The So-called LIFE

I thought of having this procedure for a long time. It took me years to decide whether to have it or not. But finally, I made up my mind.

Last week I decided to undergo an initial evaluation to determine if I’m a good candidate for the lasik surgery. I’m very nervous at that time because I’m scared I won’t be a good candidate since my eyes are so sensitive that I had 3 sore eyes in 9 months.

It was Saturday when I had the evaluation. They made a thorough eye exam for 2 hours. They briefed me of the risks and benefits of the surgery; What to expect before, during and after the surgery. I was able to watch also how the surgery will be done. My last test was done by Dr. Enrique Enriquez. After minutes of checking, Dr. Enriquez asked me when will I want to do it. I got frozen, asked him, “You mean I’m a good candidate?” He said yes! It’s like music to my ears. WooHoo!

I actually want it done at that day but they said I have to schedule it in another day. So I scheduled it on Monday. I got so excited that I forgot I still have work and that I needed to file a leave of absence for a week.

After 2 days of waiting, it was time for the surgery. I asked my friend to accompany me since I cannot drive after the surgery.

I was not nervous, I’m actually happy and excited at that time. The surgery took less than 30 minutes.

During the surgery, I lied on my back on an inclined bed in an operating theater containing the laser system. A numbing drop was placed in my eye and the area around my eye was cleaned. An instrument was used to hold my eyelid open. They also placed a ring on the right eye and other instrument (I forgot the name).

I felt some discomfort during that part of procedure. I experienced fluctuating degrees of blurred vision but I didn’t panic. Then I was asked to stare at the light. I thought it was the laser but it’s just a light to help my eye focus on one spot once the laser comes on. When my eye was in the correct position, my Doctor started the laser. I smell a burning hair during that time. It was critical for me not to move because of the laser. If I cannot stare at a fixed object for at least 60 seconds, then the surgery will be a failure. And if others can’t do this then they’re not a good candidate for the procedure. After the pulses of laser energy vaporize the corneal tissue, the flap was put back into position.

They repeated the procedure on my left eye. But this time, it was harder because my right eye just had lasered and I still felt the discomfort and fluctuation. It was more harder when they asked me to focused on the light. How can I focus on the light when you can’t see it. I panicked. My eye was moving in different direction. They tried to calm me and said “it’s ok and you just need to relax”. I relaxed. Then I saw the light after that and focused on it again. They started the laser again and so on…

Thanked God, the procedure went on to be successful. I’m happy that it end that fast. (Buti na lang, baka himatayin na ‘ko. hehe..)

My doctor said it may take up to three to six months for my vision to stabilize. I’m now on my first week. I now have 95% of my vision back to normal. I hope to fully heal as soon as possible because right now, I can’t drive at night due to some glare I’m seeing. I don’t think I can drive at night for a month (Oh men!).

I’m very happy and satisfied with the result. ‘Wish I should have done this earlier. I could have done the things I wanted to do. Anyway, I’m now one step away from becoming a photographer. I’m going to buy Canon 50d or maybe Nikon d90 this December or January. Woohoo!

Tags: lasik