My LASIK surgery in December – report from Thursday, January 29, 2009
Yesterday evening I went to Zurich for my follow-up appointment, four weeks after my LASIK surgery. After explaining the procedure and the overall care I received, I was very eager to hear the results from the doctor. My feeling that the surgery had been successful was confirmed, and he said, “Very good, very good!” I was very pleased because my visual acuity is 125% in my left eye and 100% in my right. Binocularly, I have 160% vision.
I travelled to Istanbul with my daughter on Saturday. After waiting in line for about an hour and a half at check-in – before Christmas, there was unbelievable chaos in front of the three check-in counters! – the flight was delayed by about half an hour. After that, everything went smoothly!
Customs clearance went relatively quickly, and Fred was already waiting for us outside. He took us to the car and drove us to the hotel. He even accompanied us to the lobby to make sure we got a good room.
On Sunday we explored part of Istanbul and rode the metro a lot. Fred explained how to do it. On Monday morning we visited the bazaar, but after about an hour we’d had enough. The vendors were quite pushy.
In the afternoon, Fred picked us up from the hotel and accompanied us to the clinic. There were four of us patients in total, three of whom were Swiss! We were soon deep in conversation – naturally, we all had the same topic!
After the examinations were finished and the formalities completed, we were able to grab a bite to eat. We were told to avoid alcohol and caffeine. And what did I order? A Coke! After the others gave me disapproving looks, it finally dawned on me! I only drank half of it. LOL
Back at the clinic, we were given a thorough explanation of the entire surgical procedure and the preparations. We lounged in soft armchairs and waited for our turn. I passed the time watching television. Unfortunately, I was last in line. I was so envious when the first patient returned and rested on a bed, her eyes tightly closed. I didn’t dare ask how it had gone. Finally, I was allowed to take a seat in the famous massage chair! After I had slipped on the surgical gown, cap, and a second pair of shoe covers, my eyes were disinfected. I lay there, practically bursting with anticipation, yet completely relaxed.
I was led into the operating room and lay down on the table under the laser. My eyes were already numb, and now the right one was covered. The retractor was attached, and the eye was rinsed. Then the flap was cut and repositioned. Everything went blurry. I was instructed to take a deep breath and concentrate on the green dot. I did as I was told. I saw flashes of red light and heard the sound of the laser, and then it was over! The eye was rinsed again, and the flap was smoothed back into its original position. That’s how it felt to me.
Phew, still the left eye. I had a little trouble concentrating there. I noticed a brief pause; the doctor calmly instructed me to fix my gaze on the point, and then we continued. I had moved my eye slightly, and that’s why the laser switched off.
The doctor thanked me for my cooperation, and Fred escorted me to a darkened side room where I could rest briefly. Then he took me to my fellow patients, who were already in a joking mood again. I, however, could barely open my eyes and longed for the “miracle drops” that would stop the biting. First, I had to go for a quick follow-up appointment, and then I received the drops. We put on our sunglasses, and as we left the clinic, I realized I hadn’t taken off my sexy green shoe covers!
Arriving at the hotel, I lay down in bed. But I just couldn’t find any peace, and the biting sensation returned. So I took the painkiller we’d been given and tried to sleep. I dozed off for a little while. Three hours after the surgery, I went to a café with my daughter and had something sweet! I could see without my glasses; it was incredible!
The next day we went for our follow-up appointment, and the doctor was very pleased with the three of us. New patients had already arrived for their preliminary examinations, and everyone was understandably curious. Afterwards, we were driven to the airport and reminded not to forget our eye drops! We happily flew home.
I send my greetings to my two fellow patients and hope they are doing as well as I am! I would also like to sincerely thank the entire Eye Star team for everything.
Denise Zeller