Saturday 28th June
Still dry and cant read very well.
Late afternoon went to Sandbay with Martin and sat for a couple of hours. Suddenly realised I had been seeing very clearly for a while and could easily read a text from my sister!! Excited! However, once back in the car it all went back to the same again. Martin said that obviously the very windy conditions we had been sat in had been making my eyes watery which therefore improved vision. This was quite reassuring as it showed that once the dry-eye syndrome clears up everything should be crystal clear. Was such a disappointment tho and makes me feel kind of miserable, which is not like me at all.
Sunday 29th June
Same again. Slept better but still had a bad dream. Every night since Weds night I have had a bad dream and so detailed and vivid. I always have had dreams - but usually enjoyable ones not bad ones.
Drove the car for first time tonight - needed to practice ready for tomorrow as I hadnt actually driven for 3 weeks due to the engine packing up the week before our holiday. That cost me another £1200 on top of the £3000 for eyes! Ouch. Looking forward to getting back to work and having something sensible to do but not sure how much I can do if I cant read very well tomorrow. May have to cut the day short in the office and go and visit a client instead.
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Friday, 27 June 2008
Friday 27th June
Thanks Chris.
Actually I did get to sleep by playing talking book until I realised I wasnt really listening to it anymore and quickly switched it off. Lovely!
Today eyes no clearer for reading but can see TV ok. Its a bit like a feeling of seeing through cling film or something. I phoned Consultant to check it is normal. He seems to think it is still due to dry eyes. Offered to see me sooner than next Thurs if I want to. I will leave until Monday as it is early days really. I wish I had Ben's phone no so I could see if he is experiencing the same. It makes me feel a bit down. Did some ironing and walked to Asda in the rain, just to get out this afternoon. Daytime TV gets a bit samey after a few days, although I do love Loose Women!!
Actually I did get to sleep by playing talking book until I realised I wasnt really listening to it anymore and quickly switched it off. Lovely!
Today eyes no clearer for reading but can see TV ok. Its a bit like a feeling of seeing through cling film or something. I phoned Consultant to check it is normal. He seems to think it is still due to dry eyes. Offered to see me sooner than next Thurs if I want to. I will leave until Monday as it is early days really. I wish I had Ben's phone no so I could see if he is experiencing the same. It makes me feel a bit down. Did some ironing and walked to Asda in the rain, just to get out this afternoon. Daytime TV gets a bit samey after a few days, although I do love Loose Women!!
Thursday, 26 June 2008
laser surgery part 3
Wednesday 25th June
I had a terrible night's sleep on Tues night - watched the clock get to 3am (quite novel as I could never see it before!!) and woke up again by 5am, having had a terrible dream (which I have told a few chosen people but wont explain here!). Managed a few more hours. It was nothing to do with my eyes as they were fine. Wondered if it was because I couldnt read myself to sleep as I usually do or the after effects of having taken sleeping tablets for the first 3 nights.
My mum & dad visited in the morning and my mum kindly washed my hair whilst I covered my eyes. Dad had a go at drying it for me as I didnt want him to be left out. They left about 12 and I hung some washing out and then rang Miriam for quite a lengthy call and then felt completely exhausted. I suppose I hadnt done much except lie around and sleep for the last few days.
Went to the eye hospital for 4.30pm. Forgot there was a Bon Jovi concert on at the City Ground so roads were almost gridlocked. Bumped into Ben, the chap who had his eyes done before me, and he had suffered more pain and discomfort than me (or is it just that he is a man??). I was nervous about having the contact lenses removed but was reassured. Before removal my sight was tested and I was really pleased as I could see on the driving standard line in one eye and a line better than driving standard in the other eye and with both I could see almost the whole chart!! I didnt expect that so soon.
However!!!!! The joy was not to last as once he removed the contact lenses my eyes felt like they were full of sand. It was and still is horrible. This is very normal as the surface of the eye is very dry whilst it is healing. He has given me various drops and fake tears etc. He was very pleased with my progress and said that I was so good during the op that I lay there looking like a doll! I told him that I could see everything he was doing during the op and he was amazed and said that no-one had ever told him that before. Well, I like to be different. We decided to go into House of Frazer for a coffee to avoid the rush-hour traffic and I couldnt believe it - it was closing down and there was a sale on with 70% off but I couldnt see very well at all so was unable to shop till I dropped (Martin was very grateful for this, of course).
