Sharing My Experience with LASIK Laser Surgery
This content was automatically generated by gpt-4o-mini (No human review). The original post is in Chinese.
In this blog, I will share my experience of undergoing LASIK laser surgery in the United States.
My Myopia Situation
I started to be nearsighted in the second year of middle school. If I remember correctly, I began wearing glasses when my myopia was less than 100 degrees (looking back, it might have been pseudomyopia). At that time, I didn’t go for an eye exam; I just went to an optical store to get glasses, and thus began my journey of wearing glasses. As I grew older, my myopia continued to increase, and even after entering university, it deepened by 25 to 50 degrees each year. By September 2021, my right eye was -4.50 diopters with -1.00 astigmatism, and my left eye was -4.00 diopters with -0.25 astigmatism.
During my university years, I actually heard about femtosecond laser surgery for myopia because the eye hospital at my university is very famous. I learned that many high school students would go to this eye hospital for myopia correction surgery after their college entrance exams, with costs around 10,000 to 20,000 RMB. However, at that time, I mainly didn’t have the money to undergo the surgery, so I didn’t go to the hospital.
After coming to the United States, I started to engage more in outdoor sports, and the prescription sunglasses I got in 2017 were clearly no longer sufficient, so I needed to get new sunglasses. After considering whether to get prescription sunglasses or contact lenses with regular sunglasses, I chose the latter. Starting in November 2020, I began wearing daily disposable contact lenses, mainly for outdoor sports, and in the first year, I bought 90 pairs of daily disposables (MyDay), wearing them about 1 or 2 days a week during outdoor activities. I felt that contact lenses were not particularly good for correcting astigmatism, and it wasn’t very comfortable to look at computer screens, so I still wore glasses while working at the computer. Over the course of a year and a half, I used about 160 pairs of daily disposable contact lenses.
After starting work, my financial situation gradually improved, and I began to consider undergoing myopia correction surgery again. There were several reasons why I wanted to have the surgery:
- In daily life, wearing frame glasses for a long time sometimes makes my nose and ears uncomfortable.
- In daily sports: when running or doing aerobics, glasses might fall off and hinder wiping sweat.
- In outdoor activities: kayaking, diving, and hiking, wearing contact lenses for a long time makes my eyes dry and uncomfortable.
At this point, the biggest factor preventing me from having the surgery became my fear of the side effects and the possibility of surgical failure. I knew some friends who had undergone myopia surgery in the U.S., but most of them lived in the Bay Area. So, I wanted to know if anyone I knew had undergone myopia surgery in Southern California and if they could recommend a doctor, which would ease my concerns significantly. One day, I saw a photo of a colleague who used to wear glasses, and I keenly asked her if she had undergone myopia surgery. She was surprised by my question and told me that she had had the surgery over ten years ago, with excellent results, and she could still see clearly to this day. She was very satisfied. She had the surgery done in San Diego and could recommend the doctor who performed the surgery for her back then. Thus, I got in touch with the doctor who had performed LASIK surgery on her over a decade ago.
Preoperative Examination
Phone Appointment
The doctor recommended by my colleague is Eric Linebarger, MD, who is affiliated with the public hospital Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Centers. I looked at the patient reviews on the doctor’s homepage, and they were all very positive. So, I called the appointment number on the website and waited for a call back. Doctor Linebarger’s assistant, Janet, called me and informed me that I could first schedule a free preoperative eye examination to determine if my eyes were suitable for Lasik surgery. I made the appointment call in November 2021, but the earliest I could get for the preoperative examination was March 2022, which shows that the waitlist is quite long. There was no choice but to schedule the preoperative examination four months later.
About a month after making the appointment call, I received a folder of materials sent by the hospital. Inside were:
- A page introducing the doctor
- The assistant’s business card
- A map of the hospital’s location
- Information about this appointment (time, place, parking, precautions, surgery costs)
- Preoperative precautions
- Postoperative precautions
- An introduction to the principles of the laser myopia surgery I was going to undergo
I found the materials in this folder to be very useful. The precautions included that I should not wear contact lenses for 7 days before the preoperative examination, and that the examination would require dilation of both eyes. It also clearly stated that the total cost of the surgery would be $3400 (for both eyes), which includes the cost of follow-up visits for one year after the surgery, as well as the cost of re-surgery if I needed it again within 18 months due to myopia.
