Friday, July 27, 2012

20/15

That is my current visual acuity. Amazing, huh?

Yesterday was my big LASIK surgery day. Up until the day I wasn't really nervous. Yesterday, it all changed. I started second guessing if I wanted to go through with it. I am not someone that handles pain very well, and being that this surgery was elective, I felt that maybe I shouldn't succumb myself to unnecessary pain. Let's be honest, the doctor was going to cut a flap on my cornea, laser my eye, and replace the flap all while I was wide awake. Ugh.

The surgery itself was obviously not very enjoyable or comfortable. I am someone who doesn't do too bad with things on my eyes, but this was so bizarre. There was one point where they put a piece of equipment over my eye and pressed down to the point where my vision went black. Thankfully, the doc was counting down, so I knew how long to expect to not see. There was some drops and messing with my eye, and then the laser came down. This step was so quick, although it smelled like burning. Some more drops, and then I could tell the doc was replacing my cornea flap because I could see him smoothing something over my eye using a tool. Such a bizarre feeling to see someone touching your eye, but not be able to feel it. My eye was patched up and they moved to the next.

Once complete (probably less than 10 minutes), I opened my eyes. I could see things clear (they weren't blurry), but it was like I was looking through a foggy window. My eyes were irritated and sensitive, which was expected. They burned and would not stop watering. My cheeks were covered with tears streaming down my face. Once home, I went to bed. I had a hard time falling asleep because my eyes really burned, and the constant watering was making my nose run.

Four hours later Paul woke me up. The burning was gone. My eyes still felt like they had something in them, but once I put drops in I could keep them open easier. As the night went on they felt better and better. I could not believe that I could sit on my couch and see the clock on my oven without my glasses or contacts!

This morning I caught myself constantly looking for my glasses or trying to push my glasses back on my face. Such habits that have been engrained in my mind! Today my eyes don't hurt a bit. No burning. No watering. I had a follow-up appointment and could not believe how clear the road looked. My glasses were always pretty disgusting, so I don't think I was ever seeing clearly even with them on.

I will say that it has been money well spent, and it hasn't even been 24 hours! I never wore earrings because I always felt like it was too much with my glasses on. I rarely wore eye make up because I figured no one could see it anyway with my glasses on. I also rarely wore cute headbands or clips in my hair, because I also felt like it looked like too much with my glasses on. I don't think this of others who wear glasses, but for some reason I just didn't think I could pull it off.

All in all, it's been a great experience! I would recommend it to everyone! The surgery itself is kind of scary, but once you get passed that, it's easy breezy...and much clearer!

(BTW, if you are looking for a doctor, go to Keil Lasik.  Dr. Keil is amazing and his staff is phenomenal!  Great experience!)

2 comments:

Leslie G said...

thank you for your honest assessment. I've been considering this procedure for about a year now but something keeps holding me back... I'm not sure if it's the actual surgery that worries me or the recovery. I feel the EXACT same way about hair accessories, earrings and makeup! I'd love to do "fun" things like that again!

Emily said...

You're going to be all glammed up next time I see you. Big flower in your hair, extra eyeliner and big sparkly earrings. :)
I'm glad it went well for you!