LASIK

The day started with multiple sms-es of wellwishes from couple of concerned friends. :) Thanks to T & S (is N included?) who volunteered sending me there and back. Appreciated. But all of you know how i hate troubling others with my unnecessaries.

Mobile-check. Cash-check. Card case-check. Payment receipt-check. Sunglasses-check. Umbrella-check. iPod-check. Reader'sDigest-check.

The wait from scheduled appointment time till surgery proper's bout 110mins. I was walking in and out of the Surgery Room's waiting area for water while the others were discussing and worrying bout surgery proper. Totally puzzled with their concerns! *_*

My turn came 'sooner' than expected. I was waiting outside the washroom for my turn when the assistant went about asking all the gowned up folks if their name's JR. There she found me, shocked she was. "You arent prepared for surgery?" And i went, 'Oh its my turn!? Ok i'll gown up now'

So unprepared for! First time in this entire LASIK episode. Im usually the calm and cool one.. Who strongly belives that i'll be able to go through it, no sweat. Not anymore!

I stepped in and was a lil relieved to see Yap washing his hands. :)

My back laid on an inclined chair in an operating theatre containing the laser system. The laser system included a large machine with a microscope attached to it and a computer screen. I was put to the vulnerable supine position and moved 90deg. to be placed under the laser system. There i saw the legendary red flashing light. Actually, i saw orange light too! A head and neck support flled with 'sand' was placed. Time check: What seemed like 1 min.

Anasthetic drops were given (Works like magic!), the area cleaned (The assistant was ROUGH la!), lashes taped and a plastic shield was placed over the unoperated eye. My eye lids were held open with a lid speculum (dental folks call it retractor? It was uncomfortable.)
My vision was dimmed while a ring was placed on the eye and high pressures was applied to create suction. It was uncomfortable but tak sakit. The microkeratome (a cutting instrument) is attached to the suction ring. The blade of the microkeratome cuts a flap in the cornea. Reminds me of how gingiva tissues are incised. Here, i experienced the momentary loss of vision! Scary woooot! The instrument and ring was removed and blurred vision was experienced!! The flap was lifted and gently folded back on its hinge. I could see the stick like instrument finding its way to lift the flap! Site was then flushed with saline. My fists were clenched and more anaesthetic eye drops were instilled. Time check: What seemed like 3mins.

The laser was then positioned and i was asked to look straight and stare at THE light. The laser came on with a ticking sound. Now, fear gripped me. Lotsa thoughts ran through my mind. But i had to trust the expert larh.
The computer controls the amount of laser energy delivered. Before the start of surgery, Yap programmed the computer to vaporize a particular amount of tissue based on the measurements taken on initial evaluation. After the pulses of laser energy vaporize the corneal tissue, the flap is put back into position and irrigated with saline. Time check: What seemed like 2mins.

Ta dahhh. Right eye done.

Similar procedures for the left, with more fear, surprisingly.

The chair was raised and i could see again! As i sat on the clear acrylic swivel chair, i smiled, thumbs up and went 'great success'! Yap laughed. And so did his assistant. He did a check using the slit lamp biomicroscope (i think) and everything looked fine. He gave me a friendly pat on my back as i thanked him with teary eyes.

Antibiotic eye drops (TobraDex) was instilled (It stings!) and the shield was placed.
I: I look hideous right. Like a mosquito.
Clinic assistant: No. Like Spiderman.
HAHA. And to prove my point....



The glare from the sun casted a dizzy spell which went away the moment i stepped into the comfort of home. Ignoring the hunger pangs, i instilled a/b eyedrops and went to bed without the help of sleeping pills despite the onflowing concern of sms-es. Woke up at 6+pm. Whooopee! Clear vision albeit a lil blurrrry on the left side.

A list of post op instructions was issued before surgery.

Religious post op regime:
Antibiotic eyedrops: Stings a lil on the left eye initally till bout 3am. To be used HOURLY on 1st day, 4 times daily from 2nd to 10th day.
Lubricating eye drops were efficacious. To be used every 2hourly for the 1st mth, and as often on the 2nd and 3rd.
Lid care eye wipes: Soapy feel, no-rinse off needed. Used twice a day for 3days.

3 sleeping pills (IMOVANE) were dispensed. Had no need of them cuz i dont wanna pig out my Sat!

Thanks to the dedicated team at The Lasik Surgery Clinic, Dr Yap Soo Keong, dad who drove me home, lil sis who brought hungry me a glass of HL Banana milk, mum who's ever so worried, bro who verbally showed his concern. Not forgetting my dear friends who sent their well wishes, i love you all! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo!

LASIK's the BEST MEDICAL INTERVENTION. Bidding good byes to dry eyes from contact lens wear, dirty nose pads from spects, unbalanced glasses due to mishandlement, vigourous rubbing when tired/before bed, etc. HELLO WORLD!
Im so gonna take care of my eyes from now on. But i cant promise not washing my face for 2-3 days. Think Avene's tissue off no-rinse extremely gentle cleanser. Just nose and cheeks la. I wanna get kissed ya know.. And heading to the neighbourhood salon for a hair wash? Sounds good.

Have i told you bout how i love breaking rules? Eg: I wear knee length shorts to clinical attachment although long pants and skirts are allowed. :) I like the idea of.. combination, versatility, fugly. =)

Ok total damage for convenience sake: SGD 2649.30. Excludes charges for 2nd and 3rd reviews.

Oh yes! Here's a picture of the surgery and waiting area. Authorised personnels only!



Up and about! Life resumes.
Lil sis and i met up at Dhoby Gaut for dinner (MosBurger AGAIN.) While doing grocery shopping at Carrefour, we chanced upon a yummy looking sushi bowl and decided to get that for mummy's dinner/supper. Upon asking for its discounted price, the indian aunty gave me a wink and signalled me to hold on. The crowd grabbing individually wrapped sushi(s) at 3 for $1.30 cleared the next minute and she printed a $2 label for us. Gleefullness!


Its 6th May 3am. Time for bed. I heard the sirens of an emergency vehicle. They call it an ambulance. It is a specially equipped motor vehicle for carrying sick or injured people to a hospital(usually).