On the Day of Preoperative Examination
Since the preoperative examination did not require a driver to take me, I drove myself, which turned out to be a very wrong decision. It was a Friday, and I had an appointment at 8:30 in the morning, but it didn’t end until 11:30. During this time, many advanced instruments were used to measure various aspects of my eyes, including but not limited to: dilated vision tests for both eyes, corneal thickness, intraocular pressure, dry eye tests, and many other measurements I didn’t understand. The final conclusion was that my corneas are slightly thinner than the normal range, with the left eye measuring 511 microns and the right eye 512 microns, while the average corneal thickness is between 520 and 540 microns. Another point is that I have mild dry eye; the dry eye test involved applying anesthetic eye drops and then inserting a graduated paper strip under my eyelid to see how far tears could moisten the strip. My dry eye test results were 11mm for the left eye and 10mm for the right eye. Aside from these two points, my eye examination was completely normal.
The impact of thin corneas on laser surgery is that there is a limited thickness of cornea that can be cut with the laser; once a certain thickness is reached, it cannot be thinned further. However, since my degree of myopia is not very severe, I still have enough thickness to undergo this surgery, and even if I become myopic again in the future, there is still enough thickness for a second surgery. The concern with dry eyes is that a common side effect after Lasik laser surgery is experiencing dry eyes, and since I already had this symptom before the surgery, it might become more pronounced afterward. It is possible that I will need to frequently use eye drops for dry eyes for about six months post-surgery. Nevertheless, the conclusion drawn by the doctor from my preoperative examination results was that I am suitable for Lasik surgery.
I requested all the results from this preoperative examination and had an assistant print a copy (over ten pages) for me to take home. During the examination, the doctor also explained the principles of Lasik surgery and encouraged me to ask questions, but unfortunately, my English is not very good, so I didn’t understand much of the surgical principles. However, it was fine; I didn’t need to make a decision about whether to proceed with the surgery on that day. Despite being very advanced and involving many eye tests I had never done before, this preoperative examination was completely free of charge.
After the examination, I drove home by myself. Since I had undergone dilation over an hour earlier, my eyes were sensitive to light and I couldn’t see my phone clearly. As I mentioned, I drove myself there, so I had to drive myself back. This was the most painful driving experience I had; I brought two pairs of sunglasses, but the visibility was very dark. Plus, my eyes had just undergone many tests, and I wasn’t very comfortable, even feeling a bit foggy and extremely tired. However, it was Friday, and I had to drive myself from San Diego back to Irvine. I couldn’t see the navigation on my phone, even though I had set the font size to the maximum on my iPhone. If I remember correctly, after the examination, I didn’t have lunch, and just as I was about to set off, I realized my car was out of gas, so I had to stop to refuel. Then, I struggled to drive for nearly two hours before finally arriving home safely. The lesson learned is that if I have dilation in the future, I must find someone to help me drive.
Online Research and Surgery Appointment
Research Work
After completing the pre-operative examination, I began to seriously consider whether to undergo this surgery, so I conducted some research. During my research, I mainly wanted to clarify one question: What are the differences between SMILE and LASIK surgeries (technical principles, side effects, prices), and which one is better for me? Below are some resources that I found useful.
Assil Eye Institute What is the principle of laser vision correction surgery?
YouTube Video: LASIK, PRK, SMILE: What’s the difference?
YouTube Video: What Getting Laser Eye Surgery Is Really Like
Regarding this question, I also asked Doctor Linebarger’s assistant over the phone. Her assistant partially answered my questions but was not very familiar with the IntraLASIK technology. Later, I received a call from Doctor Linebarger himself, who specifically called to address my concerns. I also asked some friends in the U.S., and they all had LASIK rather than SMILE.
