Lasik Surgery: Risks, Benefits, and Results

Making the Decision

I never had vision problems as a young child. I had to get my first set of glasses at age 21, and I hated them. I tried over and over to use contacts to no avail; I’ve always thought I have beady eyes, so maybe that has something to do with it. After about three years of the glasses and finishing up college, I got a job and had excess cash. Suddenly it all fell into place: Ding Ding Ding!!!! I don’t like glasses and I can’t wear contacts. Lasik surgery seemed the obvious choice. So I searched on the web about it and asked people at work. Surprisingly, two of my coworkers had the surgery. One man, who had the surgery over five years ago, reported no ill effects of Lasik. On top of that, he had paid double what people are paying now. The other coworker had Lasik about a year earlier. She was also very pleased with the results. As I continued considering the surgery, two other coworkers had Lasik done and were both very pleased. As I am usually quick to make decisions, I decided enough was enough. I made an appointment.

First Visit

So, they perform the standard-issue eye test. Alright. Next we move onto the Eye Refractor. This was simple enough, as it was basically a machine that you peered through. In a nut shell, I guess it measures the shape - or misshapedness - of your eye. Now enters the ophthalmologist to look over the results of the tests and take a look at my eyes for himself. He tells me I am eligible for the surgery. I have two choices: $1500 an eye with all the follow-up visits included and GOD forbid any corrective surgery. The other option is $800 an eye with no follow-ups or extra surgeries included. I was told that my eyes were pretty bad and the doctor recommended I pay the $1500. So I decide to do it. Obviously - I’m writing the blog.

The Surgery

You may hear lots of things: “It doesn’t hurt!” or “Recovery time is fast!” All of this may be true, as compared to other surgeries, such as a lobotomy. I was pretty insecure with the whole setup: 1. Others (whoever came with you) can stand at a window and watch…weird. 2. You get one Percocet for pain. That’s right: ONE. 3. They do more than one patient on any given day, and they just hang out in the waiting room post-surgery. So needless to say I was pretty nervous. Now it’s my turn, and I walk into a room with a large machine in it. I lay on the table connected to the machine, and my eye is taped open. I get a few numbing drops which burn. Next, the doctor taps my eye with a metal object to see if it’s good and numb. A patch is placed over the other eye, and a metal apparatus is placed in the numb eye that keeps it wide open. This C-shaped object presses down on my eye socket, then there is a gentle slip of cold metal as it slides down the bone of the socket. It is very painful. Next the “neck” of the machine is lowered. The circular part that is to go over my eye has a mirror finish, allowing me the great privilege of viewing my irritated, red eye that is nearly unrecognizable. The neck extends downward to a mirrored-finished flange and slides back, exposing a vacuum that sucks the eye into it (but not out of the socket). The doctor now offers me some advice: “We’re going to make your flap now. You’ll feel some vibration. Just relax.” Great idea - relax. Next comes the creation of the flap, or in layman’s terms the cutting of your eye. The sound of a small buzz saw comes to mind. As the saw begins cutting through, I feel no pain but I can hear it and feel the vibrations. Worst of all, I can smell it. The flap has been made, and the neck of the machine is lifted. The doctor says, “Now I’m going to raise the flap.” He takes a tool and pulls up the flap. It doesn’t just lift up; he has to use some force. Now, before he lifted the flap I could see almost as good as before, but as he lifts the flap I see nothing but a solid white blur…freaky to say the least. As if I were a newborn baby, the doctor says, “We have one beautiful flap”. Awww! Well doc, let’s not celebrate yet. For the next step, the neck of the machine is lowered again. This is the magic part. He lowers the machine and I hear, “thud, thud, thud, thud,” as the laser sounds off with flashes of light striking my eye. Perhaps the most notable part is the smell; oh my, the smell of burning. When the laser is done, the flap is lowered and that is basically the end of the surgery. Except, of course, for doing the other eye. None of these experiences are unbearably painful, but the freak-out factor is really high.

Post op

For me, this was the most painful part. My eyes burn terribly bad and continue until the next day. You should avoid all light after the surgery. The next day I go back to the ophthalmologist and he gives me a good report, telling me I’m where I should be. I mention to him that it is still very blurry and his reply is, “No big deal, it will clear right up.” Needless to say, it did clear up somewhat. However, after 6 months or so, I am no longer where I need to be. I am given the option of either getting a free pair of glasses or having the surgery again, free of charge. That’s a no-go on the glasses; after all, that’s why I had this done. Hence, I have had lasik done twice to each eye. After the second procedure my vision is great and I am very pleased.

Final analysis


Was it worth it? I’m not sure. Initially I was very pleased after the second attempt, but my vision seems like it may be getting weaker (this could be due to my inconsistent use of the drops). I may be wrong, as I haven’t been to the ophthalmologist in five months. I’ll have my six-month checkup next month, and that will be a year since the last surgery. So maybe I’m a freak of nature. I am told that there is a 99% success rate for first attempts. All my coworkers that have had Lasik are 100% happy with their decision to have the surgery.

Tips

· Do NOT rub your eyes post-op for several weeks.

· If you have a long drive from where the surgery is performed and your residence, take a towel to block the sun. The sunglasses were not enough.

· It is probably best to go the first day post-op without a shower, and afterwards avoid water getting in them.

· Have someone there to take care you the first night.

· You’ll be given drops to use post-op. Use them and use them as directed.

· I was given Pred Forte, Zymar, and Restasis. I got all I possibility could in free samples.

· It is expensive, but Restasis is worth the money. It is absolutely woderful. Your eyes will be dry a lot, and mine still are. Restasis will help this immensely.