February 10, 2008: My laser eye surgery.

After a pre-operation assessment, I was advised that I can go ahead with the LASIK treatment.  Since my prescription wasn't very high, I opted out of Zyoptix laser (a more advanced form of laser used for LASIK/PRK treatment). 

On the day of the operation, I was asked if I wanted a sedative before the opreation.  I decided to take the sedative though you don't really need it.  The pill was so small, it didn't have much affect on me.  A few moments, later, I went into the operating room and met the surgeon who greeted me and asked me if I had any questions.  The optometrists answered all my questions so I was ready to go under the laser.

I laid on my back on the chair and the nurse positioned me under the laser.  The doctor put some eye drops in my eye. A few seconds later, I couldn't feel any sensitivity in my eyes when they placed a device to keep my lids open.  Then I could see the doctor cut a small flap and lift it.  My vision went very blurry.  The doctor turned on the laser.  I just saw the red laser beams coming from one bright red spot.  I was instructed to look at the bright spot and they fired away with the lasers.  It sounded like a little machine gun.  Then it stopped.  I was told to look at the laser again and the firing started again.  This happened one more time and the doctor put the flap back on.  Then he moved to the other eye and repeated the process.  The eye device was lifted and the procedure was complete.  The nurse help me get to a stool where I sat and waited for the doctor to check my eye.  He looked through some microscopes and said everything is good and congradulated me. 

When I left the operating room, I could see enough to walk and find my way around the place.  I put on my eye glasses and was taken home by my designated driver.  When I got home, I rested for a few hours and was able to see very well.  My eye was a bit sensitive but after about 6-7 hours, I was able to see 30/20. It was incredible how clear I could see.  Things seemed darker because of the sunglasses. But it was incredible to be able to see that clear after an operation.  The morning after, I was seeing 30/20... did all my checkups and everything was okay. 

Here's what happens to the eye...  

NORMAL  ANATOMY OF THE EYE

The cornea is the transparent part of the eye that covers the iris. It is also the main light bending part of the eye.

PROCEDURE PART 1: 

Anesthetic eye drops are given to numb the eye and the surgeon marks the cornea with water-soluble ink to guide replacement of the corneal flap.

PROCEDURE PART 2: 

The surgeon performs a keratectomy which creates a corneal flap. A keratectomy is a procedure that uses a small instrument that makes a cut in the cornea as it moves across it. The flap is lifted and reflected exposing the cornea beneath.

PROCEDURE PART 3: 

A computer-controlled laser reshapes the cornea to the prescribed shape for clear vision.

AFTERMATH:

Source:  http://www.nlm.nih.gov - National Library of Medicine (National Institute of Health)