Day 1 Post LASIK

I woke up this morning and could see. I could actually see really well. It was a very surreal feeling to see so well just 15 hours after the surgery yesterday evening. My eyes didn't really hurt, and weren't that dry. There is still a haze around all objects, and that's normal, and will continue for some time as I continue to heal. But, through the haze, everything is clear. I printed out some random eye charts to gage my progress, and I'm guessing I'm seeing around 20/30 this morning. I have a doctors appointment this afternoon to make sure that everything is still ok.

The surgery yesterday was actually pretty easy. I arrived about 20 minutes prior to my scheduled time and completed the final paperwork. I had to sign one more waiver indicating that I understood the risks, etc. I had to arrange for payment (yes, they expect you to pay first), and then I waited for about 10 minutes. They took me back into a pre-surgical room, took my blood pressure, gave me a series of eye drops, and gave me a Valium and a Motrin. The surgeon came in to speak with me, and then examined my eyes one more time with the microscope just to make sure there weren't any deal breakers. I was then escorted into the laser room and lied down on the bench.

In a couple more minutes, there were ready to begin. They added a few more eye drops, taped my left eye shut and attached a suction cup to my right eye. My vision went black, and they then used a laser to create the corneal flap. I didn't hear or see the laser, but it only took about 5 seconds. They then reversed the procedure and cut the corneal flap on my left eye. Again, I didn't hear it or see it, and it only took about 5 seconds and was painless, although there was pressure.

Then they inserted another instrument in my right eye, lifted the flap, and positioned the laser. They asked me watch the blinking red light, and in about a minute, after lining everything up, the process began. I could hear zap-zap-zap and could smell a faint smell of burning flesh. The actual laser process lasted less than 30 seconds. The laser was removed, my corneal flap was replaced, and my eye was irrigated to help smooth out the flap. The whole process was repeated for my left eye, nearly identical procedures.

After the surgery, I stood up and could see. Things were blurry and hazy, but I could see. They took a picture of me with the surgeon, then placed some protective goggles on my head, and then checked my post-op vital signs. My blood pressure was about 2 points lower then when going in. Then, I left. I was at the surgery center about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Immediately after the surgery, I could see, but I would guess something like 20/80 or 20/100. I could make out letters, etc, but couldn't see very clearly. I came home, had some dinner, and lied down to rest. I watched TV through the evening and dozed off and on. By about 1100 PM, my vision had significantly improved. Still fuzzy, but much better than just after the surgery. I did the eye drops as directed and went to bed. I slept well.