As most of you know, I am essentially blind without my contacts or glasses and have been since I was a kid. Even seeing the alarm clock in the middle night can be extreme difficult and frustrating. I have wore contacts for many years but they are a pain and can be uncomfortable, especially at high altitude. All of that changed yesterday.
Yesterday morning, after a great breakfast with some fellow Indigians at the hotel we stayed at after the company Christmas party (I am sure Erin will have a substantial post forthcoming on the party), we went down to TLC 2020 for my LASIK appointment. I was a little nervous about the procedure but I trusted the technology and the success statistics for the type of procedure I was undergoing, Custom Lasik and Intralase, were extremely high with 20/25 considered a failure. My ophthalmologist and surgeon both did a great job explaining the risks and the procedure I would be undergoing.
After a final round of paperwork signing I was taken to the back and sat down in a nice recliner for pre-surgery preparation which included cleaning the outer part of my eyes, 5mg of Valium, and antibiotic drops. The numbing drops would be applied while I was actually under the laser. The first step was to get the flap cut with the Intralase laser. This was slightly uncomfortable as it involves a suction device being attached to the eyeball to steady it for the laser. “Slight” pressure my ass, I kept waiting to see the optical nerve hanging out of my eye socket with the free eye. Okay, maybe I exaggerated that part a little bit. Once each eye is positioned, it takes 17 seconds to cut the flap. I didn’t feel a thing, just lots of blinking light.
At this point my vision is very poor and dark. The docter takes a quick look at the flaps then I was moved into the room where they actually re-shape the cornea. Erin was able to watch this part. It is hard to describe the process but it was very disorienting. They kept reminding me to focus on the blinking light but it was a real challenge because it was so hard to see. My eye was held open with a speculum during the procedure. The other thing I remember quite well was the smell of the laser. It was similar to the smell of the laser tattoo removal process I had undergone quite some time ago. Each eye was under the laser for 45 seconds and the staff did a good job of saying the count every 5 seconds or so. After the laser finished the doctor reseated the flap.
That was it. Probably 20 minutes had elapsed from when I was escorted from my recliner.
They sat me back down in the recliner for about 15 minutes with my eyes shut and discussed my post-operative care which includes antibiotic drops, steroid drops, sun glasses, and frequent artificial tears. After a second quick check of my eyeball the ophthalmologist taped clear shields over my eyes, put sunglasses on me, and told me to drive home and get some rest. Just kidding, Erin drove me home. Since I kept my eyes closed it was pretty terrifying.
It was very difficult to rest but I tried my best. It felt like my eyes were sunburned. I also had to lay on my back which is my least likely sleeping position. Erin kept feeding in the various eyedrops frequently throughout the day and once I took some Tylenol, I was able to get some rest. I did sneak some peeks at the TV at various times and I was absolutely amazed at good my vision was.
I woke up this morning, took of my shields and looked at the world in unaided visual clarity for the first time ever. Wow. I think for people like me that previously had fairly strong eyeglass prescriptions, we can appreciate the difference so much more because it is such a huge change. We went to my follow up at 0730 this morning and everything was fabulous, even without full healing I am already 20/25 and almost 20/20. My eyes are still feeling a little abused but for the most part I can do anything. I just need to wear sunglasses when outside and keep applying artificial tears, antibiotic drops, and steroids.
I highly recommend TLC, they did a great job. Everyone from the doctors to the office staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. I also highly recommend the procedure, it will change your outlook on life.
Sara responded on 22 Dec 2007 at 3:24 pm #
Mike, this is awesome! And by awesome I mean the surgery sounds terrifying. I’m excited for you - can’t wait to see you without your specs!
middle brother responded on 23 Dec 2007 at 4:27 pm #
Glad to hear everything went well. It’s weird to think you won’t need glasses, I still remember when you first got them. It’s amazing they can correct somebody with as crappy vision as yours in 20 minutes.