Lasik surgery that is.

For over 25 years I've worn glasses.  Without my glasses I am useless.  I've tried contact lenses but have had problems with getting them in my eyes.

Thursday though, hopefully will be the end of my relationship with eyeglasses.  I am going in for Lasik surgery.   Technically it is not Lasik that I am getting.  Due to some anomalies with my eyes I will need to have PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) instead.

PRK is the predecessor to Lasik and has a longer healing time.  I go in Thursday afternoon to complete the procedure and will be a couple of days before I can drive or probably want to get on a computer.

I am a little nervous about it all (these are my eyes for goodness sake), but I am really looking forward to not having to wear glasses anymore.

I can't imagine what it will be like to wake up and not fumble for glasses or being able to go swimming without being blind. 

I'll let you know how it goes.  

Postscript:  Glenn Hagele, left some insightul information in my comments that I thought would be worth bubbling up into this post. 

Thanks Glenn!

Glenn writes:

PRK has made a big comeback in recent years. The development of better lasers that create very nuanced changes in the cornea seem to do slightly better with PRK or similar techniques that apply laser energy on the surface of the cornea rather than under a flap of tissue like Lasik does.

You will never need to worry about a Lasik flap complication during surgery or ever after. Although the probability of a Lasik flap complication is relatively low, no possibility is always better than low probability.

Do expect a slow vision recovery and some discomfort. Your vision will likely be dreadful for 1-3 days. You will have "functional fuzzy" vision for 1-3 weeks. The fine clarity will come after several weeks of healing.

I like to say that for the first few months you will wish you will have had Lasik, but for each day thereafter you will be glad you had PRK.

We have an active Lasik patient forum if you want to drop by.

Glenn Hagele
USAEyes 

I am not a doctor.