I have worn glasses since I was six years old. For real. And they weren't these cutesy frames they have now where kiddos get glasses and people melt because they are adorable. My glasses were always HUGE, ROUND, THICK, NOT-ATTRACTIVE ... which made me feel well, not attractive.
I was always diagnosed with astigmatism, and I was told I was near and far-sighted. When I was in middle school I tried contacts, but because of the amount of astigmatism I had I had to try to wear gas-permeable lenses. For those who have, and do, and are okay with them, I commend you. They are horribly uncomfortable and painful, and I cried. A lot.
When I was in high school and I was in show choir, glasses weren't allowed on stage. So... I broke out the gas-perms. I could kinda see. But more than that, my eyes were in pain. Our competitions were very long, and on one bus ride home I lost a lens. They were very expensive, so we scrapped that idea.
I played softball, umpired, traveled, swam, with my glasses.
My vision prescription stabilized while I was in high school. And my eye doctor told me I would be a good candidate for LASIK. I was happy, and knew I would need to save up for it. I had several family members who had it done and were very happy.
When I was in college, I once again tried soft-toric contacts to no avail. The problem with astigmatism is that it literally changes the shape of your eye, so putting a contact on your eye doesn't help because with each blink it is moving and changing shape with your cornea. Glasses will be the best fix for astigmatism, always.
Unless you do LASIK! Sooooo I called Durrie Vision. I made an appointment, and went from there. If you are thinking about doing it- think about the cost effectiveness. The cost of LASIK replaces the cost of one pair of glasses and one year of contacts plus solution for me, easy.
My initial evaluation appointment my mom came with me. We have an hour drive to the doctor, and I knew that the tests would make my eyes tired. Because of the amount of astigmatism that my eyes had, my eyes were CONSTANTLY focusing on things, and always tired- causing headaches. My first appointment my eyes were dilated, which lasted until I went to bed that night. They told me I was an excellent candidate. They also told me I have mixed astigmatism. (Which means that each eye is both near and far sighted -- WHAAAAT?!)
I got to be in a study for "iDesign" with SBK Lasik; so that required a lot more tests. So I went back. I needed a driver for that appointment as well and higher strength dilation drops were used. Because my eyes are a light color (blue), the drops are also stronger on my eyes. My eyes were dilated that day and into the next, over 24 hours.
When I was in high school and I was in show choir, glasses weren't allowed on stage. So... I broke out the gas-perms. I could kinda see. But more than that, my eyes were in pain. Our competitions were very long, and on one bus ride home I lost a lens. They were very expensive, so we scrapped that idea.
I played softball, umpired, traveled, swam, with my glasses.
My vision prescription stabilized while I was in high school. And my eye doctor told me I would be a good candidate for LASIK. I was happy, and knew I would need to save up for it. I had several family members who had it done and were very happy.
When I was in college, I once again tried soft-toric contacts to no avail. The problem with astigmatism is that it literally changes the shape of your eye, so putting a contact on your eye doesn't help because with each blink it is moving and changing shape with your cornea. Glasses will be the best fix for astigmatism, always.
Unless you do LASIK! Sooooo I called Durrie Vision. I made an appointment, and went from there. If you are thinking about doing it- think about the cost effectiveness. The cost of LASIK replaces the cost of one pair of glasses and one year of contacts plus solution for me, easy.
My initial evaluation appointment my mom came with me. We have an hour drive to the doctor, and I knew that the tests would make my eyes tired. Because of the amount of astigmatism that my eyes had, my eyes were CONSTANTLY focusing on things, and always tired- causing headaches. My first appointment my eyes were dilated, which lasted until I went to bed that night. They told me I was an excellent candidate. They also told me I have mixed astigmatism. (Which means that each eye is both near and far sighted -- WHAAAAT?!)
I got to be in a study for "iDesign" with SBK Lasik; so that required a lot more tests. So I went back. I needed a driver for that appointment as well and higher strength dilation drops were used. Because my eyes are a light color (blue), the drops are also stronger on my eyes. My eyes were dilated that day and into the next, over 24 hours.
Tip: You have to shower the night before surgery. No lotions/moisturizers/make-up the day of surgery. Invest in some make-up towelettes. The day of the surgery I got to the office at 9:30 for some pre-op exams. One doctor marked on each of my eye balls with a purple pen on either side of my corneas. Then two assistants put in some more drops. Then the doctor came out to talk to me about the procedure and how it was all going to go -- but let me tell ya, nothing can actually prepare you for what it's like!
This whole time, my family (2 aunts and my mom) are waiting in the waiting room and watching it on a close-circuit TV.
