My Lasik Surgery Experience ... Barf

Well, I have been reserving judgement on Lasik Surgery.  For those of you who do not know:

“LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. A knife, called a microkeratome, is used to cut a flap in the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back revealing the stroma, the middlesection of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced.” (Definition by USFDA)

I underwent the procedure 13 days ago, not without much anxiety. I was very nervous before hand and consulted many friends and family who had also undergone the surgery.  The reviews and experiences were mixed but all in all, very positive.  They ranged from waking up with 20/20 vision to having blurry vision for a few days.  All of the information that was provided to me by the optometrist and the surgeon led me to believe that I would most likely be able to return to normal activity within a couple of days of surgery with few noticeable side-effects.

This was true … for my left eye.  I woke up the next morning after surgery with 20/20 vision in my left eye and no trouble since.  The recovery of my right eye, however, has caused my endless amounts of grief, anxiety, anger and frustration.

My surgery was on Friday, April 6^th … which gave me a full weekend to recover before returning to work on Monday.  The vision in my right eye was good after surgery but declined steadily in the first 7 days post-surgery.  I don’t recall that it was ever 20/20 in that eye.  However, I did and still do have 20/20 vision with both eyes together.  But, as I discovered my first day back at work, 20/20 in one eye and 20/70 in the other means headaches and nausea.   And, it sucks.  But, I am still allowed to drive!  Even with my messed up depth perception!  Look out!

I have been unable to work at the computer for more than a couple of hours at a time since the surgery.  And, as a programmer, that basically means I can’t work.  I am very lucky that I have a great employer and very understanding and supportive coworkers as I was completely unprepared for what has now been a 2-week recovery and counting.

My first week follow-up appointment was when I found out I had 20/70 vision in the right eye.  As of today, I am unsure what it is. But, sometimes … for brief periods, it is much MUCH better.  My optometrist thinks the blurriness I am experiencing is a result of swelling of the cornea and should subside … eventually.  The timeframe for when that will happen is unclear.  And, if it does not subside, it can be corrected under warranty.  But, not for 6 months!  Until then, my vision may continue to fluctuate.  I am not happy about that.  My only options, if things don’t improve, are an interim pair of glasses (assuming the fluctuation stops) OR an EYE PATCH. 

Arrrrrrrr! (That’s me, being a pirate.  Yes, I like pirate jokes.  But, this is no joke.  Although, if you know any good ones, you should let me know.  There is nothing better than wearing an eye patch to really sell a pirate joke.)

So, in the meantime, I sit here waiting … still reserving judgement until my vision settles out.  But, my advice, if you are considering Lasik, put some thought into what you will do if things do not go according to plan.