Today, after over 30 years spending money on contacts and eye glasses, my husband had Lasik eye surgery. The procedure was very quick, we were in and out in less than and hour and a half. The actual eye procedure was done in less than 15 minutes. There was a big window from the waiting area to the operating area. I got to see Todd's big, blue eyeball on the big tv. It is very hard for me to comprehend how a one laser machine can cut an eyeball while another can correct the vision. The doctor said the laser follows or rather tracks the patient's eye position up to 4,000 times per second. Typical pulses are 1 (mj) millijoule in 10 to 20 nanoseconds.
He was sent home in goggles and is in the basement resting, 'listening' to the 58 inch plasma tv. No reading or tv for a day or so and he is supposed to keep his eyes closed as much as possible. I felt sorry for him just lying there doing nothing with tears constantly coming down his face which is normal I guess. I handed him a 750 vicodin that I had left from knee surgery and gave him a glass of wine. He couldn't see so I didn't tell him it was a vicodin. He needs his rest.....and I need to finish a paper.
Yes, it is fascinating. I have assisted in LASIK procedures when they were first new...my first career...it has come along way since then. I am sure he will be happy with the amazing results.
ReplyDeleteI have really bad vision -6.00 in contact lenses, but I cannot bring myself to do this surgery. I know I would be the 1% that would walk out blind forever. Despite, the odds. It is so tempting. I could not imagine waking up and actually being able to see something more than just shapes and colors. Good for your husbands bravery.
ReplyDeleteOn Web Soup they have a segment called "Things You Can't Unsee." That shot of the eye is going to be one of those for me. On the other hand, if that really worked that would be cool. I can't use contacts, and I don't like the feel of glasses. Is it expensive? Does insurance cover it? Does it work for near-sighted and far-sighted people?
ReplyDeleteOne more thing: Do wine and Vicodin go well together?
It works for all eye troubles up to -11. You have to qualify first. Your cornea has to be 500 microns thick. Yes, it is expensive. 1,500 hundie per eye. No, insurance does not pay. My husband was -4. He was considered middle of the road as far as impairment. You will still need reading glasses at some point. He is doing well just complaining of soreness and the feeling that sand is in his eye. It will diminish in a day or two.
ReplyDeleteI missed the last part Erik. Coming from experience with a major knee surgery and no choice but to lay on the couch.........YES, a little wine and vicodin ain't gonna hurt ya!
ReplyDeleteHis only regret will be that he didn't do it sooner! I had mine done over 10 years ago and have been better than 20/20 ever since. I didn't want to see the videos or pictures of how it's done, though, or I probably wouldn't have gone through with it.
ReplyDeleteOkay, anything dealing with touching an eye freaks me out. I have to have eye surgery soon to remove a pterygium. I'm going to ask my doctor how medicated I can be. They do remove them with a razor, not a laser, and I can't look away. I have to watch. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteThey will probably numb your eye. It will mask the pain as if you were under but you will be awake. They will probably give you a valium to relax you. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYou're a strong person to be able to watch the surgery on the screen. I wouldn't be able to do that.
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