They put you on a flat chair, and then tape one eye shut while propping the other open. There are two machines on either side of you. You slide over to the first machine to get lined up, and then slide over to the other where they "create the flap." Essentially, they use a laser to make a flap in each eye. There is a suction device used, this was the only part that was uncomfortable. And I could not have the drops that prevented my eyes from becoming bruised during this process because of my participation in the study.
After the flaps have been created, you are slid over to the other machine and asked to look at the blinking orange light. Because the flap is open, the light is extremely fuzzy, and at a point it goes totally dark. You hear the laser's "tick tick tick" noise, and you smell the burning -- all "normal"
Once the laser is done with both eyes, the doctor "wipes" your eye (puts the flap back) and puts a gel and light burst of air. That's done to both eyes and voila! The entire procedure is maybe 5 minutes!
They guide you into a little room (where my family was waiting) and put in tons of extra drops, including your anti-inflammatory and the steroid drops that you'll continue for the rest of the week. The doctor comes in to check the flaps, you get sunglasses, and you go! (You obviously have to have a driver)
The morning of my surgery I was experiencing some pretty intense allergies. The drive home was NOT pleasant. I could not breathe, I was nervous to blow my nose, my eyes were watering, I was dizzy, my vision was foggy and confusing, and I felt like crying! AHH! But fear not... it will get better! TIP: Put a timer on your phone for the artificial tears, especially the first day!
I went back to my aunt's house and just laid on the couch for the rest of the evening. When it was time for bed, I put on my "eye shields." More than once I woke up in the night to put in eye drops, my eyes were just so dry.
The next morning you go in for a one-day-post-op. I was seeing 20/15. That's what my correction was with my glasses. And I knew this was way better. Because with my glasses, I had no peripheral vision. And I was cleared to drive!
This whole time, my family (2 aunts and my mom) are waiting in the waiting room and watching it on a close-circuit TV.
They put you on a flat chair, and then tape one eye shut while propping the other open. There are two machines on either side of you. You slide over to the first machine to get lined up, and then slide over to the other where they "create the flap." Essentially, they use a laser to make a flap in each eye. There is a suction device used, this was the only part that was uncomfortable. And I could not have the drops that prevented my eyes from becoming bruised during this process because of my participation in the study.
After the flaps have been created, you are slid over to the other machine and asked to look at the blinking orange light. Because the flap is open, the light is extremely fuzzy, and at a point it goes totally dark. You hear the laser's "tick tick tick" noise, and you smell the burning -- all "normal"
Once the laser is done with both eyes, the doctor "wipes" your eye (puts the flap back) and puts a gel and light burst of air. That's done to both eyes and voila! The entire procedure is maybe 5 minutes!
They guide you into a little room (where my family was waiting) and put in tons of extra drops, including your anti-inflammatory and the steroid drops that you'll continue for the rest of the week. The doctor comes in to check the flaps, you get sunglasses, and you go! (You obviously have to have a driver)
The morning of my surgery I was experiencing some pretty intense allergies. The drive home was NOT pleasant. I could not breathe, I was nervous to blow my nose, my eyes were watering, I was dizzy, my vision was foggy and confusing, and I felt like crying! AHH! But fear not... it will get better! TIP: Put a timer on your phone for the artificial tears, especially the first day!
I went back to my aunt's house and just laid on the couch for the rest of the evening. When it was time for bed, I put on my "eye shields." More than once I woke up in the night to put in eye drops, my eyes were just so dry.
The next morning you go in for a one-day-post-op. I was seeing 20/15. That's what my correction was with my glasses. And I knew this was way better. Because with my glasses, I had no peripheral vision. And I was cleared to drive!
My biggest fear was (and still is a little) showering. You have to be careful about getting soap and water in your eyes for 2 months. I've been diligent about keeping my eyes closed. I saw somewhere to keep a towel hanging over the curtain rod to pat water off your face while you're in the shower. That's helped, too.
One of my biggest tips is to keep the preservative-free tears everywhere. In your pockets, purse, bathroom, bedside, coffee table, car, even in the fridge -- keeping them cool relieves the "itchy" feeling! They give you some samples, and I've been trying different kinds, but I've been using a LOT of them!
I am excited because I know that everyday after LASIK vision continues to get better, I'm still in the stage when it's a little watery and unclear at times.
This was my doctor, I would recommend their practice to Anyone! Click to see videos of how it all works!
I am excited because I know that everyday after LASIK vision continues to get better, I'm still in the stage when it's a little watery and unclear at times.
This was my doctor, I would recommend their practice to Anyone! Click to see videos of how it all works!
Can you tell I was (and am) a little excited about all this?
Happy Easter!!!
Happy Easter!!!
