Well, yesterday, I had a LASIK surgery at Wabash Valley Eye Center. What an experience! I was nervous as hell even with a dose of Valium they gave me. But the result has been remarkable. Let me take you through this one of the most interesting days of my life.
My appointment was at 7:30AM. I had my brother drive to the location since they would not operate on you unless I bring a driver with me. After I signed the consent forms (read: 'license to kill'), I was taken to the pre-op booth where an RN took my vitals. They game a hair net/cap which I thought was funny because I don't have much hair to move out of the way. A standard procedure, I suppose.
The RN would talk to me about all the precautions after the surgery, all of which I had already been made aware of during the last couple visits. She gave me a valium pill and some numbing eye drops, then left me to close my eyes and relax.
It took a while before the valium kicked in, but still I was really nervous. I could tell that my pulse was rushing, and my BP was definitely higher than normal.
Then another nurse came and said, "It's time!"
While I was looking forward to this day for so long, it felt like being taken to the gas chamber... I was going to start some meaningless chit chat with the doctor to just calm myself down, but when I saw the inside of the OR, I got a little overwhelmed and kinda clamed up.
The OR is a good size room with a operating chair and a huge machine over it. A few people were already working to prepare for my operation (I think... They had taken my glasses away by then).
They had me lie down on the chair. They gave me a rubber ball to squeeze on... I'm not quite sure why... perhaps to relieve my tension? Hmmmm... They, then, taped my eye lids and lashes down then placed this device on my eyes so that I won't blink during the procedure. I couldn't take a good look at the device, but it applied a pretty good pressure on my eyes. Not quite painful, but almost.
The doctors and the technicians then selected a plastic cylinder template that fits my pupils. This apparently is a template for cutting my cornea in a perfect circle. The doctor said "Suction on", then the tech replies "Suction is on". My vision faded to black except for the bright circle of light right in front of my eye.
I couldn't see the blade at all. I did see my vision distorted in a circular motion back and forth during the cutting process. No pain whatsoever. I was not as nervous as I had thought I would be, because I didn't see the actual blade. Doctor then "peeled" my cornea. Everything seemed out of focus then, understandably. I can hear the doctor and the techs saying "Hey, that's a perfect flap! Look at that!" Obviously, that's a good thing for me to hear, but I'm sure that's what they say with every patient. Imagine them saying "well, I guess that's got to do..." or "well, not as good as the last one, but I've seen worse..." I would freak...
With a continuous clicking noise, the laser treatment started. My job is to stare at the blinking red light for the duration. I'm still nervous because I think the whole thing would be messed up if I move my eye ball, but you don't realized until then how hard it is to keep your eye still. Fortunately, the machine can adjust itself to the "micro movement" of the eye. Maybe the laser treatment lasted for 15 seconds... maybe 30 seconds, but very quick either way.
The doctor replaced my cornea flap to a position with what looks like a plastic 'mini' spatula. My vision seemed be restored as soon as I got my cornea back.
Then onto my left eye. Exactly the same thing again. I'm less nervous this time.
They moved me out from under the machine, and helped me get up. I looked at the wall clock, and realize that I can see what time it is. Sure it's still kind of 'cloudy', but I can certainly tell many things are more focused. Wow...
After sitting me down for a several minutes, they discharged me. That was about 10AM, so I must have spent 2.5 hours at the facility. My brother was bored to death, he tells me.
I got home and went straight to bed. I was told to keep my eyes closed for 4 to 5 hours, and obviously, the best thing to do is to sleep. They provided me with these swimming-type goggles that I can wear while I sleep so that I wouldn't rub my eyes accidentally. How stylish...
After 1 hour of sleep, I woke up with some discomfort. Both of my eyes felt very irritated as some foreign objects had gotten in them. Perhaps the numbing drops had worn off. I could barely open my eyes. I managed to apply some artificial tears. The pain subsided within 30 minutes or so, and I was able to go back to sleep. This time for 4 hours straight.
When I woke up, my vision seemed even sharper. I could look around my bedroom, and I could swear I was still wearing my glasses. Awesome!
It's funny, because I still try to push up my glasses that are not there. My vision is still not completely stable, and when I feel the vision gets blurred a little, I try to reach for my imaginary spectacles. Old habit, but it reminds me how grateful I am to have my vision back.
I went back to the doctor today for 1-day check up. My right eye is 20/35 and left is 20/30. Not quite 20/20, but I may still get there. My vision is supposed to improve as the healing nears completion. I'm already legal to drive without my glasses now!! That itself is a huge milestone.
I had vacation days reserved for yesterday and today, so I don't even have to work. I'm sitting on the porch typing this entry. It's beautiful at 66 degrees. What a day to enjoy the new SCENERY, huh??
