This is a blog post made by one of our LASIK customers. Stephanie gave us a walk-through write-up of her LASIK experience at Commonwealth Eye Surgery and we wanted to share her experience with you….

Today I’d like to go into detail about the actual LASIK procedure.

The day of surgery was very easy, thanks to the staff and doctors at Commonwealth Eye Surgery. I was given a dose of Valium to relax me for the procedure. After a few minutes, Dr. Ferguson came to talk to me about the procedure. He really put me at ease while we were talking. He said that he would be talking me through the procedure and that I would always know what was happening. He also helped me understand any discomfort that I would feel during the procedure. He instructed me to close my eyes and press on my eyelids with my fingertips until I began to see stars. I did this, and could feel the pressure being place on my eyes. He said that sensation is what I would feel as the corneal flap is cut, and that it would be the maximum level of discomfort during the procedure. This made me feel very relaxed! I knew I could handle the procedure after “practicing” this with Dr. Ferguson. He asked if I had any questions and if I was ready, and led me into the LASIK Suite. I was greeted by Melissa and Crystal, two nurses who would be helping me through the procedure. They were very kind and helped me lay down on the table next to the laser.

I knew my worst fear with this surgery was about to occur: the placing of the speculum into my eyes. This is the little device that would keep my eye wide open during the surgery and prevent me from blinking. Before the speculum was placed, I received a round of eye drops and they cleaned all around my eyes to minimize any risk of infection. Melissa and Crystal then taped my right eye open. This sounds terrible, but I promise it didn’t hurt! Just felt… weird, for lack of a more descriptive word. They paced a shield over my left eye to protect it while my right eye received the LASIK treatment. More drops were then placed in my right eye. These drops were actually a mild anesthetic which numbed my eye to make the procedure completely painless. Then it was time for the speculum! I could see it coming as they placed it into my eye, and after they inserted it, my natural reaction was to blink. But of course I couldn’t! For about five seconds, I panicked. It was mildly uncomfortable at first, but after a few moments, I couldn’t even feel it anymore! I also thought that my eyes would be uncomfortable because I wouldn’t be able to blink, but I put it out of my mind and it didn’t affect me at all. I didn’t even notice that I wasn’t blinking.

I know that all of these things sound a bit scary, but Dr. Ferguson is telling you exactly what is happening and the nurses are extra gentle (plus, the valium helps with anxiety!). The largest obstacle to overcome with this surgery is anticipation: you aren’t sure what is going to happen and there is some fear of the unknown. That’s why I’d like to walk you through the procedure step-by-step, to hopefully ease some of that fear. More about the procedure to come tomorrow!

View all of Stephanie’s Lasik Evaluation posts as they are published – HERE