Freaking Out

Laser Eye Surgery coming up

[Liane]

I know I am a coward of the first order ... but I just hate doctors!

I am going to Puerto Rico tomorrow for laser eye surgery. This has been a long time coming and something which I probably should have had done years ago ... by alas, I am terrified of doctors. I just can't stand to be in the same general area as a medical professional. They totally freak me out!

So ... sleepless in Tortola wants to know ... how many of you have actually had this done. I mean come on ... they are going to aim a laser at my eyes at fire the damned thing!

In four hours, my friend is picking me up at my place and we will drive for an hour to the airport, board the plane to Puerto Rico ... and there is no turning back!

I am going out of my mind with fear!

OK, so I don't see very well at all. I can only work a few hours at a time until I need to rest my eyes and my business is suffering because of it. I know all of this, yet I am still terrified.

Does anyone have any experience ... good bad or indifferent?

[Liane]

Never mind ... I didn't realize that Foo was also premoderated. I'll be long gone before this message gets posted so just delete the whole thing,

[lawman]

Foo is not premoderated.

[troels nybo nielsen]

My thoughts are with you, Liane. I am 51 and my eyes work fine though I have been treating them ruthlessly almost my whole life. I guess some of us are just lucky, sometimes. (I'm a coward too, in some fields.)

[Macguru]

Liane I wish you all the best. I know what is pre surgery stress. I had a lombar disk removed a little while back. I was terrified too, even a week before the operation. I dont like doctors too. I once spent 2 days with a broken rib before making the decision to see a doctor.

Your vision problem consequences sounds like the intervention is a must. You will soon see the world like you never did in a very long time.

Please keep us posted as soon you can.

[eWhisper]

Your surgery should be over by now, hope it went well.

A good friend of mine had it done. Her eyes were the worst vision they still do the surgery for, and some of the doctors wouldn't do it, as it required a true specialist to work on them. She had problems with light and some blurred vision for about a week. It took a little over a month for everything to be totally healed (and the doctors informed us thats because her eyes were so bad in the first place, it takes longer the worse your eyes are - more cuts involved).

After 6 months, she needed very light glasses for driving at night or in the rain, but other than that, glasses aren't necessary, and its been 2 years.

She had work contacts almost exclusively for 20 years, and the first time she tried to cut an onion the tears wouldn't stop, she'd never done it without contacts, and finally felt the onion pain.

[photon]

Liane--

I hope your surgery went well and that you're enjoying being amazed by the difference.

A friend of mine had the same thing done in February (she's in her early forties). She said almost immediately after that she should have done it much sooner!

Right after the surgery she could tell the difference. She laughed every time she reached for her glasses out of force of habit, and is still amazed at times when she realizes she's not wearing them and can see just fine!

Be ready for your older friends to start handing you the fine print to read.

[tbear]

Hey Liane, good luck with the nerves, I know the surgery will go well......
When you get back you'll go into raptures over the views from your office, enjoy!
Hmm, ought to think about that surgery thing for me too. Since I started with the 'puter thingy some years ago my site has declined rapidly.
Still I'm only 53 so I guess it can wait :(

[whoisgregg]

I wish I had seen this post before you left so I could offer my encouragement. :) I had lasik done in April of 2002 and it went perfectly! It is honestly one of the best decisions I have made and has changed my life for the better in many subtle ways. :) Best of luck!

[mivox]

Can't wait to hear how it went, Liane... I've thought about doing it for years, but the expense and the idea of someone firing a laser into my eyes kinda put me off. But if evrything went easy for you, I might start thinking about it again!

[Liane]

I just got back from Puerto Rico ...but unfortunately, they couldn't do the surgery. I had a pretty bad fever last Christmas which lasted the better part of a month. Apparently it caused or triggered something called chronic, persistent dry eye syndrome which permanently disqualifies me from having lasik surgery or using contact lenses.

Sooooo, I have ordered new "transitional, trifocal" glasses which I should have in about a week's time. My prescription has changed dramatically in the past year and I'm no longer supposed to drive.

I'll have to take a drivers test again about two months after I get my new glasses and after I don't have to wear the eye patch any longer. (Eye strain)

I've had eye problems for several years, but hopefully the new prescription will be a big help. Not being able to drive could present a problem considering where I live ... but things could be worse! :)

[volatilegx]

I had lasic done a few years ago. Best decision I ever made (besides getting married and having kids).

My vision went from 20/1000 to 20/30. Bye-bye eye glasses!

Sorry to hear you didn't qualify for the surgery, Liane :(

[mivox]

Ah, that's too bad Liane. Hope the new glasses work out well though!