LASIK

I had my lasik surgery done yesterday evening at the Lasik Surgery Clinic. I’m currently using my hee-ugee don’t-talk-to-me shades which I adore(not cheapo ones hor. My eyes need proper protection from the glaring sun.) while typing out this post to avoid the glare from the screen. Okay, so there is a way to adjust it but I’m quite a noob and a lazy ass at times…most times. Okay! This post is about my surgery so let’s not get too analytical about my ass that is uh, lazy. So there.

The Lasik Surgery Clinic.

I chose a private clinic, okay, again, mum did all the research while I just went down and did the deed. Basically, the upside of a private clinic is the waiting time. Mum called on Tuesday to book for an appointment  and managed to get me a consultation slot for Friday morning and a slot for surgery, should everything falls into place, at a later timing. I think, if I were to opt for the hospital, it would probably take weeks or months.

I went for my pre-lasik surgery at 1030am and the place was already crowded but thankfully, I didn’t have to wait that long for my numerous eye tests. They had to check my degrees, cornea thickness and whatnot. Besides, I was rather occupied…with the snacks available. Heh. Excuse me! I only had coffee before making my way down. JUSTIFIED. So, there were around 8 eye tests, before and after they dilated my pupils. I had to go through a counselling session followed by a short consultation with the surgeon, himself. Oh, one of the coolest thing that happened to me was, I got THE BEST and most sought-after surgeon in Singapore. While waiting for my name to be called, I overheard a nurse explaining to someone on the other line that he or she would have to make an appointment months earlier if she wants to be handled by this particular surgeon - Dr Marc Tay and to think I got him just like that! Brilliant! The clinic itself is pretty cool, design wise and the nurses…WOAH. If I’m a guy, I think I would have gone down on my knees and weep. The nurses are so pretty and sweet looking, friendly and not bimbotic. Service was good too. Thumbs up!

Click here to look at the staff hierarchy(and photos).

To say that I didn’t have the jitters, would be a lie. I was worried about the possibility of going blind because who knows, I might flinch during the surgery itself and things might just go wrong. I flinch when applying teardrops, what more having to open my eyes widely and NOT MOVE at all for a few minutes. I noticed one thing. When the nurses told me to “Please don’t move and don’t blink”, I tend to hold my breath at the same time too. Is that normal?

When it was my turn for surgery, I was asked to sit and rest my eyes for awhile. A paperbag containing my medicine was given to me. I swear there are so many instructions, dos and don’ts to take note of that I have to constantly refer to the manual. The surgery itself went smoothly. Dr Tay was friendly, professional, warm and totally in his element. He told me to concentrate staring at the red light while he did the whole procedure. I tried not to fidget and just concentrated staring up at the light and listening to his voice as a form of distraction.

Paperbag containing my medications.

Basically, this is what happens during the surgery.

1. A numbing drop will be placed in your eye, the area around your eye will be cleaned, and an instrument called a lid speculum will be used to hold your eyelids open.

2. A ring will be placed on your eye and very high pressures will be applied to create suction to the cornea. Your vision will dim while the suction ring is on and you may feel the pressure and experience some discomfort during this part of the procedure.

3. The microkeratome, a cutting instrument, is attached to the suction ring. Your doctor will use the blade of the microkeratome to cut a flap in your cornea.

4. The microkeratome and the suction ring are then removed. You will be able to see, but you will experience fluctuating degrees of blurred vision during the rest of the procedure.

5. The doctor will then lift the flap and fold it back on its hinge, and dry the exposed tissue.

6. When your eye is in the correct position, your doctor will start the laser. After the pulses of laser energy vaporize the corneal tissue, the flap is put back into position. He will smoothen away the air bubbles.

7. A shield will be placed over your eye at the end of the procedure as protection because no stitches are used to hold the flap in place.

So that’s it. The same procedure done on both eyes. If I would have to go through it again, I would probably say NO for a very simple fact…I CAN SEE WHAT IS GOING ON so it is pretty much scary and I was really just sucking in my breath and praying for it to be over as soon as possible. I’m just uber sensitive and scared when it comes to the eyes. But if any of you would like to undergo lasik surgery, I’d say go ahead. It sounds contradicting but its not so bad, really.  A zero degrees contact lenses were placed over the flap to protect it. I slid in and out of the operation theatre like an idiotic goon and didn’t care if people were looking at me like I’m a retard. I can’t help it. They gave me a pair of feet gloves and operation attire to put on and it is slippery…why can’t I have fun and be a kid? Hahaha. Idiot. Anyway, I went for my 1st review this morning to have it removed and to have my eyes checked. The next and last review would be at the end of the month.

 

I had to put on them bumble bee looking eye shields for protection. I’m supposed to use it while I’m sleeping to prevent my eyes from being poked or rubbed unknowingly.

The tedious part is having to take care of my eyes and to protect them from the evils of dust, smoke and uh dirt.

1. Antibiotic drops every hr for the first day and every four hours for the next 10 days.

2. Eye droplets every hour for 1 month.

3. No washing of hair and face for the first 3 days.

4. Water MUST NOT touch the eyes for fear of bacteria.

5. I must not rub, squeeze or touch my eyes.

6. I wash my body first and then wipe my face using a wet towel.

7. I avoid staring at bright lights and the glaring sun, hence the much needed shades.

8. Avoid smoky and dusty places like clubs. He looked at me like I’m an avid clubber. I is good gerlx.

9. No contact sports or swimming for a month.

Thankfully, my eyes didn’t react too badly after the surgery. I was able to text message my boyfriend right after the surgery. I was busy texting when a guy beside me asked, “How come you are using your handphone?” and my immediate response was, “Why cannot ar?”

“No lah, what I meant was how come you’re not tearing? I’ve been tearing since just now and I had it done before you.”

“Oh, no idea haha” (maybe my eyes are better than yours.)

Rofl. I always get this kind of situations.

Anyway, that’s about it. Perfect eyesight! Its so surreal because I’m still cautious about my eyes, not wanting anything to happen to it and it feels like I’m having my lenses on… BUT I’m NOT! AWESOME!

What’s the damage?

Be prepared to fish out 2.4K or so.

Sayang my eyes~ *hug eyeballs*

Happy Bumble Bee with perfect vision. ROFL.