Lasik (sorry didn't know where to put this)

[bcblondie]

I'm gettin lasik on Friday. I've got my rides all worked out. I've read all the papers 100 times. But I'm still nervous. I guess about the "stuff they don't tell you"
I know I'm going to be in pain for a day, and hide in my room. What else do you wish you knew? Any tips for me?

[Night_Nurse]

I had it years ago and I've never regretted it! I was never in pain. I just remember having to keep my eyes covered for a day and putting drops in them. The only side effect I ever experienced was "halos" around lights at night. It went away after a year or so. It never really bothered me other than noticing it if I stared at a street light or something.

Good luck! It's a great feeling waking up in the middle of the night and being able to see the alarm clock!

[MamaMelis]

I had it 8 years ago and have not regretted it for a moment!

Had it done first thing in the AM and actually went out to dinner that night ~ super super easy recovery, totally painless and fast procedure.

Good luck!!

[tinybutterfly]

I haven't had it, but my dh had it several years ago had he is sooooo happy he had it. I don't remember him talking about any pain at all.

Having to use lots of eye drops for awhile is something you may have to do, but it's just part of taking care of your eyes afterward. He takes a supplement with something in it to help keep his eyes moist ( I think?)

Good luck and ENJOY!

[bcblondie]

Thanks everyone! That's a relief. The "burning" I'd heard people get afterwards was my main concern.

[Porcelain Interior]

The only complaints I've heard is loss of night vision (one friend had this happen), and I've also heard from several people that if you scar easily and don't heal nicely then your risk for complications is higher, but I've heard way more good stories than bad, and even the bad ones were just minor things.

[~Katie~]

My DH had PRK over a year ago, which is similar to Lasik but I think it is a more detailed procedure. Because it is a different procedure I don't know what your healing time and aftercare will be like. The procedure itself for him only took about 10 minutes, they gave him a valium prior to the procedure to deal with the nerves. He definitely needed the pain meds and slept for about 5 days to give his eyes a chance to heal, he could drive after a week.

It took about 6 months for him to heal completely but he is 110% satisfied with the results and would definitely do it again. Definitely follow your aftercare instructions and if you need eye drops use them, DH had to leave for training while he was still healing and didn't get more eye drops from his doctor before going, and ended up developing scar tissue which prolonged his healing. They were able to fix that with a steroid drop I believe.

Good luck!

[KyleAnn]

My dh had it done a few years back and he is always telling people about the one big thing they DID NOT tell him....
which is when they begin the procedure after they do the cut (or whatever you call it), that for a few seconds your vision goes completely black. No pain, it comes back immediately, but they failed to mention that part and for a split second he thought the slipped and made him blind!
He had the burning/dry eyes after for a couple of days and some minor discomfort (although he doesn't tolerate pain well...), says it is one of the best things he has ever done and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Good luck, you'll do fine!!

[Monarchgrrl]

I had it four years ago and it was the best decision!! I was never in any pain. I took a valium and took a nap at home for a few hours afterwards. When I woke up, everything was perfect. There was no burning. I kept the dark sunglasses on for watching TV that evening. You just have to remember to use all your eyedrops and don't touch or rub your eyes. My night vision never suffered and as of the day of surgery, I have 20/10 vision in one eye and 20/15 in the other. In fact, I didn't even go back in for the second follow-up appt because I knew everything was perfect.

I hope this part doesn't freak you out. I was REALLY nervous beforehand. I thought the things that hold your eyelids open were going to be painful but they weren't at all. It was actually really cool. I actually thought the surgery was really fun! There was one part (I won't get into details, in case it would make you more nervous) where the doc lifted something back and I could really SEE for the first time. Everything was so clear and colors were so sharp and bright. It was like having a dark screen lifted off your eyes. It was so beautiful. So, when it comes to that part, pay attention. You might enjoy it. Good luck and update us with the results.

[bcblondie]

Thank you so much everyone! This is all really helpful, and exciting to read!

I actually thought the surgery was really fun!

That was the valium, my dear! . JK. lol.
Nah spare no details! I want to know everything I can. I can't wait for that first moment when I can see. ohh it's going to be cool. Like when I first got my glasses when I was 10.

Katie I did hear the PRK has a more difficult recovery. I'm just getting the basic lasik. It's not guaranteed for as long but it's what I can afford.

