A few months ago I was searching online for some new glasses, preferably clear frames so that they wouldn't dominate my face and be the first thing people noticed about me. I ended up on the Optical Express website and decided to look at the laser eye surgery link, this is where I saw that a person over the age of 18 can be treated. I've always known that I would end up getting the surgery, but I always had an idea that the minimum age was 21! This was pretty exciting and I decided to book in for my free consultation straight away.
When I arrived at the Liverpool one store the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. I have always had an immense fear of anything touching or going near my eyes, this is why contact lenses have never even been an option for me! My consultant was completely understanding of this and was so patient. I found out that I was suitable for the surgery and that my thick cornea's (not something you hear often!) would ensure I had a quick and easy healing period.
A few days later I was all booked in for the surgery and I was literally counting down the days! I chose to have the most effective and expensive treatment, the Advanced CustomVue Wavefront. This meant that I would have various tests done to ensure that I was receiving the most accurate correction possible.
They gave me information packs to read through, explaining all of the risks and what I should do during the healing period and I was also given some eye drops to practice with, since they knew how much I struggled with that! I soon realised that the best technique for me was to lie on my side, put the drops in from the outer corner of my eye and allow it to drip down and coat the entire eye. I felt completely prepared!
The morning of the surgery I was extremely excited, I had been told to wear comfortable clothes, my hair out of the way and no makeup. When I arrived at the store I had to undergo several tests to help them determine my perfect prescription, this took a while as apparently the younger you are the harder it is to get this information. However they eventually got what they needed and I was becoming very nervous...
I then met my surgeon for the first time, who was really reassuring and funny. He told me he would perform the surgery today and soon after I was entering the surgery.
At this point I was shaking with nerves, the nurses were wonderful and they gave me a stress ball to help as I struggled to allow them to put the drops in my eyes. I was lying down on a bed and I felt so vulnerable, my eyes were refusing to open at this point and the surgeon had to put in the lid speculum which holds open the eye. It was all happening so quick and I started having a panic attack, I was breathing extremely heavily and I could feel my eyes tearing up which obviously wouldn't help the surgeon The nurses quickly went and got one of the lovely girls who worked there and she held my hand for the rest of the treatment. I was so grateful, but also embarrassed of my overreaction!
During the surgery I felt pretty much nothing, I just had to remain extremely focused on the flashing laser and then once the laser had finished I felt a slight pressure as the surgeon smoothed down my cornea's flap. After experiencing it on one eye I was completely relieved and throughout the second eye being treated I had no worries.
Overall I think the process took about 10-15 minutes but it felt like no more than 2 to me. Afterwards I was immediately able to get up and the surgeon took me through to thoroughly check my eyes. All was well and I sat in a dark room until I felt good enough to leave. The amazing employee who had held my hand joined me and gave me all of the information of the do's and don't's over the next 1-4 weeks. I was shocked to hear I couldn't jog or lift weights for a week, but looking back I'm glad I took that time to allow my body to repair itself.
Travelling home I wore sunglasses and my eyes were watering non stop. It was so strange, I could see perfectly but there was a cloud of mist in my vision. Once I was home I quickly had lunch and then I went straight to bed. I had to wear special eye shields to ensure I couldn't rub my eyes whilst I slept (they were basically cushioned goggles) but I was able to sleep fine wearing them. I woke up once to take some paracetamol because there was a little discomfort in my eyes stopping me from sleeping, but that was the last pain I felt for the entire healing process.
The next day it was extremely difficult to focus, so I couldn't read anything or focus on small details, but I was fine whilst watching TV and going for a walk.
I had bruising in both of my eyes after the surgery and the right eye's bruising was especially visible! I was told this would take 2-3 weeks to go and now (3 weeks later) there is no sign of it.
I couldn't be happier with the results of my surgery, I had no idea that my glasses had held me back so much, both physically and mentally. I feel like a new person and I can see clearer than I ever could with my glasses.
I feel free to do anything I want and as a make up student I now have no restrictions with my makeup as there is nothing covering my face now!
I reccomend this surgery to anyone who is considering it, however if you in any way like wearing glasses or contacts then it probably isn't for you. Personally I hated everything about wearing glasses and the restrictions they held on my life. I am now an entirely new, confident person and my surgery experience went smoothly from start to finish.
I hope this was helpful and good luck to anyone who decides to undergo the surgery!
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