Firsthand experience of Wavefront Lasik (2006) (Optimax Epi Lasek Laser Eye Surgery)

Member Name: MeganFF

Product:	Optimax Epi Lasek Laser Eye Surgery
Date:	10/11/08 (1523 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Freedom! Liberation!

Disadvantages: The scary few hours after

I wore glasses from the age of twelve. As most with short-sight, one of my parents also required corrective lenses, as did both of my sisters.
From 17, I switched to contact lenses, along with the arrival of my drivers licence. I had no trouble with them, and had only one infection that I can remember in all the years I wore them. Even when it became apparant that my eye was mis-shaped, the lenses were fine. Ok, i needed special ones with weights in one end to make them fit the shape of the cornea.
I started toying with the idea of corrective surgery in 2006, when I was 26. I looked into the options on the net, was fully aware of the potential problems (from failure to change anything, to making my vision worse, to full blindness). When my mother offered to foot the bill, I booked an appointment for a consultation with Optimax.
I picked them partly due to their reputation (websites etc) and partly because they were in my hometown, so no need for long travels.
10th November 2006 is the day my life changed. When people found out I was going to 'see' about it, they would ask why I would want to do it. My standard answer was that I wanted to see my bedroom ceiling. I wanted to swim and be able to see. Things that 'normal' sighted people take for granted. Needless to say, most thought I was either joking or was mad! But I hadnt seen a ceiling since I was about 14, and thats something you can't really comprehend unless you've been there. All I saw when I woke, was a white blur.
Anyway, back to the point in hand.
I arrived for my morning appointment, had some tests which determined the health of my eyes and a full standard eye test. They also sat me in front of a computer to fill in a customer form. One question they asked which surprised me was 'Do you live alone?' Apparantly, they like to make sure you have someone to look after you - which with hindsight is a very good thing!
I had a meeting with the surgeon next, who was a lovely man. He checked the results from the previous tests, answered any questions I had, and even one from my Mum. He told me I was a perfect candidate for the surgery, and told me that I would probably need reading glassed by the time I'm forty.
I decided if I could have 15-20 years without glasses, then it would be worth the money.
Back out in reception, I discovered that I wasn't booked for automatic surgery the same day. Most consultations that day were, but for some reason I wasnt. However, they were very helpful, and took my mobile number and promised to ring if someone with an automatic appointment wasn't suitable. Fingers crossed, or I'd be waiting until late January, and would probably have chickened out by then!
Of course, they found themselves with a spare slot, and in I went.
My appointment was for 1630, but when I arrived, I discovered they were running quite far behind. This was due to the appointment system not allowing for time between surgeries, I was told.
It was about 10 to 6pm that I was called in. I was taken into a waiting room, where a nurse talked me through the aftercare - two lots of drops, how often I'd need to return for check-ups etc.
Then she lead me through to the theatre. They took my glasses, and I sat in a dentist like chair. The surgery itself was painless. They use numbing eye drops. For me, the worse bit was the gadget they use to hold your eye open! The laser was quick, and almost pretty to watch! You fix on a dot, but you can see the laser dancing over the surface over you eye.
Yes there was a strange aroma, but it wasn't nauseating for anything. It was simply the laser doing it's work.
By quarter past six, we were out in the carpark having paid, put on sunglasses (to protect the eyes from airborne particles and light) and collected my drops, appointment card and my glasses.
They tell you to rest your eyes, and that you may find it more comfortable to keep them closed. What they didn't tell me, was after closing my eyes, I couldn't open them. This I found seriously scary. We got home about half past six, and it wasn't until about half past eleven (after a certain Friday night prog) that I could open my eyes. It wasn't that I didnt try before. I literally couldn't force my lids up.
When I mentioned this in the check up the next morning, I was told that this was perfectly normal. It just irked me that they didnt make me aware of it before. During my 9am appointment, it was declared that I had 20/20 vision, or as good as.
My night-time eye wear was deeply sexy! Clear plastic lenses with air holes in them, that you tape over your eyes. The idea is that they protect you from rubbing or poking your eyes in your sleep. You're supposed to wear them for three weeks, but I gave up after one. They more often than not were skewed or off completely when I woke anyway. After so many years of contact lenses, I dont rub my eyes anyway.
There are restrictions to what you can do afterwards, for about six weeks, but these were not a problem for me. You're not supposed to shower for a week in case you get water in your eyes, but again this went by the by! With lenses, you learn how to wash your hair without soaking your face.
I had two follow up appointments, one a week later, one a month later. You're supposed to have one three months later, but they signed me off just after christmas 2006.

I cannot begin to express the freedom I feel. Everyday, it's amazing to me that I can see. The first time I could see my bedroom ceiling was astounding. To be able to fly, without having to take my glasses, solution and case, is liberating.

I would recommend the Wavefront Lasik treatment I had. But I would include a serious warning to anyone. Do you research first. Know what you are gambling before laying your cards on the table.

Summary: Worth every penny for me personally