LASIK
Yesterday I had my LASIK (Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) surgery - basically laser eye surgery which alleviates the need for glasses or contact lenses. I am typing this blog post free of glasses or contact lenses which is a miracle!! Previous to the surgery (which only took about 20 minutes) I would have had to have had my nose pressed up against the screen to even see what I was typing!
Click on the pic to watch a LASIK procedure (not mine). But here's a rundown:
I had to wear a surgical cap and those plastic surgical covers over my shoes...I guess that added to the whole theatrics of it all!
They placed anasthetic eye drops in and I lay on a table with my head cushioned in a head rest, I assume so I wouldn't move it. I had to stare at this red light and apparently I didn't do a good job of that which means my eyes are taking a bit longer to heal...I don't have 20/20 vision yet, but hopefully I'll be able to see crystal clear by 4 weeks time at the latest. At the moment I can read, watch TV, drive etc but anything too strenuous like staring at a computer screen can cause me headaches...
Anyway, back to the red light...in my defence, it wasn't just a red light...it was a flickering red light and it was set amongst other flickering flashing green lights (from what I can remember). So basically it was like a laser show and I had to concentrate on the light in the middle...obviously not a strength of mine! I get easily distracted lol
They then placed a sheet over my eye (a bit like a piece of contact) to stick my eye open. The doctor then proceeded to cut a slit in the plastic and inserted the clamps to hold my eye open (I didn't feel it at all on my right eye but it was slightly uncomfortable on my left).
Following this, he dabbed my eye gently with something in about 4 places but I didn't feel this at all. Then he advised he would be applying stronger pressure and the light would dim or disappear...having something pressing down on your eyeball and then having your vision black out while you're awake and essentially watching it all is a bit bizarre and dare I say slightly unnerving. I didn't really like that part!
The actual laser part followed...slight whirring noise but I didn't really smell it (some people can smell the laser). This didn't hurt at all and after both eyes were done I was led to a room to sit back on a chair with my eyes closed for afew minutes. Upon opening my eyes, things were a little blurry but they advised this was normal and that my eyesight would improve over the next 24 hours (which it did).
I was given shields to wear at bedtime but other than that I walked out with nothing over my eyes.
I didn't experience any pain afterwards - no gritty sensation or anything as described which was excellent! Just a slight sting when I put one set of drops in but that only lasted a few seconds.
My challenge now is not to rub my eyes for one whole MONTH!!!! Don't know how that will happen...it's a big ask! Think about how many times you rub your eyes...
And no contact sports...which is fine...except I have a little munchkin living with me who has a powerful swinging arm...and has on many occassions got me straight in the eye! Pray for me as I dodge and weave over the next month...
That's it - I'll give you a later update and let you know how I go...hopefully I will get 20/20 vision and will not need reading glasses or will not have to re-do the procedure...
Happy to answer questions from anyone who wants to know anything.
Update 21st May 2012: Wow, didn't remember I had written all of the above but so glad I did! I wouldn't have remembered most of it. This is why I love my blog!!!
Anyway, today is the four year anniversary of my LASIK surgery and my eyes are doing okay. They did take a few weeks to adjust but other than that, I didn't have any problems.
I went back to the surgeon a week after writing the above post and he admitted that he thought he would have to do the surgery again. But to his amazement, when he tested my eyes, he discovered I had 20/20 vision. Quite amazing what technology and people can achieve these days!
If my eyes get really, really tired, my vision can become a bit blurred but nothing major - and it doesn't happen often. I do find driving at night sometimes difficult. I seem to have to focus more as street lights appear to have a halo...I wonder if other people with normal vision see the same though?
The one thing I have yet to do is change my Driver's Licence to reflect the fact that I no longer need to wear glasses when driving! I was pulled over for a Random Breath Test once and I nearly copped a hefty fine for not having glasses on. What if I had said I was wearing contacts? Would they just accept that? Does anybody know? I will get to the RTA eventually and have the records changed...it's on my To Do list!
The last canvas is of my gorgeous and latest niece Alessia! She's just too cute - and Thomas and Daniel adore her! I can't believe how gentle they are with her! They are so rough with each other!!