My eyes were extremely gritty all evening and I couldnt wait to go to bed as it was so difficult to focus on anything very clearly. I was also dreading to go to bed in case I couldnt sleep again. Martin offered to sleep downstairs so I could put the light on and put talking books on etc if there was a problem . I took him up on this but it was an awful night again. I got through two talking discs and tried all sorts of relaxing techniques and counting sheep etc but still saw 3am. Must have gone off then but only for a couple of hours as I had another nightmare - this time burglars were coming up the stairs! I was desperately trying (in the dream) to pick up my handbag and shove it inside the quilt and pretend to be asleep so they would just take what they wanted and leave me alone! There was alot more to it than that of course and it was frightening. I stayed in bed until 11 but felt a bit miserable all morning until I spoke to Sue H, Gabi, Diane and Joan then I brightened up.
My eyes are not so gritty now but very hazy and I have to keep blinking hard to clear them. I am typing this through a sort of fog. However, it is an improvement on last night and assuming that it will get a bit clearer each day.
Just dreading tonight. Any suggestions for getting to sleep????
I had a terrible night's sleep on Tues night - watched the clock get to 3am (quite novel as I could never see it before!!) and woke up again by 5am, having had a terrible dream (which I have told a few chosen people but wont explain here!). Managed a few more hours. It was nothing to do with my eyes as they were fine. Wondered if it was because I couldnt read myself to sleep as I usually do or the after effects of having taken sleeping tablets for the first 3 nights.
My mum & dad visited in the morning and my mum kindly washed my hair whilst I covered my eyes. Dad had a go at drying it for me as I didnt want him to be left out. They left about 12 and I hung some washing out and then rang Miriam for quite a lengthy call and then felt completely exhausted. I suppose I hadnt done much except lie around and sleep for the last few days.
Went to the eye hospital for 4.30pm. Forgot there was a Bon Jovi concert on at the City Ground so roads were almost gridlocked. Bumped into Ben, the chap who had his eyes done before me, and he had suffered more pain and discomfort than me (or is it just that he is a man??). I was nervous about having the contact lenses removed but was reassured. Before removal my sight was tested and I was really pleased as I could see on the driving standard line in one eye and a line better than driving standard in the other eye and with both I could see almost the whole chart!! I didnt expect that so soon.
However!!!!! The joy was not to last as once he removed the contact lenses my eyes felt like they were full of sand. It was and still is horrible. This is very normal as the surface of the eye is very dry whilst it is healing. He has given me various drops and fake tears etc. He was very pleased with my progress and said that I was so good during the op that I lay there looking like a doll! I told him that I could see everything he was doing during the op and he was amazed and said that no-one had ever told him that before. Well, I like to be different. We decided to go into House of Frazer for a coffee to avoid the rush-hour traffic and I couldnt believe it - it was closing down and there was a sale on with 70% off but I couldnt see very well at all so was unable to shop till I dropped (Martin was very grateful for this, of course).
My eyes were extremely gritty all evening and I couldnt wait to go to bed as it was so difficult to focus on anything very clearly. I was also dreading to go to bed in case I couldnt sleep again. Martin offered to sleep downstairs so I could put the light on and put talking books on etc if there was a problem . I took him up on this but it was an awful night again. I got through two talking discs and tried all sorts of relaxing techniques and counting sheep etc but still saw 3am. Must have gone off then but only for a couple of hours as I had another nightmare - this time burglars were coming up the stairs! I was desperately trying (in the dream) to pick up my handbag and shove it inside the quilt and pretend to be asleep so they would just take what they wanted and leave me alone! There was alot more to it than that of course and it was frightening. I stayed in bed until 11 but felt a bit miserable all morning until I spoke to Sue H, Gabi, Diane and Joan then I brightened up.
My eyes are not so gritty now but very hazy and I have to keep blinking hard to clear them. I am typing this through a sort of fog. However, it is an improvement on last night and assuming that it will get a bit clearer each day.
Just dreading tonight. Any suggestions for getting to sleep????
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
laser surger
Writing on Tuesday 24th afternoon.
Saturday 10am arrived at Eye Hospital with Martin, who was promptly offered a coffee by the pleasant nurse - I was not allowed one! She kindly stuck drops in my eyes instead preparing me for the procedure. About half an hour lapsed whilst we waited for the first chap to come out and when he did he looked like he was auditioning for 'The Fly' with two large plastic patches stuck with elegant white tape. He was smiling, though, which was reassuring.
