What REALLY Happens: Lasik Laser Eye Surgery {Free Printable}

Thinking about LASIK, but don’t know where to start? Autumn Reo of MamaChallenge is giving you a real look at LASIK, with a look at her LASIK laser eye surgery, with the help of Kleiman|Evangelista and the Mom it Forward Blogger Network. #KEHELPEDMESEE

Did it hurt? 

That’s been the #1 question I’ve been asked since I had my Blade-Free HD IntraLasik at Kleiman-Evangelista Eye Center.

So I want to share the experience from start to finish and answer one of those other questions that I’ve been asked the most – “Was it worth it?” 

After my first consultation, I made arrangements for my very kind mother to be with me during the procedure only a week later. While the procedure lasts less than 15 minutes (yes only 15 minutes), I needed her there to be able to drive me home (and for me to take care of the kids), after the procedure. 

I put on something comfortable and a little warm as well since the surgery suite is a little cool and once I was home after the procedure I was going to bed.  (This is a perfect time to break out the stretchy pants or that fuzzy Velour suit sitting in the back of your closet.) 

We arrived :30 minutes early so we could arrange for my two prescriptions (two sets of eye drops that were also obtained at the office) and to take something to allow me to relax. I was provided a small dosage of Valium, just enough to keep me calm and not to get too anxious as well as to make me sleepy after the procedure so I could let my eyes rest. (Note to self, you aren’t going out that night to show of your new eyes quite yet!) 

Then just a few minutes later they called my name.  

Show time. 

I walked in to the suite to meet my doctor and the team of experienced professionals ready to make magic happen. While I’m a little foggy about what exactly happened step by step (see mention of Valium above), the doctor took a look at my eyes before the procedure at one of the many machines in the room. And then I was walked over to the laser area, seated comfortable and then it begin. 

I’ll admit – it wasn’t like getting a massage. It was a little uncomfortable as my eyes were being completely changed! And with my astigmatism, that meant a little more under the laser. It’s not like I felt anything that hurt; it was just the feeling of a bright light, pressure to my eyes, and then we were done. 

Meanwhile, my mother/chauffeur/caretaker/photographer took pictures of the whole thing while I was having the procedure. While I’ll admit it took me a few days to really look at these, it does show almost every part of the procedure – one shot at a time.

So here’s your disclaimer: if you want to see some really, up close photos of my procedure, be my guest. If your stomach is a little weak, I wouldn’t do it. Just remember, these photos are in no order of the procedure, but they are pretty wild what happens in the Lasik Suite. However, if you want to see a video that explains exactly what happens in a procedure like this, then take a look at this.

When it was done, they took another look at my eyes and said “Everything looks good.” 

I was able to put on some shades (your eyes are uber sensitive after the procedure) and my mother walked me to the car. 

As soon as we got home, I slid into bed. 

I had hoped I would nod off to sleep, but two little kids that had gotten home from school wanted to check on me and I wanted to hug them. 

They each visited me quietly in the bed and carefully kissed me so they wouldn’t touch my eyes. I was wearing my super awesome eye shields to keep them from hitting my eyes while I laid down), but they wanted to be extra careful. 

Soon after I did begin to feel more pressure on my eyes. Actually I don’t have the words for the feeling since I hadn’t really had that sensation on my eyes before. Somewhere between having a tattoo  (you know that feeling after you have it) and that straining feeling after a long day of staring at the computer. Since I’m not much of one for pain (like zero tolerance), I had my mom call the doctor to make sure it was normal to feel uncomfortable. 

They did let her know for everyone the discomfort is different, so some people don’t feel anything, while others will feel pressure and pain. However, two Tylenol PMs took care of that and my anxiety, so soon I was off to sleep. 

The next morning when I woke up, I took off my special sleepwear, ready to see if I could see. 

Wow, I could! I mean like it was crystal clear due quite yet, but it was a huge difference than when I had woke up all the years before. 

Before getting ready to go to my follow-up appointment that morning, as instructed, I put in my drops. (Actually my mama did, but I was definitely making use of having my mama time while mine was there!) The drops are a really important part of the Lasik process because they relieve a lot of the dryness and pressure from your eyes beginning to heal. The instructions from my doctor were to put in the medicated drops four times a day and the eye drops once an hour. Although that sounded like a lot, I crafted a little chart (after the one my mom sketched to use on me) that was able to keep me in check with my drops and added an alarm to my phone to remind me to take them. 

PDF | GOOGLE DOC

For someone like me who is often on the computer (yes, that same day I was back on the computer), eye drops will help you so much. AND while it wasn’t required of my Lasik, my regular optometrist had always told me getting up and getting away from the computer after so long in front of the computer was necessary for good eye health. So I was back on the computer, but not quite for the 10 hour stretch (at least not yet!) 

When I returned the next day for my followup post-opp appointment at the Kleiman-Evangelista Eye Center, I was able to meet with my doctor to see how things were going with my eyes after the surgery. After just a few minutes of me looking into the eye machines, he said things looked great and to continue to take the drops as instructed throughout the week. 

And then I made my post-surgery appointment for a week and that was it. 

Seems so easy, right? It was. (And no judgement on no makeup. Remember, no eye make up – that’s a rule for a week!) 

And was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY. 

I’ll share next time about what it’s been like since the appointment and of course, why not getting Lasik may actually be costing you money. 

Yep, that’s right. It’s not as cheap as you think wearing glasses, contacts and all the other stuff that goes with it. 

Don’t Miss this #mamachallenge moment: