My consultation for laser eye surgery at Optimax is next Monday. I'm both excited and nervous. I'm hoping by then I'll have a much clearer idea of whether I'd like LASIK or epi-LASEK surgery. Realistically, I probably won't know until I've chatted with the consultant and then thought it all through.
When I booked the consultation I received a letter which advised me not to wear contacts for up to 2 weeks before the consulation. But I haven't worn my contact lenses for ages now, actually I think the last time was Christmas, mainly because they're just uncomfortable. One of my eyes is astigmatic (rugby ball shaped) so I have to have a weighted contact in that eye to keep it in the right place, except it still moves and I have to blink to get it back.
Also with the documentation was a risk form - part of the contract you have to sign when you undergo treatment with Optimax. It outlines all the possible risks and side effects and you have to initial each item to show that you have read and understood. It's quite a daunting list but it's standard legal stuff. Just imagine if you had to sign a contract before you were born and you had a list of all the horrid things that could happen to you in life - injury, financial struggles, heartache etc. etc. It's not often you have all the risks of your decision laid out in front of you like that, and of course they don't mention the benefits, because that makes it look like they're trying to give it a positive spin.
But I'm not too concerned. The idea of facing freedom from all that blinking and dry eyes in contacts is like a dangling carrot. And glasses can be a pain too: endless lens cleaning, slipping in hot weather, freezing metal on your face in cold weather, eyelashes brushing on the lens. Yes it would be great to be free of these things. People who don't rely on glasses have no concept of what it's like. I feel like a completely different person when I wear contacts, I'm sometimes amazed that people recognise me - not because I look different but because when you wear glasses it can feel like you're hiding behind them.
Here is my updated list of questions for the consultant:
- Which would I personally be most suited for - epi lasek or LASIK surgery?
- What is the success rate for my prescription on either surgery (my prescription is -2 sphere and -2 cylinder in my right, -4 sphere in my left)
- How long does pain last on average?
- How will I control the pain?
- How long before my vision would be at driving standard?
- How long before I'll be able to use a computer comfortably?
- How long should I take off work (will probably be determined by the answer to the previous question)
- What happens if my vision is not improved, or is improved but still needing glasses?
- What about hayfever, will sneezing or itching eyes be a problem - will I be able to take Clarityn as I have done for about the last 5 years?
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