surgical) lenses. A 31-year-old man underwent bilateral implantation of Visian ICLs in 2006. Eight months postoperatively, the patient was serving in a combat zone and sustained blunt and fragmentation injuries from a grenade explosion. He was wearing full battle gear, which included ballistic-tested sunglasses, at the time of the assault. Large intraorbital foreign bodies and globe trauma were identified as a result of the grenade explosion. Visual acuity was unaffected and the phakic intraocular lenses remained stable. This first report of combat trauma in a patient implanted with bilateral phakic ICLs emphasizes the importance of eye protection. Further study of the stability and cataract formation rates in eyes that sustain blunt trauma after ICL implantation is needed.” (B McCauley, Matthew & M Anderson, Daniel & J Johnson, Anthony. (2008). Posterior chamber Vision Implantable Collamer Lens: Stability and evaluation following traumatic grenade explosion. Journal of refractive surgery (Thorofare, N.J. : 1995). 24. 648-51.)
3) Comment: Increases the risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma.
Reply: “No visually significant cataracts have been reported to date following EVO implantation with up to 5 years of follow-up, and the incidence of nonvisually significant ASC opacities has remained low.” About glaucoma, elevated intraocular pressure is rare: “A single case of pupillary block was reported by Senthil et al, who noted that “the central aquaport of the ICL was blocked with viscoelastic and inflammatory debris.” (The Implantable Collamer Lens with a central port: review of the literature, 2018).
4) Comment: There is a real 1 in 1,000 eyes fear of the eye going fully blind from a bad post-op infection.Best to wait a few more years and then do a RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange), that is painless and eliminates cataracts in future.
Reply: RLE removes the natural lens from your eye and thereby ability of your eye to focus at an early age (RLE is basically a cataract surgery at an early age). The RLE procedure removes your natural lens, but for the rest the procedure is similar to ICL. Why prefer RLE if it has the same very small risk of infection as ICL? I have not heard of any report of someone going blind after an ICL procedure. Basically if there would be a problem with the ICL, it can be removed, whereas RLE and LASIK are not reversible.
Hi Jessica,
I’m also on the verge of getting Lasik in Tokyo.
Can you please tell me the name of the clinic you went to?
I may know others who have been to the same one..
thanks in advance!
Hi Anthony, I have sent you an email. :)
Hello Jessica, thanks for the detailed article. I am also looking into Lasik in Tokyo, grateful if you could share the name of the clinic (and any other clinic you looked into). Thanks again!
Hi Hugues, I have sent you an email. :)
Hello! I’m looking into LASIK in Tokyo. Could you email me the clinic name? My nose is kind of big, so I’m really curious about that (didn’t have that problem before when I had a consultation a few years ago). Thanks!
Hi Lee, I have just emailed you. :)
Hi Jessica.
Please email me the name of the place you visited. Thanks.
Hi Fahd, I’ve emailed you. :)
Hi, Jessica!
I just stumbled upon your experience for having LASIK in Japan. I was planning to get it here, but now I’m wary since I also still suck in Nihongo and I’d rather understand everything the doctor says. May I ask which clinic this is? Thank you.
Hi April, I have just emailed you. :)
Hello, Jessica ! Thank you very much for such an interesting and informative article !
I am looking for a clinic for my mom to do her cataract surgery, may I ask you to advise my on this mattar, as there is very limited amount of information in English.
I am also debating whether Korea or Japan is better.
Hi Arya, thank you for reading! Unfortunately I am not in a position to give advice on cataract or any other surgery, and where would be best to do it. I can only tell you that in my quest for Lasik surgery in Tokyo, my personal experience was not a good one. My general advice would be to do lots of research, which I know can be hard when there is limited information available in English. For something as serious as surgery, I would recommend going to a doctor who is proficient in English. Of course that shouldn’t be your only criteria, but you need to be sure you understand the procedure and feel comfortable with it, which is very difficult if you can’t communicate freely. Perhaps this may mean paying more for the procedure elsewhere.
All the very best with your search and I hope you find a suitable solution for your mom very soon!
Hello, Jessica. Thank you for taking the time to put this blog up. I’m planning on having Lasik done, too. As with others, I’d like to know the name of the clinic your went to so I can avoid it. Best wishes for your future eyesight.
