Read this post only if you are interested in the detailed process of the Lasik surgery....
Pre-op consultation
This consultation took about 5 hours. I was first given a booklet to read. The booklet contains general information about Lasik, the different types of Lasik surgery, the risks involved, the side effects and the whole process.
Then they ran through a whole series of tests on both eyes using machines which I have not seen before. These tests measure/determine things like the thickness of the cornea, the shape of your eyeball, how large your pupils are when they are dilated etc etc. Thereafter, I was brought into the room to watch a video documentary film which again talks about Lasik, risks, side effects etc etc.
After the video, eye-drops were applied to both eyes to dilate the pupils for further testing. As the eye-drops take about an hour to take effect, a counsellor spoke with me (together with other patients) to go through the process, share experiences of other patients and to answer any questions we may have.
After that, it was more tests through the same set of machines again. After all the tests were completed, a date was booked for the first eye surgery. Apparently, I was a "good" patient becoz I have a very thick cornea compared to the average human.
The eye-drops made the eyes very sensitive to brightness and long-sighted. So for about 2 days after that, I was not able to see the time on my watch and the SMS text on my mobile phone!
The nite before surgery
I need to wash my hair on the nite before as you cannot wash your hair on the day of surgery and the day after.
The day of surgery
Before the surgery
Woke up at 730am. Washed my face with water only. Not supposed to put anything on the face and hair in case some of the residue gets into the eye. The face has to be 100% au natural.
We were told to wear a top with buttons in front so that it will be easier to take off the top and change into sleeping wear when we get home after the operation. We also had to wear slip-on shoes so that we won't have trouble putting on our shoes after the surgery with one eye covered by the shield.
Had bread for breakfast as we are advised to eat before we reach the clinic. My appointment was for 830am. The Hubby dropped me off at Camden before heading to work.
Arrived @ the clinic. Registered myself. I was given a booklet to read. The booklet details the step-by-step process of the whole surgery and what I am supposed to do as a patient to achieve excellent results for the surgery.
Then my blood pressure, temperature and pulse rate were taken. The nurse also asked if I need them to call a cab for me after the surgery to bring me home. I gave them The Hubby's mobile phone number; they will call The Hubby one hour before I can leave so that he has enough time to get to Camden to pick me up.
I was also given painkillers and sedation pills to take (that's why must eat breakfast) before being hurdled into the waiting room along with other patients. For both my eyes, there were 5 other patients doing the surgery on the same day. I was the second patient for my left eye and the first patient for my right eye.
The nurse came and called my name. I was brought to the area outside the surgery room. I had to take off my shoes before putting on the "surgery gown" and "surgery cap". Then the nurse applied numbing solution into the eye to be operated. The first contact of the solution stings! I had to keep my eyes closed until the stinging feeling goes off. A total of 8 drops were applied. Then the nurse held my hand and led me into the surgery room.
During the surgery - Creating bubbles
There are two steps to my surgery as I was undergoing the IntraLase lasik. This means that no blade will be used to cut my cornea to open the flap for the laser to correct my eye-sight. Instead, a ring of bubbles will be created just underneath my cornea layer which will then allow Dr. Tan to be able to "flip" open the cornea flap easily.
I walked into the surgery room and lay down on one of the beds. My name was called out and the eye to be operated on was confirmed with me. Focusing on a green light in the machine overhead, I just had to keep my eyeball absolutely still while Dr. Tan mark my cornea for the next step of the surgery.
Then I was told to sit up and move onto the next bed. This step is to create the ring of bubbles under my cornea. A suction-kind of cap was placed on my eyeball and I could feel pressure on the eyeball. Everything went dark and I was not able to see anymore with the eye to be operated coz of the suction. But the other eye was free and I was supposed to use the other eye to focus so as to keep my operated eye very still while the laser creates the bubbles.
My treatment time (24 seconds) was shouted out by one of the nurses and she told me when the laser starts. A countdown was done and the suction was removed when it was completed. I felt like I was looking through waxed paper as the layer of bubbles was blocking my vision.
Dr. Tan held my hand and led me out of the surgery room. I was brought into another room where the thickness of my cornea was checked and re-confirmed again with the previous readings during the pre-op consultation. Then I was told to sit in the waiting room and blink as much as possible to get the bubbles to subside before proceeding with the second step of the surgery.
During the surgery - Lasering
About 45 minutes later, a nurse came to check my eye and confirmed that the bubbles has subsided and I am ready for the actual lasering of the eye to correct my short-sightedness. The reason why the bubbles need to subside is because the laser machine has an eyeball tracking mechanism to track any movement of your eyeball (should you move it when the laser is on). The bubbles hinder this tracking process.
I was led into the surgery room by the nurse. I lay down on the bed. Dr. Tan checked my eye again before positioning the laser machine over my face. Then he used some kind of scotch-tape to tape my eye-lashes away from my eyes. After that, he draped some kind of cloth over my face with only the operated eye exposed. I started focusing on the green light.
Then Dr. Tan used an equipment to massage my cornea. Because my cornea is already numbed, the feeling is the same as someone using their finger to prod me on my arm, except that the feeling is on the cornea instead! This is to make sure no bubbles are left before he "flipped" my cornea open like a flap for the laser to reach my eye.
When my cornea flap was created, everything went blur! I could only faintly see the green light. Then one nurse shouted that my treatment time is 20 seconds. Dr. Tan then told me that the green light will now turn to red for 2 seconds and then the laser will start. I am supposed to remember the location of the red light and NOT move my eye under any circumstances during the laser. Then I heard a buzzing sound as the laser machine started.
When the laser started, I saw a kaleidoscope of colours. It was quite fascinating actually. There was no burning smell at all. Before I know it, the lasering was completed. I could then feel Dr. Tan putting my cornea flap back and then using some kind of a brush to brush it flat and make sure it falls back nicely into the original position. There were a lot of liquid as he flushes my eyes (I guess to wash it). Then the cloth and the scotch-tape was taken off and I sat up on the bed. Dr. Tan then took my hand and led me out of the surgery room.
After the surgery - ZZZZZ
Dr. Tan used one of those machines with a very strong light and checked my eye and the flap to make sure it has no creases. Then a nurse came by and taped the plastic shield over the operated eye and helped me took my surgical gown off. I was led into a resting area and told to rest for one hour in a very comfortable reclining arm-chair. They gave me an audio recording to listen to for post-operations instructions with soothing background music. As the nervousness wear off, the sedation pill took effect and I fell asleep.
An hour later, a nurse came to wake me up. Dr. Tan checked my eye again before sending me home. I am to head straight for home, take lunch and zzzzzz for a minimum of 4 hours.
The time from when I woke up till the time I slept when I reached home is the MOST uncomfortable period of time throughout the whole process. The operated eye felt like there is some dirt or irritation in it and it was slightly painful. As I blinked, I also kept tearing. And I cannot rub my eyes to make it feel better.
The Hubby picked me up from Camden, bought me lunch and tucked me into bed. Then he went back to work. I slept. And I slept. When I woke up, the pain is gone and it felt that the operation has never taken place. The eye started to see better already. :)
The day after surgery
Went back to see Dr. Tan for a post-operation check-up just to ensure that everything is fine and that the operated eye has started healing. There will be another check-up one week after, one month after and three months after.
We started off with the sorbet coz freezing time is needed. That's the squashed peaches.
The beginning: butter and sugar...
The two ladies measuring the flour
Coffee was part of the baking team as well!
Adding the vanilla essence. The mixer is in the background.
The completed dough
From the bowl onto the tray
And then into the oven
Ta-dah!
Golden brown chocolate chip cookies!! I am so proud of us! :)
