Lasik-6th and 7th March 07
Thursday, March 8th, 2007Finally, I went through a series of eye test, scanning, power scan, clarity of the retina,health of my eyes, blood vessels, thickness of cornea, the iris mapping, curve of the eye ball, power check (manual and computerised), astigmatism test, lower n upper abbravations.. then they came out with a computer printout of my eyes.. which looks like the measurement of depth of the cornea, (just like the way the depth of earth’s seabed). The most important machine used was the CustomVue WaveScan Wavefront ."SystemWaveScan-based digital technology identifies and measures imperfections in your eyes 25 times more precisely than standard methods. The powerful WaveScan software translates the information into a set of CustomVue treatment instructions for the VISX STAR S4 IR Excimer Laser System. These digital treatment instructions are then transferred to the laser, driving a new level of precision and accuracy". Anyways, the staff had difficulty getting an accurate result due to my active pupil.. they have to use eye drops to dilate the pupils.. thus my suitability test took longer than the rest of the patients.
Next morning, my appointment was at 10am, but I was only led to the operation room at 10.35am..after double checking consistency of my power again. I was asked to wash my face, and put on the robe, hair cap, disposable socks..I was led to another waiting room, where the nurse used a cotton swap (with disinfectant) to wipe my eyes. When I was out there, i heard zapping noise which reminds me of dentist.. though its not similar.. but if one day u be experiencing that.. u know what i mean. I was jittery for some seconds, but the thought of how frust I was wearing spectacles killed my fears..
The auto glass door opened, and a lady patient walked out..my turn..was led to the room, Dr Alyosius was very assuring. He told me that , as long as I listen to him, I will do fine.
1st Machine, Intralase Machine. Intralse, is the cutting of cornea flap without the use of oscillating blade. Previously, cornea flap is created by using blade. So, there were many complications as a result even with the most skilled hands. I was laid on the chair, and was asked to stare up to the white light. Then, Dr and his staffs placed a suction on my Left eye, to suck my eye ball up to keep it in place (to stop motion, rolling), my eye experienced temporary blindness when the suction was in place. Then, he told me he is beaming the infrared beam to my cornea bed. within seconds, he said it was done, and the suction was removed from my eye, my eyes gained sight immediately. Then he proceeded to the other eye.
After the Intralase process, the staffs pushed my bed to VISK machine.Remembered that I mentioned about the Wavefront machine initially, my datas were recorded in the computer to assist with the accuracy of my lasik procedure. Wehn I was on the next machine, Dr Aloysious covered my left eye, and prep my right eye. He did an Iris Mapping procedure within seconds, and told me that he will lift my flap. He taped my lashes and used a small equipement to pry open my eye. Then he asked me to stare at the red light…when he will lift up my flap.. I saw a little needle like gadget placed on my eye, and I saw the flap lifted up. Then my eyes blurred slightly..when it was lifted..he said he will lasik my eyes, what I need to do, is just focus on the red light, and dont move. They will start the count, and I will stare at the red light. All I see is some lights flashing, no heat, nothing..as my eyes were numbed with anesthesia.I breathed slowly and even to some points, I hold my breath, to hold very still and kept focused. Then a man’s voice said 5,4,3,2,1..Doctor said, Excellent. And he gently placed back the flap and used a little spatula to wipe off any airbubbles between the flap.. and dropped some eye drops on my eye. Then he proceeded to the next eye, and I did the same, hold my breath, or slowly breathed in, focused on red light..
It was over, he said. He led me up, and asked me to look at the clock on the wall, can u tell me the time please. I blinked and red the time, 11.19am. You are experiencing a little haziness, like looking through a frosted glass… come here, can u read the letters on the door, tell me what is it.. I said "sterilization room".
when the anesthesia worned off, my eyes started to tear badly, that I couldnt leave Vista as I cant open my eyes.. I closed my eyes and sat at the waiting room, all teary.. until 1pm, then the staff gotten an early check in at Royale Bintang for me and led me to the hotel.. I felt helpless, as I couldnt open my eyes properly to see where I was going. The staffs said that I was advised to sleep and rest for a few hours. I could hardly open my eyes then..tears rolled down uncontrollably from 11.45 to 2pm. I was given 2 eye drops, Maxidex and Vigamox for healing and antibacteria l and natural tears for lubricating.. It just feels great to go without my glasses.. though my vision is slightly hazy..now I have the excuse to wear my Prada glasses everywhere for 1 week at least.
