I'm a little over 2 weeks from when I had it done and I still catch myself several times a day realizing I can see but I don't have contacts in. I know that sounds weird and not a huge deal to a lot of people but damn that procedure is amazing. Took 7 mins to fix something that I've had to deal with for every minute of every day of my life. All the times playing sports or going on a trip and worrying about...what if I lose a contact or one rips or whatever. When that happened previous to LASIK it literally rendered me useless. Blind. Just crazy medical technology and I'm so happy I got it done.
That’s something I’m really looking forward to. I’ve worn glasses or contacts since I was 7 years old. My prescription is -6.00 in both eyes so I’m blind as fuck. The thought of waking up in the morning and seeing clearly kind of freaks me out.
That part is weird but imo what's even weirder is at night. I was one of the type of people who wore my contacts 99% of the time and most nights I slept in them. Therefore if you're anything like that you probably know the feeling and vision of dry contacts at night after a full day. None of that now. Just normal feeling eyes with constantly perfect vision.
I gave myself an ulcerated cornea when I was 14 from leaving my contacts in for a couple weeks so I am pretty neurotic about taking them out before bed. Even if I’m completely shit faced I take my contacts out before going to sleep, it’s like muscle memory.
I was the same way, never slept in my contacts and usually had them out by 7-8pm on weeknights. It was a wild change being able to see my clock from the bed. My prescription was just slightly better than yours and after a month and a half it’s been amazing. I’m really looking forward to taking some longer/red eye flights when we can travel abroad and not having to deal with glasses+contacts
Bro, go do it. I know everyone is in a different financial situation, but if you can possibly swing it, you should. I’m 33 and got it done. I never wore contacts in my life because I reflexively blink any time something is near my eyes. Just a complete basket case. No BS when I say this thread convinced me to do it. I was in the “operating” room for a total of 20 minutes and a week later my vision was at 20/20 in my left eye and 20/15 in my right eye. For reference, I was at 20/200 before the procedure.
LASIK is schedule for 6/10. How long will I need the drops for? Any limitations on what I can do other than no flying for a week after?
I took artificial tears for like a month after, but your discomfort will vary. The prescription drops lasted a week or so. As far as activities, you shouldn’t swim any time soon, but beyond not working out hardcore for a week or so, you should be good.
Had my 24 hour check-up this morning and both eyes are 20/20, everything looks good according to the optometrist. The procedure made me feel like I was going through the black hole at the end of interstellar. Really a wild 2-3 minutes.
Same here, probably the best decision I’ve made in my life. I still get so happy when I wake up and don’t touch my glasses or think of having to put contacts in.
I feel that 100%. idk about you but as I’ve gotten older I’ve had more difficulties with contacts - lately have only been able to wear them for a few hours at a time
I never really had problems with contacts in my life...just the annoyance of relying on them and the immediate major disability you have if you lose one away from home. The latter reason combined with the research saying it's best to get it done no later than 35-40yo was what finally made me just pull the trigger and finally get it done.
The place I went to just provided some wrap around sunglasses. They were fine. Main purpose is to just have something over your eyes when you're sleeping the first several nights so you don't inadvertently rub your eyes in your sleep.
I feel like I was probably the worst patient ever, but it still took all of 20 minutes and, two years out, it’s the best money I’ve ever spent. Bar none.
Yep....best investment I've ever had either. By a long shot. Your procedure took 20 mins.?? From the time I actually entered the operating room to the time I walked out of it was somewhere between 5-10 mins. and if I had to bet I'd say it was closer to 5 than 10.
they said I’ll be here for about 90 minutes, but I think they redo the entire eye exam to make sure everything is still the same
So, I have a hard time keeping my eyes still. It’s why I could never wear contacts, because I reflexively blink and can’t touch my eyeball. So during LASIK, my eye was held open but I had a hard time concentrating straight ahead and my eyeball would move around at any light or something touching it. Still got through the procedure, but I still felt bad.
That sounds right. Your time in the “operating room” is probably the shortest amount of time you’ll spend anywhere.
I did add a Xanax and Vicodin when I got home and slept for like 4 hours but it was quite uncomfortable early on. Still tough to keep them open but thank Him for dark board
Yeah the first 48 hrs suck. Once you get past that it's amazing how quickly you recover. By the time you reach this weekend you'll think back to today and tomorrow and be mind blown. As you'll find out if you haven't already...the eye drops will be your savior
Just try to sleep as much as you can. I wouldn’t even attempt to look at a screen. yes. The morning after I was back to pretty much 100%
You mean like to the day after follow up visit? I did just fine but I wouldn't recommend anything more than that. Your eyes are still going to be uncomfortable and you'll want eye drops frequently. Also your eyes are going to look like shit still.
Hit those eyedrops and wear your shield. Your vision should already be 20/20 even with the post-op cloudiness. You'll be back up and running in a day or two.
joe- throw some eye drops in the fridge, the cold drops were so damn soothing for me (although I had PRK)
Had it almost 10 years ago. Had pretty bad dry eye for year after but that cleared up. I’ve noticed that I’ve lost a bit of clarity but my job involves me looking at screens and straining daily. I’m not to where I need a prescription yet though.
By the second night I was watching the Game 1 of the NBA Finals. I was very excited to be able to see because it was this game:
oh yeah it almost feels normal now. but I did get face wash in my eye on day 4 and thought the world was ending
Oh I bet...especially since you couldn't get any relief by rubbing them. You still needing eye drops occasionally or are you making it thru days completely normally now?