Hi Gary, I have sent you an email. :)
Hi Jessica,
Do you mind sharing this wit me as well? I’m looking for a clinic in Tokyo, but will be weary of this nose business.
Thank you!
Mike
Hi Mike, I have just emailed you. :)
I am glad that you trusted yourself! May I also have the name of the clinic? It sounds sketchy….
I would be so grateful for your help!
All the best,
Lu
Hi Lu, thanks so much. I have just emailed you. :)
Hi Jessica, very thankful that you shared this kind of important information. Recently I am also considering to have a lasik in Japan, could you send me the name of the clinic? And maybe some recommendation? Thank you very much.
Hi Stephen, I’ve emailed you. :)
A nice article.
Could you tell me the name of the clinic please?
Best
Hi Jack, I have just emailed you. :)
That’s quite an experience right out of a horror page! In general, prices are steeper in some Japanese and Singapore Lasik clinics, but such a clinic leery of profiteers in the refractive surgery is definitely unethicaly and unacceptable.
Forgot to mention that I am from Vancouver Canada, where medical practitioners put their patients interests first. And Lasik prices are very affordable.
Thanks for chiming in, Amme. Yes, this was definitely not the experience I was expecting!
Hi
Late to the party here but am researching getting my eyes done in Tokyo and also want to know the name of this clinic please!
Very helpful piece!
Thanks.
Thank you, Elizabeth! Have just sent you an email. :)
Hola porfavor puedes mandarme el nombre de la. Clínica para no ir ?
Es que voy a ir a una en tokyo y tal vez es esa que tu dice ,gracias
Hola Javier, I have just sent you an email. :)
Can I have the name of the clinic? Thanks
Just sent you an email, Chua. :)
Hi Jessica,
Very informative article. Thank you for sharing it. I am planning to have lasik operation in Tokyo. Can you please disclose the name of the clinic in order to avoid it.
Will be very grateful. Thanks in advance.
I’ve just sent you an email, Rimpa. :)
I just made an appointment next week at a clinic and it sounds like the clinic you went to. Can you PM me the name?
Hi Robert, I have just emailed you. :)
Hi Jessica, im planning to have my lasik done in tokyo too. What was the name of the clinic u went and is there a clinic u would recommend instead? Thank you so much
Hi Nina, I have just sent you an email. :)
Informative! I’ve been considering LASIK too but have been wary. What was the name of the clinic you went to ?
Hi Adenikee, I have just sent you an email. :)
Hello Jessica. Thank you for your sharing! May I know the name of clinic that you choose? My father is planning on getting the eye surgery in Japan.
Hi Sijie, I have just sent you an email. :)
hi carlo,
have you done your lasik at sapporo shinagawa? how was it? i am planning to have it too … thank you
hello,
may i know what clinic did you visit.? thank you
Hi Anna, I have just sent you an email. :)
Hey Jessica, what clinic should I avoid if I were to have this procedure in Japan?
Hi Jessica, im planning to have my lasik done in tokyo too. What was the name of the clinic u went and is there a clinic u would recommend instead? Thank you so much
Replied. :)
Hi! I wanted to do the lasik surgery for a long time since I started to live in Japan. I just want to know the name of the clinic so I could avoid it :)
Thanks a lot for posting your experience!
Hi Louise, I have just emailed you. :)
May I know which clinic did you visit here in Japan? Thank you in advance!
Hi Ann, I just emailed you. :)
Hello Jessica, I have been considering eye lasik for many years now and have almost made up my mind to go for it next month. After reading your article, I have a horrible feeling that it might be the same clinic that I’m planning to go to. Would appreciate very much if you could email me the name of the clinic you went to.
Thanking you in advance,
Hi Naomi, I have sent you an email. :)
Hello Ms. Jessica. Thank you for sharing your experience. I am planing to do lasik surgery here in sapporo Shinagawa. I would like to know if they are accepting the health insurance issued by my company. Thank you for your kind response.
Hi Carlo,
If you are referring to your company paying for your national health insurance, then I’d say they probably won’t accept it as it’s an optional surgery. If it’s some kind of private insurance fund though it may be different. Unfortunately, I cannot confirm for sure either way. I can only say that national health insurance was not accepted at the clinic I went to in Tokyo.
All the best!
Hey Jessica! I’m considering getting the surgery done as well. I registered at Shinagawa Kinshi Clinic, and already, I’m starting to feel nervy about their process. Is that the one you went with? If yes, do tell so I can pull out now! Thanks in advance!
