I have but one real goal for 2012 – and that is to learn how to sew. Haven’t done any sewing since high school home ec class, and I didn’t really pay attention, because I figured I’d never be interesting in making my own clothes and didn’t really see other uses for the skill. I’m still not really interested in making my own clothing in general, but learning to alter store bought clothing would be a valuable skill, I think, as it can be difficult to find clothing that actually fits me well. Mostly, though, I have recently become interested in costume design and period clothing (particularly the Regency Era through the first couple decades of the 20th century) and hope to gain the skills necessary to make some creations of my own. I’ve been needing a new hobby and I hope that this will do the trick.

So, anyway, Happy 2012 Everyone!

My surgery was 3 days ago and I’ve had no redness, no discomfort at all past the first day, and that was minimal, and my vision is still crisp.  I haven’t even felt like my eyes have been dry like the first time around.   I’ll still be on a massive regimen of eye drops for the next week at least, but if all is going as well as it seems to be I should be able to taper some of that after my next follow up (next Tuesday).

Honestly, my biggest hurdle has been that I’ve caught myself on a few different occasions going to rub my eyes – that is a big no no for the next few weeks.  Since there is no scratchiness or discomfort, the only reminder I really have that I just had surgery is the series of reminders I have on my phone telling me it’s time for one of the eye drops.

Technically, last night was the last night I *had* to sleep with the goggles, but I think I’m going to sleep with them on for at least the next 2 or 3 nights, just to be safe.

One thing I haven’t actually done is test out my night vision.  I’ll try to get out after dark at some point this week.  I expect that I’ll see the halos around all the lights for the next few months, but as long as I can see, I can live with that.  The halos should lessen with time.

The procedure was a little different this time around.  They did not have to re-do the Intralase portion (where they cut the flap).  Instead, they just loosened the existing flap and folded it back and then let the laser do its thing.  The advantage of that is that I have no redness at all.  My eyes aren’t even the slightest bit bloodshot. Also, this time, they put non prescription contacts in my eyes because they said I would be more comfortable.

When I got home yesterday, I had a bit of food and I decided to take the second Valium and I added in 3 Advil PM’s and a Tylenol (because I didn’t want the Tylenol 3) and took a nap.  Even with all that I could only nap for about an hour and a half.  Thankfully, I didn’t have disturbing dreams this time.  Then I spent yesterday watching the telly rather than reading or playing computer games.

I had my first follow up visit today and they removed the contacts, which I am extremely happy about.  I don’t like the cloudy vision effect I get by sleeping in contacts.  Drives me a little crazy.  Now that the contacts are out, I can feel a bit of scratchiness, but it’s not all that bad.  Oh, also, I’m 20/20 again, which is fantastic.  I do hope I don’t regress this time, as I don’t know if I would be able to get the surgery a third time.

At the moment, though, I am happy.  I go back for my next followup visit on the 31st as long as everything stays like it is.  If I regress again, I’ll go back sooner.

At least I have a pretty good idea of what to actually expect this time, both with the procedure and the recovery. I know how my routine will have to change change for 2 or 3 weeks when showering or exercising and I know that for at least 2 or 3 months I am likely to have problems with dry eyes. I’ve already stocked up on Systane Balance just for the occasion. I know that sleeping the first week will be a challenge because I am a side sleeper and those goggles are damn uncomfortable. I know that I have to cinch them pretty tight or I tend to take them off in my sleep (not a good thing). I also know to hang a blanket over the bedroom window before we leave for the surgery since I know that my eyes will become excruciatingly light sensitive for a few hours after the surgery and when we get home I am going to need to nap for awhile. I know not to bother taking that second Valium…really was not fond of the dreams…

I already have tomorrow all planned out. Get up and have one cup of coffee and a light breakfast. Enjoy my last “normal” shower for at least a week. Head to the doctor’s office and wait. Wait some more. And then some more… Finally, they’ll take me through the pre-op exams and give me the Valium and soon after that the surgery. The last time, I was at the doctors office for about 2 1/2 hours. 15 minutes of that time was spent doing the pre-op exams, another 5 minutes in the surgery room (the surgery itself took maybe a couple minutes). Another 10 or 15 minutes in an exam room to get the post-op instructions. Then I get to go home, have a little more food and, with any luck, snooze for 2 or 3 hours. I’ve queued up lots of TV to watch this weekend. I’m going to try to avoid my computer and reading for a few days. That part will be excruciating. It isn’t a requirement that I cease use of my Kindle and computer, however, I’ve noticed that it takes me a longer to change focus from close to far than it used to (some of that is, no doubt, age), so I want to take it easy for a few days and not work my eyes too much.

