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| Freedom from myopia! Conveniences of perfect eyesight! |
After a decade as a spectacle and contact lens wearer, I have finally decided to go for laser eye surgery (Lasik) in 2007.
I did this surgery with a stable myopic and astigmatic degree (Left eye, m:225 a:50. Right eye, m:250 a:100)
I did this surgery with a stable myopic and astigmatic degree (Left eye, m:225 a:50. Right eye, m:250 a:100)
Now, ten years later in 2017, let me share with you my eye lasik journey - during and after. Enjoy.
In year 2007...
Two weeks prior to the surgery, I have to stop wearing contact lens to 'rest my eyeballs', but this hassle is nothing compared to the perfect eyesight awaiting me.
There wasn't any fear while going through all the pre-surgery check ups until the day of the surgery...
I laid down on the operation bed surrounded by sci-fi looking machines while hubby waited outside. And I thought: Shit, this is the scariest thing I've ever done in my life. Someone's going to cut open my eye and I may lose my eyesight forever!
Before I have time to chicken out, my confident and cheery eye surgeon breezed into the room, dripped some numbing eye drops (local anesthesia) and got down to business immediately. Within minutes, all lights were on me, my eyelids were pulled apart by metal clamps to keep my eyes open, and the doctor began the operation.
Surgeon: Okay, now I'm going to cut a flap off your cornea and you'll feel some pressure.
Me: Ok
[I just felt something tugging at my eyeballs with no pain at all.]
Surgeon: Now look straight ahead and don't move your eyeballs. I am now going to start the laser procedure.
Me: Ok
[This is the hardest and scariest part, even though I've been practicing keeping my eyeball still and fixated on looking straight - any mishaps may cause dire consequences. And you know you signed on that document stating "... I understand that all surgery comes with their own risks..." ]
Then, SLIGHT BURNING SMELL... (from the laser on my eye!). I was so scared I prayed. Please... let everything be fine.
Surgeon: OK! Left eye is done! I am now going to put back your cornea flap. Relax and rest a little while now before we move on to the other eye.
Everything repeats for my right eye. The operation merely lasts for 15-20 minutes but it felt like the longest 15 mins of my life.
After that, two plastic eye plates were stuck onto my eye like goggles to protect the corneas from shifting. The most important thing now is to keep my corneas intact until they heal back on its own (around 1 week) and keep my eye area clean and moist with prescribed eye drops to prevent infection.
On the way back home, though my view was blocked by the semi-transparent 'goggles', I blinked and caught some glimpses of perfect vision. 😉
For the next few days, there was constant tearing from eye pain, but it's still bearable. And I returned to the clinic for a few scheduled check ups. Once, I even had an accident whereby my hubby poked into my eye and shifted my cornea. I tried shifting it back with my eyelids closed and prayed for a miracle.
Thankfully, a week or two after that, I felt perfectly okay and have finally got the perfect eyesight. 20/20. 😊
I was lucky to have no complications after the surgery. Like most patients, I only had dry eyes and difficulty seeing at night for the first few months. One of my hubby's friends actually needed re-surgery because of undercorrection and I've overheard another patient getting eye infections.
I was lucky to have no complications after the surgery. Like most patients, I only had dry eyes and difficulty seeing at night for the first few months. One of my hubby's friends actually needed re-surgery because of undercorrection and I've overheard another patient getting eye infections.
Ten years later in year 2017...
Ten years on, this is the state of my eyesight:
Left eye: Still perfect eyesight
Right eye: Slight myopia with slight astigmatism. (about 50 degrees each)
My right eye is not as sharp as my left (as in the beginning) but the difference doesn't bother me very much. My sister-in-law who has had the surgery has exactly the same condition. But we're still spectacle-free. I think this condition began to set in during the 5th year and became more obvious in recent years. Perhaps I've spent too much time on computers and ipad?
Now what I need to do is to maintain my current condition for as long as possible. Rest my eyes and look at something far ahead at every few blocks of screen time. If possible, refrain from using gadgets in the dark. If not, at least use a night light and adjust the screen brightness to its lowest.
Now what I need to do is to maintain my current condition for as long as possible. Rest my eyes and look at something far ahead at every few blocks of screen time. If possible, refrain from using gadgets in the dark. If not, at least use a night light and adjust the screen brightness to its lowest.
Conclusion of my eye laser surgery
It was worth it - slightly over $2k plus the surgery risks in exchange for a perfect view everytime I open my eyes for the past 10 years. No more hassles of buying and handling the contact lens, the lens solutions and spectacles.
Absolute convenience and freedom!
Although, my right eye is not perfect anymore but it doesn't matter much yet. Considering my hubby couldn't even have this chance as he has slight glaucoma. A little regret of his life.
Absolute convenience and freedom!
Although, my right eye is not perfect anymore but it doesn't matter much yet. Considering my hubby couldn't even have this chance as he has slight glaucoma. A little regret of his life.
Most eye lasik patients will turn out fine but inevitably, some will encounter complications. So weigh your individual pros and cons well before you decide on the eye-lasik surgery. Best of luck to you!