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.