I’d say ‘wish me luck’, if I believed in that sort of thing. Since I don’t, I’ll just have to see how it goes. I’ll do another cycle of posts regarding recovery and progress for the next few weeks. Hopefully all will go well.

Oh, and my birthday is Sunday (22nd), so I think it would be a fantastic birthday present to not only get 20/20 or 20/15 vision but keep it. Just sayin’.

Meanwhile, they did give me contacts so that I can at least drive – not being independently mobile for the past three weeks has been awful – and they said I could drop off a pair of eyeglass frames and they would send them off to get lenses for my current refraction put in and it wouldn’t cost me more than about $20-$30 (just materials). That’s acceptable. I don’t want to wear contacts all the time, anyway, because it will take longer for my eyes to stabilize and I don’t need the correction for using my computer or reading (and the contacts make being in front of my computer monitors really uncomfortable anyway). Plus, I’ll need to not wear them for 2-3 weeks before I have the enhancement done anyway, so a pair of glasses will do the trick nicely.

I did ask, since the surgery didn’t exactly do the trick this time, what the chances were that it wouldn’t do the trick the second time either. Happily, she said she’s never seen that happen. That makes me relax a bit.

So, that’s pretty much it for now. It’ll be at least 2 months before I can have the enhancement done, so I’ll do another round of posting when I’m ready to have that done. Meanwhile, hopefully I’ll find more interesting things to post about.

Oh, and I still think living in the future is awesome.

In the week between my first follow up visit (17 Jan) and my second (25 Jan), my vision has worsened. I went from 20/25 in my left eye and 20/20 in my right to 20/80 in my left eye and 20/40 in my right. Sadly, the only fluctuations I’ve experienced – other than that – would be just how much I notice the difference from day to day, and hour to hour.

I haven’t been able to see well enough to drive since the 19th and the eye strain from the disparity is enough that I don’t use my home computer much. Being as how my job requires me to sit at a computer for much of my day, my eyes are extremely tired by the time I leave work. That means that I don’t get to enjoy my favorite leisure activity (PC games) all that much.

The doctor I saw yesterday did say they would have expected my vision to be better than it is, though fluctuations are expected. Worst case is I get an enhancement done, but it is a minimum of 3 months before we can do that, so it’s a waiting game.

Of course, it is still pretty early and a lot can happen in a week or a month, so we’ll just have to wait and, hopefully, see. My next follow up visit is on 9 Feb, unless I notice my vision getting worse still, then I am suppose to call them for a sooner appointment. If there isn’t improvement by then they can give me contacts to wear so that I can at least function better. I’ll probably have to go to appointments a little more often than if things were progressing in a more positive manor.

Other than the disappointing vision, my eyes are healthy. There is still a little swelling from the surgery (which has never been visible, thankfully), so she prescribed me some stronger anti-inflammatory drops to use for the next two weeks. That may or may not help the vision issues.

My friend that had his lasik done a week before I had mine is doing great, however. I’m very much in the minority with my experience. Not that it makes me feel any better. This is actually the first time in my life that my vision has not been the same in both eyes. When my vision went bad as a child, it did so in a uniform manor. This experience is a bit weird for me.

So, that’s what I have so far. I’ll post another progress report in a couple weeks, after my next follow up visit.

Like yesterday when I woke up, my eyes were pretty glassy and bloodshot when I got out of bed this morning. More pronounced than the ‘first think in the morning glassiness’ pre-surgery, but the same type of thing. The redness takes longer to subside, as well, but since I seem to have less overall redness than other people I know that have undergone Lasik, I’m still quite happy that I have as little redness as I do.