My turn..... I lay on the couch with my head resting in a circular pad. Nothing to keep it still - which I had expected. Apparently the laser machine can track your eyes as they move. Several more lots of drops. There were 5 people present, including a student (he wasnt going to touch me, thank God!) but this meant that every part of the procedure was explained out loud to him (and ME). For some reason I didnt feel nervous - my arms lay still by my side and fingers and toes didnt clench except for a few seconds when the eyelid clamp was fixed in place (that was the one thing I had been worried about). It was uncomfortable whilst being fitted but fine once in place. A few more drops and then the operation began.
It was so strange as I could see everything that was going on as if the front of my eye was a piece of glass and everything was happening on top of it. He first used a small spatula to scrape back the cells from the front of the eye, after soaking it with alchohol, and I could see all this (weired!) but it didnt bother me. Then they set the laser machine in position, switched on and hey presto all over in about 30 seconds. I was told that there may be a strange smell associated with the burning off but when it came I recognised it as the same smell I had when I burnt my nail and the hairs on my knuckle when I tried to light a candle from the gas ring. All done, and a liquid drug was popped into my eye for 15 seconds before being rinsed out (this isnt licenced for this procedure so I had to sign for it, however the consultant said it has been found to be brilliant in preventing haziness which often follows surgery). A temporary contact lens was lowered onto the eye as a 'bandage'. Clamp removed and the second eye repeated.
I was wheeled back out to meet Martin and I demanded my well-deserved cup of coffee. I was chatting to a lady sitting opposite for some time when it suddenly dawned on my that I could see all the features on her face - something I would not have been able to do without contact lenses or glasses before. I was so excited. I suppose I hadnt notices as I was wearing these silly plastic eye shields it felt like I had my glasses on!! I then started looking around the room trying to test what I could see. It wasnt perfectly clear due to the patches and the trauma the eyes had been through, but really encouraging.
I had to wear dark glasses home (and am still wearing them) as your eyes cant tolerate the daylight for a while. I went straight to bed in a dark room and my wonderful helper, Martin, has looked after me. You could not do this on your own as you cannot see anything as your eyes will barely open and you need so many different tablets and drops at different intervals thro the day, as well as food and drink and someone to turn your talking book over!! He gave me a stick to knock on the floor if I needed him but I knocked so gently because I thought of all those horrible old ladies who bang on the floor in films!! When I needed the toilet he kindly guided me - I grabbed hold of his waist and followed, completely trusting him. It really made you realise how terrible it must be to be blind. For example, as we left the hospital I held onto him tightly and could see a little bit, but the changes in floor materials from paving slabs to pink knobbly concrete felt scary - I was convinced in was a step but Martin had to reassure me it was flat.
I didnt seem to be in much pain or discomfort until about 3pm and then it started with gusto! Only in one eye, thank goodness, it felt as if there was a handful of sand in there and both eyes just ran and ran with big tears which in turn made my nose run constantly and then I felt all blocked up. I really didnt know what to do with myself and felt like punching someone (not really!). I assumed this would last for the next two days. However, after the 6pm doses of painkillers etc that calmed down and I have not experenced it since. So three hours of severe discomfort is worth it. The rest of the day was jist mild discomfort. Nothing to complain about. I had my Lorazapam etc and had a good nights sleep. Still had not opened my eyes.
Sunday.
Spent most of the day in bed, being looked after by Martin on a regular basis to be fed, watered and drugged. He even forced me to eat cream finger donuts! I spent time listening to talking books and sleeping. Problem was I never seemed to finish a disc before falling asleep and so had to listen to half of it again to find my place! I came downstairs for a short time in the evening but couldnt really tolerate the TV light. Still hadnt opened my eyes. Lids felt really heavy.
Monday
Martin had to go to work today so did my drops and got my breakfast and set up my bed with everything in reach. Bless him. Mid morning I decided to try and peel my eyelids apart and I managed to see for the first time since Saturday. It was brilliant. You dont realise how much you appreciate your sight until you've been without it for a few days. I rang everyone to tell them but after about an hour they became tired and needed to shut. Martin came home at lunchtime and I listened to talking books and slept until Martin came home at night time. I must say that I felt a bit depressed for the last hour or so before he came back. Came down to eat dinner and stayed down until 11ish but found I couldnt sustain keeping my eyes open for very long. This was disappointing but I assumed it was probably normal. I am pleased to say that I have hardly used any of the pain killing eye drops - so that must be encouraging for anyone thinking of having it done.
