I've been debating whether or not to get LASIK for quite some time.
Finally, the thought of trekking with steamy glasses in Vietnam and of washing contacts on Chinese trains pushed me over the edge. Cut and burn, baby!
I'm now one week post-procedure. This is a travel web-site so I won't get too sidetracked, but let me say a few things for those who are considering the operation.
- The actual procedure was completely painless. It was extremely strange and surreal, but not painful and -- surprisingly -- not even that uncomfortable.
- The recovery (at least for the first week) has also been painless. I've had sorer eyes after wearing contacts for 12 hours. The worst part is pulling the tape off my face that holds the eyeshields on while I sleep!
- On the negative side, I was surprised how bad my close-up vision has become. This should slowly improve, but for now I have to crank down the resolution on my computer monitor in order to make out the words.
- Likewise, one of my eyes still feels like I'm seeing through a sheet of plastic wrap. I can tell it's sharper, but it's also distorted. Hard to explain. Hopefully this too will improve.
- Although the procedure is quick, the effects (or complications) last a lifetime, so don't undertake it lightly.
- Despite common misconceptions, the laser doesn't do all the work -- your doctor does. Find an experienced one! Believe me, you will appreciate your doctor's experience level when - near the end of the procedure - you see him tenderly spatulaing your cornea back in place.
If you decide to do LASIK, do it at least 6 months before you leave. This will give you time to have a follow-up operation if you need one (about 15% of patients require a second procedure on one of their eyes). Most clinics will not re-burn until 3 months after your initial procedure. Also, most clinics require 1-week, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month follow up appointments.
3 Month Update
I just returned from my 3-month checkup and all looks fine. They said my vision has gone from 20/400 to 20/20. Not too bad.
That said, I still have a few moderate side-effects:
- My up-close vision has slowly improved but is still noticeably worse than before the surgery. It doesn't interfere with reading books or magazines, but text on computer monitors is somewhat hazy.
- Light sources, especially headlights, have halos. This doesn't really impair my vision, but I definitely notice it.
- Increased in sensitivity to dust and wind. Doctors say this usually improves over the first year, though that may not be soon enough to help me through smog-filled Asian metropolises.
- Vision in my right eye is still a bit inconsistent. At times it's fuzzy, at other times it's not.
Overall I'm happy with the surgery, but I was surprised by the side effects. If you are considering LASIK be sure to talk through all these issues with your physician.
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