I’ve been wearing specs since my final year in college. Here in Singapore, picking up running and later on triathlon made me wear contact lens more than my glasses. I was so dependent on it that I shifted to dailies to avoid infection caused by extended wear.
Last year, to somewhat save costs, I went back to hard lens that can be worn for a month. That’s when my infection came back. I visited optical shops to update my specs and purchase my usual dailies.
Strangely, my right eye’s grade reading is not accurate. The findings of the tests by optometrists from each shop are always different from each other, at least for the right eye. They even prescribed astigmatism glasses / lens which I didn’t have any history of.
It got me confused and frustrated so when I did my annual medical checkup, I asked for an eye specialist referral. I visited Shinagawa Eye Center to be evaluated by Dr. Lim. (He’s the coolest specialist I’ve had by the way).
Conclusion: I can NEVER wear contact lens ever again.
Dr. Lim found scratches on my cornea and the vessels around my eyes are rather swollen. The upper part of my cornea was also hazy. Dryness was also evident. No wonder my eye tests couldn’t get proper readings. It took me three months to fully heal from my infection.
Since I can never wear lens again, I might as well consider doing laser correction. I went t
o another eye doctor to have my eyes checked at The Lasik Surgery Clinic recommended by a friend. I didn’t tell them of my past eye history so that my records can be fresh.
I underwent several tests, going from one machine to another. One test requires putting some eyedrops to make the pupil smaller. It got me scared for a moment because my vision went very blur. The tests lasted about two hours.
Findings: The surface of my cornea is very thin. Because of that, the only option for me would be LASEK. (Suitable candidates have more options depending on their budget)
With the development of technology, these laser correction procedures evolved into different names. I will just dwell on three basic ones: LASIK, Epi-LASIK and LASEK. You can search online the technicalities of such but for the sake of describing them in simpler terms, I write them as below:
LASIK = The machine will create a flap on the surface of the cornea. When the ‘window’ is open, laser reshapes the cornea. Once done, the flap is closed and undergoes healing. 20/20 vision can be achieved in a couple of days. Good for you, people! Haha..
Epi-LASIK = This is an alternative procedure given to clients who are not suitable for LASIK due to different factors as the shape or thickness of the cornea, dry eyes, high myopia, etc. It involves creating an opening by ‘shaving off’ the eye surface with a blade. Once opened, laser correction takes place. Since there’s no flap, a bandage contact lens will be placed by the surgeon while allowing the eye to grow a new surface (epithelium).
Since my cornea’s surface is very thin, I cannot do any of the flap or shaving off.
LASEK = This type of surgery is similar to epi-LASIK except that it involved the use of alcohol to soften the eye surface. Once the epithelium is loosened, the surgeon can now put it on the side and give way to the laser correction. Once done, the ‘loose skin’ is put back in place, supported by bandage contact lens and allowed to heal.
LASEK is a safe procedure and has lower probability of complications but is definitely more painful (to the body and soul) and entails a slower healing process. It was Wednesday and I was supposed to be operated within the same day of tests but I asked for some time to think about it and schedule it near weekend so I wouldn’t have to take more sick leaves.
DAY OF OPERATION
Come Friday a week after the initial tests, I came in the morning to go through further tests. I signed multiple forms and a waiver. Reading risks as blindness, overcorrection, undercorrection, infection, swelling of vessels, etc. got me frantic. I prayed and laid hands on the paper, declaring that none of these will happen to me. Having Filipino nurses to talk to also calmed me down.
Already dressed up for surgery, I waited at the operating lounge. When the doctor came, he asks for further tests to be run because my cell count was low, just in the borderline I suppose. This back and forth, in and out of the waiting room is making me more nervous. I keep on putting on and off my gown and other paraphernalia, too. I told one of the assistants, “I’m OK not to push through if it’s really low. I don’t mind going home now, no worries.”
Then the surgeon signals that I am good to go. I was given numbing drops as anesthesia before stepping in. Walking into the operating room, my heart started pounding stronger.
To describe my experience plainly (as much as I can remember):
- Laying on the bed, I was put under a machine with lights.
- Wide awake, a clamp was put in one eye to keep it open.
- Followed by alcohol drops and anti-scarring solution. I heard the assistant counting down from 60 twice.
- Then I can feel some ‘scraping’ tool on my eye. That’s when the doctor was putting the epithelium (cornea surface) aside.
- Just looking at the green light, laser went on. My vision went from blur to black then some shadow. All I hear was the surgeon’s voice telling me to look at the green light but the light was not always green and there were moments I can’t see a thing!
- What’s worse, I could smell something burning, like burnt hair. My eyes were burning! I just prayed and prayed. Lord, I don’t want to be blind. Thank You for 20/20 vision. Everything’s gonna be alright.
- Afterwards, cold fluids flooded my eyes. It was sterile water to flush away the burnt residue.
- Bandage contact lens followed.
- The procedure was repeated for my other eye. I think it took less than 30 minutes for the whole thing. Yehey!
With the support of my roommate and the Filipino attendants, I made it home. I’m like a child dependent on his mom for direction, for food. Dee became my eyes, my feet, my hands that day.
The painkillers they gave me knocked me down 1 hour later. Had to wear protective shield when sleeping. I was tearing nonstop so it’s crucial to regularly clean my eyelids. The painkillers were too strong and my antacid too weak. It caused me deep gastric pain that was more painful than my eyes. I had to see a GP for a better antacid.
How was my vision in the next days after operation?
- Very sensitive to light. Our room didn’t have any lights on till my roommate comes.
- I wear shades every time, even while in the room.
- I have it on when indoors, too, like when in church. My CGmates fetched me from home to accompany me as I couldn’t see my surroundings other than the path I was walking.
- I couldn’t read longer than three words. It strains my eyes. So my messages were all in voice. Siri has been my sidekick, aiding me by telling time, calling people for me, reading my messages, searching on Google, etc.
- I returned to work a week after. It was torturous for me to read each time. I had to go near my monitor, copy-paste the number I need to call and make it large enough to be seen before dialing.
As I write, it’s been almost three months since my surgery. I have yet to reach 20/20 vision but my eyesight is functional. My eye grade is fluctuating so having a pair of glasses temporarily won’t work. I just have to bear with this for now. I was given milder steroid eye drops and eye lubricants to relieve the dryness. I am thankful that there is no infection while I am in the midst of healing.
The most important thing is that I am on the road to full recovery. Doctor says it takes about 3-6 months of healing. I am believing that it is lesser than that. At least now I don’t have to be dependent on my specs or contact lens. And I can wear different colours of sunnies, too. How cool, right? =)
SPECIAL THANKS:
- To Dr. Eugene Tay for the smooth and safe surgery.
- To the amazing staff of The Lasik Surgery Clinic especially Martin and Jean (did I spell it correctly?). You made this journey worthwhile and stress-free. Thanks Martin for answering my silly questions and regularly checking how I am.
- To my spiritual family, CHC and N420F, for the well wishes, prayers, practical support and understanding. Thanks for fetching me from home, Reizel, Issa and Victor.
- To my mom and our church friends back in Philippines, thank you for praying for my speedy recovery. I can feel your love over seas.
- To my roomie Dee, for ensuring I have food and taking my meds on time, have a way to go to places and never feeling alone. I appreciate your TLC!
- To our awesome God who’s my constant Companion in the ups and downs of life. Thank You for the gift of sight, for healing me and caring about the smallest details of my life.
