LASIK changed my life!

Two weeks ago, I underwent LASIK surgery and it changed my life! I went from not being able to see more than 5 inches in front of my face to seeing everything in 20/20! Can not believe I spent many years wishing I could, researching the procedure, pricing it out, and then talking myself out of it.

I experienced so many precious moments with blurred vision…. like the birth of my kids and even my wedding. I revisited this LASIK idea and this time, I decided it was time and that I deserved it.

Here is my journey.

Preparing for LASIK

I showed up for a consultation where they explained what LASIK was and how it would “change your life”. They explained the pros and cons and I still wanted to move forward. 

A couple of weeks later, I had an in-person appointment where they dug a little deeper. My eyes were dilated, then analyzed for corneal thickness and health. Also in this visit, the physician went into further detail using phrases like “cut a flap”, “laser beam and reshape your eye”. Eek! Although very afraid, I decided to make my surgery appointment that day. 

I went home and needed to know more and took it upon myself to watch videos of Lasik surgeries and look at pictures. So, at this point, I’m talking myself out of it again and wondering what I should tell them when I cancel.

After calming down and revisiting my “Why” for getting Lasik and the extensive research I had done on the procedure and doctor… I started to mentally prepare myself.

I took a social media break, started a morning meditation, and began an intentional mindset practice to get myself ready for the day.

Day of Surgery. Eek!

I woke up thinking “Wow. This is the last day I will wake up reaching for my glasses before getting out of bed.” lol. My vision situation was very serious. 

Shortly after arriving at my appointment, the front desk associate collected my payment and handed me a bag filled with eye drops and vitamins. Three hours later I was directed to a chair where I waited to go into the operating room next. 

For three hours I watched countless people come in with glasses and leave without their glasses. Nervously waiting and unintentionally catching a glimpse of someone’s eyeball on a screen slightly above an iced-out window. Anxiety rushed over me. 

The Doctor called my name and said “Hi Jasmine! I’m going to perform your Lasik procedure today. Are you ready?” I replied with confidence and quickly saying “Yes! Are you?!” He chuckled but I was nervous as crap and trembling a little while still thinking whether it was too late to get a refund or not.

I was escorted into the room where the screen had previously displayed the eyeball of the previous patient. I was instructed to take my glasses off and lay in this chair. Everything was so blurry. Eye drops were placed in my eye to numb them. Shortly after, the chair was rotated to the right starting the procedure on the first eye.

Just as he began to talk, I realized I hadn’t told them that I was deaf in one ear. Everything sounded so muffled. I freaked out again and quickly held my hand up. I expressed to the assistants and doctor that I needed them to speak up a bit because of my hearing impairment. It was no problem, they adjusted without making me feel like I was being yelled at or an inconvenience. The next words he spoke were “Jasmine, everything will go dark.”

(I began to breathe as practiced then gripped myself tightly with both hands.)

My eye was held open with a lid speculum. I felt pressure and the doctor counted down from 5 and the lid spectrum was released. It was repeated on the other eye and then slowly moved to another chair where my eye was cleaned and brushed with a light tool.

In total, the whole surgery experience was approximately 3-5 minutes. I was escorted to a waiting room where my eyes were examined immediately by the doctor to be sure everything was as it should be. To my surprise, I could already see. I was a little shaken up by everything, my eyes were sore and blurry… but, I could see!!!!

I was excited but drained. Per doctor’s orders, I went home and slept like a baby for 3 hours.

Two Weeks Post Surgery

Deciding to get Lasik was the best decision I could make for myself. It has truly changed my life. The first week, I was instructed to put some medicated eye drops in 4 times a day. As of today, I only take vitamins twice a day and drop a few eye drops in my eyes when they feel a little dry. 

The final decision to get Lasik rested on the fact that I was missing out on special moments due to my vision. Additionally, being deaf in one ear makes it hard to experience hearing and other activities normally as well. Research says that when one sense doesn’t work, the others will heighten. Well, with both my vision and hearing being impaired and having the opportunity to correct one without too many side effects, it was a no-brainer. 

I do a little sign language and read lips when my ears fail me. So, with Lasik, it has made things so much easier for me communicating and the overwhelm of trying to keep up.

My random Top 5 Positives

1. There was no pain during surgery, just extremely uncomfortable.
2. Very fast recovery! I was driving to my follow-up appointment the next day. For real!
3. I can see my life in 20/20, kind of like the new 5k HD. It’s amazing.
4. I don’t have to wear glasses or contacts to see!
5. I don’t have to worry about my glasses fogging up when wearing my mask or opening the dishwasher after a cycle has finished. (Steam)

My random Top 5 cons about getting Lasik

Mind you, there aren’t many cons for me. I do not regret getting Lasik AT ALL.

1. Costly! The procedure without discounts is roughly $2500 an eye. I did receive $1000 off the total amount and then used a card with points to bring the cost down. But, worth every penny!
2. Experiencing dry eyes is common and dropping eye drops in my eye very often is something new to me. But, I’m getting used to it.
3. The experience had me shaking and gripping myself in the chair due to my anxiety. They do have meds they can give before a procedure but I opted out. 
4. I waited for 3 hours before it was my turn. They did tell me about this ahead of time, but dang! I was a flight risk the whole time!
5. My eyes are sensitive to light, so I walk around with sunglasses anytime I am outside on a sunny day.

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I see the world differently with my new vision. It’s an amazing feeling. I truly feel I made the right decision and happy with the outcome. If you are considering LASIK, I would say compare your pros and cons to your desires and needs. Please do watch videos and look at pictures. I think it’s better to know what you are walking into so you can fully prepare.

Signed,

Your 20/20 Visionista Jasmine
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