How awesome is that? I had laser eye surgery exactly one week ago. I was kind of nervous as Mom and I drove to Des Moines, but not too bad. They gave me a Valium pill, and because I'm paranoid about drugs I immediately started questioning whether I was still in full control of myself, though honestly, I didn't really feel out of it that much even by the end of the surgery. The minute they called me in, my conscious mind realized I was about to have an operation that would decide how well I see for the rest of my life and could result in infection that would completely destroy my eye. I started to get nervous then.
It was terrifying to be under the laser. The Wolfe Clinic was very good about keeping me informed at all times about what was going on and asking if I had any questions, but even when you know it's going to happen, it's really scary to have a suction cup attached to your eye, have your vision go completely blank, and smell the sickening burning smell of zapped eye parts.
I took the doctors' suggestion seriously to keep my eyes closed the rest of the day. However, my eyes were (obviously) irritated, especially as the anesthetic wore off, and tears kept flowing. At one point near the end of the drive home I opened my eyes and more tear-water poured out of my eyes than I realized could even be stored there.
Nevertheless, already the day after surgery I was seeing 20/20 in my left eye. They had to take more off of the right, so it was still a bit swollen and not seeing as well. By now it's settled down most of the way, I think, and though it's definitely not 20/20, it's absolutely workable without glasses and (I hope) still improving. I stopped wearing eye shields (to keep me from rubbing them, loosening the flaps that had to be opened for surgery) last night, only to find myself rubbing my eyes this morning when I got up at 6:30 (5:30 Iowa time, after getting back to town last night at midnight. Ugh). That's bad, but I'm still seeing fine, and I hope this will stop as I (hopefully) wake up less tired tomorrow morning and in the future.
Here I am before surgery:
And here I am afterward, shorn of 2 inches or so of hair, miniscule parts of my eye, and my dignity:
1 comment:
Tim,
You actually look quite good in both these photos. The big difference is that your LOOKING is better in the second...Isn't it wonderful to just open your eyes and SEE!
From your fellow lasiked family member.
MOM
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