Eye Spy (part 4)

12 May 2011

Article published in Cork Independent, May 5th, 2011.

 

My Laser Eye Surgery Experience (Part 4)

 

ONE week of antibiotic drops four times a day; anti-inflammatory drops three times a day; lubricant drops whenever I needed them; odd-looking Darth Vader goggles in bed; and better than 20:20 vision. You read that right. Better than 20:20 vision.

 

On my 24-hour checkup I'd been told my sight was completely improved, and it has remained that way. Distance sight is perfect, clearer than I've ever known. Seeing up close is still very slightly blurry, while my eyes adjust to having to do all the work for themselves. Spending a minimum of eight hours a day in front of a computer screen doesn't help, and last week's print day was certainly not helpful - my eyes were dry and tired afterwards. But that much computer work would do that to most people.

 

I usually spend time reading or watching TV in the evenings, often while checking emails and tweeting on my iPhone. I've been doing less of that since the procedure, as my eyes are quite tired after the working day. My colleague Liane, who also had the procedure done, tells me this passes after a month or so - in line with what I've been told at Optilase.

 

The first week of aftercare is nothing major. The drops are not a big deal, and the slight redness in my eyes faded within a day or two. I have continued taking the flaxseed and omega 3 oil and drinking lots of water - as Marie in the clinic reminded me, once you're hydrated, your eyes are hydrated. And it's been doing wonders for my skin!

 

The goggles are rather a pain - particularly as they have to be taped on and leave strange red marks in their wake each morning. But the paranoia about rubbing my eyes in my sleep is making sure I wear them - there's nothing like the fear of taking your eye apart to keep you awake at night!

 

I went out on the town over the weekend, and some things were notably different. One, being able to go into a pub and see who I was looking for, immediately. Being able to read prices and menus without squinting - with my contacts, previously, I could never see particularly well. Walking into a warm pub or restaurant from the cold outside without having to remove steamy glasses - same thing goes for cooking and using the dishwasher. It's a lot easier. At the moment, my main drawback is being unable to wear eye makeup. I rarely leave the house without mascara, and of course always had my glasses on too, so it's like I'm missing two layers of armour. I can't wear eye makeup for another two to three weeks, so I'm currently exploring the options for lipstick. A whole new world, indeed.
 
 

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Thelma Scanlon
September 23, 2023

Great experience and great after care. Had 2020 vision within 24 hours with very minimal pain.

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Amanda Mulligan
September 23, 2023

Amazing experience , amazing staff, amazing eye sight . I had lens replacement 3 months ago and would highly recommend.

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Mr. O’Flynn Education
September 23, 2023

I got my laser eye surgery done on April 20th and couldn’t be happier. I had one hard day of recovery, followed by dry eyes for a small while. Sleeping with the protective goggles is the hardest part, but you’re helped throughout the process by experts. I couldn’t recommend this enough and Optilase were a dream to deal with. Even if you can’t afford the treatment now, you can always talk about a payment plan and get the vision you’ve always wanted.

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I could not rate high enough, consultation was extremely informative and the staff were amazing, very friendly and answered all my questions with ease.

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I had a wonderful experience in Optilase in Ely Place, the staff were so kind and helpful and made me feel really comfortable. Would absolutely recommend

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PAULA Moriarty
September 7, 2023

Couldn't rate Optilase high enough. I had Lens Replacement Surgery. My experience from the first phone call to the procedure itself and the aftercare was fantastic. All of the staff from the call centre to the staff in Carrickmines and the theatre were so helpful and friendly. Would definitely recommend .

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JeriesHamaty
September 5, 2023

I had my PRK done on both eyes , and im happy with the result. The post operation pain was extreme but it settled down after 4 days. Now i feel great after 2 weeks post operation no complications what so ever , other than blurry vision now and then, but its improving every day

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Rebekah Lowry
August 25, 2023

Got LASIK in Ely Place only yesterday and officially had 20/20 vision just 24 hours later! Cannot recommend Optilase enough from my initial consultation with Aisling in Athlone to my trips to Carrickmines and Ely Place. The staff really look after you from the moment you walk in the door and make you feel so at ease from start to finish - 10 out of 10 experience!

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August 21, 2023

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August 21, 2023

LASIK was so easy and pain free. It’s one week post surgery and my eye sight is wonderful. I couldn’t recommend enough.

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August 21, 2023

I no longer need glasses,absolutely life changing.Great aftercare,lovely staff.

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Poliana Oliveira
August 9, 2023

I have been wearing glasses for over 20 years. I always hated wearing contact lenses and I got to a time in my life that I needed a change. A friend recommended optilase, I went for the free consultation and the person that did all the exams was really nice and I felt safe and confident enough to go ahead, I was recommended the PRK. I Put on a piece of paper how much I spent and would still spend on glasses for the next 10 years, and the surgery was for sure cheaper than that. My prescription was very high, both eyes, myopia and astigmatism Optilase provided all the information I needed, in clear manner. And they always made clear that there was nothing wrong with my eyes, it was my own choice to go for the surgery. The day of the surgery I was a bit nervous, who wouldn't? But then, from the reception to the surgeon, they were all so nice and welcoming. Hernandez performed the procedure, lovely surgeon, again all information was provided the way it should. I was instructed in what I should and should not do. The actual procedure took less than 15min, I felt nothing, no discomfort or anything. The whole process is very well done by the team, if I remember well around 3 people supporting the surgery plus one other girl providing pos surgery instructions. Right after the procedure I could already see much better than before without glasses! I couldn't believe it, I cried, thanked everyone and left the clinic knowing that I made the best choice. The recovery for PRK is a bit longer, I stayed for 2 full days no phones, or any screens. In the dark. If you have a little one, I would recommend to have someone minding them, as you are very limited in what you can do for the day of and day after surgery. It is hard to open the eyes, the second day after surgery was the toughest, I thought all went wrong as the vision got worst, but again I was advised it could happen. Note that this was my experience and could be different for other people. The 3rd day I felt nothing and could see much better already. Light sensitivity was very high, and still, 6 days after surgery, but nothing that a sun glasses would not help. My vision still blurred, but I need no glasses to see, my eyes feel dry sometimes, but the eye drops provided helps with it and and am very happy with the results already, even knowing it takes a bit longer to fully recover the vision. I'm back to work (screen at 200% to make sure I dont force my eyes too much) and I have had no headaches or anything, which I would have all the time looking at screens for most of my day. I cannot recommend Optilase enough, they are amazing! If you want to do something for your self and want a place you can trust, go for it, choose Optilase. Thanks to the whole team for one of the best things I did for my self!

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