LASIK - My Experience

I have some friends who had LASIK performed on them earlier in the year. So, I asked them about their experience and for recommendations. I actually made an appointment with one of the centers that a friend went to. After finding out that my insurance only covered going to one center in particular, I canceled that appointment and made one at the place I was being forced to go. That place (as I have already mentioned) is called LASIK Plus.

When you have your initial visit, it takes about 90 minutes from start to finish. They perform a comprehensive eye exam, you watch a video about LASIK, and then you see an Optometrist who makes a specific recommendation for you. They actually have a computer that determines your exact prescription and that is then verified by the Optometrist. Based on my prescription and the amount of Astigmatism I had, it was recommended for me to have Custom LASIK performed.

I had the option of having the surgery on the day I had my exam but, even though I knew I wanted it, it was not a good day for me. I inquired about anxiety medication since my friend said she had some when she got her eyes done and they said they do prescribe Xanax but to call the day before the surgery for them to call it in to the pharmacy. I got my antibiotic eye drop prescription and my "show" time for the surgery and went home. Little did I know that Tropical Storm Edouard would make getting the Xanax prescription impossible. Eh, you live, learn, and then tell others right?

There were a few worries at the top of my mind when the day of the surgery came along. I was worried about how long the procedure would take and about how long my eyes would be open. Would they dry out? Would I have an insatiable urge to blink? Those worries were nothing compared to the panic-stricken thoughts about not being able to see clearly ever again that would come later. I got to the office and filled out some paperwork including the financing paperwork. See, that's what cinched it for me. I could finance, interest-free, for 12 months. How could I say no to that? From what I have heard from some friends, many places demand that you pay 100% of the cost up front. That's another great bit about LASIK Plus.

After filling out the paperwork, they wanted to map my left eye one more time. So, we did that. Then I talked to the doctor, who explained everything that would be happening. I would have the corneal flap created by one machine in one room and then walk over to the other room where I would have the LASIK done. The doctor talked me through each of the procedures and answered any questions I had. He was very nice.

When I laid down on the table for the corneal flap, the nervousness sunk in. But I knew there would be no instruments coming toward my eye and that was minimally comforting. (This is the first time the Xanax would have been of some help) They put a "patch" on my left eye and then set what I can only describe as a plastic circle around my right eye. I knew the procedure took about 30 seconds and the doctor dutifully kept me appraised about how much time was left. When they got to the left eye, it was a little scarier since I knew what was coming but everything went fine.

Then I got up and walked over to the other room with the OTHER laser that would correct my vision. The doctor told me that it was kind of loud and there would be a smell like burned hair. They taped open my eye (I was able to "blink" if I had to) and then went to work. First they took a pressure reading and did some maneuvering of my eye to get the flap open. Then, I had to look at some orange blinky lights. Each eye took less than 1 minute for the procedure to be complete and, again, the right eye went smoother. If I had to guess I'd say they had a little trouble getting the flap on the left eye open but they did and it went smoothly. After the surgery was complete, I was given sunglasses to wear for the remainder of the day (and at night for three nights). The doctor told me that when surgery was finished I would be able to see like I was underwater and that was a pretty good analogy. Things were clear (and getting clearer by the minute) but very hazy like there was a mist surrounding everything.

We then drove home and I was instructed to do what I needed to do to go to sleep. My eyes felt so very tired since they were just stressed and I thought that going to sleep wouldn't be a problem. Boy was I wrong. I went to bed after being home for about 30 minutes or so and I couldn't get to sleep. Every time I closed my eyes I felt what seemed like an enormous pressure building and yet I couldn't keep my eyes open. This is when the freaking out started and I was wishing to all that is Holy that I had the Xanax I was promised. I KNEW I had to sleep but I couldn't get over the pressure feeling no matter how hard I tried. So I took some Tylenol PM. Yeah, that took over an hour to kick in (it was such a long hour too filled with worries that I would never see clearly again). FINALLY I was able to sleep for a couple of hours and when I woke up things were still hazy but the pressure was gone and I felt much better.

I felt even better when I woke up yesterday morning. The haze was even less (though still present and I believe caused mostly by the anti-inflammatory drops). I could drive just fine and my vision was still improving. By the end of the day my vision was as if I needed a new prescription but I could see fine for the most part.

I had my follow-up appointment yesterday afternoon and I am seeing 20/30 with both eyes. This is after my uncorrected vision was about 20/1200, YESTERDAY. Not too bad for 1 surgery and 24 hours of healing, huh? And the Optometrist said it should get even better over the coming months. I also have two bruises on my left eye, which is very common and should clear up over the next few weeks.

I have another follow-up scheduled in early September. I'll have another update at that time! If you are considering LASIK, I hope I have helped you to make a decision.