Hi Kerona,
I have emailed you. :)
I am planning to have lasik operation this spring here in japan but i honestly prepare to do in Philippines where my husband got his eye operation and the operation done by one of the best eye doctor. May i ask what clinic did you visit here in japan?
Marivic, I have sent you an email. :)
Very interesting indeed. Very similar story happened to me in Japan just yesterday. As you, I had a 1Day lasik pre-op exam and lasik. The lady, even before starting measuring my eyes, recommended ICL. I told her, thank you but I prefer lasik, she was like “yes but ICL is very good too…”
After the tests were done, the doctor told me some weird stuff about the curvature of my right eye and that I was not a good candidate for lasik, therefore, my only choice was to do ICL. I had planned to do the most expensive lasik procedure (400,000 Y), but ICL was even more expensive (700,000Y). Same as you, I did a little research in google about “lasik vs ICL” and the requirements for being a good lasik candidate. Nowhere did I find that the “curvature bla bla” was a thing for not being a good candidate. Also saw that ICL is recommended to people with extremely high grades of myopia, which is not even my case.
Anyway, I trusted my gut and cancelled the whole thing. They just wanted to sell me the most expensive procedure they had.
I was considering going to the other lasik clinic in Tokyo (which is supposedly the most commonly used) but after your story and my experience, I am considering not doing here at all. Could you please tell me the name of the clinic you went?
Thanks a lot for your story!
Sorry to hear you had a similar experience! I’m glad though that we can share these experiences online and help each other out! I have sent you an email. :)
What a terrible experience. I agree you made the right choice. Can you please tell use the name of this clinic so we make sure to avoid it? I’m trying to find a reputable place.
Sent you an email, Matt. :)
Enjoying your blog. The clinic sounds so incredibly sketchy that I’m really glad you backed out. I’m all for coupons but healthwise, I avoid eye and dental places that offer them.
But I think it’s fairly likely (unless you’ve pursued it since) that you just aren’t a candidate and they were just reluctant to give up on getting money from you. I’m not; apparently my eyesight is too bad to warrant lasik (too thin lens). One eye is borderline but it’s the other eye, that is worse, that I would like improved. I got all excited last year when the doctor said I might be a possibility for lens replacement, but then it turns out I have to be in my 40s to have that done. And then there’s the fact that eyes change with age so lasik often doesn’t last and I’d be back in glasses.
So frustrating! I just want to be able to navigate my house without glasses or camp without worrying about contacts.
Anyway- I encourage you to try soft contacts. It adds only a few seconds onto your routine, they aren’t hard to keep clean, and there are actually a lot of pluses (situations in which you can wear them, like with swim goggles) when you can’t wear glasses. I hate wearing my glasses to yoga or The gym because I sweat, I hate wearing them in the rain because it can be hard to see. Contacts involve less glare when driving at night or in snow. (But you might be able to do the gym without glasses- if so I’m jealous- I’m really, really blind. I stepped on a broken bathroom hook last week getting out of the shower because I need glasses just to get around my apartment).
P.S. having a bit of trouble navigating your blog and it’s probably because I am on my mobile. Are there tags or lists of subject specific posts somewhere? I found your site because I’m going to Tokyo next week and I’m looking for sightseeing or food ideas. Thanks!
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I am now using contact lenses and am doing well with them. I’m going to stick to them for now. :)
As for your trip, that’s great you’re coming to Tokyo! There should be an icon with three horizontal lines at the top that, when clicked on, should bring down a list of categories to explore. But I’ll paste the link to the Japan category here anyway: https://notesofnomads.com/tag/japan/ Weirdly, I don’t have a lot up on Tokyo at the moment (have a stack of posts in the works). If you’d like some more advice, just shoot me an email via the Contact page with some info about the types of things you’d like to experience and I can send you a few suggestions. Have a wonderful trip! :)
You made the right decision for you. Getting eyes lasered is NOT like getting a wart removed!
I had Lasik surgery in Vancouver Canada in 2002. (LasikMD.com) It was more of a multi-day affair with lots of time to digest the info received. I was definitely told that Lasik surgery wouldn’t eliminate the need for glasses; but it would greatly reduce it. (All eyes change shape as we age; even after surgery).
