My LASIK Experience

On Thursday, the 5th, I got my CustomVue LASIK done (basically just LASIK but more customized to your individual eyes)! This was a gift from my parents for graduation, I actually got the $2,400 Groupon for the Standard Optical Lasik procedure. I've been going to Standard for awhile now so I trusted them. (I saved about $1,000 too, well my parents did :) ) So anyways, I wore my glasses for about 3 1/2 weeks as required and I was all set to go! On Monday I had my eyes dialated:

So that was fun to look like an alien for a day :)

On Thursday at 10AM my friend Sarah Lebaron drove me to the laser center in Holladay since I couldn't drive myself home (Brandon couldn't get out of work). They did all the prep stuff, told me what to do after, etc, and then got to the main event. First they put numbing drops in your eyes and give you valium (thank goodness no needles). Then the doctor came in to talk to me for a minute and he WROTE on my EYES! No kidding. He took out a special pen and started putting dots on my eyes. When this dawned on me I said "Are you writing on my eyes?" and he says "Do you really want to know?" and I said "Probably not". :)

His name is Dr. Davis and he was very nice, actually the whole staff was very friendly and helped to make the whole process SO easy. After using my eyes as a dry erase board they led me into the surgery room. By this time the valium is kicking in a little bit and I'm starting to calm down (a tiny bit, lets be real I was very anxious). They had me lay down in this chair/bed thing and then they handed me a teddy bear! I'm not making this up she casually hands me a teddy bear and says "He can keep you company." and I thought that works for me because I am freaking out a little bit. Then they put a blanket on me because it was real cold in there. Then they leave me to chill for a few minutes before they are ready. So I'm sitting there all bundled up cozy in my blanket with by friend Mr.Bear and thankfully that allowed me to chill out and relax a little before the actual surgery. Then the doctor and 2 assistants came in and started. From the start of the procedure to the end I would say it was maybe 5 minutes, if that. The first part is a suction thing where I think they cut the flap and they say that there will just be pressure but that thing HURT, only for a few seconds but it did... or I was gritting my teeth and tensing my body so much that it was my jaw hurting but I don't know something hurt. :) After that it's not bad, you just have to stare at a blinking orange light as much as you can. It was trippy. You can see them moving the flap around and doing stuff. It's crazy, I wish I could describe it better. Then they put more drops in and put your awesome glasses on and you're ready to go! I could open my eyes a tiny bit to see the floor but that was it.


Side story, right before the procedure the doctor was asking me about what I graduated in (marketing) and about school. He started telling me about how he needs some marketing actually and maybe I could help him, and this was the vicodin talking but I'm almost positive I said something so retarted like "I like marketing."... He was probably thinking "oooohh, nevermind". Oh man.

Anyways then Sarah drove me home, and I don't remember it very well but I remember trying to talk to her and mixing up my words and getting frustrated because it wasn't coming out right (thanks, vicodin) so I just napped with a shirt on my head because you're VERY light sensitive after. We got home and I honestly basically slept the rest of the day. You have to keep your eyes closed and resting as much as possible so I just chilled. Brandon nailed a blanket to our window too because even through the blinds it was so bright, what a champ :). He also brought me Wendys (don't ask me why I was craving a baked potato) and my favorite oreo shake. I was fine to walk around too, but every time I tried to get up he would say "No! What do you need?" and go get it for me :). He takes such good care of me. Friday was much better, I could open my eyes a little more and see great too. I have to put in steroid drops and antibiotic drops 4 times a day, and moistening drops like every half hour/hour. We went to my post-op appointment and my doctor said I was the most healed on the next day that he has ever seen before, so I win the fast healer award! I was about 70-75% healed he said and that was the day after, dang eyes heal fast I guess. I do have this really cool spot on my eye from the speculum they use to keep your eye open. I guess sometimes it nicks a blood vessel and causes these and they go away in a week, it's creepy looking though huh?

I have to wear the space googles for one more night I think and then I'm done! (Just so I don't hit myself in the face while I'm sleeping I guess and screw up my eyes.) I'm going to go so far as to say it really is a miracle. I can see 20/20 right now and it could get better as time goes on. The only time I even notice is in the mornings I wake up and it feels EXACTLY like I slept in contacts because they're so dry, but I just put eye drops in and I'm ready to go! (I will have to do less and less drops as I heal). It is seriously amazing and I reccommend it to everyone who has thought about it. I am beyond excited and It's still sinking in that I don't have to wear glasses or contacts again. (Well glasses probably but not till i'm at least 45 or 50). If you're still reading you're either considering LASIK yourself or you're just VERY bored because this was a long post :) If anyone is considering it and has any questions you just feel free to ask me, I am a VERRRYYY happy customer. :)