Five years ago this week I underwent LASIK surgery.
It was one of the best decisions I ever made.
From age 9 into my early 40s, I depended on my glasses almost every waking moment. (I’d tried contacts a few times, without success.) Finally took the plunge, after the recommendation of two friends, and had LASIK.
The procedure was straightforward enough, if temporarily uncomfortable: a device to clamp your eyelids open so you can’t blink; watching the surgeon make an incision on your cornea; zaps from the laser, lasting 15 to 30 seconds. Resting the eyes for a full day afterward, by covering them with eye patches, was probably the hardest part — not from any pain or discomfort, but by going through a full day without sight.
But the next day, I took off the eye patch and, lo and behold, I could see wonderfully — the neighbor’s house, 100 yards away, came in clear. City skylines were crisp rather than a blur. And I could see our 10-month-old toddling around the house.
My vision went from 20-600 to 20-20 and 20-25. Went from severe astigmatism to none. Went from being entirely dependent on eyeglasses to wearing them for reading on occasion.
It’s not for everyone, but if you’re a good candidate, I have no hestitation in urging you to take the plunge.
JD Lasica, founder of Inside Social Media, is also a fiction author and the co-founder of the cruise discovery engine Cruiseable. See his About page, contact JD or follow him on Twitter.
I’m extremely tempted to undergo Lasik Eye Surgery. I, like you, have worn eye correction (mainly pesky contacts) since the age of nine, and I cannot stand them much longer. I’m completely frightened by the thought of watching a needle go into my eye, though, considering I hateee needles. Is there any alternative to witnessing the matter (such as sedating you? haha)?
Jaclyn, you should do it! The procedure is now so commonplace that the risk is extremely low.
I have to tell you, the procedure was a little weird (they have to clasp your eyes open and, no, you don’t really want them to sedate you). But it was painless and went very fast – about 10 minutes altogether for the actual procedure.
I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Courage! :~)