Tuesday
I decided I needed to try and do a bit more for myself today as I have to go back to the consultant tomorrow to have the temp contact lenses removed and at the moment that doesnt feel possible! I got up at coffee time and made myself a drink and tried watching some TV with my dark glasses on. Managed to stay down for 2hrs and then eyes wanted to close again. Returned to bed and slept and listened to Chocolat talking book (kindly dropped in by Miriam's son, Ben' last night. I am really pleased that I have been able to sit here long enough now to type out all this and that my eyes are still open, if not a bit tired.
I am going to get Martin to take my out for a walk tonight as my body feels a bit weak where Ive been lying around too much.
Saturday 10am arrived at Eye Hospital with Martin, who was promptly offered a coffee by the pleasant nurse - I was not allowed one! She kindly stuck drops in my eyes instead preparing me for the procedure. About half an hour lapsed whilst we waited for the first chap to come out and when he did he looked like he was auditioning for 'The Fly' with two large plastic patches stuck with elegant white tape. He was smiling, though, which was reassuring.
My turn..... I lay on the couch with my head resting in a circular pad. Nothing to keep it still - which I had expected. Apparently the laser machine can track your eyes as they move. Several more lots of drops. There were 5 people present, including a student (he wasnt going to touch me, thank God!) but this meant that every part of the procedure was explained out loud to him (and ME). For some reason I didnt feel nervous - my arms lay still by my side and fingers and toes didnt clench except for a few seconds when the eyelid clamp was fixed in place (that was the one thing I had been worried about). It was uncomfortable whilst being fitted but fine once in place. A few more drops and then the operation began.
It was so strange as I could see everything that was going on as if the front of my eye was a piece of glass and everything was happening on top of it. He first used a small spatula to scrape back the cells from the front of the eye, after soaking it with alchohol, and I could see all this (weired!) but it didnt bother me. Then they set the laser machine in position, switched on and hey presto all over in about 30 seconds. I was told that there may be a strange smell associated with the burning off but when it came I recognised it as the same smell I had when I burnt my nail and the hairs on my knuckle when I tried to light a candle from the gas ring. All done, and a liquid drug was popped into my eye for 15 seconds before being rinsed out (this isnt licenced for this procedure so I had to sign for it, however the consultant said it has been found to be brilliant in preventing haziness which often follows surgery). A temporary contact lens was lowered onto the eye as a 'bandage'. Clamp removed and the second eye repeated.
I was wheeled back out to meet Martin and I demanded my well-deserved cup of coffee. I was chatting to a lady sitting opposite for some time when it suddenly dawned on my that I could see all the features on her face - something I would not have been able to do without contact lenses or glasses before. I was so excited. I suppose I hadnt notices as I was wearing these silly plastic eye shields it felt like I had my glasses on!! I then started looking around the room trying to test what I could see. It wasnt perfectly clear due to the patches and the trauma the eyes had been through, but really encouraging.
I had to wear dark glasses home (and am still wearing them) as your eyes cant tolerate the daylight for a while. I went straight to bed in a dark room and my wonderful helper, Martin, has looked after me. You could not do this on your own as you cannot see anything as your eyes will barely open and you need so many different tablets and drops at different intervals thro the day, as well as food and drink and someone to turn your talking book over!! He gave me a stick to knock on the floor if I needed him but I knocked so gently because I thought of all those horrible old ladies who bang on the floor in films!! When I needed the toilet he kindly guided me - I grabbed hold of his waist and followed, completely trusting him. It really made you realise how terrible it must be to be blind. For example, as we left the hospital I held onto him tightly and could see a little bit, but the changes in floor materials from paving slabs to pink knobbly concrete felt scary - I was convinced in was a step but Martin had to reassure me it was flat.
I didnt seem to be in much pain or discomfort until about 3pm and then it started with gusto! Only in one eye, thank goodness, it felt as if there was a handful of sand in there and both eyes just ran and ran with big tears which in turn made my nose run constantly and then I felt all blocked up. I really didnt know what to do with myself and felt like punching someone (not really!). I assumed this would last for the next two days. However, after the 6pm doses of painkillers etc that calmed down and I have not experenced it since. So three hours of severe discomfort is worth it. The rest of the day was jist mild discomfort. Nothing to complain about. I had my Lorazapam etc and had a good nights sleep. Still had not opened my eyes.
Sunday.
Spent most of the day in bed, being looked after by Martin on a regular basis to be fed, watered and drugged. He even forced me to eat cream finger donuts! I spent time listening to talking books and sleeping. Problem was I never seemed to finish a disc before falling asleep and so had to listen to half of it again to find my place! I came downstairs for a short time in the evening but couldnt really tolerate the TV light. Still hadnt opened my eyes. Lids felt really heavy.
