Here’s an update for those following my progress. I have developed severly dry eyes, which is pretty common after LASIK. I found out because my vision was getting blurry and slightly hazy in one eye. Worried, I call the doc and went in right away.

After a check of my eyes, he said they were really dry and irritated. That was causing my blurred vision. So he put plugs in my lower tear ducts to prevent the natural tears from leaving my eyes so quickly and said to keep using the drops. The plugs are temporary and disolve over 30 days; he said it may take those 30 days to make a significant difference. But I guess with all surgery, it takes time and patience is required.

I’m currently using the drops constantly and with the plugs, it’s helped some I think. I’m already noticing my vision clearing up a bit. Not much, but just a slight improvement over yesterday and the day before. As long as I keep my eyes moist, my vision a lot clearer.

I’m trying to be optimistic and think that it’s just a side-effect from the surgery that will go away once my eyes completely heal (which could be 3-6 months). Since my eyes don’t hurt, are only occasionally slightly itchly and aren’t too red or anything, then I’m hoping it will eventually clear up and I’ll be fine.

I go for my next post-op Monday, so I’ll find out how my eyes look then. I’m also going to ask him about lubricant gels/ointments that I can use at night in addition to the drops I use during the day.

Here’s my in depth post about my LASIK experience. I was extremely worried that I would be rejected. That the docs would find something wrong with my eyes and tell me I couldn’t have it done. I was sick with worry, but last Wednesday, I went in for the pre-op and the doc said everything was just right. I wasn’t even borderline for any problems that would prevent it. I was so relieved. I could finally breathe easier knowing that I would be able to see in a few days. LOL!

So, Friday, Jan 28, 2005, I took the day off. We went out to get do some errands to kill time before my scheduled 3:30 appt. We had lunch and got back home around 1pm. There was a message on the machine from the doctor’s office. They said I could come in early, any time, if I wanted and I didn’t have to wait till 3:30. I grabbed my coat and headed out.

Up until that point, I wasn’t nervous at all. On the way, I began to get butterflies…mainly the kind you get when you’re extremely excited about something. When I got there, I was given my Valium to calm my nerves and told to wait about 20 minutes for it to start working. Then about 30 minutes later, they called me back. The waiting room was freezing so they let my husband come back with me. Within minutes, the technicians took me into the surgery room. My husband chose to watch the procedure. I was aware of everything. I could see everything that was happening. It took all of 10 minutes and I was heading home. I felt no pain at all during any part of the process. I think my husband was more freaked out watching it than I was having it done.

I think the most significant thing about it is being able to wake up in the morning and being able to see everything as soon as I open my eyes. No scrambling for glasses. No having to put my contacts in when I’m getting ready for work in the mornings. And it’s weird being able to go to bed and watch tv without having to worry about falling asleep with my glasses on.

I join the many others that say it’s totally worth having done. Especially with my degree of blindness. I was a -7.00 and now I have perfect vision. It’s just absolutely amazing and I just get emotional now and I look around in awe that I can see without glasses or contacts.