Just how scary is LASIK?!

Just how scary is LASIK?

I've had contacts for about 10 years now and they are expensive and I'm tired of them. I'm considering going in for a consult on getting LASIK, but I'm really squeamish about the whole concept. Can anyone whose been through it walk me through the pre-op, procedure, and what it's like afterwards (both in the sense of after-care and also in the long-term)? It sounds terrible, especially since you're awake for the whole process.

Believe me, there is no pain at all. The pre-op is similar to an eye exam, and they give you a prescription for drops. You cannot wear your contacts for at least a week to 10 days before the surgery - glasses only. The procedure itself takes no more than 5 minutes each eye. They numb your eyes with some topical drops. They put a little suction thingie on your eye to make it hold still, and with that you feel pressure, and can't see for a bit - that's normal! When the actual procedure is going on, all you see is a bright laser light flashing. No pain. If you are afraid if sneezing (or some other involuntary movement) during the procedure, let the doc know what your "signal" will be. Still, the actual procedure is so brief, it is very rare that this will happen, even for "scaredy-cats" like me.

Afterwards, you will be able to see right away - with no discomfort. They will tell you sleep when you get home, but I was too excited to do that. They send you home with some goggles, both to protect your eyes from accidental rubbing during sleep and to protect from glare. For about 2-3 weeks afterwards, you will notice a lot more glare than usual, so always wear your sunglasses. I wore mine in the HOUSE for about 2 days afterwards. It looks like the kind of glare similar to when you wear your contacts too long, only brighter. That glare fades, and the t.v. and computer stop being so bright to your eyes a few days after. I was very vain and didn't return to work for a week afterwards - because they don't let you wear any eye makeup for about 10 days after, but not because of any pain or discomfort I felt.

Your eyes will be quite dry for up to 3 months after. You will need to have those lubricating eye drops with you wherever you go, but that goes away too. Since I had Lasik done to correct my long distance vision, surprizingly, my close up vision was impaired a bit for the first couple of months, but that too adjusted. I just wore reader glasses for a bit, but no longer do.

I can honestly say it was one of the BEST things I have ever done for myself. I have worn glasses or contacts for 40 years, and it is absolutely AWESOME to be able to see the clock when I get up, know that I can handle myself in a disaster without contacts and solutions, and see the beach while swimming. Don't wait - it is great!!