Overall today, my vision isn’t as crisp as it was yesterday. I’m told that fluctuations in visual acuity as well as general haziness that comes and goes is normal for the first while. My right eye was still a little scratchy feeling this morning, but that’s gotten better as the day has progressed. It still kind of feels like I’m wearing a contact lens inside out, though. My left eye has felt very little discomfort at all since the procedure, and none since Saturday afternoon, which I am very happy about. I think the reason my right eye is as uncomfortable as it has been (and it isn’t actually bad, just a little scratchy feeling) is that I had a harder time relaxing that eye than I did my left. My right eye is my dominant eye and it fought a little more through the procedure. So, if you are thinking about getting Lasik, try to relax completely. I guess that’s what the Valium is for, but it didn’t really effect me, unfortunately. Your mileage may vary.

I definitely could have slept later than I did this morning (got up before 6am), but being a side sleeper, the goggles tend to be really uncomfortable and my face really wanted to be free of them. I was told to wear them any time I sleep for the first 4 days & nights, so I will do so, even if it means not sleeping as soundly. I figured I could take a nap after my first followup appointment anyway, and I did. It felt really good to rest my eyes. Since nothing is terribly crisp today, looking at my computer screen for longer than a half hour strains them. I foresee some catching up on tv in my near future.

Overall, I seem to be progressing normally. My vision, even though it isn’t really crisp, is presently 20/20 and the clarity will improve. She did tell me to use the artificial tears more than I had been, though, because even though I may not notice the dryness, it’s there and the artificial tears will aid the healing process. Ok, doc, I’ll use them more.

I go back for my next followup appointment on Tuesday the 25th. Meanwhile, I’m headed back to work tomorrow. That should be fun. I normally get to work by around 6:30am, but I’m not so sure driving while it’s still dark out is a good idea, since the halos are still very pronounced and I’ll see a lot of glare, so I may go in after sun-up for the rest of this week. We’ll see though.

Oh, and I must say one last thing before ending this post — THANK YOU SCIENCE!

I was awake early this morning; probably a side effect of going to be kind of early last night. Yesterday was a big day, after all, and they want you to sleep more in the first couple days to aid the healing and rest your eyes. Thankfully, I am happy to report, my dreams were normal run of the mill dreams, unlike the Valium induced ones yesterday. I did wake up several times during the night, though, because I am not used to wearing anything on my face while I sleep. The goggles are not the most comfortable things ever, but they do serve a very important purpose.

Thinking back to yesterday, I’m actually surprised at how little discomfort I’ve had. When we got home I was still feeling ok, so I ate and took the second Valium and put in my first dose of drops and then tried to nap. That is actually when I started feeling uncomfortable. The slightest amount of light was blinding to me and my eyes wouldn’t stop watering. I think it took me about an hour to get to sleep and then I only slept a couple hours. After that, though, I was fine. The light sensitivity was gone (at least with the levels we normally have in our house) and the watering had stopped. At that point, the only discomfort I felt at all was in my left eye — it was a bit scratchy. My eyes did get tired after watching TV for a couple hours, though, and that prompted a second nap.

When I got up this morning, I was very happy to free my face of those goggles. But even though I could see, I reached for my glasses. That is such a long standing habit, I wonder how long it will take to shake it. I chuckled when I did it.

My eyes were still red when I woke up this morning, but after an hour or two most of the redness was gone. All that’s left are some slightly red spots from the corneal suction ring that’ll probably hang around for the next few days. That is normal. Even the residual redness is much less than I expected, though it’s possible that it will get worse. We’ll see. Presently, the level of redness I have is similar to having worn my contacts for a bit too long. I would always get get a reddish ring around where my contacts were. My friend that had has Lasik a week before I had mine had much worse redness then I presently have. I saw him 3 days after his surgery, so I’m interested in seeing how I look in a couple days. Vision-wise, in dim light, I still have just a slight amount of haziness in my left eye, but the vision in my right eye is pretty crisp most of the time; haziness comes and goes with that one. I went outside a couple times today (with sunglasses, of course) and everything was crisp. No haziness at all. In fact, I never saw that well with my glasses.

