Painless procedure!

TheKimster · 01-11-2005, 02:19 PM

I just got CustomCornea Laser surgery done this past Friday. The procedure was painless!! The first day there was just a burning sensation but nothing too extreme. The next day I woke up and the burning was gone. I went back to the office the next day for a recheck and the doc took off the bandage lens on my cornea. He tested my vision and I read 20/30 (my vision was still on the blurry side). Today my vision is perfect. The only problem is that you have to keep putting in rewetting drops because your eyes are so dry post-op. But that should subside in two weeks.

Question for people who have gotten this procedure done: When they are cutting your cornea flaps, why does your vision get all dark? That was probably the only part of the procedure that freaked me out! LOL.

Hating glasses · 01-11-2005, 04:28 PM

That would be weird. I know you didn't ask me since I have never had either procedure...not yet anyway. I have my appointment to see if I am a candidate tomorrow and the place that I want to get my Lasik specializes in the Custom Lasik/ Custom Cornea procedure so, I am glad to hear that it is painless. I think that the fact that your vision goes black is kind of frighening but, at the same time, I might take some comfort in it. I almost would prefer that my vision goes black before they cut my cornea until they tell me to sit up and SEE! Heehhehe! I am pretty weird about my eyes and anything being done to them. I can't even begin to imagine seeing the tool they use to cut your cornea coming towards my precious eye. I might faint! Which would be another first since, I have never done that in my life. Anyway, I am so glad to hear that you are doing well after your procedure.
If you don't mind my asking, I have a few questions. What is with the bandage lens? Is it like a contact and is it something that you could remove like a contact? I think I would rather remove it on my own. Also, how long did the procedure take? Did they use that thing that suctions your eyes forward to keep your lids open? Was that uncomfortable? I have so many questions. I am such a newbie to this whole Lasik world. I know that my doctor will probably answer all of my questions tomorrow at 6 when I have my appointment, but, I would love any answers you could give me.
Congrats on your new eyesight!

TheKimster · 01-11-2005, 04:43 PM

Hating glasses - I am glad to see that you are going for a consultation tomorrow! I hope you are a candidate.

To answer your questions: The bandage lens is a protection lens that they put on your cornea after they have done the actual laser procedure. It actually protects the corneal flap that they had made. You sleep with it in your eye the first night, then they remove it the next day. You don't even know it's in your eye because you can't even feel it. Do not remove it yourself! The doctor has to do it for you! They numb your eye before they take it out, so it is painless! The whole procedure took about 3-4 hours. It's more waiting around than anything. They first numb your eyes and dilate it, take pictures of your eyes, so the laser machine knows exactly how to reshape your cornea. Then you have to close your eyes for 15 minutes and relax until they bring you into another room where they cut your flap. The doctor did use a gadget that prys your eyes open, but all it feels like is a little pressure. Then you have to rest your eyes again and then they bring you into the laser room. The doctor will lift your flap and laser away. All you have to do is stare at this blinking red light above you. That takes about a minute and a half for each eye. I have to warn you that there is a slight burning smell as they do the laser. (Like when you go to the dentist to have a cavity filled - that smell). Any other questions I will be happy to answer. Ask away.

I heard Custom Cornea is the best now! The laser machine is actually calibrated to make your cornea optically perfect. It is said to have less side effects: glare at night, halos, etc.

Hating glasses · 01-12-2005, 09:58 AM

Thank you for your help Kimster. I am looking forward to my appointment today. This surgery is all I can think about. It helps to know that it is all painless. And, I am glad to see someone else on the board who has actually had the procedure done with the newest technology. I have heard that it is much better, even less painful and actually healthier for the eyes.

Thank you for all of your help and I hope you are doing well and seeing all of the things you couldn't see before, better than ever!

Hating glasses · 01-12-2005, 10:21 AM

Kimster, I forgot to show you this. You asked in your original post if it is normal for your sight to go dark when the cornea is cut and this is what BrightEyes told me..
"they numbed my eye..used this suction cup thing that pulled the lens away...one eye tickled the other felt like they were pressing my eye a little bit..the suction thing also cut the lens...when that happened your vison fades.."

So, I think what you experienced was normal. That is good to know from both of you so I can be prepared for it. That would be a pulse raiser for me if I didn't know it ahead of time!