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| LASIK Procedure |
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| In 1981, I was in the 4th grade. For some strange reason, I thought it would be neat to get glasses. Maybe I thought they would make me look more distinguished or something. At any rate, I got my first pair of glasses that year from Dr. John Guzzetti of Beaver, PA. Seven years later, I decided I did not like wearing glasses anymore and opted for contact lenses. Dr. Howard Cohen of the Eye Center in Ambridge, PA, fitted me with a pair of gas-permeable contacts. |
| The Laser Vistion Institute - Pittsburgh, PA (Click the picture for their website.) |
| The nurse is getting the laser lined up. |
| After graduation from college in 1995, I heard about RK (radial keratectomy), a procedure that could correct your vision. I went to a seminar to find out more about it and learned three things: 1) I was a candidate; 2) the procedure was done by hand using a diamond blade; 3) there was NO WAY I was letting somebody cut my eye by hand! I decided I would wait for a laser procedure that would certainly come out. (By the way, RK was quite expensive, too, at about $2,500 per eye.) |
| Dr. Vale (right) performs the LASIK procedure. |
| A few years later, PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) was developed. In this procedure, a laser is used to reshape your cornea. This was an upgrade over RK, especially since it used a laser. Recovery time was 3-6 months, and you could only get one eye done at a time. While this method was definitely preferred, it was still pricey with about a $2,000 per eye price tag. However, since lasers were starting to be used for vision correction, it was only a matter of time before the procedure was improved even further. |
| I rested my eyes for a few minutes afterwards. |
| Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is now the most popular form of laser vision corrective surgery. (For more information, click here.) The procedure involves cutting a thin flap on the surface of the eye, moving the flap, and performing the correction with a laser. The flap is then put back in place to complete the procedure. This method greatly reduces healing times with most people being able to see quite clearly in as little as 2-3 days. The prices vary wildly from $400 - $2,000 per eye. My recommendation is to do some research on the facility and the doctor(s) that practice at the facility. |
| I can see! |
| I had LASIK performed on my eyes on July 21, 2001 at the Laser Vision Institute in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Vale performed the procedure. From the time I walked into the room, to the time that I got up and walked out of the room, a total of 20 minutes had elapsed. Think about that for a second. In twenty minutes, my vision had been corrected. My vision had to be artifically corrected (glasses or contacts) for nearly 20 years, and in 20 minutes, those days were behind me. The procedure itself can be described as "uncomfortable". There was no pain, but my eyes felt uncomfortable. However, the procedure was fast and after feeling discomfort (like something was in my eyes) for another 3-4 hours, it was over. I could see clearly and experienced no more discomfort. |
| The day following the procedure I was examined and had 20/30 vision. Prior to the procedure, I had worse then 20/400. I had another checkup on August 1, 2001, and my vision had improved slightly to 20/25. There will be another follow-up in October, so we will see if my vision continues to improve. |
| There are several pictures on this page...please be patient. |
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