My LASIK Eye Surgery Experience: A Personal Journey

After wearing glasses and contact lenses for most of my life, I was ready for clear vision without the hassle of corrective lenses. I had been considering laser eye surgery for a few years, but I couldn’t ever find time or commit to a decision. After researching my options and reading the online patient reviews, I decided to see the eye doctors at Swagel Wootton Eye Institute. Here’s my experience with LASIK eye surgery.

What Is LASIK Surgery?

The shape of the eye’s cornea can impact vision clarity. LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) corrects refractive errors, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism, by reshaping the cornea. During LASIK, the eye surgeon uses a femtosecond laser to create a small flap on the cornea’s outer layer and then folds it back to expose the inner corneal tissue. Depending on the refractive error, the surgeon then uses an excimer laser to smooth out irregularities or flatten or steepen the corneal curvature.

My LASIK Consultation

LASIK is a popular elective vision correction procedure, but I still had questions and some hesitation. My LASIK consultation helped alleviate that hesitation. The doctor and staff were incredibly friendly, patient, and knowledgeable throughout the comprehensive testing, which confirmed I was a good candidate for LASIK. Everyone answered my questions about the procedure, costs, and payment options in a way that made me feel confident about my decision. The staff provided me with my preoperative instructions, including not wearing my contact lenses for two weeks before the surgery, and the prescription antibiotic eye drops I would need after the surgery to promote safe healing. I felt really excited and couldn’t wait for the day of the surgery to arrive.

The LASIK Surgery Experience

Everyone made me feel so comfortable on the day of my LASIK procedure. Despite my excitement about the prospect of clear vision, I still struggled with my anxiety. I can’t describe how above and beyond the staff went to make me feel at ease. The doctor explained everything I would see and how it would feel. The staff gave me medication to help me relax and administered anesthetic eye drops to numb my eyes. Everyone was incredibly patient, and I didn’t feel rushed at all — it felt like everyone was following my lead, which I really appreciated.

All I had to do during the surgery was focus on a point of light. The doctor explained that if my eye inadvertently moved, the laser would stop, so I didn’t need to be concerned about compromising the surgery or results. Everything went exceptionally quickly; the procedure lasted only minutes for both eyes.

Post-Operative Care and LASIK Side Effects

After the procedure, I waited in a post-op waiting room for approximately 30 minutes. After confirming that I felt fine, I was allowed to go home with my prearranged transportation. I went outside and could read the street signs, see the leaves on the trees, read the license plates on the cars in front of me — all without glasses. It felt surreal. My vision was initially slightly blurry, but that quickly cleared up over the next several hours and days. I had follow-up appointments the next day and about a week later to make sure my eyes healed as expected. During this time, I used lubricating eye drops in addition to the prescription eye drops to help alleviate dry eye symptoms.

My Life After LASIK

Having LASIK surgery with ICON Eyecare has been absolutely life-changing, and I can’t speak highly enough about my experience. Everything about the team showed their experience, professionalism, and knowledge, and I knew my eye health was in good hands. Their vision commitment plan also provides peace of mind; as long as I have annual eye exams to monitor my vision, Swagel Wootton Eye Institute will cover the total cost of any enhancement procedures recommended by my eye surgeon at any point in my life. It’s easily the first place I recommend for anyone considering vision correction surgery. If you aren’t sure about your options or are questioning if LASIK is right for you, you can schedule a free initial consultation. Once you have the surgery, you’ll wonder why you waited so long.