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February 12, 2014

LASIK Update...

It's been almost two weeks since I had LASIK and I'm finally feeling up to staring at my computer screen to tell you all about it -- Looking at screens has been straining on my eyes, which is why it's taken me so long to post since I had the procedure.

So yeah, the whole thing went really quickly. I was in and out of the TLC Laser Eye Center in less than two hours, and that was with me signing all of my last minute paperwork, paying them (You have to pay them before they will even touch you), having the actual procedure, etc.

Before going into the "laser suite" and having everything done they had to repeat one of the exams I had done during my pre-op appointment to make sure that everything was okay with something (I honestly don't remember what they were doing. It was something about a number). So after they did that I went in to see the doctor, he checked the results and my eyes, then gave them to go ahead to give me a Valium and some eye numbing drops.

Not two minutes after the drops were put in my eyes I strolled into the "laser suite" which had Backstreet Boys blasting when they opened the door and they started -- But not before making sure I was cool with the music, which obviously was a joy to my twelve-year-old inner self.

As for the actual procedure, I was awake the entire time and forced to hug a teddy bear (Which my sister happily took pictures of and sent out to Justin and various friends and family). They explained everything that was happening as they were doing it; from putting devices in my eye that would cause pressure to what the laser was doing as I stared at the light beyond it. From the minute I heard the Backstreet Boys blasting from the stereo to the minute I walked out of the room minus without the aid of my glasses was less than ten minutes.

They checked my eyes again after everything was said and done, told me I needed to sleep for the next six hours and that they'd see me for my one day post-op. So I threw on a pair of sunglasses, walked out to the waiting room where my parents were and we left.

I'd love to tell you that I went home and passed out but I didn't, not even with the aid of a Motrin PM. I kinda just chilled in bed with my eye closed listening to the TV and people coming in and out of my room to see if I was a sleep or not.

At some point Justin came to visit me and just sat in bed talking with me as I leaned on him with my eyes closed. After he left I decided I was hungry and had my mother and sister put food in front of me, which I ate with my eyes closed (Which is REALLY hard).

Once I was full I had one of them put my medicated drops in my eyes, popped two more Motrin PMs and finally went to sleep.

The next day I woke up and my sister took me to my one day post-op, where they told me my eyes were healing well but my left eye wasn't healing as fast as my right. They told me I had nothing to worry about and that they'd see me in a few days.

Fast forward a few days, I went for my "one week" check up (Still wearing the sunglasses they gave me because Holy bright light Batman). They did a few tests, made me read some eye charts and determined that I was 20/30 in my right eye and 20/25 in my left. The doctor looked at my eyes and informed me that they hadn't healed to his liking but not in an alarming way and told me I needed to come back in a week, which is this coming Friday. So we'll have to wait and see about how they healed until then.

In terms of my actual vision, things have been good. I would be lying to you if I said I see crystal clear now because I don't and I knew I wouldn't due to how high my prescription was to begin with. The best way I can describe my vision is as follows; it's like when you've worn a pair of contacts longer than you should and it's kind of hazy around the edges. But that being said, I still think it's the best thing that I've ever done for myself and I look forward to seeing how my eyesight improves over time because it's supposed to keep changing.

I will tell you that night driving is an absolute horror (It's harder to focus and there are lots of light halos) but again, they told me I might need glasses to drive and I most definitely do. Unfortunately they have to wait to give me a prescription for glasses or schedule me for another surgery (I have a life time warranty on my eyes and free touch ups forever). So no random night driving for me.

And before you all try to figure out where I live to call the cops on me as I drive at night, I legally can drive in New York state because you have to have below 20/40 vision in at least one eye (Fuck up huh?), which I do. Plus it's not like I can't see cars in front of me or that I'm some menace, it's just more so uncomfortable for me. Like I can make it from work to home but if I was going somewhere new I'd never make it because I totally can't see street signs at night until I'm right up on them.

But yeah, aside from the night driving thing everything is peachy. So if you have any questions for me feel free to ask. I'm happy to share whatever it is you want to know.


SIDE NOTE: Throughout the whole procedure my sister was snapping pictures, so I have a bunch of photos of me actually having surgery. I'm going to post them for those of you that are interested in seeing them but I'm going to put them behind a cut or something so you're not just scrolling through my blog and see all of that.

8 comments :

  1. I most definitely want to see pics!! I was waiting for this post forever! It sounds so scary, but I'm glad it went fairly well and quickly. You said you get free touch-ups for life? Like, from the laser people? Meaning, every couple years you can go back and get free Lasik again?

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    1. I know you were and I felt sooo bad because I wanted to write an update but looking at the screen was killing my eyes.

      Yeah, I paid TLC and the doctor this one fee and if I need my eyes touched up in the future it's already paid for.

      Oh, I'm totally going to post the pictures this weekend.

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  2. Glad to hear you are doing better! Night vision after laser surgery is totally a drag, even 2 years later. It's great to have friends and family to drive you around when the sun goes down.

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    1. Thank you!

      Really, you're having problems still? What did your doctor have to say about that?

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  3. Yay! I'm glad it's going well for you so far! I'm a little nervous about the recovery, especially the driving at night thing. Wishing you a perfect recovery!!! xxx

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    1. Awww thank you!

      You'll be fine. Remember I was a blind little librarian before hand and if you're vision is better than mine was you'll do way better than me.

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  4. I'm glad everything went well and that your vision is so much better. Here's to a life without glasses!

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