I had Lasik surgery a year ago this week (well, more specifically, my procedure was PRK – but Lasik is the more well known, all-inclusive term).
What do I remember most about the surgery? The aftermath was a lot worse than the procedure itself, which only took about ten minutes. PRK is less invasive than Lasik because they don’t cut your eyeballs open, but because they’re basically shaving your cornea to make it the correct shape, the healing time takes longer. I had it done on a Saturday and was expecting to be out of work for a few days the following week – but I ended up being out the entire week because I couldn’t see well enough to drive (or do much of anything else, for that matter).
Ah, yes – I spent almost a week at home; hardly able to see; I wore sunglasses inside even with the blinds closed on the windows; I wasn’t able to get on the computer or read a book because my vision was too blurry. I slept a lot, and sometimes I talked on the phone to keep the boredom at bay. Luckily I had someone who was able to drive me to my follow-up appointments, since there was no way I would’ve been able to get there myself.
Was all the pain worth it? Hell, yes. Being able to see clearly as soon as I wake up, without having to reach for my glasses? Priceless. Not having to deal with the dryness and discomfort of contact lenses? It’s truly been a godsend.
I bought the “warranty” on the procedure as well; the one where you pay a couple extra hundred dollars and if your vision ever needs correction, they’ll cover the cost of another surgery. But in order to keep the warranty active, you have to have an eye exam every year. I’ve got vision coverage in my health insurance plan, so it’s no big deal, but I’ve got to make an appointment sometime this week to go in and have my eyes dilated. Fun stuff!
On a slightly related/unrelated note: my back was hurting the other night, so I went to the hall closet looking for a bottle of Ibuprofen. I couldn’t find the Ibuprofen, but I did find a bottle of Oxycodone (generic for Percocet), so I took one of those instead.
And here is where I give an example of my self-admitted bad memory: it took me at least 10 minutes to remember why this medicine had been prescribed to me. Had I hurt myself? It couldn’t be! I haven’t been to a doctor for anything other than routine check-ups in at least 6-7 years. It had my first Alexandria home address on the bottle, so I knew I must’ve gotten it sometime in the past year-and-a-half. And that’s when I finally remembered…it was from my eye surgery last year. Sometimes my bad memory is quite worrisome.
16 Comments
Even reading about that sounds painful. I can’t believe they are there cutting…ON YOUR EYES, and you let them. (this is why I’m not a doctor).
Luckilly, I only need glasses when I drive b/c I don’t think I could go through that.
Im sooooo tempted.
I’m glad it worked out so well for you! But me? I’ll stick with my contacts I can sleep in. Same effect, without all the cutting and pain
As you know, I also think LASIK was about 100 times worth it. Life changing, I swear!
And Percocet? Wowie, that stuff will knock you out. Or just make you very, very happy.
I’ve thought about LASIK a few times but I think I’m too chicken to ever get it done. I’m worried I’d have a panic attack when I got there.
I agree, I was totally wincing reading about that. I can’t imagine any kind of eye pain, though I am lucky to not need glasses (the only one in my entire extended family that does not need corrective eye wear). Glad that your surgery was successful for you and worth the pain!
I had Intra-Lasik done on Jan 4th. Best money I ever spent. The “intra” part of it is a slightly new way to cut open your eye that heals much faster and stronger than the old Lasik.
Was it worth it? 115% without a doubt.
What was I talking about again?
That’s great that it worked so well for you! It’s amazing what some doctors can do. When I was 5 years old I had eye surgery to correct strabismus; I’ve never had to wear glasses or had any problems with it since then. I’m SO happy that the choice was made to go through with that surgery.
Man, a bottle of percocet in my closet – that would never happen. I have to stay away from those.
I wish my husband could get Lasik, but he’s been told that his vision is too bad (i.e., they would need to cut too much off his cornea). He’s practically blind without his glasses, poor lamb…
I am the world’s WORST baby when it comes to eyes. I faint at the eye doctor. Visine commercials make me want to throw up. Yet somehow I mustered up the courage to get lasik and can say that it was by far the best decision EVER. I love being able to see without glasses/contacts.
WOW, I did not think they prescribe schedule 2 drugs for eye surgeries. I had LASIK done 5 years ago, and while I had no pain whatsoever and was able to see perflectly the following day, the cost was certainly worth it. Although now my vision is not what it was initially after the surgery, and my night vision is even worse. I may have to start wearing glasses again. Or just have another surgery…
My memory is like yours. It’s amazing we still remember each other!
I would like to have it done sometime. Right now, my vision is still changing, but someday…
It’s amazing isn’t it? My one-year is coming up soon too, and I can’t believe it’s been so fast.
We’re so lucky to have been able to use the technology; I’m very thankful!
My memory is the same way. We play this game: “I don’t want to watch that movie, we’ve already seen it.” “No, we haven’t.” “Yes, we have.” “Well, maybe YOU saw it, but I didn’t.” “Yes, you did. You were sitting right here!”
Good times.