Post Op

My patient ID Band

Three years. That's how long it took to build up the courage to finally let someone slice through my cornea and zap laser to correct my myopia. As more small outbreaks of contact lens solution infections are recognized, the more paranoid I become when I get severe eyestrain with my contacts. And I never want to wear glasses outside of my house.

It took a couple of months to confirm who will I allow to be my eye surgeon. At first I had thought about doing the LASIK procedure in the University Hospital where I did my fellowship, but the hassle of possibly needing more frequent follow-up discouraged that (I do need to remind myself I don't live there anymore). But then I was told there is an excellent eye surgeon in town, and after meeting him, I was sold (OK, the fact that he has an unnerving resemblance with my favorite mentor, not to mention having the same first name likely contributed to my trust).

I do remember every step of the way. The procedure went so quick that I think I didn't breathe the entire time I was in the LASIK room. The laser itselt hit my cornea for 35 seconds each eye. Immediately post-op was horrifying -- I had a bad sensation of eye strain, the feeling that I've had my contact lens on for almost 24 hours magnified 10 times. The sun was up enroute back home (of course I didn't drive) and light sensitivity was immense (despite my eye shield and my eyes kept shut). I was asked to close my eyes for at least 4 hours once I get home. No TV, no reading, no computer until I get to see the doc the next day (It was the night that Lost was on -- so I sat with eyes closed and listened to the conversations, occasionally asking A to tell me the scenario). After the 4 hours of rest, everything was blurry (nothing new, really, although it got blurrier as I see what happens with my glasses on).

And of course there are the eye drops (Why I got reminded by a Friends episode when Rachel had to be restrained by everyone just to get the eye drops she needed I don't know. I have no aversion to having medication placed in my eye, after all, I just let it get zapped). And the restrictions: No eye makeup for 1 week (check), sunglasses when outside (check), no swimming (check; the reason I never wanted to swim was because I was blind anyway), no hot tubs (check) and no eye rubbing (errr, this I really need to be conscious about; it's really a bad habit of mine; but all I need to think about is that fact that I have a corneal flap that is healing that should not be disturbed!).

I woke up the following day and I can see! On follow-up, my vision on my left eye is already 20/20. I really won't know what my stable vision will be until around 4 months of surgery but I am estatic! I did my usual work-out that afternoon -- and I could see not only what was on in the farthest TV but also read the caption!

No more glasses! No more contacts! (The cartoon character who shouts: "No more classes, No more books! eludes me).

I wish I could have done this sooner. Yes, despite the conjunctival hemorrhage.

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*I can only wish the hemorrhage gets resolve by the time I get back to work! A had called it my evil eye!