I had ‘binocular vision’ done where the right eye is focused for distance and left for book and computer reading. While I can legally drive without glasses, I wear a pair that makes signs a bit more distinct.
I get some flaring around bright lights and the glasses help with that.
I am glad that I had the surgery done but it definitely is not for everyone.
I think you definitely made the right decision! It all sounds a bit rushed and strange. I don’t believe the nose argument at all. I think you should try contact lenses. I’ve been wearing them since I was a teenager and have never had any problems with travelling. These days I go for the one day disposable ones (acuvue moist- so comfortable. I’ve had cheaper ones before and these are the best. This is not a sales pitch haha!). Of course you have to make a bit of space in your bag, but it’s really not much. It’s easy to pop then in once you get used to it, I don’t need a mirror or anything, just clean hands! Then you just chuck them away every night before bed (or if you need to take them out before, for some reason, you can without worrying about carrying solution and a case to keep them in). I always keep a couple of spares in my handbag too just in case. Easy. I’ve found it easy to just walk into a store and restock in East Asian countries like China and Korea. And you can just take a copy of your prescription for places that might be a bit more strict. Go for it!
Thank you for a very interesting article.
Thanks for reading, Steve!
I’m glad you trusted instincts and shared this for others. For anything medical I try to get second opinion and research surgeon credentials and meet him/her before doing anything. Safety over convenience.
I’ve worn contacts since the age of 12 and they arent as much work as you think (the cost is about $150 for a year for my monthly contacts). I bring back up pair and glasses when I travel. I did look at LASIK years ago but the doctor rejected me saying “if you were my sister I’d say no” due to my astigmatism. He said to wait a few years to see if they get better options.
As for treatment time, most folks I know who did get LASIK do go into glasses again at some point as your eyes age so it’s not a long term permanent solution for most.
Hi Suzanne,
Thanks for sharing your experience. I definitely agree about wanting to meet the doctor beforehand – this should be standard procedure, but it doesn’t seem to be the case at all clinics. At least your doctor seemed to have your best interests at heart and didn’t push you to do the surgery.
Lasik technology is improving all the time so you may have more options in the not too distant future. But, you’re absolutely right, Lasik doesn’t do anything to stem age-related eyesight loss. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to do it now, so that I could (hopefully) get a good amount of years out of the procedure.
But I am thinking more and more now about the possibility of using contacts. I don’t like the idea of putting them in, but I guess many people feel the same when they first start using them. $150 a year was definitely not as much as I was expecting, I guess it depends on your prescription and the type of contacts, but it could certainly be an affordable option.
Thanks for sharing!
Always listen to your heart. You did good my friend. I’ve thought about Lasik but can’t afford it at the moment and I remember my optician of many years telling me that my eyes are in puberty a few years back, so I’d have to wait. I hate glasses for the same reasons you state, but I’ll live.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Kerwin! Yes, in the end, we will live. Haha If it’s meant to be, then it will happen. At least we still have a means to see; there’s always that. :)
I’m glad you walked out of there as you did, well done. Yvonne Dixon
Thank you, Yvonne! It was definitely the right decision! :)
I’ve got quite bad eyes… With -5.x etc. BUT: I’m not driving motorbike or wear helmet or safety glasses at work…
Some friends of mine had the laser correction and they are all satisfied with it. (I’m from Germany) Some said I have to do this as well because it’s just a day trouble and after that everything is fine… But: Honestly. I’m to afraid and I didn’t even try contact lenses because it’s very incenvenient to touch my eyes when they are open or let them touch .. So, I’ve to my glasses since I was 9 and I think I’ll have them when I die… (But now I need glasses to read as well… Yes… Getting old) So, laser correction is nothing for me… I’m not brave enough … Even when it’s not dangerous.
Hi Uwe, thanks for sharing your story. Lasik’s not for everyone and that’s OK. I think most people, even those who go through with Lasik, are very scared to do it. I’ve heard that contact lenses are not so bad once you get used to putting them in and taking them out, but I too am a bit freaked out about touching my eyes. Haha There’s nothing wrong with wearing glasses. We just have to learn to “own it” and be confident in ourselves. :)
Hi Jessica. What clinic did you go to? I’m planning on getting my eye surgery too.
Hi Jimmy, I have just emailed you. :)
Hello Jessica. Thank you for your sharing! May I know the name of clinic did you choose? My father is planning on getting the eye surgery in Japan.