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Testimonial - My experience of PRK/LASEK/surface ablation
Having my severe myopia corrected was something I’d considered for years but could not afford earlier. Now I felt I could afford to splurge on myself and researched my options with excitement. I was now a busy consultant to not for profit organisations, and a mother with a very busy family life, so it was a challenge to find the suitable (possible) down time when meetings and critical project timelines were not affected that did not also cut across the rest of the family’s routine and commitments!
I was wearing contact lenses (-7.00) and without them totally reliant on glasses which I had worn since I was 9 years old. I have been attending Hunter Street Eye Specialists for over 35 years!
I chose PRK/LASEK/surface ablation rather than LASIK (flap) method after a long discussion with Dr Sumich. This was chosen because I was having a fairly high degree of correction, it ensured I had a safety margin of cornea layers left and it was recommended and preferred by Dr Sumich for my particular case.My reading and research also provided these reasons for choosing PRK as opposed to LASIK:
- More cornea is left intact
- There is less risk of ectasia (future cornea thinning)
- There is less dry eye
- There is less risk of haze side effect than the old treatments
- There is the same visual acuity outcome
- There are fewer potential complications
Either way – I had to wear my glasses for two weeks prior to the surgery! This provided more incentive and motivation as I was reminded of the downside of spectacle wearing!
So I approached my surgery day motivated by looking ahead to the outcome and confident I had chosen the best option for me.
I found I experienced NO actual PAIN.....discomfort – yes; however the discomfort was only sporadically like the watering and stinging that occurs when you chop onions! It was not overwhelming and managed well with Panadeine Forte for the first 2 days after the procedure. The surgery itself was very quick and although nervous, I was totally prepared by supportive staff and went into the theatre relaxed. I distinctly remember the orange light you are told to focus on – becoming MUCH clearer as soon as the laser stopped! I did NOT need to use the anaesthetic eye drops provided for pain relief. My eyes were a little stingy and quite watery – worse on the 2nd post operative day. Vision was a little blurry for these couple of days and improved steadily over the week. I slept well ! (sleeping tablets provided) - of the 48 to 60 hours post surgery that were ‘uncomfortable’ I spent 39 blissfully sleeping with no pain or discomfort!While these 2 days were ‘uncomfortable’ with headache, watery eyes and a little occasional stinging, I was still able to briefly check and reply to the urgent emails, do the usual household chores and talk on the phone – anything really that can be done with your eyes mostly closed!
From day 3 onwards I was back at my desk, able to read and watch television etc – NO discomfort at all, and driving. Vision was still a little blurry from time to time but clearing each day. It is totally miraculous to wake up and see – not reaching for glasses or fiddling with contact lenses first!
An absolute gift and worth waiting a few weeks for!
Sometimes the quick and easy option of LASIK might appeal.
If you are motivated enough to look at LASIK then also look seriously at PRK/LASEK – perhaps you can also be motivated to take the extra day ‘off’ and consider the long term benefits of this surgical option. What’s 48 hours in the total scheme of things, for an optimum outcome with even better safety !?Dr Sumich and his staff at Hunter St Eye Laser Clinic were always prepared to spend time with me and offer information to me in my journey to new vision – without contact lenses, and for now - no glasses!!
Sharyn Low
1 August 2006
