My right eye was 20/200. My left was 20/400. My favorite example that I use to describe my eyesight is that I would wake up in the middle of the night and be able to see the red glow of the alarm clock, but I couldn't make out the numbers. I've had glasses since I was nine. Contacts since I was eleven. I've been through both soft lenses and gas permeable, and those who have had hard contacts know how much of an inconvenience that can be.
I had lasik surgery done in early 2002. At the time I calculated that the surgery would pay for itself in seven years, factoring in doctor's visits, contacts, solution, replacement glasses, etc. (I did not know at the time to account for the time value of money.
). I was twenty-one when I had the surgery done. I commend the institution for forewarning me of a few potential problems:
- My eyes would not fully mature until I was ~25
- Expecting to enter university, the excessive reading and computer work could alter the effectiveness of the surgery
I remember going in for my surgery very vividly, though the entire process took less than hour. I was given what I think was a valium to calm me down prior to the procedure. I was instructed to take a second one afterward to ensure I took a nap and rested my eyes. I had someone to drive me home. The procedure itself took less than fifteen minutes, though parts of it were very unnerving. Numbing drops are placed in your eyes prior to the procedure. A suction device holds your eyeball in place as it is ready to be corrected, and the pressure from that device causes your vision to go black in that eye. I couldn't help but think, "this is my only eye...what if my vision doesn't come back? What if my vision stays black?" Needless to say, it was very unnerving. Especially given that the docs ask you to focus on a certain point while the laser is doing its work.
After both eyes had been corrected I got up fine out of the chair. I had been warned that when I left my vision would be a little fuzzy, and it was. It was very much like a fog over the world. I took my second valium and was driven home. My instructions and my intent were to go to sleep for a few hours...little did I know why.
Apparently, you are drugged up so that you stay calm during the procedure and then fall asleep when you get home. Why? Because your eyes heal themselves at an accelerated rate. Why is that a problem? Because it hurts like hell. At the time, I did not know I had a resistance to medicine, and I laid down in my bed for three hours in excruciating pain as my eyes healed. It burned to have my eyes closed because the eyelids were making contact, but I was unable to open my eyes because the tears would stream and cause pain as well.
After my eyes finally healed I stepped out onto the apartment porch. I noticed I could read a license plate all the way across the parking lot, though everything was still a little fuzzy. I saw halos for about week, especially during night and at traffic stops. The bright blue sky was too bright for a few weeks.
All in all, though, it was definitely worth it...costs not withstanding. Quality of life. I recommend it to anyone.