In the end, my conclusion was that SMILE is indeed more advanced than LASIK, mainly because of the smaller incision. There are many types of LASIK, and the LASIK technology is more mature (it has a longer history), allowing for more precise operations. LASIK is more common in the U.S., and the price is usually cheaper than SMILE. Since the results of LASIK leave most patients satisfied, few are willing to spend more money on SMILE, which is why SMILE is not very popular in the U.S. If I wanted to undergo SMILE, I would have to find another institution because SHARP/Linebarger does not perform it. I searched online and found a private hospital in Irvine that offers SMILE, so I called to inquire. I found that the customer service on the phone was very unprofessional; although they provided Chinese services, the representative was clueless and didn’t provide any information (including surgery prices), only wanting me to schedule a pre-operative examination. It gave me the impression that this private institution was more about making money and not as straightforward as SHARP. So in the end, I chose to have LASIK surgery, and I did it at SHARP.
The materials the hospital sent me included one titled IntraLASIK Correction of Nearsightedness, Farsightedness, and Astigmatism Using IntraLase Technology, which introduced the technology used in this LASIK surgery, as well as common side effects, and I read it thoroughly. Additionally, I went through the dozen pages of the pre-operative examination report and asked the doctor or assistant all my questions. (This surgery can correct astigmatism.)
Surgery Appointment
After making the decision, I called to schedule the surgery. The waiting line for the surgery was not as long as that for the free pre-operative check, so I could book a date a month later. On the day of the surgery, I needed to have a driver to take me home because I couldn’t drive for 1-2 days after the procedure, so I had to consider the driver’s availability. In the end, I scheduled the surgery for the end of May. The pre-operative precautions included not wearing contact lenses for three days before the surgery; starting to use Ofloxacin antibiotic eye drops the day before, four times a day; not wearing makeup on the day of the surgery; and being aware that the operating room would be cold, so I should keep warm.
Day of Surgery
I scheduled the surgery for Thursday, May 26, at 10:30 AM, which meant arriving at the hospital at that time. Upon arrival, I first went to check in and pay. I forgot to bring my HSA card, so I used a credit card to pay the $3,400 surgery fee, and as a result, my credit score dropped the following month! I learned that for expenses over $1,000, I should avoid using a credit card, as it can affect my credit score. I was quite nervous that day, so I had my husband accompany me to check in. The original plan was for him to go grocery shopping while I had the surgery and then come back to pick me up afterward. However, the nurse asked where my accompanying family member was, and informed me that family could observe the surgery from a large glass window outside the operating room, which even had two chairs for them. So, I quickly called and messaged my family to come back from the parking lot.
The Surgery Process
Before entering the operating room, the doctor explained the procedure in detail and told me how to cooperate during the surgery. The LASIK surgery mainly consists of two parts: the first step is to create a flap on the cornea using a laser and then flip it open; the second step is to use another laser with a different wavelength to thin the cornea underneath the flap to a specific thickness, and then cover the flap back. The doctor said that after the flap was created and flipped open, my vision would turn gray and white, and I wouldn’t see anything. During the second step, while the laser was thinning the cornea, I would hear a popping sound from the laser and smell the scent of burning protein; this process would last about 30 seconds for each eye. What I needed to do was to stay calm throughout, avoid deep breathing, and try to keep my body still while focusing on a red dot directly above my eye, even if my vision was unclear behind it, so that my eyeball would remain in the correct position.
The pre-operative checks took quite a bit of time, and I actually entered the operating room around 11:40 AM. The operating room was quite cold, and although I had worn thick clothing, the nurse covered me with a warm blanket. Before each step, the doctor would explain what was happening and continuously encourage me during the procedure, telling me I was doing great. The entire surgery process lasted about 40 minutes. I felt a bit of pain in my left eye during the flap creation, so the doctor paused and added a few drops of anesthetic (I didn’t need general anesthesia, just some eye drops with anesthetic properties), and then continued, which delayed things slightly.
The surgery process was very similar to the video I shared above. Here are some photos taken by my family before, during, and after the surgery.
