I'm not going to sugar coat it, it was the freakiest thing I've done so far. At a price tag of $4,000 per eye, the Verisyse lens implant is no joke and only for those really serious about it.
As soon as I arrived at the surgery center, they stuck a bright neon sticker over my eye. To massage and soften the eye, a heavy rubber ball was placed over it. After a few minutes, the anesthesiologist knocked me up (I mean out! He knocked me OUT! ), and while I was asleep for 30 seconds, he injected liquid that numbed half my face.
I awoke seeing nothing but white light with my right eye. As they soaked my eye with sterilizing drops I heard the surgical instruments start to clink. "Super blade please." Dr. Pamel said with his deep and confident voice. They were ready.
--Warning: This section is not for those that have weak knees or are easily grossed out--
The freaky part begins. I felt that first slice, and I remember it vividly. Though it wasn't THAT painful, I slowly gripped the sides of my pants and I wasn't going to let go. All I saw was the bright light and the white blurry shadows of the instruments. Many more slices came after the first one.
It took some time to insert and position the lens. Suddenly, like a baby staple gun I heard four shots into my eye. I gasped and my mouth opened in shock (like this) =O
I felt like a ghost - pale white and lifeless but I knew it wasn't over. They had to close the incision. He carefully stitched the open layers in my eye. I was expecting only two short stitches (according to the booklet) but instead I had several (due to my severe astigmatism). Though it wasn’t painful, I didn’t like the feeling of my eye being tugged by the string. Eek! “We’re almost done” Dr. Pamel said.
I took a deep breath in and let out a super long exhale. “Haaaaaaaa…..It’s over now, Joy” I remembered thinking. THEN,..cRaCLe, ZAP, cRacLe, pop! He freaking electrocuted my eye!!! I screamed. I was horrified like watching a scary movie, but actually living it. Dr. Pamel was silent. I knew this episode wasn’t going to happen just once so I asked “How many” then, cRaCLe, pop, cRacLe, zAp, bUrst! AGAIN! “Aaaahh!” I was so scared I was ready to cry. Then Dr. Pamel said what I’ve been longing to hear “Only twice. That’s it. We’re done. “ He cauterized my eye. It's an electric current for curative purposes. That was the most “painful” part of the surgery. I remember thinking how the hell I was supposed to get through the second eye surgery. But two weeks later, I did.
The hard part is OVER NOW. Whew!
For a person who has always stood strong, this was the one thing that scared me (the possibility of losing my vision). The night before my second eye surgery tears unexpectedly rolled down my cheeks but I was glad to have KC right next to me. He reassured me that everything will be okay and was with me every step of the way...
Right now, I'm holding off on any recommendations on the procedure because I'm not able to see 20/20 yet (soon though!). My prescription used to be a - 1,000 without glasses. And to give you an idea of how blind I was prior to the surgery, I don't ever (in my life) remember being able to make out the jumongous E that sits at the very top of the eye charts. You'll be even more surprised to know that I was not even able to read the "Got Milk?" billboards that used to be displayed along side the highways!
The surgery took about 30 minutes per eye. Today, after three weeks I went to cut my stitches to help reduce the inflamation. Immediately, I was able to see 3 more lines down the chart! Amazing! =)
I'm not going to sugar coat it, it was the freakiest thing I've done in my life, but...
To be able to see while I shower and not have to search and feel for my glasses with my hands
To be able to identify a mugger or rapist (if I ever were to be so unfortunate)
To be clear from raindrops, snow flakes and fog on my glasses and...
To be able to see my surroundings as soon as I open my eyes every morning
is a wonderful gift.
Great rewards involve great risks. If I braved through it and I'm sure you can too...
