LAUGH? I REALLY DID!

MY OPTILASE EXPERIENCE

There are two parts of my body that you CANNOT touch. One is the soles of my feet. You want information from me? No need for torture, just take off my socks and touch my soles and I will tell you anything you want to know - I'll even tell you things you don't want to know.

The other is my eyes. As a child I had an Uncle that used to threaten us that if we didn't behave he would lick our eyeballs (Jaysus, now that I read this I realise he was a SICK man), anyway the thought of it sent shivers down my spine.

So then you can imagine how nervous I was arriving at Optilase's beautiful clinic in Ely Place. I had no idea what was in store, and the dreams I had in the nights before my visit were not pretty. In one I could see the Surgeon tossing my eyeball up and down in his hand saying "Okay, let's try and get this sucker back in!" In another the surgeon had my eye in his hand and was looking for somewhere to leave it down. He opened my mouth and said "Just hold that there for a moment" of course I swallowed it. Next I knew he had inserted a probe up my rectum and was saying "Nope, I can't see it" and the funny thing was I COULD SEE HIM.

Well boy did I have all so so wrong. Firstly I was put in the hands of Stephen my Optomitrist. What a wonderful man. He made me feel that I was the only person getting the treatment and took me through the step by step assessment by the hand. By the time he had done all the tests and informed me that I was a suitable candidate I was thrilled.

SURGERY DAY

I swear to you! Really believe me when I say this. It was easier than a haircut - no pain, no discomfort, or even a hint that I was actually having surgery. The surgical staff were fantastic, they were so professional and yet made the time to consider my nerves and relax me. Then it was time! It took just 45 seconds for each eye and that was it! Over! I have had longer sh*** - eh, showers.

The most important part was to come. I followed the post surgery instructions to the letter, four hours sleep, drops on time in time being especially frequent with the "Blink".

Withing hours I was amazed - actually what happened was. as instructed I went straight home to bed following the procedure. I slept for four hours. When I awoke I looked at the clock on the bedroom wall and it was 6pm. Then with a huge smile it dawned on me that the previous day I could not read that clock. It's that good, that miraculous!

The follow up care is quick and easy. A couple of visits that take no more than ten minutes and that's it.

This is my story. It's true and the most exciting part of it all is that I am typing it without Glasses. Thank you Optilase and all involved.

Brendan O'Carroll
Dublin November '07