Like yesterday, I have 3 sets of eye drops that I’m using periodically today. Well, yesterday, I did have another one for pain, which I didn’t really need. I used it a couple times to alleviate the scratchy discomfort in my right eye, but that’s it. The 3 drops I have include an antibiotic, an anti-inflammatory and artificial tears. And they all have different schedules for use. Thank goodness for smart phones. I downloaded an app called “Med Minder” that is specifically to sound an alert when it’s time to take your meds. I have reminders set for each of the drops so I don’t miss any.

My biggest challenge of everything, so far, for my recovery are showers. That’s about the only time I tend to touch or rub my eyes or squeeze them, which I must not do for at least the next week. I also cannot let the water directly hit me in the face. This morning I covered my face with a dry wash cloth while I washed my hair. That worked quite well, so I’ll stick with that method.

Any regrets so far? Hell no! Even yesterday I was not nearly as uncomfortable as I thought I would be. Couple that with less redness than I expected and I’d say this is the best ocular decision I have ever made. I’ll post again tomorrow after my appointment for the “official” report of how my eyes are doing.

We got to the doctor’s office just a little early and for the two hours I was there, most of that time was spent waiting. First waiting for the remeasurment of my vision and mapping my eyes for the laser and they gave me 10mg of Valium to relax me. The Valium didn’t actually make me feel any different. I don’t know if that’s normal or not, but I’m kind of like that with most drugs. After that, I waited for another 20 or 30 minutes for them to take me into the laser room.

They laid me back and told me to look at the yellow smiley face on the ceiling…or the yellow blob in my case. Then they numbed my eyes and, one at at time, did the intralase portion of the procedure, where they cut the flap of tissue (using a laser) from the cornea so they can correct the vision. This is the only part of the procedure I felt anything at all, and that was just a bit of pressure from the corneal suction ring. I felt the pressure more in my right eye than I did in my left. After they did that, the laser did its job of correcting my vision. The whole process took about 5 minutes, from the time I walked into the laser room to the time I walked out. At the end of the procedure, I saw the yellow smiley face on the ceiling and I could read the clock across the room.

After that, they gave me the post op instructions, another Valium and some really funny goggles I’m suppose to wear all day today and then anytime I sleep for the next 4 nights. They told me to go home, have a bit of food, take the Valium and take a really long nap. I also have drops to put in my eyes periodically.

By the time I got home, my eyes were extremely sensitive to light. Even in a room with the lights off and the shade drawn there was too much light. Also, my eyes were watering so much I looked like I was crying. Both of those symptoms wore off in about 3 hours, thankfully.

I did nap, but not for nearly as long as they wanted me to. Although the Valium didn’t really seem to effect me much, the dreams I had during my nap were downright disturbing. The dreams I had were very much like the hypnopompic/hypnogogic hallucinations I used to have. Very surreal and a bit disturbing. I knew I was dreaming and kept trying to wake myself up and when I would wake up I would be in another dream. So, note to self…Valium is not a good sleep aid. And once I was really awake, that was it, there was no more nap for me.

So far, my afternoon has consisted of watching tv and eating ice cream. Not a bad way to spend a day, I think. The only discomfort I feel at all is in my right eye, but it isn’t bad at all. I go back Monday morning so they can check everything out and whatnot.

So far, I consider this a success. I love living in the future!

Further reading:
Custom wavefront Lasik : Info about the type of Lasik I had
The Eye Center : Where I had the procedure done

I’m quite nearsighted, at least compared to most people I know. My glasses correct -6 diopters for each eye. The way I normally define that to people is “I can’t cross the street without them because the moving cars and the parked cars look the same to me”. My vision is genetic, although both of my parents are farsighted. Most of my siblings are nearsighted as well as were my grandparents. I first got glasses when I was 9 years old and have been tied to them, or contacts, ever since. It’s a leash that I will be happy to rid myself of.

A couple friends of mine have had vision correction surgery recently. One had PRK and the other wavefront Lasik. My oldest sister has also had the wavefront Lasik and is really happy she did it. From what my friend told me that had his Lasik surgery last week, they give you a Valium when you get there, and send you home with another one and also pain drops to use on the 1st day. He said I’d probably take a nice long nap when I get home, which I am looking forward to because I’m a fan of naps.

I’ll try to keep a bit of a journal about the healing process to post here in case anyone is interested as to what the process is like. I’m sure it will be an interesting experience.