Monday
Martin had to go to work today so did my drops and got my breakfast and set up my bed with everything in reach. Bless him. Mid morning I decided to try and peel my eyelids apart and I managed to see for the first time since Saturday. It was brilliant. You dont realise how much you appreciate your sight until you've been without it for a few days. I rang everyone to tell them but after about an hour they became tired and needed to shut. Martin came home at lunchtime and I listened to talking books and slept until Martin came home at night time. I must say that I felt a bit depressed for the last hour or so before he came back. Came down to eat dinner and stayed down until 11ish but found I couldnt sustain keeping my eyes open for very long. This was disappointing but I assumed it was probably normal. I am pleased to say that I have hardly used any of the pain killing eye drops - so that must be encouraging for anyone thinking of having it done.
Tuesday
I decided I needed to try and do a bit more for myself today as I have to go back to the consultant tomorrow to have the temp contact lenses removed and at the moment that doesnt feel possible! I got up at coffee time and made myself a drink and tried watching some TV with my dark glasses on. Managed to stay down for 2hrs and then eyes wanted to close again. Returned to bed and slept and listened to Chocolat talking book (kindly dropped in by Miriam's son, Ben' last night. I am really pleased that I have been able to sit here long enough now to type out all this and that my eyes are still open, if not a bit tired.
I am going to get Martin to take my out for a walk tonight as my body feels a bit weak where Ive been lying around too much.
Friday, 20 June 2008
My Laser Surgery
Friday 20th June 2008
Tomorrow morning I will be having my laser eye surgery to correct astigmatism and short-sightedness. I do not feel nervous this evening but all could change tomorrow!
I am having the surgery at Bristol Eye Hospital where I have already had a very thorough consultation with photos of the eye, pressure tests and sight tests. The treatment is the LASEK type where the epithilium is raised with alchohol and some cells scraped away before the laser does its work. The consultant prefers this to the Lasik where flaps are cut in the cornea.
He has told me what to expect for the next few days/weeks:
The operation should not be painful.
I will have temporary 'bandage' contact lenses for 4 days to help healing and prevent infection.
I may be in severe pain for a couple of days when the anaesthetic wears off. Although some people only complain of discomfort - some have severe pain so everyone must be told that this is a possibility. Sleeping tablets will be prescribed and eye drops.
I must stay in a dark room for 2 days and not allowed to watch tv or read. I have borrowed talking books from the library. (I feel like an old person having talking books and Lorazapam!)
I will have to return to the hospital in 4 days to have the contact lenses removed.
My sight may be really good immediately after the op but this will temporarily deteriorate when the healing begins to take place. Eyes may be hazy or gritty for a while.
Driving probably not possible for about a week. Can only drive when sight is at driving standard.
The final outcome may take from 1-3 months.
Everyone I have spoken to seems to know someone who has had laser surgery and all have had good results - so I am excited but not looking forward to the pain and discomfort!!
Will post again when I can.
Tomorrow morning I will be having my laser eye surgery to correct astigmatism and short-sightedness. I do not feel nervous this evening but all could change tomorrow!
I am having the surgery at Bristol Eye Hospital where I have already had a very thorough consultation with photos of the eye, pressure tests and sight tests. The treatment is the LASEK type where the epithilium is raised with alchohol and some cells scraped away before the laser does its work. The consultant prefers this to the Lasik where flaps are cut in the cornea.
He has told me what to expect for the next few days/weeks:
The operation should not be painful.
I will have temporary 'bandage' contact lenses for 4 days to help healing and prevent infection.
I may be in severe pain for a couple of days when the anaesthetic wears off. Although some people only complain of discomfort - some have severe pain so everyone must be told that this is a possibility. Sleeping tablets will be prescribed and eye drops.
I must stay in a dark room for 2 days and not allowed to watch tv or read. I have borrowed talking books from the library. (I feel like an old person having talking books and Lorazapam!)
I will have to return to the hospital in 4 days to have the contact lenses removed.
My sight may be really good immediately after the op but this will temporarily deteriorate when the healing begins to take place. Eyes may be hazy or gritty for a while.
Driving probably not possible for about a week. Can only drive when sight is at driving standard.
The final outcome may take from 1-3 months.
Everyone I have spoken to seems to know someone who has had laser surgery and all have had good results - so I am excited but not looking forward to the pain and discomfort!!
Will post again when I can.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)