Intralase done!

I had intralase with ultra lasik plus 4 days ago and having finally stopped shaking (!) I thought I'd come on to describe the treatment day. My prescription was -3.25 in both eyes prior to treatment.

The treatment itself was fine although I was naturally very worried beforehand. I had my treatment done at the Manchester clinic and all of the staff there were brilliant. Before treatment I had to put on plastic covers on my shoes and pile my hair into a plastic hat. Iodine was wiped on the outside of my eyes and anaesthetic drops put in my eyes. I was concerned that the anasthetic drops wouldn't work but the nurse reassured me that the surgeon would reapply them before the start of treatment.

The nurse led me into the treatment room and I lay down. Someone (not sure who!) put the sticky things on to hold my eye lids back. Some people say that this is uncomfortable but for me it didn't feel any different to having my eyes open! It still felt as though I was able to blink perfectly normally. The surgeon did reapply anaesthetic drops (phew!!) and I was told to look at the centre of a red dot that I could see. I was then told that my vision may disappear momentarily as someone pressed down on my eye (although it didn't really disappear it just went hazy) Again, this didn't hurt at all. Then they used the intralase laser to create the flap. I could hear someone shouting out numbers (I presume the places on my eyes where they were cutting, I don't know). Then I was wheeled under the ultralasik plus laser. Then someone told me that they were going to start lasering my eye. Apparently I had 4 times of the laser and as each one was done someone counted down. At this point I could smell the smell everyone has desribed on this forum but for me it didn't remind me of bacon cooking but of singed hair. They told me that the lasering was complete and that they were going to clean my eye. This was a really pleasant experience and felt great! Then I think they replaced the flap and told me that the first eye was complete. The second eye was done but this time I was much more aware what was happening but still no pain at all.

All of the info that they gather at the consultation is used for the lasering process. It is all stored on a floppy disc and inserted into the laser machine (I think!) I was worried that they might have the wrong disc in the machine and that they might laser my eye to suit someone else's prescription (stupid I know!!) However, apparently the laser uses the info on the disc and if it doesn't match up to the eye that it is about to laser it can't work!!! Amazing technology!

When it was complete I was told to sit up and I could already see the clock in the room but it looked as though I was looking through a pane of frosted glass. It was in focus but very hazy. Hard to describe! I was led to the recovery room and the nurse gave me a drink of water but I couldn't hold it as I was shaking so much. I think it was relief that I had gone through it and everything had been fine!

I was discharged by the surgeon who looked in my eyes and said everything was fine. He warned me that my eyes might start stinging and to go home and go to sleep. About 10 mins after he said that my right eye started streaming and stinging (very very similar to the feeling that you get when you cut onions and can't control the watering!) Still no pain at all. When I got home I just rested my eyes as the stinging was preventing me from opening them properly. I didn't go to sleep because I still wasn't relaxed enough and I was really worried about my corneal flap sticking to my eye lid, even though I had been told that this wasn't possible!! The stinging and streaming lasted for about 2 hours (my left eye didn't have any reaction!) and then I was slowly able to open my eyes. And I could see! It was an absolutely amazing experience. It was still a little bit like seeing through frosted glass and gradually improved. I went to bed, again, unable to sleep so at about 3:30 am I got up and looked out of my window and read the number plate of the car over the road! Wow!!!

20 hours after my treatment I went to Chester clinic for my follow up appointment. I was told I had 20/20 vision. I can't describe how pleased I was.

Since then my eye sight has remained the same. The only thing I have suffered with is a bit of dry eyes but that is improving daily with use of the artificial tear drops that I was given.

I think it is impossible to put a price on having perfect sight. My treatment cost just under £3600 which is a small price to pay for sight that I have longed for. It is a very nerve wracking experience for anyone because obviously your eye sight is so important. I think I was so fed up with glasses and contact lenses that I was prepared to go through it and deal with the consequences. Luckily for me I have been fine. I realise that it's still early days at day 5 but I am very hopeful that everything will remain positive. I would wholeheartedly recommend ultralase. All of the staff have been brilliant. Thank you so much!!!