My Experience

I have been myoptic since I was eight. I also have astigmatism which means I have to wear contacts that have to be oriented a certain way in my eye. They were frequently misoriented and not very effective. Plus, the allure of having perfect eyesight when I woke up in the morning and not having to deal with contacts is something everyone with imperfect vision can understand. I went to see a doctor at a prominent university who took a topography map of my eye and recommended PRK instead of LASIK because my cornea was thin and I have astigmatism, predisposing me to risk of complications. I then consulted with a second doctor who was a classmate of my fiancé in medical school, and he offered to do the procedure for much less money. He was also very concerned about giving my eyes sufficient time to return to their normal shape after contact lens wearing. So for about three months, I wore glasses instead of contacts and went to see him about four times in total to get a topographical map of my cornea, to see if it was changing. Maybe he was being extra cautious because I was the fiancé of his former classmate but I’m glad he did even though wearing glasses for so long was a drag. Finally we saw no further changes in the shape of my cornea and we were ready for the procedure. The topographical mapping involves sitting at a chair, gazing into an instrument at a spot (or actually, trying NOT to look at it) while the technician scans the corneal surface. A very precise measurement of the shape of the cornea is produced. Then by the magic of computer wizardry, the mapping information is translated into a laser program to sculpt the cornea into the desired shape to correct the myopia. It is largely an automated procedure.

So the day of the procedure, the laser was programmed to sculpt just the right amount of tissue off the surface of the cornea. I took a valium about 30 minutes before and was glad I did just because it is unnerving to have ones eye touched and manipulated. I was seated in a very comfy reclining seat (somewhat like Virgin Atlantic First Class seating, not that I’ve sat in one) in the midst of a gigantic instrument about the size of a Volkswagen beetle, reclining comfortably. The doctor and nurse were reassuring and comforting throughout, trying to ease any stress I might have. I wasn’t unduly stressed by it but I imagine some folks would be intimidated by the instrument. The whole procedure was on a screen that of course I couldn’t see, but my fiancé could watch. A device was lowered directly onto my eyeball, which I did not feel at all, then the laser fired up and there was a weird sensation that wasn’t at all painful, but was somewhat unpleasant. Like a pressure with a bright intense light in a background of blackness. But completely bearable. The doctor and nurse shouted encouragement and told me how great I was doing as this went on. Then the other eye. It was all over in about 20 minutes. No pain at all.

The doctor said I would not be able to work on the computer for about a week and that I would be in pain and should rest for about 3 days. Boy was that an understatement. For the first 12 hours I was doing great, and was like, pain, what pain? But the next day it started. Excruciating sensitivity to light and stinging sensation of the eyes. Even having the light on in the room was too much. I had some books on tape but mostly I just slept, trying to avoid any light. I had to put many many drops in my eyes. My fiancé did it but it was really hard to open my eyes for the drops because of the light sensitivity. I was taking pain meds (Vicodin) but still found it very difficult. After about 5 days I was not in extreme pain but not back to normal. Went to a jazz club and had to leave after one song because of the light sensitivity and just feeling bad from the pain meds. Don’t try to do too much too soon. Rest and darkness are crucial. After five days I was itching to get back online but couldn’t really read the screen too well. After about a week or ten days I was functioning okay with computer work. After two weeks I was pretty much back to normal. I had a very fast recovery, says the doctor. And now, I have perfect vision! My close reading is a bit worse (e.g. reading a book in bed) but I just hold the book further away. It was definitely worth it to me.