When you go in for the initial consultation they put you through a series of tests to map your eyes and determine if you are a candidate for the procedure. I noticed the doctor looked a bit longer at of the eye maps then the other before declaring me a candidate for the procedure. He when over the procedure, what to expect and answered my questions. Then someone else came in to talk money.
At first she said that the current price for both eyes is $5500 but they are currently running $1000 off. Then she notice that I mentioned in the paperwork that my sister had the procedure done 2 years ago and went to look up what she paid and then gave me that price of $3125. Later I heard a radio ad on PLJ for $1500 off the price if you mention the ad so I am of the impression the price is negotiable. This price, whatever it is, includes 12 months of follow up care including, if you’re in the 5% that need it, a second touch up procedure.
The day of the procedure I mentioned the eye map that he did a second look at and he had that eye mapped again. Now to be fair the maps look very general in nature so I don’t know how really important they are in the big picture. From what I read about the equipment the machine does most of the measuring and correction. Now because I am over 40 which is the age people tend to beginning to need reading glasses he is going to leave one eye slightly nearsighted which will delay the age at which I will need them and I won’t notice the difference unless I actually compare my eyes one at a time.
The first step of the actual procedure is the Intralase FS laser that cuts the flap on the eye. In order for the laser to do this the doctor puts a plastic ring on the eye and the laser comes down and rests on the ring to cut the flap. This puts a slight pressure on the eye. It was at this point the doctor had some trouble putting the ring on my eye and poked my left eye which made it bloodshot. I am told this will go away naturally over the next 2 weeks and has no effect on the healing of the vision. My sister said the same thing had happened to her so this is very common.
After the flap is cut in each eye then the bed your on rotates to the second laser, the ALLEGRETTO Wave Eye-Q. Here he lifts the flap and you look at a blinking light for a few seconds then he puts the flap back in place and they put a bandage contact on. This happens for each eye.
Once the anesthetic drops wore off my eyes had started to burn and I was sensitive to bright lights and it was difficult to open my eyes. I also had a slight headache in the area of my eyes. I took some aspirins and slept most of this first day.
Second day
The next day my left eye was sore probably because it had been poked during the Intralase step but my right eye was feeling ok. We went back to the Doctor and they took out the bandage contacts. This was disturbing since they use a tweezers in your eye to do it. No so much painful as just disturbing to have someone putting a piece of metal in your vision. Everything is still blurry but was better then my eyes used to be without glasses. I spent this day mostly sleeping as well as trying to look at anything made me very tired.
Third day
This day my Left eye was fine but I had a slight ach in my right eye for part of the day. My vision was about 50% of what it should be so I really could not focus on anything unless it was close. The healing process is like a bubble and what is inside the bubble is good and outside it is blurry with what looks like fog around lights also thing in the distance have a double image that is slightly shifted and each day this bubble gets a little bigger.
Today (forth day)
Today I am able to see a computer screen at a somewhat comfortable distance and can read most street signs even though they are still blurry. I went to work today but brought with me Lorraine’s backup pair of glasses incase I need them driving home after dark. My eyes have reached her level of prescription which is mild compared to what I had. I was told most people are seeing at 90% by this point but it feels more like 75%. I guess results vary. I was also told that total healing can take from 1 to 3 weeks. I should also mention that I have to put in anti-inflammatory eye drops and anti-infection eye drops every 6 hours (4 times a day) and regular preservative free eye drops every half hour.
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I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post. YaldoEyeCenter.com