laser eye surgery.

last week i stepped under the laser. i gathered my bones {scaredy bones, perhaps} together and got the deed done. glasses no more! i say. until february i am still covered under my parents health insurance so i took advantage. i had a lot of questions, and wanted the complete low-down before i had the surgery but my optometrist could offer only so many answers.. so its not necessary for anyone to go uninformed.. this entry is for anyone who's thinking, hoping or knowing anyone wanting laser eye surgery.

my optometrist { dr. Koh at Mount Pleasant Optometry} in vancouver.

my laser eye surgeon { dr. Lin at Pacific Laser Eye Centre } in vancouver.

{ procedure. }

between laser-assisted intrastromal keratoplasty {lasik} and photorefractive keratectomy {PRK}, lasik is a versatile procedure in the sense that it is effective for a wider range of patients. On the other hand, PRK is a simpler procedure to perform. because i am quite young and have fairly healthy eyes, despite my astigmatism, myopia {nearsightedness}, and poor vision, i was a perfect candidate for the procedure. my surgeron, allowed me to choose which procedure i preferred, and i chose lasik because of its versatility, it required less time off work, and had a faster healing process. unfortunately i am not to rub my eyes in any form for three months, which seemed like an incredibly difficult task to undertake, but i trained myself well after about a week or so.

{ pain }

none. anethetic was dropped into my eye, and i was given gravol {orally}to help my nerves. slicing, dicing, lasers, and gross smells. weird beyond anything i've ever experienced, but not painful in the least. the gravol did ts job. i feel that i could have easily freaked out... if it lasted much longer, my concentration may have diminished.

{ healing. }

{day 1} noon - gabrielle and molly picked me up,grabbed food for the rest of the day {i won't be cooking anything}and they watched movies at my house all day as i listened. no opening eyes till morning. three different drops were administered through out the day; approximately two drops every half hour. the girls helped me with that till night. no touching the eyes in any way for any reason. no shower.

{day 2 - two weeks} time off work - no swimming, no open eyes during shower, no touching eyes, get nothing in eyes {sweat}, sunglasses always on when outside, driving not recommended, no straining of the eyes {take it easy with computers, television, books}, no makeup. continue with less drops. relax.

{two weeks} back to daily routine. avoid rubbing eyes.

{three months} rub eyes again.

{ cost. }
{note: prices differ with eye centres, these prices are merely what i paid.}
{* covered by my health insurance}

pre-operative exam with optometrist $80 {$80*}
consultation $0
lasik procedure $3,100 {$2800*}
extra eye lubrcating drops aprox. $60
post-operative exam with optompetrist {1 week} $80 {$80*}
post-operative exam with optompetrist {2 weeks} $80 {$80*}
post-operative exam with optompetrist {1 month} $80 {$80*}
post-operative exam with optompetrist {6 months} $80 {$80*}
post-operative exam with optompetrist {1 year} $80 {$80*}

total: $ 3,640.