Laser Eye Surgery

[kelownagirl]

Not sure whether I should put this in cycling related or not. One of the reasons I'm doing it is so I don't have the hassle of glasses and I can wear sunglasses when I ride.

Anyway, after much deliberation, I am going 'under the laser' today, in about an hour and a half. I have a very high prescription (-12) so I was not a good candidate for LASIK. Instead I will be getting PRK which is just as effective but has a longer healing time (3-5 days). The only real difference is that with LASIK, they actually cut a flap in the epithelium layer, use the laser to reshape the cornea, and then put the flap back in place. With PRK, they must remove the entire layer completely to gain a greater surface area to use the laser. It then takes about 5 days for that layer to grow back, and during that time, I will wear a special contact lens to protect it. There will be some 'discomfort' (don't you just love that word) primarily on the 3rd and 4th day. Listen for my whining on Friday I guess.

It will take several months for my vision to stabilize and at that time, they will be able to determine if I need a second 'enhancement' surgery to fine tune my vision acuity. I've decided to go for monovision which means they will slightly undercorrect my non-dominant eye so I can read and see long distances. That can take up to a month or more to get used to.

I am very confident about the procedure and I'm not worried about the pain or about any problems but, as I was writing on the OTA thread, I am experiencing all sorts of unexpected, weird emotional issues about the loss of my bad vision! Having bad vision is a big part of who I am - it's been a big part of my life for 40 years. I am feeling overwhelmed with the idea that I will be able to walk around and see clearly without glasses!! I was watching a Youtube video of a woman getting treatment the other day and really identified with her reaction to looking around the room immediately afterwards. It brought tears to my eyes to see her amazement and disbelief.

I realize lots of people go through this surgery all the time and I have no idea if they feel the same way I do, but maybe that aspect is more impactful because I'm older and have lived with these bad eyes for such a long time.

Who knows. Anyway, I'll keep you posted on how it goes, assuming I can handle looking at a computer screen later on today. If not, you may not hear from me again before the weekend.

Biggest downside - no swimming for two weeks, and probably no biking or running or workouts at the gym for the rest of the week....

[jusdooit]

Hope healing comes quickly. You are far braver than I. I figure by my luck I would be the one in a million who lost their sight. my correction is -7.5 with major astigmatism. I've worn corrective lenses since age seven (now 46). I wore those extended wear contacts for a short while, it was so cool to see in the morning.

Good luck.

[LBTC]

probably no biking or running or workouts at the gym for the rest of the week....

Good gravy, I should think not! You're having your eyes operated on!!! Let them heal first!

Sending loads of healing butterflies your way!

Hugs,
~T~

[maillotpois]

My riding partner had LASIK a few years back and was really happy with it. Good luck to you!

(I am too chicken to do it, and tolerate contacts just fine. Plus, my doctor said my corneas are too thin or something.)

[tulip]

Best wishes for a successful surgery! I'm not a candidate for any kind of laser surgery since I just have one good eye; it's just too much risk for me.

A good thing for the discomfort is a chocolate milkshake (or 3). Refocuses your attention away from your discomfort.

We'll look forward to hearing from you in a week or so.

[kat_h]

A good friend has lasik a few years ago. For weeks afterwards he said he was still amazed by little things like being able to see in the shower or when he first woke up.

I wish my husband would get it.

[tulip]

A good friend has lasik a few years ago. For weeks afterwards he said he was still amazed by little things like being able to see in the shower or when he first woke up.

I wish my husband would get it.

I don't want to see the little things in my shower ! Oh, that's not what you meant...

[Zen]

Oh how nice it would be to wear regular sunglasses!

just find the home keys and you'll post here just fine.
If your post says "pj. jpe movr yp erst dimh;sddr" we'll know you didn't find the home keys

[Kano]

So, if a chocolate milkshake would be good to distract from discomfort, how about one of those ICEE things -- brain freeze would be a GREAT distraction from itchy eyes!

Karen in Boise

[IFjane]

I don't want to see the little things in my shower ! Oh, that's not what you meant...

ROTFL Tulip!

I want to have LASIK so bad but have not gotten up the gumption to go see if I am a candidate. I HATE wearing glasses riding - I just want sunglasses and not the ones with the prescription inserts....they are a pain in the neck.

Best of luck, kelownagirl. Keep us posted - even if you can't find the home keys! (Hint: they have little raised lines on them...)

[tc1]

I had surgery in 2004, Lasik in one eye and PRK in the other. Best health decision I ever made. The eye that had PRK has a bit more trouble with dry eye, but nothing horrible. I do need reading glasses all the time, but I needed them before and my surgeon told me that wouldn't change.

And yeah, I was 43 and had been in glasses since I was 12. So when I need to think hard or concentrate I always put on a pair of reading glasses, because otherwise I am just not mentally ready.

Soon you will discover the joy of cheap sunglasses, and expensive sunglasses, and playing soccer without glasses, and skiing with normal goggles, and on and on. Have fun!

[Skierchickie]

I'm a little late here, but I hope everything went well! I think you'll be very happy.

Wow - your eyes were even worse than mine! I don't remember what my prescription was. -9 or 9.5 or something. I had Lasik several years ago - the best thing I ever did! I wore glasses from the first grade until I was 36 or so. No more glasses bouncing on my nose when running or skiing, no more excruciating pain when a piece of dust gets under my contact, no more swimming blind (Mom & Dad wouldn't let me swim with my contacts - hence, 2 broken pairs of glasses in high school from leaving them on the starting block during practice) .... I am sooo happy! You will be too. The PRK sounds more involved, but still, 3-5 days will seem like nothing, once its over.

Congratulations!

[Zen]

even if you can't find the home keys! (Hint: they have little raised lines on them...)

I never knew that! Yes, they DO!

[Skierchickie]

I'm a little late here, but I hope everything went well! I think you'll be very happy.

Wow - your eyes were even worse than mine! I don't remember what my prescription was. -9 or 9.5 or something. I had Lasik several years ago - the best thing I ever did! I wore glasses from the first grade until I was 36 or so. No more glasses bouncing on my nose when running or skiing, no more excruciating pain when a piece of dust gets under my contact, no more swimming blind (Mom & Dad wouldn't let me swim with my contacts - hence, 2 broken pairs of glasses in high school from leaving them on the starting block during practice) .... I am sooo happy! You will be too. The PRK sounds more involved, but still, 3-5 days will seem like nothing, once its over.

Congratulations!

[VeloVT]

KG, let us know how it goes. I would LOVE to get surgery. I wear extended-wear soft contacts so it's not too much hassle, but it would be SO much nicer not to need them. I asked my doc several years ago and he told me I wasn't a great candidate... I thought it was because of my relatively high prescription (-4.5 and -7.5), but maybe they're changing thinking on that??? Or then again maybe it was my tendency towards dry eyes???

You've inspired me to ask about it again at my next appt.

Good luck!!!