After the surgery, the doctor performed some checks on my eyes and explained the post-operative precautions before letting me go home. At this point, I was wearing a plastic eye shield (as shown in the picture above, it was taped to my face), but I could still see clearly enough to walk on my own. From the time I arrived at the hospital to when I left, it took just a little over two hours.
Precautions
Post-operative precautions include
- Use 2 types of eye drops (as shown in the picture), 4 times a day, with both types to be used each time, spaced 5 minutes apart.
- It is recommended to keep your eyes closed/take a nap for a few hours after the surgery.
- On the day of the surgery, you need to wear a plastic eye shield.
- For a week after the surgery, you must wear the plastic eye shield while sleeping, mainly to prevent rubbing your eyes.
- You cannot wear eye makeup for 2 weeks after the surgery.
- For 2 weeks after the surgery, avoid getting water in your eyes while showering/washing your face.
- You cannot swim or engage in water sports for 2 weeks after the surgery.
- Wear sunglasses outdoors.
- You cannot drive on the day of the surgery; you can drive once you feel comfortable afterward.
- If your eyes feel dry, you can use artificial tears at any time.
After the surgery, I had lunch and then slept for about 3 hours. When I woke up, my eyes felt much better, and my vision was normal; I could see clearly, although my eyes were still a bit uncomfortable. I specifically asked the doctor if I could run or exercise after the surgery, and the doctor advised against exercising for 2 days post-surgery, but after that, it should be fine. From my experience, running was uncomfortable for the first week after the surgery, but resistance exercises like push-ups were not affected.
Post-operative Recovery
My surgery was on Thursday morning, and the follow-up check was on Friday afternoon. I took 2 days of sick leave, plus the 3-day long weekend for Memorial Day on 5/31, giving me a total of 5 days off to recover. When I went for the follow-up on Friday, the doctor told me that my surgery was very successful, and my vision reached 20/20 (although it was a bit strained), but I could see things clearly. I felt a bit uncomfortable in my left eye, like there was sand in it. The doctor checked and said there was a slight scratch on the surface of my left eye, which would heal in a day or two. When I went to the zoo with friends on Saturday, my left eye was still a bit uncomfortable, but by Sunday (the third day post-surgery), that discomfort disappeared.
After the surgery, I had blood clots in my eyes, which the doctor said was normal, as shown in the photo below. This blood clot lasted for 2 weeks before it slowly disappeared.
I started job hunting before the surgery, and since I didn’t use the computer much for 3 days post-surgery, I took a break from work to let my eyes recover. In the first two days back at work after the surgery, I found it hard to adjust to looking at the computer screen; it felt like I was working with contact lenses on, everything was too clear, but I gradually got used to it. After that, I continued to focus on job hunting, updating my resume, creating a personal website, submitting applications, practicing interview questions, and managing my work responsibilities. From early June to early August, for a full 2 months, I have been heavily using my eyes (spending long hours on the computer and phone every day).
Life after the surgery quickly returned to normal, and living without glasses is very refreshing. At first, I would forget and habitually make gestures to support my eyes. I didn’t experience any side effects from the surgery; I have no floaters, and I can see clearly (except recently I feel like distant objects are a bit blurry), and I didn’t feel any dryness in my eyes. The first time I drove at night after the surgery, I noticed the halos around traffic lights were very pronounced, but during subsequent night drives, I didn’t feel anything unusual. Overall, I am very satisfied with this surgery; the only concern I have is the fear of overusing my eyes and becoming nearsighted again.
Lasik Surgery Timeline
| Date | Item |
|---|---|
| 11/16/2021 | Called to schedule pre-operative exam |
| 3/25/2022 | Pre-operative exam (free) |
| 3/28/2022 | Learned about the principles of laser vision correction surgery |
| 4/1/2022 | Called to schedule surgery |
| 5/26/2022 | LASIK surgery day |
| 5/27/2022 | One-day post-operative check-up |
| 6/24/2022 | One-month post-operative check-up |