Porcelain I do think I'm at slightly higher risk for bad night vision as they said my eyes do dilate slightly wider than most. Thus I might be seeing out of part of the eye that wasn't lasered. But I mean. Right now I can't see at all so lol

Kyle that's great about your dh Thank you so much for the tip about it possibly going black for a second. That would ahve terrified me.

[annettemarie]

Surgery posts go to Health and Healing. Moving you there!

[bcblondie]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

Surgery posts go to Health and Healing. Moving you there!

Thank you and sorry. I was going to put it there but I noticed all locked threads and was confused.

[Doodlebugsmom]

I had it done 3 years ago, and I'm still amazed! I had no pain or burning at all. I came home and slept for about 6 hours (they gave me valium and tylenol with codeine). After that, I woke up and dh and I went out to dinner and a movie since my mom was keeping our kids so I could rest if need be. At that point I could see very clearly although my eyes looked a little red. I used the drops for required amount of time and had no issues with dryness or anything at all. Best money I ever spent!

[bcblondie]

Awsome! Would anyone suggest taking a tylenol before hand, or could that interfere with the valium/the surgery itself?

[mclisa]

I didn't have any pain. I had mine done on a Friday. Saw back in follow up on Saturday. Back to work on Monday. I remember that first week, my vision was a little off and I had a co-worker showing me something while I smiled and nodded. I couldn't see it at all.

I love it.

I never had any valium for it.

[Doodlebugsmom]

Originally Posted by mclisa

I never had any valium for it.

I just want to clarify so the OP doesn't get nervous if she doesn't get valium. The reason they give valium where I got my LASIK done (a large, university hospital that is very selective about who they approve for LASIK) is because they stress the importance of keeping your eyes closed for several hours after the procedure. I think the valium is to help the patient relax and do just that. They don't give it because it's a traumatic procedure or anything. I probably wouldn't have even needed it because I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat!

[kjbrown92]

I took the valium beforehand as well. I was very nervous. They said they were supposed to give me a valium afterwards too, and didn't (I wish I'd had that one as well). It was a 1.5 hour drive home for me (DH was driving) but the sunshine was REALLY bright that day, and even though my eyes were closed, they were tearing really badly and I had a wicked headache by the time I got home. But then slept and was fine when I woke up 3 hours later. So if it is really bright sunshine that day, just make sure you cover up your eyes really well. I had the "big pupils" thing too, and I didn't have any problem with night vision or haloing. And even though my eyes were dry beforehand (couldn't wear contacts), and dryness is a possible side effect, my eyes are actually less dry than they were before the Lasik. Even 3 years later, I still think it's amazing when I step out of the shower and I can see the mirror. And I love being able to shave my legs and SEE. And seeing the clock in the middle of the night. And seeing my kids while we're swimming in the water. And all sorts of amazing things to see!!! I don't regret it one second. Best present DH ever got me!

[Doodlebugsmom]

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

I had the "big pupils" thing too, and I didn't have any problem with night vision or haloing.

So did I. To the extent that they almost couldn't approve me. My night vision has actually improved.

[buttercups.nest]

keep us posted how it goes!!!

[bcblondie]

Thanks everyone! I will definately keep you all posted!

Mc that's great that you had no pain. Too funny about smiling and nodding though. I do that most days anyways. lol.

Doodlebugs I do think I will take the valium. I don't fall asleep very well, especially when I'm excited. But thank you for reasuring me of that. They made it seem like the valium was so we don't get anxious during the procedure. Which is probably does also. But maybe isn't the main reason they give it.

Kj those are the things I'm excited about as well!! eep!! You're making me unable to sit still. lol.
I used to be a lifegaurd so either I'd get splashes on my glasses (which is annoying plus it wrecks them) or I'd live in fear of losing my contacts. It made it hard to do the practices where you have to get the dummy from the bottom of the deep end. Hard to find it when you're squinting so you don't lose your contacts!
Ah! So excited!!

kj and doodle i think the risk of halos/bad night vision is pretty low. like 1 to 3 percent. I'm at slightly increased risk so maybe 5% is my guess. Still pretty low if you ask me! And even if I have it I'm sure I'll still see better than I do now! I'm walking into walls trying to get to my crying baby in the middle of the night

Yay lasik!!