20/20 Vision in 2020 with iLASIK Laser Eye SurgeryGetting corrective iLASIK laser eye surgery for 20/20 vision in 2020 - something I've been putting off for 10 years due to phobias.
Glasses and astronomy don't go well together. Glasses get in the way of the eyepiece, meaning you need longer eye relief; being out in the cold for any time and going in causes classes to steam up. So, I decided to do something about it and get laser eye surgery.
I've been putting off laser eye surgery year after year, mainly because I have a phobia of anything coming into contact with my eye, let alone having surgery on it. However, I was so fed up with contact lenses due to the hassle of getting them in, sore, dry eyes and having them float around that I hardly wore them. And my glasses are no better - covered in scratches and dirt, frames bend easily, lenses fall out, and I have to carry around (and buy) prescription sunglasses as well. So, after speaking with a friend who recently had this done, I finally took steps to get my vision corrected. My current prescription is -6 and -6.25, so I need quite strong (thick) lenses.
I contacted Optical Express in Edinburgh and arranged a free consultation and eye test, and after speaking with them, I decided to get it done. I went for the iDesign iLASIK procedure, which I completed a few days ago.
During the consultation, they did several tests on my eyes, including some fancy computer modelling to get the most accurate and precise measurements, some of which are shown below.
Pentacam is a diagnostic tool that uses a sophisticated camera system to scan the anterior eye (cornea, anterior chamber, iris, and lens) and construct a 3D eye map from up to 25,000 measured data points. It is used to calculate corrective treatments.
On arriving at the clinic on the day of the operation, I was taken to the prep room, where I was given a quick health check before being taken to the operating room. Once I settled into the chair, they fitted a device to keep my eye open, administered a few drops, and covered the other eye. They then placed the first machine over the uncovered eye. It was quite uncomfortable, but not as bad as I thought it would be. The first machine uses a laser to make an incision, after which the surgeon pulls back a flap and lowers the second machine. Again, this was uncomfortable but not as bad as I thought. They said to look at the red dot, but my vision was so bad I could only make out a glow; the machine put some pressure on my eye (like pressing onto your eyelid and you see patterns), so after a few seconds, I couldn't even see that. The machine makes a few clicks, and I can start to see a black dot, then red, and with each click, the red dot gets clearer and sharper, and after about 40 seconds, it's done. The process was repeated on the other eye, and less than 5 minutes after I sat down, it was all done.
I remember sitting down in the chair. They took my glasses, and I couldn't see anything around me. When I sat up, I could see the operating room and even tell the time from the clock on the far wall! My vision was already much improved, although quite milky. This was normal, they said. After a few minutes to adjust (going from glasses to contact lenses makes me a little shaky due to the changes in visual distortions, or lack of. Wearing glasses is like looking into a fish tank and getting used to that feeling. When my vision was corrected, it felt the same. It only lasted a few moments; they took me to the eye examination room, where they did some visual checks and an eye test. Even after just 10 minutes, my vision was better than 20/20.
That was the worst part, right? Nope.
I thought the surgery would be the worst part, but the recovery was awful.
About 20 minutes after the procedure, my eyes started getting a little itchy and sore, and a few minutes later, I started to get quite uncomfortable. Riding home in a taxi, my eyes are so light-sensitive (due to the drops they put in) that I have to close my eyes, and I feel so much pain that my eyes are watering non-stop. Even getting home, closing all the curtains and blocking out all light I could see, a single candle my fiancee used to get around for herself was too bright. I took the advice in the clinic and went to bed to sleep it off; however, it was so uncomfortable that I couldn't sleep. I just lay down and kept my eyes closed. They give a set of eyecups and goggles to prevent accidental rubbing and itching at night, so I tried to get some sleep with these on.
The only way I can describe the feeling is like chopping 100 onions whilst rubbing sand into your eyes. It's non-stop, and closing my eyes doesn't help. This lasted for about 5 hours, then gradually became bearable. By the next morning, it was gone; I just felt like there was some grit or sand in my eye, but nothing compared to the day before. They give plenty of eye drops for pain, lubrication and infection control.
A week later, everything was perfect: no pain, discomfort or tiredness, back driving and still getting used to how much my vision has improved. Not only can I SEE the block of flats on the hill opposite, but I can also make out the individual windows and balconies - at a distance of nearly 2 miles!
While laser eye surgery is not for everyone, if you are thinking of getting it done, stop procrastinating and get it done. The few days of discomfort are worth it in the long run.
